#Exhibit of the Month

Around thirty icons from the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova feature Saint Nicholas the Hierarch and Miracle Worker. While most represent the later iconographic tradition, a few early images stand out as rare examples due to their composition.
In the icon "Saint Nicholas with Scenes from His Life", the hierarch is depicted bust-length, blessing the Gospel. He is framed by two round medallions showing Christ and the Mother of God, who hand him the Gospel and the omophorion. Saint Nicholas, earlier than other saints, was portrayed with scenes from his hagiographic cycle. The first images of his life date back to the 11th century, represented on a folding icon from the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai.

The museum icon dates from the early 19th century, preserving the traditional chest format typical of classical icons. Twelve panels illustrate episodes from the saint's life, arranged from left to right: four on the upper register, four on the lower, and two on each side, as follows: Birth of Saint Nicholas (1), Baptism of Saint Nicholas (2), Miracle of Healing the Crippled Woman (3), Apprenticeship of Young Nicholas (4), Ordination as Deacon (5), Ordination as Bishop (6) Vision of Constantine (7), Saint Nicholas Saves Three Voivodes from Execution (8), Miracle of Rescue from Drowning (9), Miracle of Saving Basil from the Arabs (10), Dormition of Saint Nicholas (11), Translation of the Relics of Saint Nicholas to Bari (12).

Saint Nicholas the Hierarch is commemorated by the Orthodox Church twice a year: on December 6/19, the day of his birth, and on May 9/22, the day his relics were transferred from Myra to Bari (1087). Among all saints of the Christian world, the image of Saint Nicholas is one of the most popular, easily recognizable even to those unfamiliar with iconography.

He was born in the Roman Empire, at Patara in the province of Lycia, between 260-280, though early sources omit the exact date. Coming from a wealthy family, he rejected fame and luxury. From an early age he devoted himself to prayer and the study of Holy Scripture, while also mastering other disciplines. He avoided noisy gatherings and idle talk, attended church regularly, and pursued a life of chastity. Later he dedicated himself to pastoral ministry, defending the Christian faith with perseverance and firmly opposing heresies.
Through his care for people and the benefactions he performed everywhere, he became highly venerated not only in Myra but also in the surrounding regions. The grace of the Holy Spirit dwelling in his heart was revealed through miracles performed both during his life and after his death, earning him the enduring title of "Miracle Worker." Saint Nicholas passed away in the 330s (circa 334-337), and his remains were placed in a sumptuous marble tomb in the episcopal cathedral where he had served for many years. This soon became an important center of pilgrimage.
Holy Tradition has preserved with accuracy the features of his portrait, and his appearance in icons is marked by a distinct individuality. Ecclesiastical art has produced numerous iconographic representations, ranging from bust images to full-length depictions. The diversity of these representations suggests that the final iconography of Saint Nicholas was not yet established, taking shape only in the 10th-11th centuries. It is said that an authentic icon from the basilica in Myra, executed during the saint's lifetime and mentioned in written sources as early as the 11th century, played a significant role in his veneration.
Icons depicting the hagiographic cycle of Saint Nicholas spread widely in both Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, confirming the importance and popularity of his cult.

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Exhibitions

"The National Museum of History of Moldova at 40 years. An Illustrated History"

December 22, 2023 – January 31, 2024

The anniversary exhibition offers the public a chronicle of the most memorable events and activities in the 40-year history of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

The deed establishing the museum is dated December 21, 1983, the day on which the order of the Ministry of Culture no. 561 regarding the establishment of the State Museum of History of the SSR. In 1991, by government decision, the name of the National Museum of History of Moldova was assigned to the museum.

Located in a monumental building in the heart of Chisinau, with 12 exhibition rooms and a diorama, with a total area of 5,700 square meters, having at the beginning a staff consisting of a few professional museographers and only a few thousand pieces of heritage, in a in a relatively short time, as a result of multiple conceptual, structural and organizational changes, but also thanks to the decisive contribution of the institution's staff, the National Museum of History of Moldova managed to transform from an institution for the application of official science into a genuine center for studying and promoting national history, keeper and protector of a valuable historical-cultural heritage.

Currently, the National Museum of History of Moldova owns a heritage that counts over 345,000 pieces of real historical, documentary and artistic value. The most significant museum collections were valued in the framework of numerous cultural-scientific events and thematic exhibitions, organized in the country and abroad, scientific symposia and conferences, articles and publicity notes in the periodical press, radio and television shows, organized by the museum workers.

The museographic projects, carried out during the 40 years of existence, aimed, equally, at the activity of completing and diversifying the museum heritage, the exhibition activity, as well as the activity of scientific and editorial research.

In 1987, the first temporary museum exhibition was inaugurated, and from 1991, the first permanent exhibition "Pages of multi-thousand-year history" began to operate, covering the historical period from the earliest times to 1940. Later modernized - both conceptually and from the point of view of the content and the way of presentation -, constantly supplemented with new pieces, equipped with modern audiovisual means, the museum's permanent exhibition today brings together the most valuable pieces of heritage, offering the public an overview of the evolution over time of history and civilization in this space, evoking extraordinary events and personalities that marked our destiny.

Since 1992, the most important results of scientific investigations in the field of history, archeology and museology are published annually in the Tyragetia museum magazine. In parallel with the magazine, catalogs of collections, brochures, monographs, collections of studies and articles are published. In collaboration with other prominent institutions in the country and abroad, the museum has carried out countless cultural-scientific projects, focused on the research and valorization of the cultural-historical heritage. They are brilliant performances that confirm its status as an indisputable authority in the field of scientific research, its status as a true temple of national history and culture.

The anniversary exhibition "The National Museum of History of Moldova at 40 years. An illustrated history" offers the public valuable information on the history of the creation of the museum, scientific and editorial activity, exhibition valorization of the museum heritage, cultural-educational activities, collaborative relations with scientific and cultural institutions in the country and abroad.

A separate compartment of the exhibition includes the publications of the museum and scientific staff, leaflets and posters of thematic exhibitions, promotional materials edited to promote the image of the museum and the activities organized within the institution.

The anniversary moment is one full of satisfaction and fulfillment for the museum team - museographers, researchers, restorers - for all those who have been and always remain in the service of the goddess Clio, who, through professionalism and dedication, make the history of this prestigious institution of culture and science .