#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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Events Archive

Book Release: Sava Eugen, „Settlements from Late Bronze Age in the space between Prut and Dniester Rivers” Chișinău, „Bons Offices”, 2014, 492 p.

September 24, 2015

On September 24th, 2015 at the National Museum of History of Moldova was released the book "Așezări din perioada târzie a epocii bronzului în spațiul pruto-nistrean (Noua-Sabatinovka)" (Settlements from Late Bronze Age in the space between Prut and Dniester Rivers), signed by dr. hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the museum, with the contribution of researchers Mariana Sîrbu and Eugen Mistreanu.

Book Release: Sava Eugen, „Settlements from Late Bronze Age in the space between Prut and Dniester Rivers” Chișinău, „Bons Offices”, 2014, 492 p.

The book has four chapters, divided into sub-chapters, which present: Research history of Noua-Sabatinovka-Coslogeni cultural complex settlements, Catalogue of settlements from the space between Prut and Dniester Rivers, Habitat and material culture, the last chapter focusing on periodization and absolute chronology. The book is remarked by graphical quality and well structured content which addresses all aspects of Noua-Sabatinovka cultural communities' habitat. The volume contains an impressive number of maps and illustrations which perfectly complete the information about the settlements, complexes and archaeological objects approached in the book. This monograph is the result of research conducted by dr. hab. Eugen Sava over more than a decade to elucidate a number of aspects referring to the settlements and lifestyle of Noua-Sabatinovka communities. The volume is certainly part of long-awaited publications in the filed and will surely become a "beside book" for many young scholars working on the Late Bronze Age and beyond. The work was published in an edition of 300 copies and is on sale at the kiosk of the National Museum of History of Moldova.

Monograph release took place in the Blue Room of the National Museum of History of Moldova and was moderated by dr. hab. Elena Ploșnița, scientific secretary of the institution. Dr. hab Elena Ploșnița noted the importance of this work and expressed the respect for Mr. Eugen Sava's work, who „manages to combine perfectly administration of the National Museum of History of Moldova with scientific research".

Further spoke dr. hab. Eugen Sava, who made a brief history of the stages of development of the book, the experience gained in working with young researchers Mariana Sîrbu and Eugen Mistreanu. Credit was given to all those who have contributed to the elaboration of the book.

Official referees of the monograph, dr. hab. Ion Niculiță (Chișinău) and dr. Tudor Soroceanu (Berlin) said the book is well structured and documented, urging other researchers to take it as a good example.

Dr. hab. Oleg Levițki, director of Archaeological Center of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, underlined Mr. Sava's personal role in researching the infrastructure of Noua-Sabatinovka settlements, the enormous bibliographical list used in writing the monograph and expressed opinions on the absolute chronology of Noua-Sabatinovka-Coslogeni complex.

The book release event ended with the opening of the exhibition „Settlements from Late Bronze Age in the space between Prut and Dniester Rivers. Achievements and perspectives" organized in collaboration with the National Archaeological Agency.