#Exhibit of the Month

The history of this icon traces back to the 10th century at the Protaton Monastery on Mount Athos. In one of the cells named "The Dormition of the Mother of God," an elderly hieromonk lived with his disciple. They preserved a superb depiction of the Virgin Mary. This old icon became renowned through the revelation of the prayer "It Is Truly Meet."
Between the years 980-982, on a Saturday evening before an all-night vigil, the elder monk left for the nearby church, instructing his disciple to continue the religious routine in the cell. Being obedient, the disciple followed the instructions. When he reached the 9th Ode of the Canons, "More Honorable Than the Cherubim...," he suddenly heard someone beginning to chant alongside him: "It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos..." It was a mysterious pilgrim monk who had appeared unexpectedly and joined in the prayers. At that moment, the icon began to radiate light, as if it were broad daylight. Astonished by the events, the disciple asked the mysterious monk to write down the verses. The monk wrote them on a tile with his finger as if it were soft wax and said, "From now on, this is how you Orthodox Christians should chant," and, saying this, he vanished. Left alone, the disciple realized he had witnessed a great miracle. Enlightened, he understood that the pilgrim was none other than the Archangel Gabriel, who had come, as he had before, to deliver the word of the Highest to humanity.

The icon was transferred from the cell to the Holy Altar of the Protaton Church, where a similar icon is preserved to this day. The tile with the divine hymn was taken to Constantinople and included in the Orthodox Church's liturgical books. Soon after, Archangel Gabriel's prayer was incorporated into the Divine Liturgy, immediately following the Consecration of the Gifts of Bread and Wine. The valley with the cells has since been called Adin, meaning "to chant," "chanting."

The icon "It Is Truly Meet" is of inestimable value and has become the protector of Mount Athos. The icon is celebrated on June 11/24, commemorating the miraculous appearance of the Archangel, and on July 13/26, in honor of the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel.

This icon, of the Eleusa type, portrays gentleness and tenderness in its central figures. The Virgin holds the Child with her right hand, while her left hand, placed beneath His feet, grips the hem of His tunic. The small Jesus wears a short tunic reaching His knees and holds a scroll in His right hand inscribed with the words of the Axion hymn. His left-hand slips under the veil of the Virgin towards her left shoulder. Both figures are crowned with golden halos. Two angels flank the Virgin's halo, while the Almighty in an open heaven blesses with both hands.

Crafted using tempera on wood, the icon is adorned with gold leaf and multicolored enamel, giving the image a unique delicacy. The inscription on the lower frame indicates that the icon was created by the painter Ioasaf in 1905.

The painter monk Ioasaf Berghie (1862-?) of the New Neamț Monastery resided there between 1887 and the 1940s, occupying three rooms to set up his studio, where he worked continuously on icons and church artworks. Born into the family of a church teacher in Jabca village, Ștefan Berghie, Ioan Berghie developed a passion for sacred iconography from an early age. In 1890, Andronic, the abbot of the New Neamț Monastery, blessed him to paint icons. Taking monastic vows in 1895 under the name Ioasaf, he traveled by foot to visit major ecclesiastical centers nearby and further afield, learning the art of iconography. Starting with naive-style interpretations, he eventually mastered professional painting techniques and acquired new decorative skills. His works became highly popular throughout Bessarabia and abroad. Painting a significant number of icons, they were often mistakenly sold as coming from major artisan workshops. To prevent such confusion, he received the abbot's blessing to sign his works, earning recognition and fame for his name.

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Events Archive

Inauguration of the exhibition "Heydar Aliyev - Life and activity of a remarkable personality"

April 6, 2023

On April 6, 2023, in the premises of the National Museum of History of Moldova, took place the opening ceremony of the exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Leader of the Nation of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, entitled "Life and activity of a remarkable personality".

At the opening of the event, the ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Moldova, Gudsi Osmanov, greeted the guests and thanked the management of the Republic of Moldova for the support given in order to organize the exhibition. He also spoke to the participants of the event about the activity and distinguished life of the great son of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, noting that precisely under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, the relations between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova began to develop, and today they are of the nature of a strategic partnership and cooperation in all directions.

The Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Moldova, participated and spoke at the opening of the exhibition. He qualified the organization of this exhibition in the premises of the National History Museum of Moldova as an important event and spoke about the role of the prominent statesman, the Leader of the Whole Nation of the Azerbaijani people in the history of Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev returned to power in the most difficult period at the request of the people and saved the country from the threat of civil war and collapse. Khalaf Khalafov stated that Heydar Aliyev laid the foundations for the development of Azerbaijan today by implementing important energy and transport projects in the country. The vice-minister spoke about the relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova, describing them as historical, friendly and good. The Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that, since independence, the two countries have made efforts for peace and interacted in this context, noting the current high level of mutual trust and respect.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Ruslan Bolbocean, noted in his speech the high level of relations between Moldova and Azerbaijan, which are developing rapidly in all areas, which have great potential. He highlighted the role and great contribution of the Leader of the Whole Nation of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev in the creation of independent Azerbaijan and in the transformation of the country into a leading state in the region.

The Deputy of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the President of the parliamentary friendship group between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Vitalie Jacot, spoke at the event. The deputy noted that Heydar Aliyev left a deep mark in the history of his nation, noting that only thanks to his wisdom and knowledge Azerbaijan became a regional leader and a reliable partner participating in important international projects.

The exhibition, which will run for 15 days, presents archival photographs and video footage from the archives of the National Archives Agency and the History Museum of Azerbaijan, which reflect the life and work of Heydar Aliyev, an important politician and statesman of Azerbaijan. The exhibition also includes images related to cooperation between Moldova and Azerbaijan during Heydar Aliyev's rule.

The exhibition was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the National Museum of History of Moldova, the National Archives Agency, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and can be visited in the hall on the ground floor of the National Museum of History of Moldova, between April 6-20, 2023.