#Exhibit of the Month

The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters. According to the 1864 circular, teaching was conducted in the Romanian language, a provision applied throughout the diocese. The school's first headmistress was Anastasia Rizo, of noble origin, invited by Archbishop Antonie.

The curriculum, approved by the Ministry of Public Education and the Chișinău Diocese, combined theoretical subjects with practical training. Students studied religion, reading and writing in Romanian, Slavonic, and Russian, arithmetic and exercises in calculation, world history and geography. The program was complemented by church singing and practical skills such as sewing, embroidery, knitting, as well as household management - baking bread and prosphora, preparing meals and preserves, caring for livestock, and cultivating gardens.

The composite, taken in 1911 at the studio of Z. N. Sumovski in Chișinău, depicts 29 graduates and 13 teachers. At the center are portraits of Bishop Serafim (Ciciagov), headmistress N. R. Mihelson, teacher V. E. Bejerian, and priests F. Ghiliarov and P. Jurikas. Among the teaching staff was Paraskovia Vasilievna Cuciurenko, a calligraphy teacher for 37 years, who in 1911 became senior educator and assistant headmistress. For her dedication, she was awarded the gold medal "For Long Service."

On the reverse of the vignette is a label from the store and workshop of frames, paintings, mirrors, and window glass owned by A. D. Kon'gova, Chișinău, Gogol Street no. 37, near the State Bank.

This graduation composite was donated at the end of 2025 to the National Museum of History of Moldova by the Dadiștian family from Drochia.

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Events Archive

Scientific Conference "Liturgical Standard of Stephen the Great"

August 25, 2011

The conference highlighted scientific concept of the exhibition "Liturgical Standard of Stephen the Great" (held in Chisinau on August 27 to September 10), addressing the main historical, artistic and conservation issues on the flag. There were presented the following communications:

1) Dr. Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu (National Museum of History of Romania, Bucharest). Troubled History of "Discovery" of the Liturgical Standard of Stephen the Great in the Zograf Monastery (Mount Athos);

2) Dr. hab. Paul Parasca (Free International University of Moldova, Chisinau). Saint George - Patron of the Army of the Medieval Moldavian State;

3) Dr. Petre Guran ("Mihai Eminescu" Romanian Cultural Institute in Chisinau). From Standard to Icon: Introduction to the Prayer of Stephen the Great;

4) Acad. Andrei Eșanu, Valentina Eșanu (Institute of History, State and Law of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Chisinau). Sword of Stephen the Great - a Symbol of Royal Power;

5) Cornel Ilie Constantin (National Museum of History of Romania, Bucharest). 1917-1919: Recovery and Repatriation of the Liturgical Standard of Stephen the Great from Mount Athos;

6) Dr. Silviu Tabac (Institute of Cultural Heritage of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Chisinau). The Problem of Interpretation in Romanian Historiography of the Flag Given by Stephen the Great to the Zograf Monastery;

7) Dr. Oana Ilie, Alexandra Mărășoiu (National Museum of History of Romania, Bucharest). The 43^rd Year of Stephen the Great's Reign - the Year of Completion of Work on the Liturgical Standard of Zograf Monastery (12 April 1499 - 11 April 1500).

Organizers: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Romania, National Museum of Archaeology and History of Moldova, National Museum of History of Romania and the "Mihai Eminescu" Romanian Cultural Institute.