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.
Anuarul Muzeului Național de Istorie a Moldovei, nr. II
Chișinău, 1995
I. Studii
• Nicolae Răileanu,Din istoria muzeului Regional al Basarabiei • Grigore Jitaru, Blazonul Basarabilor. Secolul XIV • A.I. Sâci, Imigrația românească în Canada, anii 1900-1939 • Grigore Bârsa, Narodnicismul lui C. Stere: între real și ipoteze • Jipa Rotaru, Primele unități militare Naționale Basarabene în slujba unirii cu România • lohan Engstrom, The Caroline Army
II. Istorie veche și arheologie
• Nicolae Chetraru, Contribuții la cunoașterea paleoliticului inferior în Moldova • Nicolae Chetraru, Bobulesti VI - o stațiune de la începutul paleoliticului superior în Moldova • Ilie Borziac, Podgori I - o nouă stațiune pluristratigrafică din paleolitul superior în bazinul Nistrului Mijlociu • Natalia Golțeva, Considerații preliminare asupra stratigrafiei cultural-cronologice a cetățuei Hlinjeni II • Natalia Golțeva, Toporul de piatră de la Şoldănești • Natalia Mateevici, Toarte de amfore ștampilate în fondurile Muzeului
III. Istorie
• Vlad D. Ghimpu, O ctitorie domnească în Basarabia: mănăstirea Căpriana • Mihai Onilă, File din istoria bisericii «Intrarea în biserica» din satul Râșcova, secolul XVIII • Valeriu Bucarschi, O hartă a Moldovei din secolul XVIII • Maria Hasnaș, Kazimiriștii în Basarabia • Elena Ploșnița, Aspecte privind dezvoltarea presei de limbă în Basarabia • Alexandru Roman, Rolul academicianului Dmitrie Onciul în istoria arhivelor din Basarabia • И.В. Жалоба,Буковинский сплав леса Прутом и его притоками в XIX - начале XX вв. • Irina Gonciarova, Arhitectul basarabean Cristofor Nicolaidi • Antonina Cracan, Cantacuzinii în Basarabia. File istorice • Maria Pripa, Din tezaurul spiritual al neamului. M.Berezovschi • Aurelia Cornețchi, Liceul de fete din Comrat • О.Ю. Щипакина, Коллективизация в СССР и ее последствия для Автономной Республики Молдавии • Elvira Vacula, Aspecte din activitatea societăților de binefacere din Basarabia • Nadejda Lavric, Din amintirile ostașilor basarabeni din armata română • Д.А. Крупейников, Молдаване - Герои Советского Союза • Ala Robu, Represiile - mijloc de menținere a sistemului administrativ de comandă • И.Ф. Рыжова, Раскулачивание 1949 года в Молдавии • Л.И. Пасиковская,Операция «Север» • Vera Belous, Deportați din motive politice • Elena Postică, File din istoria mișcării de eliberare Națională din Basarabia în anii postbelici • Ю.А. Марчук, Из истории балканских войн 1871-1878 годов
IV. Muzeografie și arhivistică
• Mustafa ali Mehmed, Jipa Rotaru, Ion Deboveanu, Principatele Române în vâltoarea preliminărilor păcii Ruso-Turce de la București din 29 mai 1812
V. Recenzii
• Ilie Borziac, Nicolae Chetraru, Alexandru Păunescu. Ripiceni-Izvor. Paleolitic și mezolitic. Studiu monografic. București, 1993
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...
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
