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.
Development of secondary education in Bessarabia in 1833-1871
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In this article we will analyze the development of the secondary education system in Bessarabia since 1833, when the first secular secondary public school was opened, until 1871, when the Russian Empire carried out a series of reforms, which affected the education system.
Secondary education in Bessarabia was introduced during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I (1826-1856). The Tsar’s education policy was characterized by a number of limitations. The government intended to transform the education system into a tool to maintain and strengthen the regime. To achieve this, the tsarist government undertook some reorganization of the education system. This reorganization was aimed at the organization of schools on the basis of caste principle, raising children in a religious spirit, control over schools by the police and turning them into a means of Russification of non-Russian peoples. Under the new school statute from December 8, 1828 the continuity between parochial and county schools was eliminated, resulting in a two systems of education: primary education system, which included the county and parochial schools, and the system of secondary and higher education, which included gymnasiums and universities.
The lack of systematic education in the region was strongly felt. After four years of preparatory work, on September 12, 1833 a gymnasium for boys was opened in Chisinau. It was established in accordance with the statute of 1828 and had a seven-year course of study. Initially only three primary classes were opened. However, in the short term the Chisinau male gymnasium has become one of the main institutions of secondary education in the Odessa School District.
Changes in the Russian education system affected this school too. The reform of 1864 divided the secondary schools into three categories: classical gymnasiums, “real” gymnasiums and “real” schools. Under these regulations, the Chisinau male gymnasium received the status of a classical school. Under the new regulations, the main subjects here were classical languages and mathematics.
In the same year, on March 8, there was opened the first high school for girls aimed at educating daughters of nobles, officials, merchants and representatives of other wealthy estates. The school had two primary classes and was kept at the expense of taxation of the nobility, churches and monasteries.
During 1833-1871 there were two secondary educational institutions (one for boys and one for girls) for spreading the knowledge among the Bessarabian population.
Tatiana Chicaroș
The role of Bessarabian private schools in the educational system of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th - early 20th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Tatiana Chicaroș
From the history of a private school for girls in Bălți
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VII [XXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Tatiana Chicaroș
Some considerations on the evolution of secular and religious education in Bessarabia in the 19th century - beginning of the 20th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Tatiana Chicaroș
School of exact science activity in Chișinău in period of 1873-1918
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Tatiana Chicaroș
Legislative basis of secondary education in the Russian Empire in the modern era
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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...
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
