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.
Geospatial and archaeological research in the micro-zone of Horodiște-Tipova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
From the right bank of the Dniester, north of the village of Țipova (Rezina District) begins a deep gorge with steep slopes. Near the village of Horodiște the gorge divides, forming a network of canyons which, in turn, outline a series of headlands.
As a result of study of orthophotoplans and archaeological reconnaissance in the micro-zone there was discovered an "agglomeration" of sites, consisting of six fortifi cations (Horodiște „La Cot", Horodiște „La Șanț", Horodiște II, Buciușca II, Buciușca III, Țipova III ) and two unfortifi ed settlements (fig. 2).
In order to investigate the defense system and to determine the period of its functioning at Horodiște „La Cot" and Horodiște „La Șanț" an archeological research was carried out (fi g. 3-7). As a result, it was found that these fortifi ed settlements were surrounded by "walls" consisting of two wooden facings with a fi lling of earth and stone.
The archaeological materials recovered from the filling of the "walls" indicate that the fortifi cation of Horodiște „La Şanț" functioned during the early Hallstatt (Cozia-Saharna culture), and one of Horodiște „La Cot" - in the 4th - 3rd centuries BC (fi g. 8-12).
Based on the compact arrangement of fortifi cations and unfortifi ed settlements in the micro-zone of Horodiște-Tipova, it can be assumed the existence of some formation in this space, the "administrative center" of which was the fortress of Horodiște "La Cot". The period of its existence is still not clear. But if we take into account that most of the fortified and unfortifi ed settlements in the Middle Dniester region functioned since the early Iron Age, it can be assumed that the community of the Horodiște-Tipova area settled down here around that time. However, it reaches its peak of development in the 4th - 3rd centuries BC, as well as neighboring communities around Saharna.
List of illustrations:
Fig. 1. 1 - Location of the Horodiște-Țipova micro-region; 2 - digital elevation map of the micro-region. Fig. 2. Orthophotomap of the Horodiște-Țipova micro-region (fortifi ed settlements: 1 - Horodiște „La Cot"; 2 - Horodiște „La Şanț", 3 - Horodiște II; 4 - Buciușca III; 5 - Ţipova III; 6 - Buciușca II; unfortifi ed settlements: 7 - Buciușca IV; 8 - Buciușca V) (by Google Earth). Fig. 3. Horodiște „La Cot". Section no. 1. Ruins of a defensive structure on the south side: 1 - plan and profi le of the section; 2 - vertical stratigraphic profi le of the debris of the wall; 3 - fragments of charred wood. Fig. 4. Horodiște „La Cot": 1 - view of the headland from the northeast; 2, 3 - orthophotomaps tracing anomalies of the defensive line on the northern, eastern and southern sides (by geoportal.md and Google Earth); 4, 5 - remains of the defensive system on the east side today; 6 - view of the headland from the southwest indicating the rampart „C"; 7, 8 - orthophotomaps indicating the defensive lines „A", „B" and „C" (by geoportal.md); 9 - view of the defensive lines „B" and „C" from the northwest. Fig. 5. Horodiște „La Şanț": 1 - view of the headland from the south-west; 2 - orthophotomap of the site; 3, 4 - contour of abnormalities of the defensive lines. Fig. 6. Horodiște „La Şanț": 1 - view of the defensive line no. 1 from the south; 2 - view of the defensive line no. 3 from the south. Fig. 7. Horodiște „La Şanț". Defensive line no. 3. Section no. 1/2013: 1 - plan and profile of the section; 2 - stones from the debris of the "wall"; 3 - vertical profi le of the defensive structure. Fig. 8. Horodiște „La Şanț". The fi nds from the debris of the "wall". Fig. 9. Horodiște „La Şanț". Fragments of pottery of the Cozia-Saharna type from the cultural layer. Fig. 10. Horodiște „La Şanț". The fi nds from the cultural layer (1, 2 - iron; 3 - stone; 4, 5 - clay). Fig. 11. Horodiște „La Şanț". Fragments of vessels from the cultural layer. Fig. 12. Horodiște „La Şanț". Fragments of pots from the cultural layer. Fig. 13. Horodiște II: 1 - view of the headland from the east; 2 - orthophotomap (by geoportal.md). Fig. 14. Buciușca II: 1 - view of the headland from the west; 2 - orthophotomap (by geoportal.md). Fig. 15. Buciușca III: 1 - view of the headland from the south; 2 - orthophotomap (by geoportal.md); 3 -orthophotomap (by Google Earth); 4 - ruins of the defensive system. Fig. 16. Ţipova III. View of the headland from the northeast.
Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băț
Archeological researches conducted in 2006 at the Thracian-Getian settlement Saharna „La Şanț”
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2007
Aurel Zanoci
Zur Typologie und Entwicklung der Befestigungsanlagen östlich der Karpatengebirge im 12./11.-3. Jh. v. Chr.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Aurel Zanoci, Mihail Băț
Archeological researches conducted in 2007 at the Thracian-Getian settlement of Saharna „La Şanț”
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Mihail Băț
Early Iron Age settlement in Ţahnăuţi, Rezina District
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Aurel Zanoci
Typology and evolution of gates and access into early hallstattian fortresses in Tisa-Dniester space
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică Chișinău, 2015
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
