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.
Abstract: The sons of Voivode Szasz moved to Hungary after Bohdan had possessed a position of Moldavian Voivode in 1359 and started an open conflict with Hungarian Crown. As a kind of reimbursement, they have possessed high positions here and became the owners of extensive property.
Within a short period of time they have taken possession of Kővár, Beltek, Erdőd domains as well as property in Máramaros. They became one of the most influential nobles of Hungary. They had received pro honore Nyalab domain with the center in the castle of Korolevo from the king Louis in 70s of the 14th century and governed it as the Counts of Ugocsa County. After Balk's death the castle had to be returned to the king. However, descendants of Moldavian nobles had refused to leave fortifications and started property disputes among themselves.
Perényi Péter, new Count of Ugocsa County, has started to govern the castle in 1402. He had taken advantage of the absence of ownership confirmation document and legally formalized his hereditary ownership in 1405. Dragffy family had continued a lawsuit for about hundred years, and even resorted to openly criminal activity in 70s of the 15th century when they forged the royal charter sealed by king.
A little bit more than 20 years long presence of the descendants of Moldavian Voivode Szasz at Korolevo castle of Nyalab is minimally displayed by archeological materials of the monument. As for today, given chronological range contains only one object at the castle - pit 1 horizon III excavation ІІ (room 1, study of 2013). Small ceramic fragments, remains of three vessels, and unfinished product made of bone have been found in it.
List of illustrations: Fig. 1. Koroleve. Central part of Nyalab castle. Fig. 2. Forged in 1470s Granting charter of 1378 of the king Louis to Drag and Janos Olah on Nyalab domain ownership (State Archive of Hungary / Magyar Országos Levéltár, Budapest, DL26566). Fig. 3. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Test pit 3 (view from west). Fig. 4. The first page and a colophon of Korolevo Tetra-Gospel, 1401 (Zakarpattya Museum of Local History). Fig. 5. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Plan of excavation ІІ and section of test pit1. Fig. 6. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Pit 1, excavation ІІ (view from west). Fig. 7. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Pit 1, excavation ІІ (view from east). Fig. 8. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Pit 1, excavation ІІ. Jug. Fig. 9. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Pit 1, excavation ІІ. Ceramics (1-2) and bone-made product (3). Fig. 10. Korolevo castle of Nyalab. Pit 1, excavation ІІ. Ceramics.
Игорь Прохненко, Мария Жиленко, Виталий Калиниченко
The castles of Transcarpathia of the second half of 13th - first half of 14th centuries
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Игорь Прохненко
To the Question about the Loss of the Hill-fort Ekimauci
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Игорь Прохненко
Hillforts of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age in the Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Игорь Прохненко, Мария Жиленко
Knight’s tombstone from Korolevo castle of Nyaláb
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XII [XXVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
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.