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.
Monuments of the Corjeuți type within the context of the Early Bronze Age History of Eastern and Central Europe
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
As a result of excavations of the early Bronze Age tumuli located on the left Bank of the Middle Prut (villages Burlănești and Corjeuți) in Moldova held in 1987-9 (see figure 11/1) by the author of this article a number of monuments was unearthed which show considerable resemblance and allow their treatment as a distinctive group. The burials are found at the edges of embankments of the tumuli, the main burials of which are identified with the Yamnaja Culture and are dated to the second half – last quarter of the Ш millennium BC. The burials under consideration make use of stone constructions: circles of medium-sized limestones up to 5 m in diameter and stony platforms. There are two cases of inhumation and two cases of cremation excavated (figures 1, 10). Items of pottery found at these burials also show certain resemblances and point to technological parallelism. Two burials found at the village of Corjeuți (figure 1/2, 4) are particularly important. One of these was arranged in a rectangular pit, with the deceased lying on his / her right side with the head towards south / south-west. Clear traces of bronze objects which have not been preserved are visible on the wrists and phalanxes. A stone rectangular item was found at the place presumably occupied by the middle of the body. It was made out of a thin plate of grey slate, is narrowed in its central part and a hole is marked in one corner from either side (figure 1/5). The measurements of the object are as follows: length - 9 cм, breadth 3-4,5 см, thickness - 0, 25 – 0, 8 см. The object may be interpreted as one of the famous symbols and part of a package of the Bell Beaker Culture - the wrist-guard. The Culture (resp. Phenomenon) in question existed for ca 700 years from the end of the Eneolithic period well into the Early Bronze age in wide areas of Western and Central Europe, and reached its height in the middle of the III millennium BC. It is obvious that a single object from the Corjeuți burial does not make the site automatically belonging to this culture. However, there are further parallels which make such an attribution possible: funeral rites (biritualism, the pose of diseased, the usage of stone) and the forms of the so-called Begleitkeramik, cf. particularly the bowl on four stems (figure 1/8). A peculiarity of the Bell Beaker Phenomenon is that it did not cover a continuous region, but consists of several distinct areas which are analysed as belonging to different provinces. According to the current views the eastern border of the Phenomenon is located by the 20º of eastern longitude, but a possibility of further finds to the east of it and therefore to the further spread of the area has been admitted (сf. Titov 1981, Heyd 2007, 101). It should be noted that a number of parallels to the Bell Beaker Phenomenon have been found on the sites of Jigodin and Roșia groups (northern Oltenia and north-western and eastern Transylvania) in neighbouring Romania. Furher conclusions – whether the monuments of the Corjeuți type are part of the Eastern Bell Beaker province or are just reflection of it in a far periphery – will be possible only with the further excavations in the area.
Татьяна И. Демченко
Toward the definition of the Edinets archaeological group
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
Татьяна И. Демченко
Kurgans on the left bank of the Middle Prut (excavations of 1982 and 1984)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. I [XVI], nr. 1, Arheologie. Istorie Antică
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.