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.
Newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" and its role in the development of advertising in Bessarabia
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VI [XXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The present article is based on the study of newspapers “Novaya Gazeta” from the collections of NMAIM and the library of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the only institutions in the country where you can find this publication. The purpose of this study is to elucidate its specific features and role in the development of newspaper advertising in Bessarabia. In the period of time from 1910 to 1916, the number of newspapers published in Bessarabia, particularly in the capital of the province – the city of Chisinau, significantly increased. We focus our attention on more detailed information regarding the occurrence of a newspaper, which was “more special”, in our opinion. It is the weekly newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” (The New Gazette) published in Chisinau by G. Kalmanson from 1911 to 1913. We call it “more special” because it was intended mainly for the publication of advertisements. Few feuilletons or sections of local and foreign news, which occupied a small place and had ordinary subjects, in fact, just masked the real purpose of this newspaper. Merchant G. Kalmanson managed to publish a newspaper which had a fairly large circulation among the wealthy public, providing space for advertisements. There have been placed advertisements of the most famous trading houses, shops, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, photographic workshops, banking offices, factories, and so on, both from Chisinau and abroad. In this newspaper G. Kalmanson himself was advertising his goods: cars, bikes, traditional and roller skates, phonographs, carbide. The newspaper successfully resisted the onslaught of competi- tion and censorship, and was published for two years.
G. Kalmanson fulfilled orders on clichés for firms, stores, and other establishments, that is one way or another had to deal with advertising already. However, publishing by him of this newspaper is the evidence that advertising has become for him a very profitable business, and allows us to consider him one of the few people who have contributed to the development of advertising in Bessarabia in the early 20th century.
List of illustrations: 1. Newspaper “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 30, June 1912 (overview of pages 1 and 4). 2. Front page of the newspaper “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 12, February 1912. 3. Ad units of the bakery of S. Tumanov, the store of church utensils of D. Spynulov, and the icon workshop of E. Prokhorenko. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 12, February 1912, page 1. 4. Ad units of the haberdashery shop of K. Yurkovskaya, the sewing workshop of I. Lyubelsky-Menshchik, the bakery of A.I. Filatov, and Zingher photographic studio. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 48, October 29, 1912, page 3. 5. Ad units of the workshop of mechanics and electroforming of Sh. Mereminsky, the hairdressing salon of Ostrovsky, the artesian wells drilling of B.O. Verner, and the shop of musical instruments of F.F. Kapras. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 14, March 1912, page 4. 6. Ad units of watchmaker Sh.L. Lyubchansky, the fish shop of E. Volkov, and the shoe store of I. Pavlyak. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 15, March 1912, page 4. 7. Advertisement of the hairdressing salon of S. Pelenovich (in all issues of the paper). 8. Ad units of works with lime, the hairdressing salon of L.K. Voskanov, tailor’s cutter N.G. Nikolaev, the repair shop of R. L. Zomen. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 30, June 1912, page 4. 9. Advertisement of G. Kalmanson’s goods. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 2 (second year of publication), November 26, 1912, page 1. 10. Ad units of the restaurant at the Noble Assembly, the restaurant of M.N. Vilchinsky, and the restaurants “Na- tional” and “Sever” (“North”). “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 48, October 29, 1912, page 1. 11. Ad units of the restaurant of the hotel „Swiss”, the owner D.I. Spasov, the hotel „Savoya” and wine from the store of G. Ţurcan. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 48, October 29, 1912, page 2. 12. Ad units to sell a car, of making cliche by G. Kalmanson, of the company „Vacuum Oil and Cº”, the factory of coaches of I. Olkhovsky, and the hat shop of B. Roitstein. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 30, June 1912, page 4. 13. Ad units of the workshop on manufacturind products of marble, labradorite, granit, and stone of I. Tsulek, roller skates sold by G. Kalmanson, and the fish shop of E.K. Volkov. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 48, October 29, 1912, page 3. 14. Ad units of the haberdashery shop of K. Yurkovskaya, the draper’s of M. Baran, bicycles of G. Schmalz at Bender, the icon workshop of G.V. Lavrov, the store and workshop of products of marble, labradorite, granit, and stone „De-Veki”, Z. Tebanov’s store, and the sale of carbide by G. Kalmanson. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 30, June 1912, page 3. 15. Ad units of tailors L. Frank and S. Sheinkerman; advertisments. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 16, March 1912, page 4. 16. Ad units of the laundry of M. Strashun, the men’s clothing store of Schwartzman și Cristul, and the pawnshop of I.R. Kaushansky. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 12, February 1912, page 3. 17. Ad units of teacher of calligraphy I.M. Slepak and the grocery store of Popov in the town of Bender. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 16, March 1912, page 1. 18. G. Kalmanson’s ad units to sell gramophones and repair bicycles (in many issues of the paper). 19. Ad units of the trading house of Khaslavsky in Odessa and dance teacher A.A. Baller. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 48, October 29, 1912, page 1. 20. G. Kalmanson’s ad units to sell the bicycles „Swift” și „Pioneer” and Malamud and Nemirovsky’s ad units to sell the pens „Kaweco”. “Novaya Gazeta”, no. 22, April 1912, page 3.
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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
