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.
The protests and the revindications of the Bessarabian people in the first decades after the annexation of the territories between the Prut and Dniester rivers to Russia (years 1812-1828)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. II [XVII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
In spite of the relatively large number of works concerning the peasants issue in Bessarabia after its annexation to the Russian Empire, it has been noticed that some aspects connected to the peasants’ movement(rising) have been treated one-sidedly and tendentiously in the Soviet historiography from the Republic of Moldova. The period after the democratization of the Moldovan society did not draw the attention of historians to that subject and din not manifest their interest in it either.
For carrying out an objective study of this issue, there have been analyzed 1502 claims and letters of complaint addressed by representatives of different social categories to the civil governor of Bessarabia, which have been stocked in stock nr.2 - Chancellery of the civil governor of Bessarabia from the National Archive of the Republic of Moldova. The documents have been classified into claims which reflect the following forms of protest and revindications: abuse on behalf of landlords, district police officers, landholders and concessionaires; exaggerated duties, taxes and charges; abuse on behalf of the Russian soldiers; escapes, removals inside Bessarabia and over the river Dniester; escapes of the peasants into Moldova over the Prut river; abuse from the Regional Administration and the Russian officials; restrictions of the internal and external trade; the haiduk movement or robberies etc. People’s protests and revindications have been conventionally divided into two periods: 1812-1818 and 1819-1828, relying on the administrative-territorial division of Bessarabia during this time, which allows the analysis of these acts in its districts. The analyzed documents made it possible to elaborate a series of tables which reflect, quite exhaustively, the main forms of protest and revendications of the population in these two time periods.
The analysis of these documents allows us to conclude that 1025 (68,4%) claims have been made by the representatives of different social categories between 1812 and 1818, in spite of the privileges conferred by the Russian administration to the Bessarabian people, immediately after the annexation of the territory. 523 (51%) of the complaints have been addressed to the civil governor of Bessarabia by the people of the Orhei district. Among the most important complaints made by the Bessarabian people during the first period, can be highlighted the following: claims and complaints connected to abuse on behalf of landlords, district police officers, landholders and concessionaires – 372 (36,3%); claims and complaints caused by exaggerated duties, taxes and charges – 318 (31%); claims and complaints caused by the abuse on behalf of the Russian soldiers – 133 (13%); claims and complaints caused by escapes, removals inside Bessarabia and over the river Dniester – 93 (9,1%); claims and complaints connected to escapes of the peasants into Moldova over the Prut river – 62 (6%); claims and complaints caused by the abuse from the Regional Administration and the Russian officials – 31 (3%) etc. Consequently, the analysis of the above mentioned sources allows us to question a number of assertions made by the Soviet historiography on this matter.
Valentin Tomuleț
Mazili and ruptași (and other social categories) in the statistics of the 1817 census
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Валентин Томулец, Анастасия Гуцу
Bessarabia in the system of trade relations of Russia with the Austrian Empire (1812-1830)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVII [XXXII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Valentin Tomuleț, Angela Baxan
On the question of competence of the Supreme Council of Bessarabian Oblast (August 28, 1816 - February 29, 1828)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Valentin Tomuleț
Jewish colonies in Bessarabia in the 19th century
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. V [XX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Valentin Tomuleț
The numerical dynamic and the social structure of the population of Tabani village, in Hotin county, according to the fiscal censuses in the 1820s-1850s
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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
