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.
• Nicolae Răileanu, Din istoria Muzeelor Moldovei. Muzeul de Antichități al Nataliei Sicard din Vadul lui Vodă • Grigore Jitaru, Blazoanele dinastice și stema de stat a Moldovei • Vlad D. Ghimpu, Biserica Adormirii Maicii Domnului de la mănăstirea Căpriana • Vasile Negruță, Dan Suruceanu, Creația Zugravului Gherasim șl sculptorului D. Ştefan la răscrucea secolelor XVIII-XIX • Vasile Haheu, Cetățile traco-geto-daclce și elemente de urbanizare la tracii de nord • Alexandru Levinschi, Atelierele de ceramică de la Soloncenl și unele probleme privind olăritul la purtătorii culturii Sântana da Mureș-Cerneahov
II. Arheologie și Istorie veche
• Ilie Borziac, Philip Allsworth, Nicolae Chetraru, Cercetări interdisciplinare în grotele paleolitice din Nord-Vestul Moldovei • Serghei Covalenco, Nicolae Chetraru, Așezarea mezolltlcâ de la Sărăteni • Oleg Levițki, Tatiana Demcenco, Tumuli din epoca fierului timpuriu de lângă satul Cotiujeni • Serghei Agulnlcov, Cociulia - Cetățuie în codrii Tighecilor • Natalia Mateevici, Piese arheologice provenite din colecția lui Ion Surucean • Ilie Borziac, Alexei Zagaievschi, Cele mai vechi file din istoria satului Cosăuți
III. Istorie medievală
• Ion Hâncu, Rezultatele cercetărilor arheologice de la biserica cu pronaosul lărgit din Orheiul Vechi • Pavel Bârnea, Despre soarta istorică a Orheiului Vechi • Petre Beșliu, Contribuția universității săsești la consolidarea sistemului de fortificații din defileul Oltului • Ana Boldureanu, Vera Paiul, Tezaurul monetar de la Gârbova • Mihai Onilă, Eparhia Chișinăului și Hotinului (180 ani de la organizare)
IV . Istorie modernă și contemporană
• Măria Hasnaș, Cazimireștii în Basarabia. Ramura din Hotin • Aurelia Cornețchi, Contribuții ta istoria Liceului de fete din Cetatea Albă • Тамара Синхани, Из истории иконописания в Ново-Нямецком монастыре • Ирина Гончарова, Сканные сумочки • Liubovi Malahov, Colecția presei periodice din sec. XIX – începutul sec. XX • Vitalie Juc, Valentin Tomuleț, Schiță din istoria satului Tabani • Tamara Stamatov, Tehnici vechi românești de cusut în ornamentarea cămașelor femeiești • Elvira Vacula, Societatea Națională de Cruce Roșie din Basarabia. Anii 1920-1930 • Nadejda Lavric, Din istoria documentelor puse în circulație în Basarabia interbelică • Elena Postică, Deputații Sfatului Ţării represați în anul 1940 • Людмила Пасиковская, О раскулачивании и выселении в MACCP в 1930-1931
V. Muzeologie si memorialistică
• Elena Ploșnița, Unele aspecte din activitatea muzeografică a lui Nicolae Iorga • Eugenia Borodac, Nicolae Dimo - savant cu renume în pedologie • Любовь Репринцева, Судьба ученого Г.И. Пысларь • Мария Евдокимова, Михаил Паутынский – ученый винодел и химик
VI. Recenzii
• Tudor Arnăut, Arheologul G.D. Smirnov și unele probleme de concepție privind mil. I î.e.n. • Igor Cereteu, Sergiu Tabuncic. Şoldăneșii - localitate străveche din valea Ciornei • Николай Тельнов, Nicolae Chetraru. Din istoria arheologiei Moldovei. Basarabia și Transnistria
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
