Search

• History
• Halls
• Exhibition archive
• Events archive
• Conferences archive
• Publications
• Posters Gallery
• Achievements
• Museum theatre

The exhibition "The Life of Holy Apostles"

On July 12 Christians celebrate The Day of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The celebration in honor of the Apostles Peter and Paul among people marks the end of midsummer celebrations "crown of summer" and summer weddings, farewell to spring and preparation to haymaking. Before the holiday people cleaned their estate, white pained the house, hang clean towels. Eople went to church service with flowers and wreaths, which were ornamented with red poppies. Ritual food was so-called mandryks. These cakes were baked from wheat flour, collected during Petrovka buttermilk with addition of cheese and eggs. The title of pies was popularly associated with the legend of the wandering in the world of Apostles Peter and Paul, a cuckoo stole "Mandryk" and for that God punished it - at this time it ceases to forge. People said on this occasion that the cuckoo "choked with mandryk" but if it forged after Peter, it meant disaster.

The apostles Peter and Paul are especially honored as disciples of Jesus Christ who after the death and resurrection of Christ began to preach and spread the teachings of the Gospel throughout the world. The apostles were martyred for the Christian faith in a single day - 12 July.

The holiday devoted to these two great saints is known since the earliest days of Christianity. While their memory is celebrated on the same day, in the folk tradition greater authority is given to Saint Peter.

The Apostle Peter (Simon) - one of the first disciples and faithful followers of Christ, lived with his family at Capernaum and was engaged in fishing. After meeting with Jesus he left his family to dedicate his life to Christ. Peter's life is more than other apostles highlighted in the Gospel narratives, because he was always close to Christ and became one of the most bold preachers of the Gospel, famous with many healings and died a martyr's death.

The Apostle Paul (Saul) was from Tarsus town that was located in the south of Asia Minor. First Evangelical preaching of the apostles of Christ led him hot anger, and he became one of the most active and zealous their persecutors. But on the road to Damascus he was miraculously converted to the Christian faith by the Lord Himself. Then Saul was baptized and became a preacher.

The basis of the virtual exhibition, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul is an icon of "Holy Apostle Peter" and "Saint Peter and Paul" from the stock collection of Kirovohrad Regional Art Museum.

The icon "St. Apostle Peter" was painted in the late nineteenth century in the technique of oil painting on grounded material - board, gesso, povoloka and leaf gilding. The icon is certainly painted by the excellent iconographer. This highly professional work is written in Baroque style, where every detail speaks of elegance and harmony. Unfortunately, history has not told us about the name of the author or authors of the work. But certainly we know that the icon stands with beauty and is filled with sincere prayer mood, profound psychology. The beauty is seen in each smear of holy face, and perfection - in every detail of St. Apostle’s clothes. The dark cloak of Apostle Peter clearly stands out at the ornamented background. The rhythm of lines is complemented with the play of light and dark colors.

Our famous countryman Peter Pavlovych Ossovskyi (1925-2015)could not but pay attention to images of Saints Peter and Paul, depicting them in his works.

Another part of the exhibition is reproductions of works by Petro Ossovskyi "The Apostle Peter", "The Apostle Paul" and the work "Prayer" (from the expositions of Petro Ossovskyi picture gallery "World and Fatherland"). The painting depicts a nun. Her face is very white, like wax, which has slightly leveled chin. She holds a lighted candle. Burning candle is a symbol of prayer, purification. The nun is depicted against the background of St. Apostle Paul.

 The same commitment and the vital importance of both in establishing Christianity joined Peter and Paul in the indivisible image of two saints whose memory is revered in one day.

 

Tetiana Kostenko – research associate of Museum Department –

Petro Ossovskyi Art Gallery "World and Fatherland"