Silver icons in Murano glass. About how the icon was displayed on the glass and why it was necessary to check it

Dear icons are always a holiday in itself. They are given on exclusive occasions: birthdays (anniversaries), weddings, as well as on special occasions to managers and business partners. We had the pleasure of delivering many of our icons to large corporations, all-Russian holdings and even heads of state. An expensive icon can say much more about the attitude of the giver than any other trinket with a big name. This is a wish for help from higher powers, and a kind attitude from the bottom of the heart, (sometimes a hope for sincere affection)), a way to express the highest gratitude. Often, an expensive icon became a unique, exclusive gift, designed to surprise and impress others, to highlight your gift among other VIP gifts. An icon in gold, silver, and precious stones is a gift for centuries, capable of preserving peace and prosperity for many generations of a family. Give jewelry icons, bring goodness and love, heavenly grace through time!

Among the many islands of sunny, spicy Italy, there is one large island, which is popularly called the “second Venice”. It is there, in this picturesque place of the Venetian Lagoon, that incredibly beautiful verto de Murano, or Murano glass, has been made for several centuries.

The first creations of Venetian glassblowers have a history of more than a thousand years. During this time, the fishery developed rapidly, experiencing times of oblivion and triumph, extinction and new prosperity.

And it all began behind the blank monastery walls, where Benedictine monks decided to make jugs for storing liquor. In sheltering fugitive glassmakers from Byzantium, they made the right decision. The knowledge and education of the monks, combined with the experience of glassmakers, led to the fact that unique products became incredibly popular.

An island that holds secrets

Initially, glass workshops were located in Venice. However, the fire-related trade endangered the wooden architectural ensemble of the city, and in the 13th century production was “relocated” to the island of Murano.

The authorities of Venice, who quickly appreciated the benefits of glass making, did not want to share the profits and imposed a monopoly on it. Of course, this did not stop the Europeans from hunting for the secret technology for creating glass. Europeans lured Murano craftsmen abroad, promising them mountains of gold.

In the 16th century, the glory of Venetian glass spread far beyond the continent. The incredibly thin and transparent material was valued on par with precious stones. In Russia, people learned about unique glass back in the pre-Petrine era. Then Venetian dishes and mirrors began to appear in the houses of famous boyars.

Master glassblowers were allowed to take the richest and most noble beauties as wives, but under no circumstances leave the island. The penalty for revealing the secret of Venetian glass was death. And even those masters who managed to leave Murano died during the journey under unclear circumstances.

The end of the monopoly was marked by the book “The Art of Glass,” which described in detail the method of its production. After this, Europeans were able to make “Venetian gizmos” on their own. But soon everyone realized that, as in any other art, creating masterpieces requires more than simple knowledge of technology.

Breath of beauty

Despite rapidly developing technologies, Murano glass is still produced exclusively by hand. Molten quartz sand is poured onto the mirror surface of the tin, forming glossy glass.

But only a person can breathe life into a cold material, making it light and elegant. Glassblowers use an iron tube that is partially covered with wood (so that it can be held without getting burned). For hundreds of years it has not changed and has not been improved in any way: one end of the tube is a mouthpiece, and the other is a special thickening for collecting glass.

Both tea sets and large vessels are produced in exactly the same way. The end of the blowing tube, heated in a special furnace, is placed in molten glass, which, when attached to the metal, forms a hot ball. After this, the master blows into the tube, giving the glass the desired shape. Thanks to this, each creation of Murano glassblowers is as unique as human breath.

Perhaps it is the fidelity to ancient manufacturing traditions that gives Murano products such warmth. It’s not for nothing that the Venetians kept the secret of glass making for so many years.

But the main secret lies not in the method of glass production in general, but in the unique techniques with which Murano masters produced glass of various colors.

Magic or art?

It turns out that the filigree technique is familiar not only to jewelers.

It was she who at one time glorified the Venetian glassmakers. To achieve the filigree effect, thin multi-colored threads are introduced into transparent glass to form a pattern. Blowing products from such material is an incredibly complex process, because the threads must form exactly the pattern that the master intended.

Another unique technique is millefiori, or “thousand flowers”. For a long time, the method of making this glass was kept in the strictest confidence. To make it, thin rods of laminated multi-color glass were taken in the shape of a flower, square, star or other shapes. These twigs were cut into the thinnest slices and “laid” on a glass base.

In the 17th century, specialists from the Miotti family developed a new technology for producing glass. On its glossy surface sparkles flickered like countless stars. This type of Venetian glass became known as aventurine glass. It is obtained by adding copper chips to molten glass, which forms a sparkling scattering.

No less popular are Murano products created using the crackellage technique. The craftsman places the hot blown object in ice water, causing the top layer of glass to become covered with small cracks, forming a special pattern.

The use of the pulegozo technique allows you to create products with a “boiling” effect. Air bubbles in glass occur when a hot object is placed in cold water and then returned to the oven.

Multilayer colored glass is called agate glass. It was so named for its resemblance to an ornamental stone known for its beauty.

All the colors of the rainbow

In order to obtain colored glass, oxides of various metals are added to the transparent mass.

An admixture of iron gives the glass a green tint. The red tone is the result of the addition of copper oxide. Blue is obtained using cobalt, and ruby-colored glass is obtained only by adding gold. In addition to the famous transparent cristallo, there is also frosted white glass, which is made by mixing with tin oxide.

Murano glass: yesterday and today

Nowadays, glass produced on the island of Murano is valued no less than before. The skillful creations of Italian glassblowers are equated to precious materials, and in appearance they resemble ornamental stones: jasper, agate, carnelian and others.

That is why Venetian glass is often used as an insert in jewelry: earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets, and charms.

Spectacular glass makes jewelry expressive and individual. The variety of shades and textures opens up space for imagination, allowing artists to create not just products, but decorations that convey mood.

Thus, Murano glass was chosen for the SUMMERTIME collection from SOKOLOV. In combination with silver it looks even more stylish. Rings with rotating inserts, earrings, pendants and bracelet charms will help you create bright, unpredictable looks. You can say with complete confidence that your jewelry is exclusive, because hand-made Murano glass is never repeated.

September 29 – day of celebration of the Kyiv miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Look at Humility", which is located in the Vvedensky Monastery. This 19th century icon is a copy of the miraculous image of 1420 that appeared on Kamenny Lake in the Pskov region.

The Kyiv icon became famous for its miraculous phenomenon -an imprint of the image of the Mother of God on the glass, which covered the icon but did not touch it. This was discovered by parishioners on August 1, 1993, when an akathist to the Mother of God was read at an evening service.

After research, scientists came to the conclusion that the image is not made by human hands.

On November 22, 1995, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church decided to consider the Kyiv Icon of the Mother of God “Look upon Humility” as miraculous.

I studied to be a cook, but I couldn't draw

When I saw the image on the glass, the word “miracle” did not immediately appear in my head. A miracle is something big, loud, but I wanted something hidden... In addition, when we see something unusual, no matter how strong our faith, bewilderment appears. The situation is unclear.

Skeptics and ill-wishers had great doubts. They initiated a study and submitted a petition to the Metropolitan. It's good that I was not alone when this print was discovered. Because there were even those who said that I myself wrote this on the glass to become famous. Well, I’m not an artist - I studied to be a cook, and I wouldn’t have been able to draw on glass anyway.

And our parishioners immediately realized that this was a miracle. With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Vladimir, a commission was created to study this phenomenon - they wanted to figure out what it is.

In filmed on this occasion film "Kiev Miracle" They show very well how the icon was examined with ultraviolet and x-rays, checked inside and out.

There were representatives from the Institute of Chemistry, they brought paintings from Kyiv museums, which were also imprinted on glass. But there was a solid pancake, and not an image - the drawing was not visible. And even in some places the picture turned out to be stuck to the glass - if you tear it off, you can’t put it back together.

And we have a beautiful and clear display of the image of the Mother of God and Child in the “Look at Humility” icon.

“You know, this is ours...”

Our parishioners did not attach much importance to the scientists’ research - they already understood that this was a miracle. The only thing is, we thought that those who didn’t believe it at first, maybe after research they would believe it. But the majority of non-believers remained stuck to their beliefs. They still say that this is ordinary paint diffusion, there is nothing special about it.

And many miracles are already happening from the icon: turning to the Mother of God, people receive what they ask for. All these pendants that are on the icon and the brand new golden robe are not just that, these are people thanking the Queen of Heaven for Her mercies. In our monastery we have a special veneration of the Queen of Heaven and a lot of Her icons, but the miracle comes only from the icon “Look at Humility.” Because the Mother of God chose this image as Her source of mercy for the human race.

For example, when the icon was traveling, a blind woman received her sight in Zaporozhye, a paralyzed man’s hand was healed, and a paralyzed woman was healed in Elisavetgrad (Kirovograd). And a lot of people don’t tell us what happened at all. They will bring you a pendant, and to the question “what happened to you?” They answer: “You know, this is ours... The Mother of God helped us, we are grateful...” And that’s all. And for those who want to tell, there is a special folder where we record miracles - with descriptions, photos and addresses. If you wish, you can check everything, any correspondent can call or meet with a specific person.

Vvedensky Monastery in Kyiv, where the icon resides

Miracles big and small

But all the same, the main thing in confirming miracles is some kind of conciliar interpretation. In our case, the scientists first had their say, then all the documents were transferred to the Church, and in 1995 the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church decided to consider the icon of the Mother of God “Look at Humility” miraculous. And that was the most important thing. If this had not happened, it is unlikely that we would have started telling people around, much less the press, about our miracle. We would just pray quietly and venerate this image.

After all, in order to believe, you don’t have to see miracles. Why do we need anything else if the greatest miracle happens every day at the Liturgy. Every year on January 19, another miracle occurs - the water is blessed, the Great Hagiasma. And other miracles happen every day, we are so used to them! We baptize the child, believing that we are giving him eternal life, we sanctify the water and believe that this is the Jordan. This is also a miracle!

A believer will find miracles, not only in the temple - but everywhere around, every day and every minute. For me, for example, every time in the spring, when the first flowers bloom, trees are a real miracle of God! This is wonderful! And when the snow begins to melt and streams flow. The whole winter there were bare trees, the wind broke off their branches, and suddenly spring comes, sticky young leaves open! God, what beauty, what a miracle! But now the golden autumn will begin - how brightly the trees will dress, how beautifully these yellow leaves will fall! Again, a miracle of God. And we can learn to see this in everything!

But the Lord also gives us obvious, loud miracles to strengthen us. What is happening around us now, what is pouring out from TV, newspapers and the Internet, can shake our faith. And God helps us. So, our icon was imprinted, then Boyanskaya began to cry, in Simferopol the full-length image of the Savior was imprinted on the icon... People feel that the Lord is not leaving them.

Bishop Damian of Fastov, abbot of the Holy Vvedensky Monastery in Kyiv, reads an akathist before the icon “Look at Humility”

The image of Christ the Savior on the glass of the icon was imprinted in the All Saints Church in Simferopol in 1998. The print looks like a negative and was discovered before the restoration of the icon.

With the blessing of Archbishop Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea, an authoritative commission, which included clergy, scientists and artists, examined the icon. Experts came to the conclusion that the image on the glass is a miraculous imprint of icon painting, and is a thin coating consisting of two organic acids and wax.

The unique image is carefully kept in the church; it is brought out to the believers after the Divine Liturgy.

* * *

The Boyana Icon of the Mother of God was painted in 1991 for the local row of the iconostasis of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which was being renewed after 30 years of desolation in the village of Boyany, Novoselitsky district, Cherkasy region. The first miracle - the flow of tears - was revealed by the icon during a service on December 18, 1993.

Many miracles began to occur from the icon, including healings from cancer. In October 1994, the Holy Synod of the UOC recognized the icon as miraculous and received the name Boyanskaya after the place where it showed its miracles. And on December 28, 1999, the Boyana Convent was founded at the church in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Since 1995, the day before the feast of the icon, on September 24, an annual procession of the cross from the city of Chernivtsi to the village of Boyany, traditionally led by the ruling bishop, is held.

Two sides of the same coin

In general, every such miracle should be “worth its weight in gold.” A miracle happened - and that’s enough. And if you want miracles tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, this is tempting God. The miracle of faith is given once: you believe it and forever. There is - and thank God. Pray, read.

And there is no need to run after such church miracles. A person with a rich imagination can imagine anywhere and anything. Often this is not even a wealth of imagination, but a sick internal state. And what’s scary is that many people are experiencing this now. I communicate with different people, and often hear about the occurrence of false imaginary miracles.

The problem is that after Soviet rule, we lost the feeling of community, of parish. Previously, people were each assigned to their own parish, the priest knew everyone who confessed and received communion with him - there was a circle of people in whom he was oriented. And if anyone began to have an imaginary desire for miracles, he could immediately figure it out.

And then there was a huge period when “attaching” and “knowing” was simply life-threatening. Now people go to different temples and communicate with anyone. They listen to others, come up with something for themselves, and don’t discuss it with anyone. And people do not always bring the necessary information. That is why such sick conditions arise, called “prelest”.

Charm is a multifaceted state, and you can’t always discern it in time. You need to be a real spiritual specialist to recognize it. But the worst thing is that this specialist may be, but a person who is in a state of delusion is not always ready to hear him.

And if some new miracles appear, we must wait to see what people, scientists, and the Church will say about this. I saw it - and wait to see how it will be decided. It’s not for nothing that there is a saying “if it seems like it, you need to be baptized.” Cross yourself and continue praying. Maybe this is a fantasy... You need to be very careful and attentive with your inner state.

The discovery of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God took place on July 8, 1579 in Kazan, a quarter of a century after the conquest of the Kazan Khanate by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. In June 1579, Kazan suffered from a terrible fire, which reduced part of the city and half of the Kazan Kremlin to ashes. The Muslims gloated, thinking that the Creator was angry with the Christians. But the fire in Kazan was an omen of the final establishment of Orthodoxy throughout the Golden Horde land - the future East of the Russian state.

During the fire, the house of archer Daniil Onuchin also burned down. A few days after the fire, the archer decided to begin building a new house in the same place. Then the Mother of God appeared in a dream to his ten-year-old daughter Matrona with the command to inform the archbishop and the city leaders so that they would find Her icon in the ground, at the site of a recent fire. The girl’s words were not given any significance, but after the third apparition, Matrona tearfully begged her mother to fulfill the command of the Mother of God. And so, having begun to rake away the ashes in the indicated place, they saw the icon of the Mother of God shining with a wonderful light.

The news of the miraculous find instantly spread throughout Kazan. Many people began to flock to the place where the icon was found. After the prayer service, the icon was solemnly transferred to the Kazan Annunciation Cathedral. Numerous miracles from the newly appeared icon began with the epiphany of two blind men, Joseph and Nikita. The miraculous icon, which was nicknamed the Kazan icon after the place where it was found, became one of the most revered icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rus'.

The Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan inspired Russian warriors during the Time of Troubles during the liberation of Moscow from the Poles. Before the Kazan Icon in 1709, on the eve of the Poltava victory, Emperor Peter I prayed for victory for the Russian army (this list is currently in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg). In 1812, on the eve of leaving for the active army, Prince Mikhail Kutuzov prayed before the miraculous icon.

Unfortunately, in 1904, the miraculous icon was stolen by robbers and, after removing the precious vestments from it, they destroyed it. After the Russian revolutionary turmoil of 1917, numerous ancient copies of the miraculous icon were distributed throughout the world. The Russian Orthodox Church is making every effort to return shrines to their homeland. In Russia, the earliest known copy of the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1606) is in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Days of celebration: July 21 (July 8, old style) and November 4 (October 22).
More about the Kazan Icon

The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (Hodegetria) is the universally revered and most popular miraculous icon of the Mother of God in Russia. Appeared in Kazan in 1579 after its annexation to the Moscow state. The circumstances of the acquisition of the Kazan Icon are described in detail by the future Patriarch Hermogenes, a participant in this event. A brief legend, together with the first copy-list of the Kazan icon, was sent to Tsar Ivan the Terrible; By his decree, the Assumption Monastery for women was founded at the site of the apparition.

The Kazan icon is a bust-length image of Hodegetria, in which the head of the Mother of God is inclined towards the Infant Christ, presented in front. The icon that appeared was small in size; Ivan the Terrible decorated it with a precious frame. Initially it was located in the Kazan Assumption Monastery; its further history is unclear. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, three Kazan icons were especially revered, each of which was considered truly miraculous: in the Assumption Monastery in Kazan (probably revealed in 1579; stolen and destroyed (?) in 1904); in the Kazan Church on Red Square in Moscow, founded after the liberation of Moscow from the Poles by the militia of D. Pozharsky (this icon - one of the first copies of the miraculous Kazan, brought with the militia - has not survived); in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg (now in the Vladimir Cathedral). Locally revered lists of the Kazan Icon are numerous; most of them have their own tales and history of veneration