Today, the One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace of the Moscow Kremlin opens exhibition on the life and deeds of the great sovereign

Moscow Kremlin, March 20 - July 14, 2013
One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace

Today Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace of the Moscow Kremlin opens exhibition on the life and deeds of a great sovereign.

Ivan III, Grand Prince of Moscow and All Russia, - identity is highly remarkable. That's when it merged disparate Russian lands around Moscow, Russia finally freed itself from the Tartar yoke of three hundred years and the process of approval of autocephaly (independence) of the Russian Church, which was until then under the influence of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. It was during his reign, was born thesis "Moscow - the Third Rome", which had a huge impact on the composition of the Russian statehood. Finally, thanks to him to Russia were invited Italian masters who completely rebuilt the Kremlin, and turned it into a real fortress Europe.

But despite the significance of the offenses, the figure of Ivan III and still lost in the shadow of the more colorful historical figures. The exhibition in the Moscow Kremlin museums intended to draw attention to the personality of this remarkable, but unfortunately underrated leader. The exhibition in the Pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace tell how evolved the ideology of the future of Muscovy, came into the world as new images and symbols that reflect the most significant act of a great sovereign.

• Ivan III. Grand Prince of All Russia and the Tsar
  Source: Press release of the Moscow Kremlin
• Law in 1497
  RGADA
  Source: Press Release Moscow Kremlin Museums

an effort to create a truly unified state, Ivan III was active in cultural policy its different lands of the Grand Duchy, in particular, he acted as the mastermind of the customer and numerous works for the temple which even the most remote areas. Due to his order came into the world such masterpieces of Russian art, as frescoes of the Nativity of the Virgin Ferapontov monastery and the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral of St. Cyril-Belozersky monastery. Though the core of the exhibition consists of the works of the Moscow Kremlin, without the involvement of exhibits from other museums to create the most accurate picture of the activities of this great ruler would be impossible. participate in the exhibition The State Historical Museum, State Russian Museum, the State Hermitage Museum Cyril Belozersky historical, architectural and art museum, Novgorod State United Museum, Ryazan State Regional Art Museum. Pozhalostina IP, Sergiev Posad State History and Art Museum-Reserve, the State Museum-Preserve "Rostov Kremlin "The Russian State Library and the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts.

Archangel Michael. Icon The chest. Middle of the XV century. Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve Source : Press Release of the Moscow Kremlin

John the Baptist. Carved icon. XIV - the first half of the XV a. Moscow Kremlin Source: Press release of the Moscow Kremlin

The first section of the exhibition devoted to the theme of the Byzantine heritage . In 1453, the sacred city of Constantinople fell to the Turks, and a few years later was signed by the Union of Florence, marking the union with the Catholic Church. Under these conditions, the Grand Duke of Moscow, with the consolidation of its power and might, began to realize itself as the sole defender of the Orthodox faith, successor of the Byzantine emperors. This idea formed the basis for the formation of the Russian state. marriage of Ivan III to Zoe (Sophia) Palaeologus - niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine - was the final chord, confirming Russian sovereign right to take over power from the great rulers of Constantinople. This section exhibition includes artifacts, allowing to trace the inheritance of ideas and symbols of Byzantium. Of particular interest are the objects of personal piety, the family belonged to the Grand. Many of them are part of a large estate, which was brought to Moscow by Sophia Palaeologus, such as the famous cross of Korsun, immediately to storage at the altar of the Assumption Cathedral and always participated in all processions moves, golden reliquary icon depicting the Virgin Mary with the twelve apostles and the Crucifixion, richly Jeweled rubies and sapphires. One of the most interesting exhibits is the embroidered veil workshop Helena Voloshanki depicting a solemn procession after the coronation grandson of Ivan III Dmitry, where spectators can witness the portraits of the Grand Duke and his family.

Panagia. Russia, XV in. Moscow Kremlin Source: Press release of the Moscow Kremlin

Spas without hands with the angels, to keep tabs XV - XIX (?) centuries. Moscow Kremlin Source: Press release of the Moscow Kremlin

second section of the exhibition includes monuments, reflecting the complex and sometimes very dramatic process of gathering lands around Moscow. One of the most important areas of consolidation policy of Ivan III looked to "old", the almost epic times of Saint Vladimir, when the whole Russian land was a single entity. Thus, adherence to the new Moscow principalities presented as the restoration of historical justice. now Vladimir and his sons, Boris and Gleb, topped the list of heavenly intercessors for the grand family . Gradually this list began to add new local saints: Ivan III knew that their veneration and worship is very effective and, most importantly, bloodless impetus to the creation of internal communication between the various lands. important place in the policy of the Grand Duke was given to the preservation of national traditions, search own roots, which led to a proliferation of Marian images, whose history is closely linked with the history of the princely family. Much love used two images - "Our Lady of Vladimir" and "Our Lady of Bogolyubovo».

Virgin Bogolyubskaya. Icon. 1st XV in the third. Moscow Kremlin Source: Press Release of the Moscow Kremlin

Metropolitan Peter in conversation. Icon. 1480-e Moscow Kremlin Source : Press Release of the Moscow Kremlin

pays great attention to Ivan III Religious Affairs. next section of the exhibition tell the approval of the Russian Church autocephalous. After the fall of Byzantium Constantinople Patriarchate there under the full control of the Turkish sultan. This is quite a difficult situation, and the Grand Duke bishops were forced to make a decision on crowning of Metropolitan Jonah without the usual consultation with Constantinople. Since then, the idea of independence of the Russian Orthodox Church is one of the main policy of Ivan III. Upland Church authority, according to the Grand Duke, was to promote the celebration of Russian saints. An important role in this process was played by the construction of a new cathedral of the Kremlin, and to enhance the memory of the departed Moscow Hierarchs, rebury the remains of which needed to be moved to new and cancers. At the exhibition will see monumental hagiographic icons depicting Metropolitans Peter and Alexis, Moscow Saints made great Dionysius commissioned by Ivan III.

rebuilt Cathedral of the Assumption should fill the precious contents - sacred vessels, liturgical books and crosses. Richly utensils for the house is always created at the expense of the secular authorities, that from the time of Constantine the Great, the founder of the Holy Sepulchre, was to demonstrate the care of the lord Christ-church. luxurious decoration of the main Moscow's Cathedral can be presented as an example of so-called Major and Minor Zion - two magnificent vessels to transfer the Blessed Sacrament, made by order of Ivan III the best Western European jewelers working at the Moscow court.

censer. Moscow, the end of the XV century. Moscow Kremlin Source: Press release of the Moscow Kremlin

Cross Altar. Moscow, Russia, in the beginning of XVI. Museums of Moscow Kremlin Source: Press release of the Moscow Kremlin

Ivan III began his career as the ruler of a small principality, finished - great sovereign of all Russia. Securing new status evident in the design of Frolovskaya Kremlin towers, which were installed plaques, the Ivan III «emperor and autocrat of all the Russias" in Russian and Latin. On the other hand, bilingual inscriptions demonstrate openness of Muscovy Western world, claimed the new international status, with which European rulers could no longer ignore.

Source : press release of the Moscow Kremlin