Dear friends!

We continue to acquaint you with the Artistic Heritage of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Today we are going to talk about the paintings of the Refectory Church of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. With this, we present the publication dedicated to the image of Saint Leontius, Bishop of Rostov, Equal of the Apostles (11th century).

In the history of Orthodox Christianity, he is considered to be the first worshiped Russian Saint. Leontius’ body is buried in the Dormition Cathedral in Rostov. Recalling the names of the monks who took monastic vows in Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery, Simon, Bishop of Volodymyr and Suzdal, wrote the following words about St. Leontius: “This is the third citizen of the Kyivan Rus…” More than two hundred legends, describing the life of Saint Leontius, prove his great popularity and veneration. The oldest legend, which speaks of the acquisition of the relics of Leontius, was written in 1160-70.

Decorating the interior of the Lavra’s Refectory Church in the early 20th century, the artist Ivan Izhakevych saw Leontiy Rostovsky as a middle-aged man. The way the artist painted shining, wide-open, extremely focused and, at the same time, sad eyes of the Saint proved the effectiveness of the psychological approach, he used to create that look. The nuances of the Saint’s gaze clearly convey the moment of acquiring the Truth: in an endless stream of thoughts and volatile associations, the man-philosopher could distinguish and catch it. The look of Saint Leontius is turned a little bit to the side, and, thanks to this psychological technique of “self-look”, which was skillfully used by the artist, it seems that the character is somehow distanced from the world around him.

The features of the Saint’s face are correct and classic. Clearly seen and beautifully outlined is his thin straight nose. His dark eyebrows are softly modeled. Graceful fingers with unusually long nails are folded into a two-fingered sign of the cross. The head of Leontius is covered by the monk’s hood. The combination of the black color of the hood, blue color of the phelonion and pink-brown hue of the omophorion gives enlightened and soothing range to the composition. Noticeable is the pattern of Christmas trees, mirroring each other, which one can see on the fabric of the phelonion.

Caption to the illustration:

Ivan Izhakevych. Saint Leontius, Bishop of Rostov. Early 20th century. Paintings of the Refectory and the adjoining Church of St. Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk

Prepared by Olena Pitateleva

Senior research worker

Study of Artistic Heritage Research Division

National Preserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”

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