Saints Zosima and Sabbatius and Their Guardian Angel
Entry/Object ID
2005.02.009
Description
Small silver plated metal miniature backed in dark blue velvet. Most of the facial features have been worn down, but what remains shows three figures; a winged angel holding a cross and sword followed by two bearded men clothed in long robes with both hands raised. There are some Cyrillic inscriptions at the top presumed to be the names of the Saints, but this too has been worn down and is difficult to read.
Type of Sculpture
Relief
Collection
Betsy Scheuring Icon Collection
Acquisition
Accession
2005.02
Source or Donor
Betsy Scheuring
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Gift of Betsy Scheuring
Made/Created
Time Period
20th Century
Place
Country
Russia
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Makers Mark
Location
Under the right edge of the riza
Transcription
AA Corrud
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Icon
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
Symbol, Religious
Nomenclature Sub-Class
Religious Objects
Nomenclature Class
Ceremonial Objects
Nomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects
Dimensions
Height
2-1/4 in
Width
2-1/8 in
Exhibition
Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical Context
Label
Saints Zosima and Sabbatius were the founders of the Solovetsky Monastery on an island in the White Sea in the 15th century. In icons, they are often shown placed in front of their monastery or holding a model of it. In this small example they appear standing in profile behind a guardian angel. Guardian angels appear in the Old Testament (for example, the Angel Raphael in the story of Tobias) and the New Testament (Luke’s Gospel has many references to angels). The idea of an angel as a personal guardian became very popular in the monastic tradition, especially with regard to Sts. Bernard and Benedict in the 12th century. Here the guardian angel is carrying a sword and a cross. The two monks raise their hands in prayer.
