Holy Robe

The Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Holy Virgin of the Moscow Kremlin

and

An Exhibition of Russian Wooden Sculpture

This small 15th century church was built for private use by Metropolitans and Patriarchs of Moscow.  During the mid-17th century it was taken over by the Russian royal family as a private chapel.

The architecture is early Russian style.  It is placed on a raised foundation.  One elegant drum is crowned by a helmet-shaped golden dome, which is also raised.  Its design was incorporated into the architecture of Cathedral Square.

The name of the church refers to a festival dating from the 5th century, celebrating when the robe of the Virgin Mary was taken from Palestine to Constantinople, where it protected the city from being conquered.

1451 - the church is founded

1484-85 - the old church is replaced with a new church of stone

1627 - a new iconostasis is made

1644 - the walls are painted

1655 - the church becomes part of the palace and is connected by passages with the Tsarinas and princesses' rooms

1737 - the church is restored after a fire

1918 - liturgies cease in the church

1965 - a museum is open in the church

1993 - liturgies are resumed

The iconostasis, the royal doors and meagre candles.

The main icon, to the right of the King's gate, showing the ceremony, is the laying of the holy robes on the alter throne of the Court Emperor's Cathedral.

Murals are painted in the fresco technique (i.e. on wet plaster) and covered with tempera.

A Meagre candle - a large candlestick, made of wax or wood, hollow inside, decorated with ornamental painting and inscriptions, on a stand.  Made by Moscow artisans and donated in 1649.

I sure love this picture.  

I thought they were the domes on top of the Holy Robe Church, but since it has only one dome, these domes are actually on top of the building next to it.  (It would really help if I could find a sign!)

The exposition includes sculptural images of saints, carved icons, iconostasis sculpture, crosses and small icons, some created by artisans of the Moscow Kremlin Armory and others from northern monasteries from the 14th to the 19th century.

No pictures were allowed inside.

Virtual Tour:

http://holy-robe-deposition-church.kreml.ru/en-Us/virtual-tour/

About the Museum:

http://www.kreml.ru/en-Us/about-museums/kremlin/

Or see:  Museums of the Moscow Kremlin

visited:  Saturday, November 21, 2015