Capsule exhibition “In the waters of the Jordan” will open in Tauride Chersonese

The funds of Tauride Chersonese contain a miniature bronze medallion (24 × 16 mm), found in the Crimean Mountains, which shows a simple iconographic scheme: Savior, Forerunner, Angel, Dove, which indicates an early date for the artifact (no later than the 6th–7th centuries).

The compositional and semantic center of the iconographic program of the Epiphany is always Christ. On our medallion he is depicted frontally, with his arms hanging along his body, deeply immersed in the waters of the Jordan, indicated by barely noticeable short transverse engraved lines; above the head of Christ — the Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove with magnificent plumage, descending on the Baptized Person; the saint — John, the Baptist of the Lord — is depicted standing on the banks of the Jordan to the right of Christ and placing his right hand on his head. According to the interpretation of Damascus, Saint John, “laying his hand on the divine head of the Lord, thereby accepted his baptism.” The last character of the Epiphany scene on the medallion is the Angel located to the left of Christ, opposite from St. John on the banks of the Jordan; he slightly bowed his head and extended his hands to the Savior. Angels are not mentioned in the Gospel story, but on artistic monuments starting from the 6th–7th centuries. in the scene of the Epiphany, their figures are usually present, occupying the right side of the composition. According to N.V. Pokrovsky, Angels in the iconography of Baptism have a special purpose: they do not simply glorify Christ, but act as his heavenly recipients from the earthly font.

The medallion described is a eulogy (translated from Greek as “blessing”) — a memorable item that pilgrims purchased when visiting one or another holy place. These could be small lead or clay ampoules for holy water or oil, reliquary boxes, medallions, tokens, etc. In accordance with existing ideas, eulogies served not just as a reminder: they were extended by the grace inherent in the holy place visited. As is known, near the site of the Baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan, already in the early Byzantine period, a temple or monastery of John the Baptist was built, which became one of the pilgrimage centers. It is likely that at one time it was visited by a pilgrim from Taurica, who acquired there “as a prayerful memory” a medallion-eulogy, found in the Crimean land almost fifteen centuries later.

You can see this unique item in the Byzantine exhibition hall at the temporary capsule exhibition “In the Waters of the Jordan,” which will open on January 19, the feast of Epiphany. You can view the exhibition from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00. The exhibition will last until February 18, admission is free.

source: Development Department of the State Museum-Reserve «Chersonese Tauride»