New capsule exhibition at the museum-reserve — “The Holy Defender of Chersonesus”

On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, a capsule exhibition of one exhibit was opened in the Byzantine History building. It features a steatite icon with a relief image Saint Theodore Stratilates from excavations in the ancient city.

Over the long history of research in Chersonesos, icons, crosses and icons carved from steatite have been repeatedly found. In Byzantine sources this material is called «spotted stone» or «serpentine». The icon presented at the exhibition is unique in design and origin, made of brownish-gray soapstone with gilding. Remarkable fine carving and careful execution testify to the work of the capital’s master of the 12th century. This icon has been preserved in fragments: the rounded upper part has preserved a relief image of the head of St. Theodora in a three-quarter turn to the right, his left hand and two vertically standing spears in the center of the composition. Over the head of Saint Theodore — crown in the Hand of God— note the press service of the Tauride Chersonese Museum-Reserve.

You can see the unique artifact from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, admission is free. The exhibition “The Holy Defender of Chersonese” is open until March 17.

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