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St. Leontius of Rostov

Sergey Simakov

Creation period

1987

Dimensions

150x180 cm

Technique

Сanvas, oil

Collection

The Uglich Museum

Exhibition

Under the Gracious Protection

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Лонтий Ростовский.jpg

Simakov S.B.

St. Leontius of Rostov

In this picture, the author, Sergei Simakov, depicted one of the most venerated Russian Orthodox hierarchs, Leontius, Bishop of Rostov and Suzdal. According to the legend, Leontius felt an urge to lead a secluded monk life at an early age. He got training in Constantinople, and in the 2nd half of the 11th century was sent to the city of Rostov as bishop, a vicarious ruler of the region. Rostov was then dominated by pagans, so Leontius was a solitary defender of Christian faith. According to one source, he was killed by pagans and died the death of a martyr while other sources claim he died peacefully.

In the picture, Leontius is placed in the centre. He is wearing the traditional disguise of a bishop: a broad cloak without sleeves (phaelonion) and a long shoulder belt with crosses (omophorion). From the sky, a pillar of light falls on Leontius, who is surrounded by children. According to his life stories, pagans banished him from Rostov. Leontius settled in the country and began to teach fundamentals of Christian faith to children — he could not convert the older generation, who wallowed in paganism. One child in the picture is shown with a book, another is holding a burning candle, a symbol of prayer addressing God.

Leonty_Rostovsky_(24).jpg

Leontius of Rostov and his life in 24 scenes. Ca. 1677

Source: wikipedia.org

Sergei Simakov employed a composition technique typical of hagiographical icons of the 17th century: there is the central image of a saint and scenes of his life around him. Such is the look of Leontius of Rostov and his life in 24 scenes: the miniature scenes are placed around the main figure as individual pictures.

In Simakov’s picture, there is a wooden church on the right, next to it St. Leontius surrounded by a group of people. Legend has it that the banished hierarch built a small church near the brook Butovshchina and dedicated it to the Archangel Michael, who is venerated in Orthodox church as the head of the heavenly host. One day, wrathful pagans came to his place to kill him. Leontius came out with a cross, wearing a bishop’s toggery; his courage and the shining of divine light struck the intruders, so one of them got blind. Leontius forgave the uninvited guests and returned the eyesight to the blind man. After that, many of them were voluntarily baptized.

In the left-hand corner, Simakov depicted the Rostov kremlin, which is where Leontius’s remains were buried in a recess of the southern wall of the Dormition Cathedral. They were found there in the 12th century when a stone church was being built instead of the burnt down wooden church. The late bishop is thought to have valued his followers: in his hands a list of priests and deacons ordained by him was found. The walls of the Dormition Cathedral are decorated with old frescoes with images of St. Leontius.