The fresco illustrates the liturgical hymn to the Holy Mother attributed to the Byzantine theologian and hymnographer John of Damascus. The hymn is included in the liturgical book ‘Octoechos’ (Tone 8). The main elements of the scene correspond to the initial lines of the hymn: ‘All of Creation rejoices in Thee, O full of grace: the angels in heaven and the race of men,
O sanctified temple and spiritual paradise…’.  The Mother of God with the child and the assembly of angels is depicted on the background of the temple and the Garden of Eden. Underneath is the figure of John the Baptist, on whose sides the entire human race is represented in the person of the righteous in white robes, as well as the holy prophets, saints, apostles, saints and martyrs. The figures of John of Damascus and Cosmas of Maiuma with the scrolls in their hands rise above them. In Russian liturgical practice, the full text of ‘In you rejoices’ is sung at the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil after the Transubstantiation, when the priest makes secret intercessory prayers on the altar, consistently remembrance of all the levels of holiness. Above all he remembers about John the Baptist. A special emphasis on the image of the John the Forerunner is characteristic of the late iconography ‘All of Creation rejoices in Thee…’, which has been spread in Russian iconography since the end of the 16th century. The composition of the scene has a liturgical meaning.

The full name: ‘All of Creation rejoices in Thee…’
Time of creation: 1641
Technique: Fresco, tempera.
Location: The lunette on the southern wall