On January 13, on the eve of the Old New Year, Penza Art Gallery together with the Penza Diocese within the XI Regional Christmas Educational Readings presented an exhibition project "...May God protect you...". The main idea of the project, dedicated to the Year of the Family in Russia, was to familiarize with the traditions of celebrating the Nativity of Christ on the example of the life of the Royal Family of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II, reports the website of the Penza Metropolis.
The guest of honor of the event was Metropolitan Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsk, who addressed the organizers and guests of the event with words of greeting: "We have gathered in the Governor's House in the days of the Holy Days, which conclude the celebration of Christmas and on the eve of the New Year according to the old calendar. Today we heard rich information about the history of our city, and about the family of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II - the ideal of the family. It rarely happens when a person, being in power structures, a very rich person, can create a really wonderful family with good principles, with a wonderful spiritual atmosphere behind the mask of officialism. This is a very vivid example for us now. Especially given the fact that this year has been declared the Year of the Family in the Russian Federation. I would like to congratulate everyone on these festive days and wish them a strong of health. That the Lord hears our prayers, all hostilities cease and we once again enter a peaceful state of our lives. And that these days bring you much joy".
The audience was presented with photos of the royal family of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II, which were donated to the museum fund by Natalia Kuptsova.
The first excursion through the exhibition was conducted by Nina Santalova, head of the exposition and exhibition department. She also told about the paintings by Denis Santalov "Kissing the icon 1904" and "The Miracle of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan of Penza. 1717." The exposition included a plaque dedicated to the arrival of Emperor Nicholas II in Penza and returned to the Penza Diocese before the consecration of the Cathedral of the Savior by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on June 19, 2022. As His Eminence noted, this relic will be placed in the Cathedral of the Savior upon completion of its painting, together with the icon of the Tsar-Passion Bearer Nicholas.
In the second part of the event, the Archdiocesan Children's Choir, directed by Marina Nikitina, performed Christmas carols and songs. Also, the guests were shown a picture-picture performance "Baroque / Theater / Dance / Penza Video Chronicle" (directed by Alfiya Chataeva), the plot of which was based on the letters of the Royal Family of the last Russian Emperor of Nicholas II, addressed to each other.
"I hope that today the tradition of holding such Christmas trees was laid. The royal family of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II is an example of high spirituality and love," said Kirill Zastrozhny, director of the Penza Art Gallery, at the event.
At the end of the event all participants were presented with photos of the Royal Family.
The exhibition project is a continuation of the project of the Penza diocese to perpetuate the memory of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers, conducted with the support of the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow and timed to coincide with the Year of the Tsar. It is timed to coincide with the Year of the Family and the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II in Penza.
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