According to legend, the icon was presented to the Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy by the Don Cossacks from the town of Sirotino before the Battle of Kulikovo (1380). On the day of the battle, the icon was among the Russian troops, offering them assistance. After the victory, the Don Cossacks gifted the icon to Dmitry Donskoy, who brought it to Moscow. Initially, the icon was placed in the Dormition Cathedral of the Kremlin, but an inscription «The Annunciation of the Mother of God» was discovered on the reverse side, and it was then moved to the Annunciation Cathedral. In memory of the victory on the banks of the Don, the icon received the name «Our Lady of the Don».
Dmitry Vasilyevich Bliznyuk
(18.10.1935 - 03.10.2021)
«Our Lady of the Don»
Oil on canvas, 70х50, 2010 г.
According to legend, the icon was presented to the Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy by the Don Cossacks from the town of Sirotino before the Battle of Kulikovo (1380). On the day of the battle, the icon was among the Russian troops, offering them assistance. After the victory, the Don Cossacks gifted the icon to Dmitry Donskoy, who brought it to Moscow. Initially, the icon was placed in the Dormition Cathedral of the Kremlin, but an inscription «The Annunciation of the Mother of God» was discovered on the reverse side, and it was then moved to the Annunciation Cathedral. In memory of the victory on the banks of the Don, the icon received the name «Our Lady of the Don».
Dmitry Vasilyevich Bliznyuk
(18.10.1935 - 03.10.2021)
«Our Lady of the Don»
Oil on canvas, 70х50, 2010
View painting/Collapse
«Mother of God, protect us!»
«O Most Holy Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven,
accept the supplication of our souls, and from Thy holy height
look down upon us with faith and love,
who venerate Thy most pure image»
(From the Akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God)
Queen of Heaven,
accept the supplication of our souls, and from Thy holy height
look down upon us with faith and love,
who venerate Thy most pure image»
(From the Akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God)
You did not reject us, but shielded us
With Your finger and Your holy Mantle,
Before the Throne of Your Son You prayed
For God's mercy upon Your children:
With Your finger and Your holy Mantle,
Before the Throne of Your Son You prayed
For God's mercy upon Your children:
So that our losses may not multiply,
That we might finally understand,
That in prayer we are rich with love
For the Son.
That we might finally understand,
That in prayer we are rich with love
For the Son.
He is our Shepherd, Savior, and Father!
That we may live united in one faith,
Under Your Protection—through grace,
Remain ever faithful to Orthodoxy.
That we may live united in one faith,
Under Your Protection—through grace,
Remain ever faithful to Orthodoxy.
Quiet joy — Mother of God,
Do not forsake us in our humble hope,
Avert the darkness of temptation,
And cover Russia with Your Protection, as before,
Mother of God, protect us!
Amen.
Do not forsake us in our humble hope,
Avert the darkness of temptation,
And cover Russia with Your Protection, as before,
Mother of God, protect us!
Amen.
***
View painting/Collapse
«Mother of God, protect us!»
«O Most Holy Mother of God,
Queen of Heaven,
accept the supplication of our souls, and from Thy holy height
look down upon us with faith and love,
who venerate Thy most pure image»
(From the Akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God)
Queen of Heaven,
accept the supplication of our souls, and from Thy holy height
look down upon us with faith and love,
who venerate Thy most pure image»
(From the Akathist to the Most Holy Mother of God)
You did not reject us, but shielded us
With Your finger and Your holy Mantle,
Before the Throne of Your Son You prayed
For God's mercy upon Your children:
With Your finger and Your holy Mantle,
Before the Throne of Your Son You prayed
For God's mercy upon Your children:
So that our losses may not multiply,
That we might finally understand,
That in prayer we are rich with love
For the Son.
That we might finally understand,
That in prayer we are rich with love
For the Son.
He is our Shepherd, Savior, and Father!
That we may live united in one faith,
Under Your Protection—through grace,
Remain ever faithful to Orthodoxy.
That we may live united in one faith,
Under Your Protection—through grace,
Remain ever faithful to Orthodoxy.
Quiet joy — Mother of God,
Do not forsake us in our humble hope,
Avert the darkness of temptation,
And cover Russia with Your Protection, as before,
Mother of God, protect us!
Amen.
Do not forsake us in our humble hope,
Avert the darkness of temptation,
And cover Russia with Your Protection, as before,
Mother of God, protect us!
Amen.
***
1935
2021
Dmitry Vasilyevich Bliznyuk
18.10.1935 - 03.10.2021.
Artist, scenographer. Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR. Member of the Union of Artists of the RSFSR.
Dmitry Vasilyevich Bliznyuk worked in oil painting. Since 1970, he served as a production designer at the Rostov Theatre for Young Spectators (TYuZ), and later as the chief artist of the Rostov Academic Drama Theatre named after M. Gorky. Collaborating with leading theaters across Russia, he developed artistic designs for over 200 productions based on plays by Russian, Soviet, and foreign playwrights and writers. He participated in All-Russian and international exhibitions.
1935
2021
Dmitry Vasilyevich Bliznyuk
18.10.1935 - 03.10.2021.
Artist, scenographer. Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR. Member of the Union of Artists of the RSFSR.
Dmitry Vasilyevich Bliznyuk worked in oil painting. Since 1970, he served as a production designer at the Rostov Theatre for Young Spectators (TYuZ), and later as the chief artist of the Rostov Academic Drama Theatre named after M. Gorky. Collaborating with leading theaters across Russia, he developed artistic designs for over 200 productions based on plays by Russian, Soviet, and foreign playwrights and writers. He participated in All-Russian and international exhibitions.