08 works, Today, December 28th, is The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia's day, their story, illustrated #360

Troganov school
Detail; Saint Cyril, c. 17th C

Russian I con

Church-Archaeological Office of the Moscow Theological Academy.

Stroganov School is a conventional name for the last major Russian icon-painting school, which thrived under the patronage of the rich Stroganov family of merchants in the late 16th and 17th century.

"Stroganov School" owes its name to frequent mentioning of the Stroganovs on the markings on the back of the icons of Yemelyan Moskvitin, Stefan Pakhirya, Prokopy Chirin, Istoma, Nazariy, and Nikifor Saviny. Most of these icon painters, however, did not belong to the Stroganov School. They were icon painters from Moscow and executed commissions by the tsar. Many of their works were eventually acquired by the Stroganovs, who had been known as connoisseurs of sophisticated craftsmanship. 

The works of art of the Stroganov School have quite a few features in common, such as small size, diminutiveness, refined palette, density of paint layers, graphic precision of details, fragile characters' postures and gestures, richness of their vestments, and complicated landscape background. More on the Stroganov School

The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia refers to victims of persecution of Christians in Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmit, Turkey) by the Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian in the early 4th century AD.

At this time the bishop of the city of Nicomedia was Saint Cyril, whose preaching had greatly contributed to the spread of the Gospel.

Haround Binous

Emperor Diocletian
Facial Reconstruction

I have no further description, at this time

Haround Binous

Emperor Maximian (284-305)
Facial Reconstruction

I have no further description, at this time

At the turn of the fourth century, the Roman emperor Maximian (284-305) was growing increasingly angry over the spread of Christianity throughout the Empire. Even members of his court had been revealed as secret Christians.

Unknown artist

The church burned in Nicomedia, c. 985

Illustration

Constantinople. 985. Miniature Minology of Vasily II.

Vatican Library, Rome

According to various martyrologies and menologion, the persecution included the burning of a church that held numerous Christians on Christmas Day.

Unknown artist

Triumph of Maximian

Triumph of Titus

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

I have no further description, at this time

This event took place when the emperor Maximian (284-305) returned with victory over Ethiopians in 304 AD. It happened after they had refused to sacrifice to idols during Christmas Mass in order to thank gods for the victory he had acquired. 

Unknown artist

Glycerius of Nicomedia

 Miniature Minology of Vasily II. Constantinople, c. 985

Vatican Library, Rome

Later Maximian and his soldiers entered the church and told the Christians they could escape punishment if they renounced Christ. The Christian priest Glycerius answered that the Christians would never "renounce their faith, even under the threat of torture". 

Unknown artist

The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia

Mural of the 16th century AD.

Holy Monastery of Dionysiou. Mount Athos

Maximian ordered him to be burned to death. Those who had not been burned in the church were captured and tortured to death. The bishop Anthimos who had escaped burning in the church was captured and beheaded.

Unknown artist

Bishop Anthimos was beheaded

Miniature Minology of Vasily II. Constantinople, c. 985

Vatican Library, Rome

The number 20,000 may be apocryphal. However, the martyrs of Nicomedia continue to be honored with feast days: they are commemorated on 28 December in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and by the Byzantine Catholic Churches. In the Roman Martyrology of the Roman Catholic Church, there are separate entries for groups of martyrs of Nicomedia. The martyrdom of Anthimus of Nicomedia and companions is commemorated on 24 April and "the commemoration of many holy martyrs of Nicomedia" on June 23. More on The 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia

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