For the first 330 years in the history of the Christian faith, because of its persecution, the Nativity of Christ was not celebrated. And only in the IV century, the Roman emperor Constantine the Great allowed Christians to openly confess their faith and build the Church of the Nativity. Since then, this day has begun to be revered as a great event. However, starting from the 16th century, the entire Christian world was divided and celebrates this holiday at different times. Catholics - December 25, and Orthodox - January 7.
In Russia, Christmas began to be celebrated after the introduction of Christianity - in the 10th century, and since then this holiday began on the night of December 25. But with the change in the Julian calendar to the Gregorian, the date of the celebration also changed. It is known that the modern calendar, called the Gregorian (new style), was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, replacing the Julian calendar (old style), which has been used since 45 century BC.
Ilya Efimovich Repin. Nativity. 1890.
In this regard, it turned out that part of the Christian world, which included not only the Russian, but also the Georgian, Jerusalem and Serbian Orthodox Churches, as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, also celebrates this day on December 25, but still according to the old style - according to Juliansky.
The change in the Julian calendar in the 16th century first affected the Catholic countries, later the Protestant ones. In Russia, the Gregorian chronology was introduced after the revolution of 1917, namely on February 14, 1918. However, the Russian Orthodox Church, keeping its traditions, continues to live and celebrate Christian holidays according to the Julian calendar.
Development of the iconography of the Nativity of Christ
The human desire to portray the main events of his life takes its origins from primitive tribes. Therefore, such an event as the birth of the Savior was an important milestone in the life of people. In the first Christian images, the Nativity of Christ looked like a common drawing, where they depicted a manger with the Infant and the Mother of God bowed over him, as well as the righteous Joseph and angels, shepherds and magi, a donkey and an ox or a cow.
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Sarcophagus from Mantua. Break through. 320-335 g.
The oldest archaeological artifacts found in Christian sarcophagi, in the form of the first iconographies on silver ampoules, into which oil consecrated in Palestine was poured, are proof of this. And starting from the 6th century, the iconography of the Nativity of Christ has already been formed, which will remain until the 21st century.
The Byzantine iconography of the Nativity of Christ included three planes: top - "heaven", center - "union of heaven and earth", and bottom - "earth". Ancient Russian iconography, which for many centuries followed the Byzantine tradition, and in the 17th century it borrowed the style of Western European painting.
Andrey Rublev. Nativity. 1405 year. Cathedral of the Annunciation in the Moscow Kremlin.
The meaning of some symbols in the iconography of the Nativity of Christ
Against the background of the sky, the bright star of Bethlehem in the form of a ball flash, touching the top of the mountain with a cave, symbolizes the expression: "Christmas is heaven on earth." Since the birth of Christ, the sky has become open to man, which means that the path to heaven is open and thus one can approach God, thanks to the striving of the human soul up to the top.
Nativity. Icon from a cave in Bethlehem.
The images of an ox and a donkey are often used in iconography; these are images of two worlds - Israelite and pagan, for the salvation of which the Lord came into the world.
Monastery of Xiropotam. Nativity. Icon of 1660
The shape of the manger, reminiscent of the shape of the coffin, is also symbolic: "Christ was born into the world to die for it and be resurrected for it." Magi shepherds and pagans also have their role in iconography, through which the Almighty appeared to this world: "From now on, every person can find his way to God."
Giotto di Bondone. Adoration of the Magi.
Nativity of Christ on the canvases of the old masters
The theme of the Nativity of Christ, with its relevance, could not but be reflected in the work of artists from different Christian countries. Western European painting is especially rich in religious stories about the birth of the Savior.
Filippino Lippi. Adoration of the Christ Child circa 1480, Hermitage.
Filippino Lippi was one of the first Italian painters to use landscape in the iconography of Christmas. Madonna with angels who have flown from heaven worship the newborn Savior in a meadow strewn with flowers, which is fenced in and symbolizes paradise.
Lorenzo Lotto. Nativity.
Paolo Veronese. Adoration of the Magi 1570s, Hermitage.
The Italian Paolo Veronese, using a biblical subject, depicted a lush and luxurious setting, where we see expensive fabrics, feathers, drapery, elements of ancient architecture. The entire canvas is saturated with the solemnity of the landmark event.
Bartolome Esteban Murillo. Adoration of the Shepherds 1646-1650, Hermitage.
Bartolome Murillo depicted the mystery of the birth of little Jesus in the form of a genre scene, where
on the contrasts of light and shadow, the worship of the shepherds takes place. According to the interpretations of theologians, it is these ordinary people who will become spiritual shepherds and the first evangelists.
Jan Jost Kalkar. Christmas (Holy Night) around 1520, Pushkin Museum).
The bright light that comes from the Child, which illuminates the Madonna and the angels, enhances the feeling of His divinity. And the singing angels, holding the sheet with the notes, betray solemnity to the canvas of Jan Kalkar.
Master from Moulins. Nativity of Christ and Cardinal Rolen.
Federico Barocci. Nativity.
Hans Baldung. Nativity.
El Greco. Nativity.
Mathis Gotthart Grunewald. Insenheim Altarpiece. Nativity.
Albrecht Durer. Altar of the Paumgartners. 1503.
Giovanni Battista Ortolano. Christmas.
Giulio Romano. Christmas and the adoration of the shepherds. 1531-1534.
Domenico Beccafumi. Christmas.
Master of the Louvre Christmas. Christmas.
Rogier van der Weyden. Altar of Bladlen (Middelburg Altar). Nativity.