Enamel Orthodox Crescent Pendant TSATA
Materials: Sterling Silver (925 grade), 24K Gilding, Stained Glass Enamel
Average weight: 3.5 grams
Size: 27 x 20 mm (including the bail)
Technique: casting, gilding, handmade.
Symbolism and application of the item
A semicircular pendant with stained glass enamel flickering in the rays of light is a very beautiful decoration, the shape of which is traditional for Ancient Russia. This decoration was a symbol of power worn by princes and kings. For the first time, a crescent collar was donated to the church image by the Suzdal army commander George, the son of Simon, in the 11th century. This event is associated with miracles from the relics of St. Theodosius of the Caves and recorded in detail in the Kyiv-Pechersk Patericon of St. Nestor the Chronicler. The commander of the army of the city of Suzdal was miraculously healed by the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersky Monastery, Venerable Theodosius from eye disease and blindness. When St. Theodosius rested in God, the commander decided to decorate the tomb of the saint and sent his boyar Vasily to Kyiv with vessels filled with gold and silver. It happened so, that, during the voyage, Vasily's horses and food were stolen. Then he decided to compensate for the damage from the money that he was carrying as a gift. God punished the nobleman for theft: in Chernigov, Vasily fell and hurt himself so badly that he could not walk. He was taken on a stretcher to the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery. At confession, he repented of his wrongdoing and his weakness immediately began to recede. But the main miracle happened later. When the monks opened the vessels with gold and silver, it turned out that there was not less money, but more, and exactly for the number of coins that Vasily took. The news of this reached Suzdal. Shocked by the miracle, the commander sent to the tomb of Venerable Theodosius his crescent collar as a sign that earthly human greatness is insignificant before the power of the saints who please God. Since then, precious crescent collars, together with gold and silver crowns in Russia, have become a traditional adornment of miraculous icons and temple crucifixes. Most often they were placed on the images of the Most Holy Theotokos, Nicholas the Wonderworker, and Jesus Christ. They could be of different sizes. They can be used as pendants on icons or as crescent collars, mostly worn by women as jewelry pieces.
Why should you buy this item?
• This pendant is especially decorative;
• It can be worn as a separate piece of jewelry;
• The stained-glass enamel requires great craftsmanship.
Need further information?
If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact me, I'll be glad to answer them.
