Xiaoling  Zhang

RELIGIOUS, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL VALUES OF DON'S ICON OF GOD'S MOTHER. THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHI-NESE SCHOLAR

Authors

Xiaoling Zhang

Keywords:

iconology, Orthodoxy, Russian Orthodox Church, icon of the Don Moth-er of God, Cossacks, cultural heritage.

Abstract

Representatives of the scientific community are obliged to include cul-tural issues in their research more often due to the increase of the intensity of Sino-Russian humanitarian interaction. According to the author, insufficient attention to Orthodox traditions (in particular the veneration of icons) makes it difficult to understand not only the basics of Orthodox culture, but also the mentality of the Russian people. This article presents the religious, historical and cultural contents of icon painting as an example of the Don Icon of the Mother of God. Based on the study of specialized literature and visual analysis, the author arrives at the conclusion that the development of foundations of the religious symbolism of the icon, as an integral component of the Orthodox tradition, opens up new opportunities for dialogues between Russian and Chinese cultures.

RELIGIOUS, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL VALUES OF DON'S ICON OF GOD'S MOTHER. THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHI-NESE SCHOLAR