User:Black Virgin of Taganrog

Icon of Black Virgin standing on a guilded Crescent with 12 guilded circular objects (referring to stars) over head. Enframed in bead ornamentry.

The motif of Virgin on a Crescent is extremely rare and belongs to esoteric Christianity as it refers to St.Johns Prophecy (Apocalypse 12:2) rather than historic birth and passion of Christ.

Black Virgin motif is more widespread, especially in France, Spain, the cult reaching geographically eastwards to Hungary and Check Republic and is thought to be connected to Knights Templars. Normally the age of icons and sculptures would be early, 11-13 century. In this Icon the two esoteric motifs are merged in one.

Taganrog Black Virgin was brought to Taganrog Old Cemetery Church [] from another place after demolition, according to interviewed Church Priest, original place unknown. Age Unknown. Looks 18 cen. by quality of paint and overall condition, thus could be a copy of older version. Rumours of several other Icons of same motif in Cossack Don, not located.

Black Virgin on a Crescent motif could be brought to Cossack Don either by Knights Templars who had several outposts here over centuries, founding St.John chapel now demolished and a fortress, or entered through Bulgarian Bogomils, thought to be related to French Cathars who's esoteric Christianity knowledge Knights Templars thought to have absorbed, as a folk art tradition.



References:

Taganrog_Old_Cemetery

Black_Madonna

Madonna on a Crescent https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Madonna_on_the_crescent