The Academy hosted an event dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the birth of Sabbas Mamontov

On November 13, the Moscow Theological Academy hosted a series of events dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Sabbas Ivanovich Mamontov, an outstanding Russian patron of the arts and an industrialist.

Anniversary events started with a memorial service for the repose of Sabbas Ivanovich and his relatives at the Intercession Academic Church, which was officed by Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov), Vice-rector for Administrative and Economic Work at the Moscow Theological Academy.

Then, guests went to the Elizabethan Hall of the MThA Museum "Church-Archaeological Cabinet" to take part in a conference "Traditions and Values ​​of the Mamontovs".

To open the conference, Hegumen Gerasim (Dyachkov) read a welcoming speech of the Bishop of Zvenigorod Theodorite, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy. It recalled the importance of Sabbas Mamontov’s work in creating a unique community that united people of very different social origin, upbringing and views, which had a great influence on Russian art and culture.

Then, A.I. Dubov, Honored Artist of Russia and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Arts, and N.S. Chernyshev, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Architectural Heritage and S.I. Mamontov’s descendant, took their words.

Most of the reports touched upon traditions and Christian values of the Mamontovs, as well as keeping and preserving them in our times.

After the official part, there was a play "The Death of Pushkin" written by Sergey Savvich Mamontov and performed by students of the Moscow Theological Academy. A choir under the conduct of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov) accompanied the performance. Also, the guests could visit an exhibition prepared by artists of the "Art and Heritage" project.

At the end, they went on excursions round the Museum of the Moscow Theological Academy and Holy Trinity-St. Sergius’s Lavra. 

N.S. Chernyshev, Sabbas Mamontov’s descendant, led a guided tour round the exhibition presenting memorial things of the Chernyshev’s family, which clearly illustrate the inseparability of the work of the Mamontov’s art circle and Russian religious and national traditions.

In the framework of anniversary events and with the blessing of the Bishop of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov Thomas, artists of the Russian Academy of Arts and local art clubs could take picturesque sketches on the territory and premises of Holy Trinity – St. Sergius Lavra. 

The events were organized by ANO "Vera Samarina", the "Art and Heritage" project at the initiative of S.I. Mamontov’s descendant N.S. Chernyshev and a support of the Moscow Theological Academy.

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MThA Press Office