Smirnova, T. Yu. Town Defending Semantics of the Mother of God’s Temples in Suzdal

Abstract: The Mother of God is treated with much respect in the land around Suzdal. Many churches there have been built in Her name and She is believed to be the protector of the Vladimir-Suzdal region. Since Vladimir Monomakh built there the first stone Cathedral of the Assumption of Mother of God and the Monastery of the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple in early 12th century, Suzdal became an architectural implementation of the sacral symbol ‘Town of the Mother of God’ which is also proved by the fact that many churches dedicated to the Mother in God have been built there later. Holidays of the theotokion cycle and churches dedicated to those, - such as Birth, Presentation in the Temple, Annunciation, Assumption, Holy Protection have successively elaborated the idea of protection of Suzdal land and its citizens by the Mother of God.

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