Specialists proposed to build a separate sacristy for Rublev’s “Trinity” in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra

It is impossible to create the necessary conditions for preservation in the Trinity Cathedral, but it is possible to provide them in a separate room of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, art critics are sure

At the round table of the State Institute of Art Studies, the country’s leading experts discussed the possibilities of preserving the “Trinity” in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where it is extremely difficult to provide the necessary conditions for temperature and humidity. Understanding that the decision to transfer the icon to the gratuitous use of the Russian Orthodox Church has been made and it cannot be canceled, experts are looking for compromises.

Experts suggested creating a separate space for the icon at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra – a sacristy equipped with the latest museum technology. As an example, they recalled the experience of St. Athos.

“Even if it is possible to somehow maintain the temperature and humidity conditions in the Trinity Cathedral, which is unlikely, in any case the atmosphere of a medieval church will be lost, because the icon should be in a special capsule. You can’t put it in the iconostasis, otherwise you will have to disassemble it and remove the icons from it.

The capsule will cover part of the interior and frescoes, disturbing the general atmosphere of the chamber cathedral. And he’s tiny. Replacing originals with copies is the way many museums go. This is a worldwide trend.

In the Summer Garden of the Russian Museum, original sculptures were replaced with copies, and this did not lose its atmosphere. In the Trinity Cathedral for many years there is a wonderful exact copy of the “Trinity”, even if it remains there. For the “Trinity” you can have a separate room – the sacristy, where there will be special conditions. This will emphasize the significance of the icon, its special status and create conditions for preservation,” says Alexei Sirenov, professor and director of the St. Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

His colleague, art critic, artist-restorer, academician of the Russian Academy of Arts Yuri Bobrov added that such experience is being successfully used on Mount Athos. “There are sacristies there, which have taken the form of museum collections, with all the proper equipment. Fragile icons are removed from everyday insults, but remain available to both the public and specialists, and most importantly, they are preserved for posterity,” he said.

At the round table, they also talked about the state of the iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral, which was recently restored. In fact, cosmetic work was done to remove the layer of accumulated soot. There are a lot of losses and late entries on one of the oldest iconostases in Russia.

Experts are sure that this unique monument should be museumified by creating a separate museum complex at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and an exact copy should be made for the Trinity Cathedral. “Now work is underway in the Novodevichy Convent, for which new iconostases are being painted, the originals of which have been lost. There are excellent specialists who are able to do such work, preserving the prayerful spirit of the temple and also preserving such an important cultural monument as the Trinity iconostasis,” says Lev Lifshits, a prominent specialist in ancient Russian art.

These ideas will be framed in a resolution that will be prepared by the GII based on the results of the round table and will try to convey to the public, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the authorities. However, so far, in the agreement on the transfer of the “Trinity” to the Russian Orthodox Church, it is the Trinity Cathedral that is indicated as the place of its residence. However, the icon may spend a year in the Grabar Center, and during this time, perhaps, the terms of the agreement will be adjusted.