On the influence of patriarch Nikon on the spread of orthodoxy in Mordovia (on the example of a pre-restoration study of the Icon of the Iver Mother of God of 19th century)

Introduction. The history of the development of the spiritual culture of Mordovia has an inseparable connection with Russia. The article is devoted to the consideration of the historical and cultural aspect in the composition of iconographic studies of the Icon of the Iver Mother of God of 19th century (Fig. 1, 2) as an object of restoration, which is the relevance of research. Materials and Methods. During the research, the iconographic method was used in combination with the historical and cultural approach. Results. The results obtained make it possible to learn the history of the existence of the iconographic type of the Icon of the Iver Mother of God, to reveal its religious and cultural role, as well as to trace a number of historical events associated with the missionary activities of Patriarch Nikon in Mordovia, which is the scientific novelty of the publication. Discussion and Conclusion. The social significance of the study is determined by the focus on the preservation, restoration and popularization of cultural heritage objects as material evidence of historical events related to the development of the spiritual culture of the Mordovian people. Particular emphasis is placed on the significance of this image for Mordovia as the birthplace of Patriarch Nikon. The christening of the Mordovian people contributed to the strengthening of the statehood of the Ponyzovyе region, which developed a spiritual and moral culture.