Artophorion (fragmented)

The artophorion was made of silver-, brown-, and gold-toned metal. It takes the form of a two-tiered monumental church with a dome. It is set on three cast, curved feet in the form of acanthus leaves (one is lost). At a corner of the lower tier of the artophorion is attached a cast figure of the Evangelist Matthew, holding an open Gospel. The perimeter of the projecting edge of the lower tier is decorated with palm-like leaves surrounded by small balls. Set on the base of the lower tier is a box in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, on each side of which is an enamel medallion within a double shaped metal frame. The medallions depict the following scenes: "Jesus Christ in the Crown of Thorns," "The Lord Carrying His Cross," "The Prayer for the Cup" (Gethsemane), and "The Last Supper." On one of the side faces of the "box" is a door on a hinged round-form catch (now lost). Around the upper edge of the lower tier is the same ornament as above the feet. On the back wall of the second tier, which imitates a bell tower with a dome, is an image of the "Crucifixion." On a six-pointed cross, Christ is crucified, beneath whom is a symbolic depiction of the head of Adam in the form of a skull and crossed bones. Above Christ's head, on the upper straight crossbar, are the letters "INTsN" ("Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"). To the left and right of the cross are the instruments of the Passion — a spear and a reed.

On the front side of the box are doors (now lost) on a hinged mount.

The artophorion belonged to the pre-war collection of the Sloboda Ukraine Museum named after H. S. Skovoroda. During the Second World War it was evacuated and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.

Note: the artophorion is a sacred vessel used in Christian churches to store the Holy Gifts (the Body and Blood of Christ) intended for the communion of the faithful. It is the most sacred object in the church and is usually placed on the altar table in the sanctuary. The artophorion is made in the form of a small church, chapel, or domed tower, inside which is a box for the Holy Gifts.