Biography and information
The ascetic of piety, a well-known painter of the twentieth century, she not only herself wrote the icons, but had a great practical experience teaching icon painting. In 1928 Maria has created iconic club for parishioners of the Church of St. Nicholas in Klenniki in Moscow, which operated until 1939. This experience helped her to organize the club in the MDA. By this time, with the participation of a group of friends, it was painted in the monastery Serapionov chamber, a festive fraternal refectory, the academic temple in honour of Pokrova Bozhiej Materi, the icons for the Pokrov Academic temple, the sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and churches of the prophet Elijah the Ordinary in Moscow and St. Sergius of Radonezh, Fergana. Maria was well aware – the Church needs pastors who are loving and understanding of the ancient canonical icon. Despite the workload, she found time for regular classes with students of Moscow Theological schools. When it happened, in the circle of slender, sophisticated system of teaching. Up to this iconic club was the last in value and in Annual reports the message on the mug was placed after the music, voice training, choir Directors ' and photography. Since 1957 and until his death the nuns Juliana (Sokolova) he was the first of the groups MDA, and is sometimes called the icon painting class. Specifically for training of the group M. N. Sokolova performed a number of visual AIDS, designed a training program, taking into account the different readiness of students. At the end of each year in the Academy there was a small exhibition of works by members of the group. With the aim of introducing a larger number of students and teachers in a world of ancient icons and Maria periodically lectured in the Assembly hall of the Academy, for everyone. "In the Assembly hall, which was then in the Royal Palace, was held this lecture. All of the Seminary, the Academy, the Professor was present. On the one hand, a crowded room, and very thin woman in the pulpit – only the head visible. In a quiet voice she started, but immediately captivated the entire audience. I then immediately matured the decision to enroll in the icon painting class" - later recalled Bishop (now sheepish, retired) Gorlovsky and Slavic Alipiy (Pogrebnyak) on one of these lectures.
The circle contributed to the development of students ' interest in Russian culture. Here many of the Theological students first became acquainted with the work of the great Russian artists copied the work of V. M. Vasnetsov, Semiradsky, Surikov, Nesterov. But the main task of the mug Maria considered understanding of the world of the old icon, its meaning, deep symbolic meaning, ecclesiastical and artistic value.
In the circle students are acquainted also with the basics of mural painting and restoration of icons. Through the classes of the course have been many and many students HMM. The value of the mug for the education of the understanding of religious art clergy cannot be overemphasized. Mug classes, exhibitions, lectures, M. N. Sokolova educate the taste of students HMM. Among the students mother was sheepish Alipiy (Pogrebnyak), Archbishop of Novogrudok and Lida Gury (Apelco), rector of St. Tikhon's University, Archpriest Vladimir Vorobiev, the brethren of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Archimandrite Bartholomew (Kalugin) and the archdeacon Juvenal (crook), Archpriest Lev Makhno, father Eleutherius (Didenko). Great support and attention to the works of Maria Nikolaevna Sokolova showed rector HMM Archbishop (now Metropolitan) Philaret (vakhromeev).
In 1970, the mother begins to engage with N. G. Yemelyanova N. Riginal. Thus began the practice of iconography of the Orthodox female employees of the Academy.
In 1980, serious illness of a nun Juliania already gave her the opportunity to teach, and on 16 February 1981, she reposed in the Lord. Only at the farewell to the deceased ascetic was revealed that she is still in 1970 he took secret monastic vows with the name Juliana. Her work was highly appreciated by the authorities, she was awarded the order of Saint blessed Prince Vladimir II and III degree, order of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the Church of three medals for the restoration of the temples of the monastery and teaching at the icon class.
Nun Juliania virtually founded the club and the 23 year stretch it was taught. After the memorable mother in the iconic circle 10 years on the program and benefits nun Juliana has taught her pupil. All in the circle tried to have a routine starting from prayer at the beginning of the school year.
(From the article: HP Uslova "History of icon painting school")
