The collection of the Belgorod State Historical and Local History Museum features a banner with images of the Mother of God with the Infant Jesus and St. Joasaph. The banner is made of fabric and decorated with tassels.
A banner is a church “flag” that is used in Christian celebrations, most often during processions. Unlike flags, a banner does not fold, but keeps its shape due to the presence of a crossbar to which its upper part is attached. One side of the banner in the center features the image of St. Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod and Oboyansk. The image of St. Joasaph is applied to the fabric with oil paints using a printing technique.
St. Joasaph (in the world Joachim Gorlenko) was born on September 8, 1705 in a wealthy family in the town of Priluki, Poltava Province. From an early age, he decided to devote himself to the service of God. He graduated from the school of the Kiev-Brotherhood Monastery.
In 1737, Joasaph became the head of the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery in Poltava Province, which at that time was in a state of neglect.To raise funds for the monastery’s repairs, with the blessing of the head of the Kiev Metropolis, in 1742, the abbot went to Moscow and St. Petersburg to collect donations.
The trip to Moscow made St. Joasaph famous at the imperial court. By personal order of Elizabeth Petrovna, on September 14, 1744, St. Joasaph was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and then was appointed the abbot of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
However, his service at the lavra was short-lived. On January 1, 1748, Metropolitan Anthony of Belgorod and Oboyansk passed away, and the Holy Synod and the Empress appointed Archimandrite Joasaph in his place. The next day, in St. Petersburg, in the Peter and Paul Cathedral, in the presence of Elizabeth Petrovna, Joasaph was ordained bishop of Belgorod and Oboyansk.
Bishop Joasaph paid great attention to the religious and moral state of the local clergy. One of his main concerns was aiding the poor. He personally visited the destitute, bringing them spiritual and material assistance. The saint often visited the sick and brought them healing.
St. Joasaph passed away on December 10, 1754.
