FRESCOES OF THE SOUTH WALL

As the Archangel Cathedral is dedicated to the head of the 'Angelic Hosts'—the Archangel Michael, its four tiers out of five on south and west walls contain compositions narrating about the deeds of the Archistratigus, who was the first to fight against the fallen angel Satanas.

A big part of the cycle is devoted to military subjects, reflecting the major victories of the Russian Army in the 14th – 15th centuries, such as the Battle of Kulikovo and the collapse of the Tatar-Mongol yoke.

The composition 'The Fall of Jericho Walls' in the third tier of the south wall dwells upon the first victory of the Jews directed by Joshua the Son of Nun who was appointed 'to head people' by Moses on the will of God. Next to this composition there is a painting 'The Defeat of Madianites by Israelites Headed by Gideon'. This biblical scene caused associations with the victories of Ivan III over the Khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan, as in Rus' the Tatars were considered to be descendants of the biblical Madianites.