Icon of the Mother of God A sign in the life of Queen Irina

Russian Tsarina Irina Godunova, independently ruled the country for a little more than a month, made an invaluable contribution to the development of the state. Being an influential politician and a prominent public figure, she actually ruled Russia with her husband..

Origin

Brother and Sister Godunov had the honor to be brought up together with the children of Ivan the Terrible. They got to the royal chambers thanks to their uncle., who performed the role of bedchamber at court. The Godunovs came from a Little-Known Family of Kostroma. Proximity to the royal family made them exceptional.. Learn to understand your cat 10 Topic Tips, who wants to be happy children, whom famous parents hide from the attention of the public Even from an early age, Irina fell in love with the future Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, a weak-willed and humble man. Growing Up Together, they knew everything about each other. The wedding was a matter of time., they were married in 1575 year, when both were on 23 of the year. Contrary to custom, Fyodor Ioannovich did not have a review of brides, he chose one and was faithful to it to the end.

The Sovereign's Wife

Irina also did a lot for the Russian Orthodox Church.. Close communication with the Patriarch of Alexandria, she insisted on the need to make Russia a separate patriarchate.. Many monasteries received generous donations from her.. According to historical references, in the beginning 1589 Queen Irene received Patriarch Jeremiah of Constantinople and asked him for his blessing. After that, she gave a speech in public., something that no Russian empress had done before. Often on the royal decrees of Fyodor Ioannovich you can see two signatures: the second was left by his faithful – Tsaritsa Irene.

Within Kursk, desolation after the ruin of Batu by the hordes, was restored to 1597 year by order of Tsar Theodore Ioannovich of Moscow. The Pious King, who has heard many stories about the miracles of the icon, expressed a desire to see her, and it was taken to Moscow.

The king met her himself with the patriarch Job., with the whole holy cathedral, the boyars and the army and after performing a prayer singing in front of her ordered to make on the upper part of the icon the image of the Lord of Hosts with His St. Coming from the bowels of His. Spirit, on the other sides there are images of Old Testament prophets in various clothes., by distinction of origin and rank, with scrolls in hand.

Image of the Virgin Mary, The Lord of Hosts and the Prophets were decorated with a silver-gilded salary by royal order., pearls and precious stones. Tsaritsa Irina Feodorovna decorated the holy icon with a rich robe with pearls, precious stones and a red satin veil embroidered with gold, on which the following inscription was embroidered in gold letters: "By the command of the Pious Sovereign and Grand Duke Fyodor Ioannovich of all Russia, autocrat and Pious Empress Grand Duchess Irina, and their daughter Grand Duchess Theodosia made this veil to the image of the Most Pure Theotokos of Kursk, summer 7105" (1597 Mr.)

The image-free fields of the salary were covered with velvet, with golden flowers embroidered on it and small stains of herbs. The richness of the decorations on the icon was increased by multi-colored stones., giving it great artistic beauty and rare splendor. The icon was then returned, and in the same year, with the close assistance of the king, on the site of the chapel was founded a monastery and erected a church in the name of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first abbot was the Ryl priest George, in the monasticism of Euthymius.

Queen Dowager

Fyodor Ioannovich died 7 January 1598 of the year, leaving behind not a single document on succession to the throne. Boris Godunov, in collusion with Patriarch Job, announced to the boyars the desire of the late sovereign to put his beloved wife on the Russian throne.. Afraid of the terrible time of interregnum, duma agreed to swear allegiance to her. Thus, Irina Godunova, the Queen of All Russia, ascended the throne. Her reign can not be called long - nominally she was the head of state with 16 January to 21 February 1598 of the year. Already on the 9th day after the death of her husband, the Russian Tsarina Irina decided to take a haircut as a nun., thus freeing up the throne for his beloved brother. Fyodor also told her about going to the monastery in the event of his death., thus, he wanted to protect his wife from conspiracies and sophisticated intrigues of the boyars.. Russian Tsarina Irina announced her decision publicly, giving a speech on the Red Porch. The common people begged the empress to stay and rule., but she remained adamant.. The tsar's sister Irina left the royal chambers and retired under the shadow of the Novodevichy Convent. There she took the tonsure., becoming a nun Alexandra. Before blessing his brother's kingdom, already a nun, she continued to rule the country: took chelobitnikov, signed decrees, handed out assignments. The accession to the throne of Boris Godunov was associated with a real political performance. To novodevichy Convent, where was the future king, a whole procession of supplicants arrived. Crowd, bribed by Godunov's supporters, begged him to become the head of state. Boris rejected the crown offered to him several times., but eventually agreed. Irina blessed her brother 21 February 1598 of the year, after which she retired completely. She devoted the rest of her days to worship and charity..

Nun Alexandra

Tsaritsa Irina, freed from the burden of government, lived within the walls of the monastery near 5 years. Harsh ascetic conditions, a damp cold cell and meager food did not benefit an old woman.. According to studies of her sarcophagus, nun Alexandra had sore joints and hereditary bone pathology. Probably, in recent years she has hardly moved. This is also evidenced by the increased content of lead, Mercury, arsenic in her remains. Apparently, the former queen often practiced treatment with ointments, to somehow alleviate the pain. Holy Queen Irene Nun Alexandra rested 29 October 1603 of the year. After her death, her property went to the church., she herself was buried in the walls of the Ascension Monastery in the Moscow Kremlin, like other queens before her. Later, the remains were transferred to the sub-cell of the Archangel Cathedral, where many grand dukes and kings rest. For their righteous lives, Irina Godunova and Fyodor Ioannovich were likened to Peter and Fevronia of Murom.. These saints are considered a Russian symbol of the family., piety and mercy.

Source: Kursk Regional Universal Scientific Library. N. N. Aseeva"