Tsarina Irina Godunova: biography, interesting facts

Russian tsarina Irina Godunova, who alone ruled the country for a little over a month, made an invaluable contribution to the development of the state. As an influential politician and prominent public figure, she actually ruled Russia with her husband.

Origin. Young years

Brother and sister Godunov had the honor to be brought up with the children of Ivan the Terrible. In the tsar's wards, they were captured thanks to my uncle, who served as a postman at the court. The Godunovs came from a Kostroma little known kind. The closeness to the sovereign's family made them exceptional.

Even from a small age, Irina fell in love with the future Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, a man who is weak-willed and humble. Growing up together, they knew everything about each other. The wedding was a matter of time, they were married in 1575, when both were 23 years old. Contrary to custom, Fyodor Ioannovich did not have a look at his brides; he chose only one and was faithful to her until the end.

The Emperor's Wife

The newlyweds were not alike. Fedor, by nature quiet and painful, never interfered in court intrigues, led a calm and measured life. Irina was his opposite: a beautiful and beautiful young woman, self-interested and powerful, she took an active part in both public affairs and secular.

Prior to Irina Godunova, the queens were rather the shadow of their crowned wife, were in the family circle, went on a pilgrimage and engaged in charity. The wife of Fyodor Ioannovich was completely different: she sat in the Boyar Duma, received foreign ambassadors, corresponded with European monarchs, in particular Elizabeth of England and the wife of the Kakhetian Tsar Alexander II.

Irina did a lot for the Russian Orthodox Church. Closely communicating 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 information, at the beginning of 1589, Queen Irina received the patriarch of Constantinople, Jeremiah, and asked for his blessing. After that, she made a public speech, which before that did not do any Russian empress. Often, on the royal decrees of Fyodor Ioannovich, you can see two signatures: the second one was left by his pious Tsarina Irina.

Beautiful life can not be forbidden

Dresses of the Emperor's wife were distinguished by refinement and luxury. Arseniy Elassonsky, Archbishop, present at the reception of Irina Godunova, describes her apparel as follows: "The slightest part of this magnificence would be enough to decorate a dozen kings." The crown of the empress was decorated with amethysts of thick purple and large sapphires. The ceremonial hall, later named the Golden Chamber, was skillfully decorated with gold and decorated with frescoes depicting the life of the great female rulers: Princess Olga, St. Helena, Queen Dinara. These rooms became the reception of many Russian monarchs.

Children

Heir Fyodor Ioannovich and Irina Godunov were not left behind. There were rumors about the inadequate health of the tsar, even foreign doctors were prescribed, but all was in vain. Their only daughter, Theodosius, born in May 1592, did not live for two years. Tsarina Irina was several times pregnant, but she could not give the heir to the tsar. Centuries pass, until it becomes known that she had a special structure of the pelvis, excluding the normal carrying of the child.

Being on his deathbed, Ivan the Terrible bequeathed his son to marry Irina Mstislavskaya, if his current spouse turns out to be childless. He was well aware that without an heir in the country, the time of troubles and chaos, destructive for Russia, would soon come. Tsarina Irina was aware of the precarious nature of her situation. Her older brother Boris came to the rescue: Mstislavskaya was stolen from her parents' house and, against her will, she was tonsured into nuns.

Dowager Queen

Fedor Ioannovich died on January 7, 1598, leaving behind no single document on succession to the throne. Boris Godunov, in collusion with the patriarch Job, announced to the boyars about the desire of the deceased sovereign to put his beloved wife on the Russian throne. Fearing the terrible time between the authorities, the Duma agreed to swear allegiance to her. So Irina Godunova - the queen of All Russia ascended to the throne. Her rule can not be called a long one - nominally the head of state, she was from January 16 to February 21, 1598. Already on the 9th day after the death of her husband, the Russian queen Irina decided to get a haircut for a nun, thus freeing the throne for her beloved brother.

Even Fedor told her about going to the monastery in the event of his death, thereby he wanted to protect his wife from conspiracies and sophisticated intrigues of the boyars. The Russian queen Irina announced her decision privately, giving a speech on the Red Porch. The common people prayed to the Empress to stay and rule, but she remained adamant.

Sister of the Tsar

Irina left the royal chambers and retired to the shadow of the Novodevichy Convent. There she took a vow, becoming a nun Alexandra. Before the blessing on the kingdom of her brother, being already a nun, she continued to rule the country: she accepted petitions, signed decrees, and gave out instructions. The accession to the throne of Boris Godunov was associated with a real political spectacle. In the Novodevichy Convent, where the future king was, a whole procession of supplicants arrived. The crowd, bribed by Godunov's supporters, begged him to become the head of state. Boris several times rejected the proposed crown, but eventually agreed. Irina blessed her brother on February 21, 1598, after which she completely left the business. The rest of the days she devoted to worship and charity.

Nun Alexander

Tsarina Irina, freed from the burden of government, lived in the monastery for about 5 years. Severe ascetic conditions, a raw cold cell and meager food did not benefit the old woman.

According to studies of her sarcophagus, the nun Alexandra had aching joints and a hereditary pathology of bone tissue. Probably, in recent years she has moved with difficulty. This is also evidenced by the increased content of lead, mercury, arsenic in its remains. Apparently, the former queen often practiced treatment with ointments, to at least somehow alleviate the pain.

Holy Queen Irina

The nun Alexander died on October 29, 1603. After death, her property moved to the church, she herself was buried within the walls of the Ascension Monastery in the Moscow Kremlin, as did the other queens before her. Later, the remains were moved to the basement of the Archangel Cathedral, where many of the great princes and kings are buried.

For a righteous life, Irina Godunov and Fedor Ioannovich were likened to Peter and Fevronia of Murom. These saints are considered the Russian symbol of family, piety and mercy.