Russian Empress Irina Godunova, who independently 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 together with her husband.
Origin. Young years
Brother and sister Godunov had the honor to be brought up with the children of Ivan the Terrible. They got into the royal chambers thanks to their uncle, who served as a bedkeeper at court. The Godunovs came from a little-known family in Kostroma. Their closeness to the royal family made them exceptional.
From an early age, Irina fell in love with the future Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, a weak-willed and humble man. Growing up together, they knew everything about each other. The wedding was a matter of time, they got married in 1575, when both were 23 years old. Contrary to custom, Fyodor Ioannovich did not have a show of brides, he chose the one and only and was faithful to her to the end.
The sovereign's wife
The newlyweds were not alike. Fyodor, by nature quiet and sickly, never interfered in court intrigues, led a calm andmeasured life. Irina was his opposite: a stately and beautiful young woman, proud and domineering, she took an active part in both state and secular affairs.
Before Irina Godunova, the queens were more like a shadow of their crowned husband, were in the family circle, went on pilgrimage and did charity work. The wife of Fyodor Ivanovich was completely different: she sat in the Boyar Duma, received foreign ambassadors, corresponded with European monarchs, in particular with Elizabeth of England and the wife of the Kakhetian king Alexander II.
Irina has done a lot for the Russian Orthodox Church. Closely communicating with the Patriarch of Alexandria, she insisted on the need to make Russia a separate patriarchy. Many monasteries received generous donations from her. According to historical references, at the beginning of 1589, Empress Irina received Patriarch Jeremiah of Constantinople and asked his blessing. After that, she made a speech in public, which no Russian empress had ever done before. Often on the royal decrees of Fyodor Ivanovich you can see two signatures: the second was left by his missus - Queen Irina.
You can't forbid living beautifully
The outfits of the sovereign's wife were distinguished by sophistication and luxury. Arseny Elassonsky, the archbishop present at the reception of Irina Godunova, describes her attire as follows: “The slightest part of this splendor would be enough to decorate a dozen kings.” The empress's crown was adorned with deep purple amethysts and largesapphires. The main hall, later called the Golden Chamber, was skillfully painted with gold and decorated with frescoes depicting the lives of great women rulers: Princess Olga, St. Helena, Queen Dinara. These chambers have become the reception rooms of many Russian monarchs.
Children
Fyodor Ioannovich and Irina Godunova left no heirs. There were rumors about the poor he alth of the king, even foreign doctors were prescribed, but it was all in vain. Their only daughter, Theodosia, born in May 1592, did not live even two years. Queen Irina was pregnant several times, but she could not give the king an heir. Centuries will pass before it becomes known that she had a special structure of the pelvis, excluding the normal bearing of a child.
Being on his deathbed, Ivan the Terrible bequeathed to his son to marry Irina Mstislavskaya, if his current wife turns out to be childless. He was well aware that without an heir in the country, a time of unrest and chaos would soon come, disastrous for Russia. Queen Irina was aware of the precariousness of her position. Her older brother Boris came to the rescue: Mstislavskaya was abducted from her parents' house and tonsured a nun against her will.
Queen Dowager
Fyodor Ioannovich died on January 7, 1598, without leaving behind a single document of succession to the throne. Boris Godunov, in collusion with Patriarch Job, announced to the boyars the desire of the late sovereign to place his beloved wife on the Russian throne. Fearing the terrible time of the interregnum, the Duma agreed to swear allegiance to it. So Irina Godunova ascended the throne- Queen of All Russia. Her reign cannot be called long - she was nominally the head of state from January 16 to February 21, 1598. Already on the 9th day after the death of her husband, the Russian Empress Irina decided to take the veil as a nun, thus freeing the throne for her beloved brother.
Fyodor also told her about leaving for a monastery in the event of his death, thereby he wanted to protect his wife from conspiracies and sophisticated intrigues of the boyars. The Russian Tsarina Irina announced her decision publicly, delivering a speech on the Red Porch. The common people begged the empress to stay and rule, but she remained adamant.
King's sister
Irina left the royal chambers and retired under the canopy of the Novodevichy Convent. There she took the tonsure, becoming the nun Alexandra. Before the blessing of her brother's kingdom, already a nun, she continued to rule the country: she received petitions, signed decrees, and gave instructions. The accession to the throne of Boris Godunov was associated with a real political spectacle. A whole procession of petitioners arrived at the Novodevichy Convent, where the future tsar was located. The 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 on February 21, 1598, after which she completely retired. She devoted the rest of her days to worship and charity.
Nun Alexandra
Queen Irina, freed from the burden of government, lived within the walls of the monastery for about 5 years. severeascetic conditions, a damp cold cell and meager food did not benefit the not yet old woman.
According to the research of her sarcophagus, nun Alexandra had sore joints and a hereditary pathology of bone tissue. Probably, in recent years she moved with difficulty. This is also evidenced by the increased content of lead, mercury, arsenic in her remains. Apparently, the former queen often practiced treatment with ointments in order to somehow alleviate the pain.
Holy Queen Irina
Nun Alexandra reposed on October 29, 1603. After her death, her property went to the church, she herself was buried within the walls of the Ascension Monastery in the Moscow Kremlin, like other queens before her. Later, the remains were transferred to the basement of the Archangel Cathedral, where many great princes and tsars are buried.
For a righteous life, Irina Godunova and Fyodor Ioannovich were likened to Peter and Fevronia of Murom. These saints are considered the Russian symbol of family, piety and mercy.
