"Your fate is predetermined
- So they say when in the sky
Known Choosing and Soul
The inevitability takes
As cat drawn up with her. "
Marina Gussar
Great Princess Sophia Paleologist
"The main action of this marriage ... It was that Russia became the most famous in Europe, which chtila in Sofia the tribe of the ancient emperors of Byzantine and, so to speak, accompanied her eyes to the limits of our Fatherland ... Moreover, many Greeks who came to us with Princess, they became useful in Russia with their knowledge of art and languages, especially in the Latin, which is necessary then for the external affairs of state; I enriched by the Moscow church libraries saved from Turkish barbarism and contributed to the magnificence of our yard with the message of the magnificent rites of Byzantine, so that with this time the capital of John could really refer to the new kingground, like the ancient Kiev "
N. Karamzin
"The Great Constantinople (Tsargrad), this Acropolis of the Universe, the royal capital of Romeev, who was with the enforcement of God, under the rule of Latinan," fell on May 29, 1453.
Taking the Turkish troops of Constantinople
The great Christian city died, slowly, terribly and irrevocably turning into the Great Muslim Istanbul.
The struggle was a merciless and bloody, the resistance of dedicated unheard of persistent, the assault began in the morning, the city gates did not succeed, and only in the evening, breaking the wall of the porch explosion, the departed broke into the city, where they immediately came across the unprecedented back - defenders of the ancient Christian stronghold Stood to death - still! - As it was possible to join or retreat when among them, as a simple warrior, fought until the last breath of the whole wounded and bloody-minded great emperor Konstantin XI PaleologistAnd then he still did not know that just a few seconds in the dazzling last moment of his life, rapidly collapsed in the darkness, he will forever go down in history as the last Byzantine emperor. Falling whispered: "Say Fome - Let the head spruce! Where is the head - there is the Byzantium, there is our Rome!". Then I stuck, the blood gung out of the throat, and he lost consciousness.
Konstantin XI, Uncle Sofia. Figure XIX century
The body of the emperor Konstantin found out on small gold double-headed eagles on purple saffian boots.
The faithful servant perfectly understood that he meant the words of the late emperor: his younger brother - Foma Paleologist, the ruler, or, as they talked, the despot of the Moresey, should make every effort to preserve and protect the greatest Christian shrine from the Turks, which he was kept, - the most revered by the entire Orthodox world of the relics and the cartridge of the Byzantine, Greek church - head apostle Andrei.
Holy Andrey is the first survey. Andreevsky flag - firmly established himself in the Russian military fleet, and his meaning was also established: he was adopted "that for the sake of this that Russia accepted the Holy Baptism from this
Yes, yes, of the very Andrei of the First-Called, his brother of St. Peter, as the great martyr and the faithful student of the very gentlemen of our Jesus Christ ...
Thomas took a very close to the heart of the suicide request heroically fallen in the battle of his brother and thought about what he had to do to fulfill her as it would be ...
The great shrine that was kept in Pathose It was not necessary to save from the capture of the Turks, it had to be preserved in time, to move somewhere, somewhere to hide ... And otherwise, how should I understand the words of Constantine "Where is the head - there is Czantia, there is our Rome!"? The head of the apostle is now here, at Thomas, Rome - in Italy, the Byzantine Empire - alas! - fell together with the fall of Constantinople ... that brother meant ... What does "our Rome" mean? Soon, with all the inexpressibility of the fierce truth, it became clear that the Sea will not stand the onslaught of the Turks. The last fragments of Byzantium - the second Great Roman Empire crumbled into dust. Peninsula, southern part of Greece, in antiquity of Peloponnese; Received the name of the seas in the XIII century, from the Slavic "Sea". In the XV century On Peloponnese, there were several despochtats, which formally depended on Byzantium, but they actually obeyed only their rulers - despotam, two of whom - Thomas and Mikhail were the younger brothers of the emperor Konstantin.
Foma Paleologist. 11 - Despot Sea
And suddenly the foma visited insight - he suddenly realized that he meant his brother, - Konstantin, undoubtedly believed in the new revival of the empire, he believed that she would certainly arise where our main Greek shrine would be there! But where? How? In the meantime, it was necessary to take care of the safety of his wife and children - the Turks were approaching. In 1460, the Moros was captured by Turkish Sultan Mehmed II, Thomas with his family left the seaside. The despota (the name of the highest title of Byzantine nobles, corresponding to the European title "Duke") Paleologist's Foma was four children. Elena's eldest daughter just left the father's house, coming married to the Serbian king, Andreas and Manuel boys remained with their parents, as well as the younger child - the daughter of Zoya, which by the time of the fall of Constantinople turned 3 years.
In 1460, the despot of Foma Paleologist with the family and the greatest shrines of the Christian world, including the chapter of the Holy Apostle Andrei Far Called sailed to the once Greek island Kerkiruwhich since 1386 belonged Venetian Republic And therefore was named in Italian - Corfa. The city-state Venice, the maritime republic, who worried the period of the greatest lift, remained the smallest and rich city on the entire Apenninsky Peninsula until the XVI century.
Foma Paleologist began to establish relations with Venice, a long-standing rival of Byzantines, almost simultaneously with the seizure of the Turks of Constantinople. Thanks to the Venaters, Kerkira remained the only part of Greece, who did not fall under the power of the Ottoman Empire. From there, the exile is transferred to Ancona - the port under the control of the republic of St. Mark. It is not necessary to doubt that in 1463, Foma Paleologist, together with Papo-Venetian flotilla, was going to make a campaign against Ottomans. His family at that time was under the guardianship of the Venetians on Corfu, they also crossed the Zoya and her brothers in Rome, having heard about the sickness of the father, but obviously, after that, the Venetian Senate was not interrupted with high-breeded refugees.
Long before the siege of the Byzantine capital wise Konstantin In secret, under the guise of ordinary merchant goods, the accumulated meeting of the most valuable books from the Constantinople Library moved the thom of the centuries. In the far corner of the Big Harbor, Corfu Island has already stood one ship Foma Paleologist, sent here a few months earlier. In the holds of this ship were the treasures of human wisdom, which almost no one knew anything.
There was a large number of volumes of the rarest editions in Greek, Latin and Jewish languages, ranging from unique and very ancient lists of the Gospels, the main works of most of the ancient historians, philosophers and writers, labor in mathematics, astronomy, arts and ending with secretly stored manuscripts of predictions of the prophets and astrologers , as well as books that open the secrets of long forgotten magic. Konstantin spoke to him somehow that the remains of the library burned by Herostrate, the papyrus of the Egyptian priests, the sacred texts taken by Alexander Macedonian from Persia.
Once the Thomas led to this ship with a ten-year-old Zoya, showed his tricks and said:
- "This is your dowry, zoe. The knowledge of the great people of the past is hidden here, and their books contain the key to the future. Some of them will later give you to read. The rest will be waiting for your age and marriage."
So, they settled on the island Corfawhere almost five years have lived.
However, the Father during these years Zoya almost did not see.
Hounding for the children of the best mentors, he left them for the care of the mother, his hot beloved wife Catherine, and taking a sacred relic with him, went to Rome, in order to solemnly give her Pope Paul II, hoping in return to obtain confirmation of his rights to Constantinople The throne and military support in the struggle for his return - by this time, Foma Paleologist remained the only legitimate heir Falling emperor Constantine.
Dying Byzantium, hoping to get military assistance from Europe in the fight against the Turks, signed in 1439 year Florentine Ulya about the union of churches, And now her rulers could ask for a refuge among the papal throne.
March 7, 1461 in Rome of the Seasis, the despot met with decent honors, head apostle Andrei During the magnificent and majestic worship, with a huge crossing of the people placed in the cathedral St. PeterAnd the Fome appointed a very high content of the content - 6,500 duots per year. Dad awarded him with the Order of the Golden Rose. Thomas remained living in Italy.
However, over time, he began to gradually understand that his hopes are unlikely to ever come true and that, most likely, he will remain respected, but no one needs an exile.
The only consolation served him friendship with Cardinal Vissarionthat got started and strengthened in the process of his effort to get support from Rome.
Vissarion Nichesky
This unusually granted man walked the leader of the Byzantine Latinofils. The literary gift, the readiness, ambition and ability to squeeze to the strong world of this, and, of course, the commitment of Ulya contributed to his successful career. He studied in Constantinople, then he took a tague in one of the monasteries Peloponnese, in the capital of the Sea of \u200b\u200bMr. Mr. at the Philosophical School of Gemist Fallon. In 1437, Metropolitan Nicene was elected at the age of 35. However, Nikeya has long been conquered by the Turks, and this magnificent title needed to give extra weight to the supporters of the Unce at meetings of the upcoming cathedral. For the same reasons, another Latinophil Isisidor turned out to be ordained to Metropolitans Moscow Constantinople Patriarch without the consent of the Russians.
Catholic Cardinal Vissarion Nicene, Greek, Pope's favorite, ratified for the unification of Christian churches in the face of the Turkish threat. Around once a few months at Corfu, Thomas talked for a long time with children, sitting in his black chair-throne, inlaid gold and ivory, with a large double-headed Byzantine eagle over headboard.
He was preparing the young men Andreas and Manuil to the humiliating future of princes without the kingdom, begging petitioners, seekers of rich brides - he tried to teach them how in this situation to preserve the dignity and to be able to arrange his life, not forgetting belonging to his ancient, proud and once powerful clad . But he also knew that without wealth and lands they had no chance of reviving the former glory of the Great Empire. And therefore, his hopes laid on the zoya.
His favorite daughter Zoya grew by a very intelligent girl, but she knew how to read and write in Greek and Latin in Greek, was very capable of languages, and now, to his thirteen years, he had already perfectly knew an ancient and modern history, owned the foundations Mathematics and astronomy, retells the whole chapters from Homer, and most importantly - she loved to learn, in her eyes sparkled the light of the thirst for knowledge of the secrets of the world, who opened in front of her, moreover, she already guessed that her life in this world would be Not at all simple, but it was not scarecrow, did not stop, on the contrary, she sought to learn as much as possible as possible with Azart and Eustion prepared for a long, dangerous, but unusually exciting game.
The light in the eyes of Zoya instilled great hopes in the heart of his father, and he began to gradually and gradually cook the daughter to the Great Mission, which was going to impose on her.
When Zoe was fifteen years old, a hurricane of misfortunes hit the girl. In early 1465, the mother of Ekaterina Krowkari suddenly died. Her death shook all - children, relatives, servants, but the foma she just struck. He lost interest, gone, fucking, it seemed, everything decreased in size, and soon it became clear that he would fill.
However, suddenly came the day when everyone seemed to that Thomas came to life: he came to the children, asked him to accompany him to the port, and there they rose to the deck of the same ship, where Zoino was kept, and sailed with her daughter and sons in Rome .
Rome. The eternal City
However, in Rome, together, they did not live together, soon on May 12, 1465, Thomas died aged 56 years. The feeling of self-esteem and the beauty that Foma managed to keep to old years, made a big impression on Italians. He also landed him that she officially accepted Catholicism.
The formation of royal orphans took over VaticanBy charging them Cardinal Vissarion Nichesky. Greek from Trapezund was equally its own person both in Greek and in Latin cultural circles. He managed to unite the views of Plato and Aristotle, the Greek and Roman form of Christianity.
However, when Zoya Palelog was in the care of Vissarion, the star had already rolled it. Supported in 1464 Papaya Tiara Pavel II and his successor to Sicst IV disliked Vissarion, who supported the idea of \u200b\u200brestricting the papal authorities. Cardinal went to the shadow, and one day he even had to retire to the Monastery of Grota Feratta.
Nevertheless, he brought up the Zoya Paleologist in European Catholic traditions and especially she who had a humbigital to follow the principles of Catholicism in all, calling it the "beloved daughter of the Roman Church." Only in this case, he inspired a pupil, fate would give you to everyone. "You will have everything if you become imitate Latinam; Otherwise, you will not get anything. "
Zoya (Sophia) Paleologist
Zoe has become over the years in an attractive girl with dark shiny eyes and a gentle white skin. It was distinguished by a subtle mind and prudence in behavior. According to the unanimous assessment of the contemporaries Zoya was charming, and her mind, education and manners were immacular. Bologna chronicles in 1472 enthusiastically wrote about Zoe: "It is truly ... charming and beautiful ... low growth, she seemed 24 years old; The eastern flame sparkled in the eyes, the whiteness of the skin spoke about the meaninglessness of the sort of kind. "The Italian Princess Clariss Orsini, who originated from a notable Roman kind, closely connected with the papal throne, Lorenzo's wife's magnificent wife, hanging around in Rome in 1472, found her beautiful, and this news was preserved in centuries.
Pope Paul II went to the content of orphans 3,600 ecu per year (200 ECU per month - on children, their clothes, horses and servants; Plus should be postponed on a black day, and spend 100 ecu on the content of a modest yard). The courtyard included a doctor, professor of the Latin language, professor of the Greek language, translator and 1-2 priests.
It was then that Cardinal Vissarion was very careful and delicately hinted by the Byzantine princesses on the possibility of marriage with one of the richest young people of Italy Federico Gonzago, the eldest son of Louis Gonzago, the ruler of the richest Italian city of Mantua.
Horugwe "Sermon John the Baptist" from Oratorio San Giovanni, Urbino. Italian experts believe that Vissarion and Sofia Paleologist (3rd and 4th characters on the left side are depicted in the crowd of listeners. Gallery Province of Mark, Urbino
However, as soon as the Cardinal began to take these actions, suddenly it turned out that the father of the possible groom is unknown from where the bride has been heard from the extreme poverty, lost any interest in it as an intended bride of the Son ..
A year later, Cardinal pounced on Prince Karratio, who also belonged to one of the richest names of Italy, but as soon as the matter began to move forward, some submarine stones were revealed again.
Cardinal Vissarion was a wise and experienced person - he knew perfectly that nothing was happening in itself.
After conducting a secret investigation, Cardinal quite accurately found out that with the help of complex and subtle intrigues, deftly woven the very cheese, with the use of his maiders and Kametok, she tried to upset the case in both cases, but so that the refusal did not come from it Poor ornament, which was not staring to neglected by such grooms.
Thinking a little, Cardinal decided that the case was here in religion and, it should be, Zoya wants a husband belonging to the Orthodox Church.
To check this, he soon offered his pupil of the Orthodox Greek - Jacob of Luzinian, the illegal son of the Cyprus King John II, who, by force, at the sister of the sister, was usurped by the father's throne. And then Cardinal was convinced of his right.
Zeoy really liked this proposal, she looked attentively from all sides, he hesitated for some time, it came even before the engagement, but at the last minute Zoya changed his mind and refused the bridegroom, but then Cardinal knew exactly why and began to understand something. Zoya faithfully calculated that the throne under Jacob is staggering that he has no confident future and then in general - well, in the end, for the kingdom - some kind of miserable cyprus Island! Zoya unequivocally gave to understand his designer that she is the Byzantine Princess, and not a simple princely daughter, and Cardinal for a while stopped attempts. And here is the good old dad Paul II unexpectedly fulfilled his promise so cute his heart princess-orpank. Not only did he find a decent groom, he still decided a number of political problems.
The fate of the sought-after gift of the cut is waiting
In those years, the Vatican was looking for allies to organize a new crusade against the Turks, intending to involve all European soverees in him. Then, according to the advice of Cardinal Vissarion Dad and decided to give the Zoya for the Moscow sovereign Ivan III, knowing about his desire to become the heir of Byzantine Vasilevs.
The marriage of Princess Zoe, renamed Russian Orthodox Poda in Sophia, with a recently widowed young great prince of distant, mysterious, but, on individual reports, unheard of rich and strong Moscow principality was extremely desirable for the papal throne for several reasons.
FirstlyThrough the wife-Catholichka could be positively influenced by the Grand Duke, and through it and on the Orthodox Russian Church in the execution of decisions of the Florentine Union - and in the fact that Sophia - a devotee Catholic, Dad did not doubt, for she could say, grew on the steps of his throne.
SecondlyIt would be a huge political victory to enlist the support of Moscow against the Turks.
Finally thirdIn itself, the strengthening of ties with distant Russian principalities is of great importance to all European politics.
So, Ironically, this fateful marriage for Russia was inspired by the Vatican. It remained to obtain the consent of Moscow.
In February 1469 The Ambassador of Cardinal Vissarion with a letter to the Grand Prince, in which he was proposed to be combined with a legitimate marriage with the daughter of a despot of the Masserie.
According to the ideas of that time, Sophia was considered an already elderly woman, but it was very attractive, with amazingly beautiful, expressive eyes and tender matte skin, which was considered a sign of great health in Russia. And most importantly, she was distinguished by a sharp mind and an article worthy of the Byzantine princess.
The Moscow Sovereign accepted the proposal. He sent his ambassador to Rome, the Italian Jan Battista della Wolpe (I was called Ivan Fryazin in Moscow), woven. This nobleman from the Vicenza, the city, who was under the control of Venice from 1404, initially lived in the Golden Horde, in 1459 he went to the service to Moscow as a coin master and began to be called Ivan Fryazin. And in the Horde, and in Moscow, he turned out to be probably by the will of his Venetian cartridges.
Ambassador returned in a few months, in November, bringing a portrait of the bride with him. This portrait, who as if he began in Moscow, the era of Sofia Paleologist, is considered the first in Russia with a secular image. At the very least, they were so amazed that the chronicler called the portrait of the Icon, not finding another word: "And the princess on the icon is written." By the way, the word "icon" initially in Greek meant "Figure", "Image", "Image".
V. Muuizhel. "Ambassador Ivan Fresin hands Ivan III Portrait of his bride Sofia Paleolog"
However, the walling was delayed, because the Moscow Metropolitan Philippe led to a long time against the marriage of the sovereign with the union, besides the pupil of the papal throne, fearing the spread of Catholic influence in Russia. Only in January 1472, having received the consent of the hierarch, Ivan III sent the embassy to Rome for the bride, because a compromise was found: in Moscow, the secular and church authorities agreed that in front of the wedding Zoya will surround the Orthodox rite.
Pope Sikst IV.
On May 21, a solemn reception of Russian ambassadors at Pope Siksta IV, which was attended by representatives of Venice, Milan, Florence, Duke Ferrarsky.
Reception at Sicsta IV. Melozzo da Forli
Already on June 1, at the insistence of Cardinal Vissarion in Rome, a symbolic gain was made - the engagement of the princess of Sophia and the Grand Duke Moscow Ivan, which was represented by the Russian ambassador Ivan Fryazin.
Pope Sikst IV reacted with his deceive care to Syrote: He gave Zoe in the dowry, except for gifts, about 6,000 ducats and sent out on the cities of letters, in whom, in the name of respect, approved by the Apostolic Preclosion, asked for a zoya with the location and kindness. About the same slapped and Vissarion; He wrote to Siens in case of the passage of the bride through their city: "We diligently ask you to mark her arrival by some festival and take care of a worthy reception." It is not surprising that the journey of Zoe was a kind of triumphal celebration.
On June 24, having gone up with a dad in the Gardens of the Vatican, Zoya went to the distant north. On the way to Moscow, the bride "White Emperor", as Ivan Ivan III in his message Milan Duke Francesco Sforzo accompanied the retinue from the Greeks, Italians and Russians, including Yuri Fuchaniot, Prince Konstantin, Dmitry - Ambassador of the Zoe Brothers, and Genavec Anton Bonumbrebre , Bishop Achcia (his chronicles are mistakenly called Cardinal), the papal legate, whose mission should act in favor of subordination of the Russian Church.
Many of the cities of Italy and Germany (on the preserved news: Sienna, Bologna, Vicenza (Wolpe's native city), Nuremberg, Lubeck) met and accompanied her with royal honor, in honor of the princess arranged festivals.
Almost the Kremlin Wall in Vicenza. Italy
So, in Bologna Zoya took one of the main seen siels in his palace. The princess was repeatedly shown to the crowd and caused the overall surprise with her beauty and richness of the outfit. With extraordinary magnificent, a visit to the relics of St. Dominica, she was accompanied by the most noble young people. Bologna chroniclers tell about Zoe with delight.
Holy Domenic. Founder of the Order of Dominicans
On the 4th month of Zoya, finally, joined Russian soil. On October 1, she left out of Kolyvan.(Tallinn), soon was in Derptewhere they came to meet their future sovereign sent the Grand Prince, and then went to Pskov.
N. K. Roerich. Old Pskov. 1904
On October 1, the messenger came to Pskov and announced in the evening: "Tsarevna moved the sea, goes to Moscow daughter of Thomas, King Tsargradsky, name is her Sophia, she will be a sovereign, and the great prince Ivan Vasilyevich's wife. And you would meet and accepted it honestly." The messenger rocked on, in Novgorod, to Moscow, and Pskovichi, as the chronicle reports "... The landange and boyars went to meet the princess to Izborsk, lived here for a whole week, as arrived from Derpta (Tartu) the messenger with the order to go to meet her in the German bank."
Pskovichi have become honey and fodder to overframe, and the ones were sent six large cleaned ships, positors and boyars to meet Tsarevna with honor. On October 11, near the mouth of Embach Posadani and Boyar met Tsarevna and beat her with a brow with cups and gold horns filled with honey and wine. The 13th princess arrived in Pskov, stayed exactly 5 days. Pskov authorities and knew her and retinue with gifts and brought 50 rubles to her. A gentle reception was touched by Tsarevna, and she promised the Pskovists their intercession in front of the future spouse. The accompanying Legacy of Achcia had to obey: to follow her to church, and there to worship holy icons and to make the image of the Mother of God on the ordinance of despins.
F. A. Bronnikov. Meeting princes. 1883.
Probably, Dad Roman would never believe if I learned that the future great Moscow Princess, only only to find out in the Russian land, still on the way under the crown to Moscow, insidiously betrayed all his quiet hopes, immediately forgetting all his Catholic upbringing . Sophia, apparently, who was encountered in childhood with the Afonovsky elders, opponents of the Florentine Union, in the depths of the soul was deeply Orthodox. She skillfully hid her faith from the powerful Roman "patrons", which did not help her homeland, betraying it to the invirtants on ruin and death.
She immediately openly, brightly and demonstratively showed her devotion to Orthodoxy, to the delight of Russians, applying all the icons in all churches, impecably conducting themselves in the Orthodox service, in the Orthodox service.
But even before that, being on board the ship, eleven days of the princess of the princess Sophia from Lubeck in Revel, where the motorcade will go further to Moscow already on land, she remembered her father.
Sophia thoughtfully sat on the deck, looked somewhere in the distance for the horizon, not paying attention to the people respectfully standing by the accompanying people - the Italians and Russians, and it seemed to her see that she sees a light shine that comes from somewhere out of the embroidery The body and carries the heavenly, there, far, far away, where all the souls are carried out and where the soul of her father is now ...
Sofya peered into the distant invisible land and thought only about one - whether she did right; Isn't it wrong in choosing? Will it succeed to her to serve the birth of the third Rome where tight sails carry it now? And then it seemed to her that the invisible light warms it, she gives the power and confidence that everything will succeed - yes, and how can it be otherwise - after all, wherever she is, Sophia, there is now Byzantia, there is the third Rome, In her new homeland - Muscovy.
Kremlin Despina
Early in the morning of November 12, 1472, Sophia Paleologists arrived in Moscow, where her first meeting with Ivan and the thrust hail was occurring. Everything was ready for a wedding celebration dedicated to the names of the Grand Duke - the Day of the Holy Memory John of Zlatoust. In the house of the mother of the Grand Duke there was a handicraft. On the same day, in the Kremlin in the temporary wooden church, set near the Uspensky Cathedral under construction, so as not to stop worship, the sovereign was married with her. Byzantine princess, for the first time, then saw her spouse. The Grand Duke was young - only 32 years old, is good, high and stantha. Especially wonderful were his eyes, "Terrible eyes".
Ivan III Vasilyevich
And before Ivan Vasilyevich was distinguished by a steep character, and now, he has breeding with the Byzantine monarchs, he turned into a Grozny and powerful sovereign. There was a considerable merit of his young wife.
Wedding Ivan III with Sofia Paleologist in 1472. The XIX century engraving.
Wedding in a wooden church made a strong impression on Sophia Paleologist. You can imagine how she was shocked by the old Kremlin cathedrals of another Kalita time (the first half of the XIV century) and the dilapidated white walls and towers of the fortress built at Dmitry Donskoy. After Rome, with his Cathedral of St. Peter and the cities of continental Europe with their magnificent stone structures of different eras and styles, it was difficult, probably to reconcile the Greek Princess Sophier with the fact that the rite of her wedding took place in the temporary wooden church, which was standing on the site of the disassembled Assumption Cathedral XIV century.
She brought a generous dowry on Russia. After the wedding, Ivan III accepted the coat of arms of the Byzantine double-headed eagle - the symbol of the royal power, placing him and on his press. Two heads of the eagle are facing west and east, Europe and Asia, symbolizing their unity, as well as unity ("symphony") of spiritual and secular power. In fact, the dowry of Sofia was the legendary "Liberia" - the library (more known as the "library of Ivan the Terrible"). It included Greek parchments, Latin chronographs, Ancient manuscripts, among which were unknown by the poems of Homer, the writings of Aristotle and Plato and even surviving books from the famous Alexandria library. Seeing the wooden Moscow, burned after the fire of 1470, Sofya was frightened for the fate of the treasure and, at first, hid the books in the church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary on the Seine - the House of the Moscow Great Princess, built on the orders of Saint Evdokia, the widow of Dmitry Donskoy. And his own treasury, in Moscow custom, laid on the preservation of the Kremlin Church of the Christmas Church of John the Forerunner, the very first church of Moscow, which was standing until 1847.
According to legend, she brought with her a gift to her husband "bone throne": his wooden casket was covered with plates from ivory and walrus with scenes cut on them on biblical topics, an image of a unicorn was placed on the back of the throne. This throne is known to us as the throne of Ivan the Terrible: the king is exactly on it depicts the sculptor M. Antontic. (In 1896, the throne was established in Assumption Cathedral For the coronation of Nicholas II. But the sovereign ordered him to put it for the empress Alexandra Fedorovna (according to other data - for his mother, a widowed empress of Mary Fedorovna), and he himself wanted to crumble on the throne of the first Romanov). And now the throne of Ivan the Terrible is the most ancient in the Kremlin Meeting.
Trone Ivan Grozny
Sophia brought with me a few Orthodox icons.
Our Lady "Odigitria". Gold earrings with eagles attached to Virgin Virgin, undoubtedly, were "applied" the Great Princess
Our Lady on the throne. Cameo on Lazarite.
And after the wedding of Ivan III, the image of the Byzantine Emperor Mikhail III, the densist of the Paleologian dynasty, with which the Moscow rulers came together in the Arkhangelsk Cathedral. Thus, the continuity of Moscow of the Byzantine Empire was approved, and Moscow sizards appeared the heirs of the Byzantine emperors.
With a visit in 1472 to the capital of Russia, the Greek princess, the heiress of the former majority of Paleologists, at the Russian yard, formed a rather large group of immigrants from Greece and Italy. Many of them occupied considerable public positions and more than once performed important diplomatic instructions of Ivan III. The Grand Duke sent the embassies to Italy five times. But their tasks did not have to establish links in the field of politics or trade. They all returned to Moscow with large groups of experts, among whom were architects, doctors, jewelers, masters of the mint and weapons masters. Twice with Russian embassies in the capital of Russia, the brother Sofia Andreas came to the capital (Russian sources called him Andrei). It so happened that the Great Princess for some time supported the connection with one of the members of his family who had difficulty historical events.
It should be recalled that the traditions of the Russian Middle Ages, strictly limited the role of a woman with a circle of home care, and were distributed to the family of the Grand Duke and for representatives of noble names. That is why so little information about the life of the great Russian princesses has been preserved. Against this background, the history of life of Sofia Paleologists is reflected in writing sources many more. However, it is worth noting that the Grand Duke Ivan III belonged to his wife who received European education, with great love and understanding and even allowed her to give audience to foreign ambassadors. In the memoirs of ingenians about Russia's second half of the XV century, records of such meetings with the Grand Duchess are preserved. In 1476, the Venetian Messenger of Contarini was represented by the Moscow State Superior. This is how he recalled about it, describing his journey to Persia: "The sovereign also wished me to visit Despin. I did it with proper bonds and respectively words; Then followed a long conversation. Despina appeared to me with such good and courteous speeches, which only could be told; She strongly asked to transfer her greeting of the light syigni; And I said goodbye to her. " Sofia, as some researchers believe, even existed their own thoughtThe composition of which was determined by the Greek and Italian aristocrats who had arrived in Russia, in particular, the prominent diplomats of the end of the XV century of Fuchanioti. In 1490, Sophia Paleologist met in his part of the Kremlin Palace with the Devtor's Cesar Ambassador. For the Great Princess in Moscow, special choirs were built. With Sofier, the grandnya courtyard was distinguished by a pomp. The dynastic marriage of Ivan III with Sofia Paleologist is obliged to the advent of the rite of wedding to the kingdom. About 1490 The year for the first time appeared an image of a messenger double-headed eagle on the parade portal of the grain chamber.
Detail of the throne of Ivan the Terrible
The Byzantine concept of the sacrality of the imperial power influenced the introduction of Ivan III "theology" ("God's Grace") in the title and in the preamble of state diploma.
Construction of the Kremlin
The "Great Greek" brought with him her ideas about the courtyard and power of power, and many Moscow orders came to her not to heart. She did not like that her holding husband remains the Danitor of Tatar Khan, that the boyars surroundings behave too much with his state truck, so the boyars were hostile to Sofye. That the Russian capital, built on a tree, is standing with the healing fortress walls and with the tempered stone temples. That even the sovereign choirs in the Kremlin wooden and that Russian women look at the world from the beam. Sophia Paleologist not only made a change at the courtyard.
Some Moscow monuments are obliged to her appearance. There is no doubt that the stories of Sofia and who came with her representatives of Greek and Italian for the excellent samples of the church and civil architecture of Italian cities, about their impregnable fortifications, on the use of all advanced in military affairs and other branches of science and technology to strengthen the position of the country, They influenced the decision of Ivan III "Open the window to Europe", to attract foreign masters to restructure the Kremlin, especially after the catastrophe of 1474, when the Assumption Cathedral, which was erected by Pskov masters collapsed. The people immediately crawled rumors that the trouble was staring because of the "Greekini" before staying in Latin. However, the great husband of the Greekinis wanted to see Moscow equal to the beauty and majesty to the European capitals and support his own prestige, and also to emphasize the continuity of Moscow not only by the second, but also to the first Rome. In the restructuring of the residence of the Moscow sovereign, such Italian masters as Aristotle Fiorenati took part, Pitro Antonio Solari, Marco Fryazin, Anton Fryazin, Aleviz Fryazin, Aleviz New. Italians masters in Moscow were called the general name "Fryazin" (from the word "FryaG", that is, "Frank"). And the current Moscow region cities of Fryazino and Fryazevo kinda "Small Italy": it was there at the end of the 15th century Ivan III issued the estate to the numerous Italians "Fryagam" who arrived to him.
Much of the preserved now in the Kremlin was built precisely under the Great Princess Sophier. Several centuries passed, but the Assumption Cathedral and the Church of Rizzit Region, the Granovy Chamber (named after the occasion of her finishes in Italian style, saw it, exactly the same way. And the Kremlin himself is a fortress, guarding the ancient center of the capital of Russia - grew and was created in her eyes.
Faceted Chamber. 1487-1491
Interior view in the grain chamber
Scientists noted that the Italians went to unknown Muscovy without fear, because Despina could give them protection and help. So this or not, only the Russian ambassador Semen Tolbuisin, sent by Ivan III to Italy, invited Phiorevanti to Moscow, because he was famous for his homeland as "New Archimedes", and he happily agreed.
In Moscow, he was expected a special, secret order, after which in early July 1475 Fioremanaty went on a trip.
After examining the construction of Vladimir, Bogolyubov and Suzdal, he went further to the north: he needed on behalf of the Milan Duke to get him white paintings, which were very highly appreciated in Europe. Firavanti drove to the shore of the White Sea, visiting on the road Rostov, Yaroslavl, Vologda and Great Ustyug. In total, he passed and drove about three thousand kilometers (!) And he reached the mysterious city of "Ksalauoko" (so called him fioranati in one of the letters in Milan), which is nothing but a distorted name Solovkov. Thus, Aristotle Firavanti was the first European, who for a hundred years before the Englishman Jenkinson, passed the way from Moscow to Solovkov.
Having arrived in Moscow, Fioravati made up the general plan for the new Kremlin, which was erected by his compatriots. The walls of the new cathedral began to build the walls already in 1475. On August 15, 1479, a solemn consecration of the cathedral took place. The following year, Rus was freed from the Tatar-Mongolian yoke. This era partially reflected in the architecture of the Assumption Cathedral, which became the symbol of the Third Rome.
Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin
Its five powerful chapters symbolizing Christ surrounded by four apostles-evangelists are notable for their helmet shape. Makovitsa, that is, the top of the temple chapter, symbolizes the flame - a burning candle and fiery celestial forces. During the Tatar Iga, the Makovitsa becomes similar to the military helmet. This is only a few other image of fire, since the Russian warriors have read their patrons the host of Heaven - Angelic Force under the leadership archReart Mikhaila. A warrior helmet, where the image of Michael ArchReart was often placed, and the helmet of the Russian temple was merged into a single image. Outwardly, the Assumption Cathedral is very close to the Cathedral of the same name in Vladimir, who was taken for the sample. Luxurious painting was mostly completed during the lifetime of the architect. In 1482, the Great Architect as the head of artillery participated in the campaign of Ivan III to Novgorod, and during this campaign brought a very durable pontoon bridge over the Volkhov. After that, the master wanted to return to Italy, but Ivan III did not let him go, but, on the contrary, arrested and put in prison after trying to go secret. But for a long time to keep Fiorewanti in prison, he could not afford himself, since in 1485 a trip to Tver was scheduled, where "Aristotle with the cannons" was needed. After this campaign, the name of Aristotle Fioravanti is no longer found in the chronicles; There is no evidence of his return to the homeland. Probably soon he died.
There is a version that in the Assumption Cathedral the architect made a deep underground crypt, where the invaluable library was set. This cache discovered the chance of the Grand Duke Vasily III many years after the death of his parents. At his invitation in 1518, Maxim Greek came to Moscow to translate these books, which would have managed to tell about them before the death of Ivan Grozny, the son of Vasily III. Where this library turned out to be in the times of Grozny, still unknown. She was searched in the Kremlin, and in Kolomensky, and in the Alexander Sloboda, and at the site of the Okrich Palace on Mokhovah. And now there has been an assumption that Liberia is resting under the bottom of the Moscow River, in the dungeons, drunk from the chambers of the Malyuts Skuratov.
The construction of some of the Kremlin temples is also associated with the name of Sofia Paleolog. The first of them was a cathedral in the name of the Holy Nikolai Gostunsky, built near the bell tower of Ivan the Great. Before there was an Ordi courtyard, where the Khan governors lived, and the Kremlin despine was depressed. According to legend, Sofye in a dream appeared saint himself Nikolay Wonderwork And commanded to build on that place orthodox church. Sophia has shown himself as a subtle diplomat: she directed the Embassy with rich gifts to his wife and, told her wonderful vision, asked to give her land in exchange for another - outside the Kremlin. Consent was obtained, and in 1477 a wooden appeared Nikolsky Cathedral, later replaced by stone and stood up to 1817. (Recall that the Diakon of this temple was the first primer Ivan Fedorov). However, the historian Ivan Zakelin believed that by order of Sofia Paleologist in the Kremlin built another church, consecrated in the name of Saints Cosmas and Damian, who did not live to the present day.
A. Vasnetsov. In the Moscow Kremlin. Watercolor
Traditions are called Sophia Paleologist founder Spassky CathedralThis, however, when erecting the Tremen Palace in the XVII century, was built anew and became referred to as Veroshospar - because of its location. Another legend says that Sofia Paleologist was brought to Moscow the temple image of the unpretentious rescue of this cathedral. In the XIX century, the artist Sorokin wrote from him the image of the Lord for the Church of Christ the Savior. This image is miraculously preserved to this day and is now located in the lower (stilobate) Preobrazhensky temple as its main shrine. It is known that this image Savior of non-far who blessed her father. In the Kremlin Cathedral Savior on Boru. The salary from this image was stored, and the icon of the meal saves was lying on the analogue, also brought by Sofia. Then this icon blessed all the royal and imperial brides. The temple remained the miraculous icon of the "praise of the Virgin". We will remind, saved the deliciously considered the very first icon, manifested in the Earth's earthly life, and the most accurately of the Savior. He was placed on the princely tags, under which the Russian warriors went to battle: the image of the resca marked the vision of Christ in the sky and foreshadowed a victory.
With the temple of the Savior on Bor, who then was the Cathedral Temple of the Kremlin Spasskaya Resident, another story is connected with the despina, thanks to which it appeared in Moscow Novospassky monastery.
Novospassian male monastery in Moscow
After the wedding, the Grand Prince still lived in Wooden Christie, the case of those who were burning in frequent Moscow fires. One day, Sofye itself had to escape from the fire, and she finally asked her husband to build a stone palace. The sovereign decided to make his wife pleasant and fulfilled her request. So the Savior Cathedral on Bor, together with the abode, was arched with new palace buildings. And in 1490, Ivan III suffered a monastery to the bank of the Moscow River in five versts from the Kremlin. Since then, the monastery has become referred to NovospasskimAnd the Savior Cathedral on Bor remained the usual parish church. Due to the construction of the palace, the Kremlin Church of the Virgin of the Virgin on the Seine, also affected by fire, was not restored. Only when the palace was finally ready (and this happened only under Vasili III), he had the second floor, and in 1514 the architect Aleviz Fryazin raised the Christmas Temple on a new level, which is why he is already visible from Mokhovaya Street. With Sofye, the church of the county, the enthusiastic courtyard was built, the Annunciation Cathedral was rebuilt, Arkhangelsky was completed. The dilapidated walls of the Kremlin were strengthened and eight Kremlin towers were erected, the fortress surrounded the system of dams and huge ditch on Red Square. Defensive structures built by Italian architects have handed over the siege of time and enemies. Completed the Kremlin ensemble in the descendants of Ivan and Sofia.
N. K. Roerich. City build
In the XIX century, during the excavations in the Kremlin, they found a bowl with antique coins, chased in the Roman Emperor Tiberia. According to scientists, these coins brought someone from the numerous suite of Sofia Paleolog, in which there were natives and Rome, and Constantinople. Many of them occupied government posts, became treasurers, ambassadors, translators.
With Sofye, diplomatic relations with European countries began to be established, where the Messengers were prescribed at first the Greeks and Italians who arrived with her. Candidates selected, most likely, not without the participation of Princess. And the first Russian diplomats in official lettotance were strictly punished abroad not to be drunk, not to fight with each other, thereby not sink his country. Behind the first ambassador to Venice followed the appointment to a number of European yards. In addition to the diplomatic, they performed other missions. Deca Fedor Kuritsyn, the Ambassador at the Hungarian yard, is attributed to the authorship of the "Tale of Dracula", very popular in Russia.
In the retinue of despins, A. Chicheri arrived on Russia, the ancestor of Pushkin's grandmother, Olga Vasilyevna Chicherina, and the famous Soviet diplomat.
Twenty years later, foreign travelers have become called the Moscow Kremlin in Europe "Castle", due to the abundance of stone buildings. In the seventies-nineties of the 20th century to Moscow from Italy, and then from other countries, Masters-Mountains, Jewelers, Lekari, Architectors, Chekchers, Gunners, Miscellaneous People, Whose Knowledge and Experience helped the country to become a powerful and advanced power.
So by the efforts of Ivan III and Sofia Paleologist Renaissance bloomed on Russian land.
(To be continued)
Sofia Paleologist: Biography
Most historians agree that the grandmother Ivan Grozny, the Great Princess of Moscow Sofia (Zoya) Paleologist played a huge role in the formation of the Moscow kingdom. Many consider it by the author of the concept of "Moscow - the Third Rome". And together with the peeled paleologue, a double-headed eagle appeared. At first he was a family coat of arms of her dynasty, and then migrated to the emblem for all kings and Russian emperors.
Zoya Paleologist appeared on the light (presumably) in 1455 in the sea (so in the Middle Ages it was called the current Greek Peloponnese Peninsula). The daughter of the despot of the Maisi Foma Paleologist was born in the tragic and turning time - the time of falling the Byzantine Empire.
Sofia Paleologist |
After the capture of Constantinople, the Turkish Sultan Mehmed II and the death of Emperor Konstantin, Foma Paleologist, together with his wife, Catherine Akhai and children, fled at Corfu. From there he moved to Rome, where he was forced to go to Catholicism. In May 1465, Thomas died. His death happened shortly after the death of spouses in the same year. Children, Zoya and her brothers - 5-year-old Manuel and 7-year-old Andrei, moved to Rome after the death of parents.
The Greek Scientist, Union Vissarion, who served as Cardinal at Dad Sicsta IV (it became the customer of the famous Sistine Capel, was engaged in the education of orphans. In Rome, the Greek princess Zoya Paleologist and her brothers were brought up in the Catholic faith. Cardinal took care of the content of children and their education. It is known that Vissarion Nicene with the permission of the Pope paid the modest yard of young paleologists, which included servants, a doctor, two professors of Latin and Greek, translators and priests.
Sophia Paleologist received a rather solid education at that time.
Great Princess Moscow
Sofia Paleologist (picture) http://www.russdom.ru
When Sofia reached the age of majority, the Venetian Signoria was concerned about her marriage. Take a noble girl in his wife first offered the king of Cyprus Jacques II de Lusignan. But he refused this marriage, having a conflict with the Ottoman Empire. A year later, in 1467, Cardinal Vissarion at the request of Pope Paul II proposed the hand of a noble Byzantine beauty to the prince and Italian noble Karachchiolo. Solemn gain took place, but for unknown reasons, the marriage was canceled.
There is a version that Sofia is secretly communicated with the Athos elders and adhered to Orthodox faith. She herself made efforts to not marry an inner, upsetting all the marriages offered to her.
Sofia Paleologist. (Fyodor Bronnikov. "Meeting Tsarevna Sofia Paleologist Pskov Public Plant and boyars at the mouth of the Embach on the Lake Church")
In a turning point for the life of Sofia Paleologist, 1467, the wife of the Grand Prince of Moscow Ivan III Maria Borisovna died. In this marriage, the only son of Ivan was born. Pope Paul II, counting on the spread of Catholicism to Moscow, suggested a widowed state of all Russia to take his ward to his wife.
After 3-year-old negotiations Ivan III, having argued by the Council from Mother, Metropolitan Philip and Boyar, decided to marry. It is noteworthy that about the transition of Sofia Paleolog in Catholicism negotiators from Pope prudently silent. Moreover, they reported that the Orthodox Christian proposed in the wives. They did not even guess that it was so.
Sofia Paleologist: Wedding with John III. XIX century engraving | AIF
In June 1472, in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, there was a correspondence collapse of Ivan III and Sofia Paleolog. After that, the bride's traffic was departed from Rome to Moscow. Accompanied the bride all the same Cardinal Vissarion.
Bologna chronicles described Sofia rather attractive special. She had 24 years old, she had snow-white leather and incredibly beautiful and expressive eyes. It was not higher than 160 cm. The physique of the future spouse of the Russian sovereign had a dense.
There is a version that in the attachment of Sofia Paleologist, except for clothes and jewels, there were many most valuable books, which later accounted for the basis of the mysteriously disappeared library of Ivan the Terrible. Among them were the treatises of Platon and Aristotle, unknown poems of Homer.
At the end of the long route, which had fallen through Germany and Poland, the Roman rooted Sofia Paleologists realized that their desire through the marriage of Ivan III on a paleologist to spread (or at least closer) Catholicism with Orthodoxy was defeated. Zoya, barely left Rome, demonstrated a solid intention to return to the faith of ancestors - Christianity.
The main achievement of Sofia Paleolog, which turned into a huge benefit for Russia, is considered to be its impact on the decision of the husband to refuse to pay tribute to the Golden Horde. Thanks to the spouse, Ivan the third finally dared to reset the centuries-old Tatar-Mongolian Igo, although the local princes and elite were offered to continue to pay for the lifts to avoid bloodshed.
Personal life
Evgeny Tsyganov and Maria Andreichenko in the film "Sofia Paleolog"
Apparently, the personal life of Sofia Paleolog with the Grand Duke Ivan III has developed successfully. In this marriage, a considerable offspring was born - 5 sons and 4 daughters. But the cloudless existence of a new Great Princess Sofia in Moscow is difficult to call. The boyars saw the huge influence that his wife had on the spouse. Many people did not like it. Ranking, Prinugini had bad relations with the heir, born in the early marriage of Ivan III, Ivan the young. Moreover, there is a version that Sofia is involved in the poisoning of Ivan the young and further removal from the power of his wife Elena Voloshanki and the son of Dmitry.
Evgeny Tsyganov and Maria Andreichenko in the film "Sofia Paleolog" | Region. Moskva
Anyway, Sofia Paleologist had a huge impact on the entire further history of Russia, on its culture and architecture. She was the mother of the heir to the throne of Vasily III and grandmother Ivan the Terrible. According to some information, the grandson had a considerable similarity with his wise Byzantine grandmother.
Maria Andreichenko in the film "Sofia Paleologist"
Death
Sofia Paleologist, Great Princess Moskovskaya, April 7, 1503, died. Husband, Ivan III, survived the spouse for only 2 years.
Sophia buried near the previous wife of Ivan III in the sarcophagus of the tomb of the Ascension Cathedral. The cathedral was destroyed in 1929. But the remains of women of the royal house were preserved - they were transferred to the underground chamber of the Arkhangelsk Cathedral.
At the end of the 15th century, the concept of which the Russian state is the successor of the Byzantine Empire, begins to emerge in the Russian lands that united around Moscow. After a few decades, the thesis "Moscow - the Third Rome" will become a symbol of the state ideology of the Russian state.
A big role in the formation of a new ideology and in the changes that took place at this time inside Russia was destined to play a woman whose name was heard almost everyone who at least once in contact with Russian history. Sofia Paleologist, wife of the Grand Duke Ivan III, contributed to the development of Russian architecture, medicine, culture and many other spheres of life.
There is also a different look at her, according to which she was the "Russian Catherine Medici", whose goats let the development of Russia in a completely different way and made the events of the state.
True, as usual, is somewhere in the middle. Sofia Paleologist did not choose Russia - Russia chose her, a girl from the last dynasty of Byzantine emperors, as a spouse for the Grand Duke Moskovsky.
Byzantine orphan at the papal courtyard
Foma Paleologist, Father Sofia. Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
Zoya Paleeological, daughter Despota (this title) Sea Foma PaleologistIt was born in tragic time. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire, the heiress of ancient Rome, after a thousand years of existence collapsed under the blows of Ottomans. The death symbol of the Empire was the fall of Constantinople, in which he died emperor Konstantin XI, Native Brother Foma Paleologist and Uncle Zoe.
The seasisian despotal, the province of Byzantium, which the rules of Foma Paleologist lasts up to 1460. For these years, Zoya lived with his father and brothers in Mr., the capital of the sea, the city, located next to the ancient Sparta. After sultan Mehmed II. Captured and Sea, Thomas Paleolog went to Corfu Island, and then in Rome, where he died.
Children from the royal family of the deceased empire lived at the courtyard of Pope Roman. Shortly before the death of Foma Paleologist to get support, moved to Catholicism. Catholics were his children. Zoya after baptism in the Roman rite was unreasonable Sofia.
Vissarion Nicesky. Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
A 10-year-old girl taken on the care of a papal yard did not have the ability to solve anything on his own. Her mentor was appointed cardinal Vissarion Nicesky, one of the authors of Ulya, which was supposed to unite Catholics and Orthodox under the total authority of Pope Roman.
The fate of Sofia was going to arrange a way of marriage. In 1466, she was offered to Cypriot as a bride king Jacques II de Lusignan, But he refused. In 1467 she was offered to wives prince Karachcholo., noble italian rich. The prince agreed, after which a solemn gain took place.
Bride on Icon
But the wife of the Italian Sofye was not destined. In Rome, it became known that the Great Prince of Moscow Ivan III was widowed. The Russian Prince was young, at the time of the death of the first spouse he was only 27 years old, and it was expected that he would soon look for a new wife.
Cardinal Vissarion Nichesky saw in this chance to promote his idea of \u200b\u200bthe uniate into Russian lands. With his filing in 1469 Pope Paul II Ivan Ivan III letter, in which he offered a 14-year-old Sophia Paleologist as a bride. In a letter, it was discussed as "Orthodox Christian", without mentioning the transition to Catholicism.
Ivan III was not deprived of ambition, his wife will often be played on. After learning that the niece of the Byzantine Emperor was proposed in the bride, he answered agreement.
Viktor Muuizhel. "Ambassador Ivan Fryazin hands Ivan III portrait of his bride Sofia Paleolog." Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
Negotiations, however, just began - it was necessary to discuss all the details. The Russian ambassador sent to Rome returned with a gift shocked and the groom, and his environment. In the chronicles, this fact was reflected by the words "Tsarevna on the icon wrote brought."
The fact is that in Russia by the time of secular painting did not exist at all, and the portrait of Sophia, sent to Ivan III, was perceived in Moscow as an "icon".
Sophia Paleologist. Reconstruction of the Skull S. Nikitin. Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
However, having understood what, what, the Moscow Prince external appearance of the bride was pleased. In historical literature there are various descriptions of Sofia Paleolog - from beauty to urba. In the 1990s, studies of Ivan III wives were studied, during which its appearance was restored. Sophia was a low woman (about 160 cm), prone to completeness, with the skill features of the face, which can be called if not beautiful, then quite pretty. Be that as it may, Ivan III liked it.
The failure of Vissarion Nicoysky
The formalities were settled by the spring of 1472, when the new Russian Embassy arrived in Rome, this time already for the bride.
On June 1, 1472, in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, there was a correspondence collapse. Deputy Grand Prince was Russian ambassador Ivan Fryazin. As guests were present the wife of the ruler of Florence Lorenzo magnificent Clarice Orsini and queen of Bosnia Katharina. Dad, except for gifts, gave the bride dowry to 6 thousand dukatov.
Sophia Paleologist enters Moscow. Miniature of the facial chronicle arch. Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
On June 24, 1472, a large tour of Sofia Paleologist, together with the Russian ambassador, left Rome. The bride was accompanied by the Roman retinue led by Cardinal Vissarion Nicene.
It was necessary to get to Moscow through Germany in the Baltic Sea, and then through the Baltic States, Pskov and Novgorod. Such a complex route was caused by the fact that in this period Russia once again began political problems with Poland.
For centuries, the Byzantines, the Byzantines were famous for their cunning and cunning. The fact that these qualities of Sophia Paleologica inherited to the fully, Vissarion Nicesky found out shortly after the bride's traffic was moving the border of Russia. A 17-year-old girl announced that from this pore no longer will perform Catholic rituals, but returns to the faith of ancestors, that is, to Orthodoxy. All ambitious cardinal plans collapsed. Attempts by Catholics to entrenched in Moscow and strengthen their influence failed.
On November 12, 1472, Sophia entered Moscow. Here, too, there were many those who treated her with alertness, seeing the "Roman agent" in it. According to some information, Metropolitan Philipp, displeased bride, refused to hold the wedding ceremony, because of which the ceremonial spent kolomna Protopop Asia.
But, be that as it may, Sophia Paleologist became Ivan III.
Fedor Bronnikov. "Meeting Tsarevna Sofia Paleolog Pskov's possessions and boyars at the mouth of the Embach on the Lake Church." Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
How Sophia saved Russia from yoke
Their marriage lasted 30 years old, she gave birth to her husband 12 children, of which five sons and four daughters lived to adult age. Judging by the historical documents, the Grand Duke was tied to his wife and children, for which he even received reproaches from high-ranking servants of the Church, who believed that this was harmful to government interests.
Sophia never forgot about his origin and behaved as, in her opinion, it was believed to conduct a niece of the emperor. Under its influence of the reception, the Grand Duke, especially the appeals of the ambassadors, were furnished with a complex and colorful ceremonial, similar to Byzantine. Thanks to her, the Byzantine double-headed eagle twisted in Russian heraldry. Thanks to its influence, the Grand Duke Ivan III began to call himself a "Russian king". With the son and grandson of Sofia Paleolog, this naming of the Russian lord will become official.
Judging by the actions and deeds of Sophia, she, having lost his native Byzantium, seriously took up its construction in another Orthodox country. To help, she was ambition of her husband, on which she successfully played.
When Ordyshsky khan Akhmat. He prepared the invasion of Russian lands and in Moscow discussed the question of the amount of Dani, with the help of which you can pay off from misfortune, Sophia intervened. Pouring tears, she began to blame her husband in the fact that the country is still forced to pay tribute and that it's time to end with this shameful position. Ivan III was not a man who was warlike, but his wife retained him for living. He decided to collect an army and advocate Akhmat.
At the same time, his wife with children, the Grand Duke sent first to Dmitrov, and then on Beloozero, fearing military failure.
But failures did not happen - on the River of Ugra, where the troops of Ahmat and Ivan III met, the battles did not happen. After what is known entitled "Standing in Ugra", Ahmat was retracted without a fight, and the dependence on the Horde ended finally.
Perestroika XV century
Sophia inspired her husband that the sovereign such a great power, as he could not live in the capital with wooden temples and chambers. Under the influence of the wife, Ivan III began restructuring the Kremlin. For the construction of the Assumption Cathedral from Italy was invited architect Aristotle Phioravati. A white stone was actively used at the construction site, which is why the expression "Belokamenaya Moscow" appeared in the centuries.
The invitation of foreign specialists in different fields has become a widespread phenomenon in Sophia Paleologist. Italians and the Greeks, who took by Ivan III posts of ambassadors, will begin to actively appeal to Russia of their countrymen: architects, jewelers, masters of the monetary case and gunsmiths. Among visitors had a large number of professional doctors.
Sophia came to Moscow with a big dowry, part of which occupied the library, which included Greek parchments, Latin chronographs, Ancient manuscripts, among whom were poems GomeraWorks Aristotle and Plato And even books from the Alexandria Library.
These books have compiled the basis of the legendary missing library of Ivan the Terrible, which enthusiasts are trying to seek to this day. Skeptics, however, believe that such a library did not really exist.
Speaking of hostile and wary of attitude to Sophia of Russians, it must be said that they were embarrassed by her independent behavior, active interference in public affairs. Such behavior for sofya predecessors as great princesses, and just for Russian women was uncharacteristic.
Battle of heirs
By the time of the second marriage Ivan III, he already had a son from the first spouse - Ivan Youngwhich was declared the heir to the throne. But with the birth of children, Sofia began to increase tensions. Russian know split into two groups, one of which supported the Ivan the young, and the second is sophia.
The relationship between the stepmother and the stepmother did not work out, so so that Ivan III had to exhort the Son to behave decently.
Ivan the young was just three years old, the younger Sophia and the respect did not experience to her, apparently, considering the new marriage of the Father with betrayal in relation to the deceased mother.
In 1479, Sophia, who gave birth to this only girls, made a son of the son Vasilya. As a true representative of the Byzantine imperial kind, she was ready to provide the son of the throne at any cost.
By this time, Ivan was already mentioned in Russian documents as a companion of his father. And in 1483 the heir married daughters of the Lord of Moldavia Stephen Great Elena Voloshanka.
The relations of Sofia and Elena immediately became hostile. When in 1483, Elena gave birth to a son Dmitry, Perspectives of Vasily to inherit the father's throne became completely ghost.
Women's rivalry at the court of Ivan III was fierce. And Elena, and Sophia burned the desire to get rid of not only from the rival, but also from her offspring.
In 1484, Ivan III decided to give daughter-in-law by pearl dowry left from the first wife. But it turned out that Sophia had already presented him with his relative. The Grand Duke, angry with the self-government of his wife, forced her to return presented, and the most relative, together with her husband from fear, had to flee from Russian lands before the punishment.
Death and burial of the Great Princess Sofia Paleolog. Photo: Commons.Wikimedia.org.
The loser loses everything
In 1490, the heir to the throne, Ivan, the young fell ill "scobs in the legs." Especially for his treatment from Venice was called Lebel Leby ZhidovinBut he could not help, and on March 7, 1490, the heir died. The doctor on the orders of Ivan III was executed, and in Moscow, rumors were wandering that Ivan the young died as a result of poisoning, which is the business of Sophia Paleolog.
Evidence of this, however, no. After the death of Ivan the young, his son became a new heir, in Russian historiography known as Dmitry Ivanovich grandson.
Officially, Dmitry grandson was not proclaimed the heir, and therefore Sophia Paleologist continued attempts to achieve a throne for Vasily.
In 1497, the conspiracy of Vasily and Sophia was revealed. The angry Ivan III sent his participants on the fell, but his wife and son did not touch. However, they found themselves in the opal, actually under house arrest. On February 4, 1498, Dmitry grandson was officially proclaimed by the heir to the throne.
The struggle, however, was not completed. Soon the parties of Sofia managed to achieve Revenge - this time in the hands of the executioner gave the supporters of Dmitry and Elena Voloshanki. The junction was occurring on April 11, 1502. New accusations of conspiracy to Dmitry Grandschik and his mother Ivan III found convincing, sending them to home arrest. After a few days, Vasily was proclaimed by the companion of the Father and the heir to the throne, and Dmitry grandson with his mother was put in prison.
Birth of the Empire
Sophia Paleologist actually erected his son into Russian throne, he did not live up to this moment. She died on April 7, 1503 and was buried in a massive Whiten Sarcophage in the tomb of the Ascension Cathedral in the Kremlin next to the grave Mary Borisovna, first spouse Ivan III.
The Grand Duke, widowed the second time, survived his favorite sophia for two years, leaving life in October 1505. Elena Voloshanka died in prison.
Vasily III, going to the throne, the first thing tightened the conditions of detention for a competitor - Dmitry Grandchildly challenged into the iron shackles and placed in a small chamber. In 1509, a 25-year-old hoodoral prisoner died.
In 1514 in the contract with the emperor of the Sacred Roman Empire Maximilian I Vasily III for the first time in the history of Russia is named Emperor Rus. This certificate then uses Peter I.as proof of their rights to coronation as an emperor.
The efforts of Sofia Paleolog, the proud of Byzantines, who took for building a new empire in return lost, did not disappear.
Ivan III Vasilyevich in 1467 widowed. Two years later, an embassy from Rome was in Moscow. Cardinal Vissarion, a champion of Florentine unity of churches, in the letter offered Ivan Vasilyevich's hand of Sofia, nieces of the last Byzantine emperor, his daughter's brother Foma, Prince Masha, who after the fall of Constantinople found the refuge in Rome. Pope Paul II through his cardinal decided to arrange the marriage of Sofia with the Grand Duke to tie relations with Moscow and try to approve his power over the Russian church.
Such a proposal was pleased with proud Ivan; But he, in his careful moral, did not immediately answer consent. He was consulted with his mother, and with Metropolitan, and with the nearest boyars. Everyone was found, like the king himself, this marriage is desirable. Ivan Vasilyevich sent an ambassador of Ivan Fryazin in Rome, his chamber (minted coin). He returned from there with diplomas from the dad and the portrait of Sofia and again he was sent to Rome to represent the groom when hollowing. Dad thought to restore the Florentine Union and hoped to find a strong ally against the Turks in the Russian sizard. Fryazin, although he accepted Orthodoxy in Moscow, but did not particularly value them and therefore was ready to promise dad all that he wanted to settle the matter just as soon as possible.
1472, Summer - Sofia Paleologist has already been driving into Moscow. She was accompanied by Cardinal Anthony; In addition, there were many Greeks with her. The solemn meetings were arranged on the way. When she approached Pskov, a landange and clergy with crosses and chorugues came to meet it. Sofia went to the Trinity Cathedral, it prayed diligently and was applied to images. This was liked by the people; But Roman Cardinal, formerly with her, embarrassed Orthodox.
He was dressed, according to the chronicler, not in our custom - all in red, there were gloves in his arms whom he never shot and blessed in them. It was a silver cast crucifixion on a long weapon (Latin hidge) before him. He was not baptized and not attached to the images; Only applied to the icon of the Virgin, and then at the request of the princess. I really did not like it all Orthodox.
From the church Sofia went to the princely courtyard. There, landange and boyars treated it and close to its various disasters, honey and wine; Finally, they brought her gifts. The boyars and merchants gave her who could. From all Pskov brought to her as a gift 50 rubles. Also solemnly accepted it in Novgorod.
When Sofia approached Moscow, the Grand Duke consistent with his mother, brothers and boyars, how to: he held, that he was everywhere, where Sophia came, there was a papal cardinal ahead, and a Latin roof carried him before him. Some advised not to prohibit it so as not to offend dad; Others said that he had never happened to Russia so that such honors were redeemed by the Latin faith; I tried to do this Isidor, yes for that died.
She sent the Grand Prince to ask Metropolitan, as he thinks about it, and received this answer:
- the papal ambassador is not only to enter the city with a cross, but even approaching does not fit close. You can honor him, then he is in the same gate to the city, and I, your father, other gates from the city! Not only to see, but also hear us about it is indecent. Who is someone else's faith honors, he swears over his own!
Such intolerance of the Metropolitan Clottery has already shown that the papal ambassador cannot achieve anything. The Grand Duke ordered the boyar to take his cross from him and hide in Sani. Initially, Lev did not want to give up; In particular, Ivan Fryazin, who wanted the Papal Ambassgment to be adopted in Moscow with as an honor, as he took, Fryazin, in Rome; But boyar insisted, and the Great Prince was performed.
Arrival of sofya to Moscow
1472, November 12 - Sophia entered Moscow. On the same day they made marriage; And the next day the papal ambassador was adopted. He brought the great prince of the gift from the dad.
For three months there was a Roman embassy in Moscow. Here it was treated, kept in great honor; Ivan III with generosity Odaril Cardinal. I tried to talk about the combination of churches, however, from this, as expected, nothing happened. Ivan Vasilyevich gave this church affair to the decision of the Metropolitan, and he found some kind of scribe Nikita Popovich for competitions with Legat. This Nikita, according to the chronicler, hesporil Cardinal, so he did not know what to answer, "he discarded only the fact that there are no books needed to dispute. The attempt of the Pope to connect the churches ended this time a complete failure.
Sofia Paleologist
Sofia brought a generous dowry. It was the legendary "Liberia" - the library, brought as if $ 70 (more known as the "library of Ivan Grozny"). It included Greek parchments, Latin chronographs, ancient packed manuscripts, among whom were the poems of Homer, the writings of Aristotle and Plato and even surviving books from the legendary Alexandria library.
According to legend, Sophia brought with her a gift to her husband "bone throne" (now known as the "throne of Ivan Grozny"): its wooden core coated plates from ivory and walrus with the plots cut on them on biblical themes.
Sophia and several Orthodox icons brought, including, allegedly, the rare icon of the Mother of God "The Gracious Sky".
Ivan's Marriage value and Sofia
The marriage of the Grand Duke with Greek Princess had important consequences. There were also cases that the Russian princes married Greek princenes, but these marriages had no matter how the marriage of Ivan and Sofia. Byzantium was now enslaved by the Turks. Byzantine emperor used to be considered the chief defender of all Eastern Christianity; Now the Moscow Sovereign became such a defender; With the hand of Sofia, he, as it were, and the rights of Paleologists, even absorbs the emblem of the Eastern Roman Empire - a double-headed eagle; In the seals, which were brought to the certificates, began to depict a double-headed eagle on the one hand, and on the other - the former Moscow coat of arms, George of the Victorious, hitting the dragon.
Byzantine orders have become all stronger and stronger to affect Moscow. Although the latest Byzantine emperors were not at all powerful, but kept themselves in the eyes of all surrounding very high. Access to them was very difficult; Many different court ranks filled a magnificent palace. The pomp of the palace customs, the luxurious royal clothing shine gold and precious stones, the unusually rich decoration of the Tsarist Palace - all this in the eyes of the people highly elevated a person's person. Before him, everything leaned, as before the earthly deity.
Not that was in Moscow. The Grand Duke was already a powerful sovereign, and lived a little sewing and grace than the boyars. They accounted to him respectfully, but simply: some of them were from the specific princes and their origin was too, as well as the Grand Duke, from Rurik. Unproishing the life of the king and a simple handling of Boyar could not like Sofia, who knew about the royal grandeur of the Byzantine self-containers and saw the court life of Dad in Rome. From his wife and especially those who came with her, Ivan III could hear a lot about the courtesty of the Byzantine kings. To him, he wanted to be a real autocrat, many of the court of the Byzantine orders should have greatly liked.
And now, new customs began to appear in Moscow: Ivan Vasilyevich began to keep himself great, in intercourse with foreigners titled "king", the ambassadors began to take with a magnificent solemnity, installed the rite of killing a royal hand in a sign of particular grace. Then the court ranks appeared (nursery, keen, bedding). The Grand Duke began to complain in the boyars for merit. In addition to the son of Boyarsky, at this time another lower rank appears - okolnichy.
The boyars, who had previously earlier advisers, Duma by the princes, with whom the sovereign, according to custom, was consulted about every important case, as with his comrades, now turned in submissive servants. The mercy of the sovereign can exalt them, anger is to destroy.
At the end of his reign, Ivan III became a real autocrat. Without my soul, many boyars were these changes, but no one was dead to express this: the Grand Duke was very harsh and punished brutally.
Innovations. Sophia influence
Since the arrival of Sofia Paleologist, intercourse with the West has failed to Moscow, especially with Italy.
The attentive observer of the Moscow life Baron Herberstein, twice the ambassador of the German Emperor who came to Moscow, having heard a boyars, notices about Sofa in his notes, that it was a woman's unusually tricky, who had a great influence on the Grand Duke, who did a lot to her suggestion . Its influence was attributed even the determination of Ivan III to reset the Tatar yoke. In the Boyar Ruscs and judgments about Tsarevna, it is not easy to separate the observation of suspicion or exaggeration led by ill-advocacy.
Moscow of that time was very unsightly. Wooden small buildings, supplied as hit, curves, broken streets, dirty squares - all this did Moscow similar to a large village or, rather, to a collection of many rustic ussers.
After the wedding, Ivan Vasilyevich himself felt the need for restructuring the Kremlin, in a powerful and impregnable citadel. It all started with a catastrophe of 1474, when the Assumption Cathedral, which was erected by Pskov Masters, collapsed. The people immediately crawled rumors that the trouble stared because of the "Greekini", before that was in Latin. As long as the causes of the collapse, Sophia advised the spouse to invite architects from Italy, which were then the best masters in Europe. Their creations could make Moscow equal to the beauty and majesty to the European capitals and support the prestige of the Moscow sovereign, and also to emphasize the continuity of Moscow not only the second, but also the first Rome.
One of the best Italian builders of that time Aristotle Fiorewanti agreed to go to Moscow for 10 rubles a salary per month (money for those times decent). For 4 years, he built a magnificent temple - Assumption Cathedral at that time, consecrated in 1479. This building has been preserved until now in the Moscow Kremlin.
Then they began to build other stone churches: in 1489, the Annunciation Cathedral was erected, who had the meaning of the King's House Church, and the Arkhangelsky Cathedral was again built shortly before the death of Ivan III, instead of the same dilapidated church. The sovereign was conceived to build a stone chamber for solemn meetings and techniques of ingenic ambassadors.
This building, built by Italian architects, known as the grain chamber, has been preserved to the present day. The Kremlin was argued again with a stone wall and decorated with beautiful gates and towers. For myself, the Grand Duke ordered to build a new stone palace. Following the Grand Duke, the Metropolitan constructs brick chambers to build themselves. Three boyars also built themselves stone houses in the Kremlin. Thus, Moscow began to gradually paint the stone buildings; But these buildings for a long time and after that were not included in the custom.
Birth of children. State cases
1474, April 18 - Sophia gave birth to the first (rapidly deceased) daughter Anna, then another daughter (also deceased so quickly that they did not have time to do). Family disappointments were compensated by activity in state affairs. The Grand Duke was consulted with her in the adoption of state decisions (in 1474 he bought half of the Rostov Principality, concluded a friendly alliance with Crimean Khan Mengli-Gyrey).
Sophia Paleologist took an active part in diplomatic techniques (the Venice Messenger of Cantarini noted that the reception that she organized, was "very important and affectionate"). According to the legend, given not only by Russian chronicles, but also by the English poet John Milton, in 1477 Sophia was able to overcome Tatar Khan, declaring that there was a sign of more than the construction of the church of St. Nicholas on the place in the Kremlin, where the House of the Khan governors, who controlled the fees of Yasak and the actions of the Kremlin. This legend represents Sophia with a decisive nature ("put them out of the Kremlin, the house was demolished, although the temple did not build").
1478 - Russia actually ceased to pay the Dani Horde; Until the complete overthrow of IGA remained 2 years.
In 1480, again, Ivan Vasilyevich, Ivan Vasilyevich, left with militia to the River of Ugra (near Kaluga), where there was a tatar khan of Akhmat. "Standing in the Ugra" battle did not end. The starting frosts and the lack of food forced Khan with the army to leave. These events put an end to the Orda IGU.
The main obstacle on the way of strengthening the Grand Duty authorities collapsed and, relying, on their dynastic communication with the "Orthodox Rome" (Constantinople) through his wife Sophia, the sovereign proclaimed himself to the successor of the holding rights of the Byzantine emperors. The Moscow coat of arms with Georgy Victoronecis was combined with a double-headed eagle - the ancient coat of arms of Byzantium. This was emphasized that Moscow - the heiress of the Byzantine Empire, Ivan III - "Tsar of all Orthodoxy", the Russian Church is the successor to Greek. Under the influence of Sofia, the ceremonial of the Grand Dummy acquired an unprecedented apartment, similar to Byzantine-Roman.
Rights to the Moscow throne
Sofya began a stubborn struggle for justifying the right to the Moscow throne for his son Vasily. When there was eight years old, she even tried to organize a conspiracy against the spouse (1497), but he was revealed, and Sophia herself was condemned on suspected magic and communications with Baba-Sordunya (1498) and together with Tsarevich Vasily. opal.
But the fate was male to her (during the years of his 30-year-old marriage, Sophia gave birth to 5 sons and 4 daughters). The death of the eldest son Ivan III, Ivan the young, forced the husband of Sophia to change the anger on mercy and return to the exiled to Moscow.
Death of Sofia Paleologica
Sophia died on April 7, 1503. She was buried in the Grand Dialement Tomb of the Ascension Women's Monastery in the Kremlin. The buildings of this monastery were disassembled in 1929, and sarcophages with the remains of the Grand Princess and the queen were transported to the basement of the Arkhangelsk Cathedral in the Kremlin, where they are today.
After death
This circumstance, as well as the good safety of the skeleton of Sofia Paleolog, was given the opportunity to recreate her appearance. The work was carried out at the Moscow Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination. Apparently, there is no need to describe the detail process of recovery. We only note that the portrait has been reproduced using all scientific techniques.
Study of the remains of Sofia Paleologists showed that it was low growth - about 160 cm. The skull and each bone was carefully studied, and as a result, it was found that the death of the Great Princess came at the age of 55-60 years. As a result of research, the remains found that Sophia was a woman full, with the volitional features of the face and had at all who did not spive her musty.
When the researchers appeared the appearance of this woman, once again became clear that there was nothing casual in nature. We are talking about the amazing similarity of Sofia Paleologist and her grandson - the king of Ivan IV of Grozny, the authentic look of which we are familiar to the work of the famous Soviet anthropologist M.M. Gerasimov. A scientist, working on the portrait of Ivan Vasilyevich, noted the features of the Mediterranean type in his appearance, connecting it just with the influence of his grandmother's blood, Sofia Paleologist.
Sophia Fominichna Paleologist(Urban. Zoya) (1443/149-1503) - the second wife in. kn. Moscow Ivan III Vasilyevich, the daughter of the ruler (despot) of Sea (Peloponnese) Foma Paleologist, the niece of the last Byzantine emperor Konstantin XI, who died when taken by Konstantinople by Turks in 1453. Born between 1443 and 1449 on Peloponnese.
After 1453, Foma Maeus moved with his family to Rome. There, Sophia received a good upbringing at the court of enlightened Pope Sicsta IV (known to his patronage of Michelangelo, which he ordered the painting of the chapel of his name with papal rest). The idea of \u200b\u200bmarriage of the grown Zoe with the widowed ruler of the Moscow kingdom of Ivan III, in 1467 I buried my first wife Maria Borisovna, the daughter of Prince Tver, also belonged to papal currics. The main goal of marriage was the involvement of Russia in a pan-European crusade against Turkey. The French and Milan Duke could be swathed to Zoy, who wanted to make a noble family of Paleologists, but the bid of the curia was already focused on Moscow.
The papal legate sent in 1467 Russia, who proposed the conclusion of marriage, was adopted with honors. Ivan Ivan III strengthened by the Big Power expecting the relationship with the Byzantine home will help Muscovy to increase international prestige, who has noticeably staggered in two centuries of the Orda Iea, and contribute to the increase in the authority of the ceremony of the country within the country.
Ivan Ivana Ambassador III - Ivan Fryazin, sent together with the Legatom in Rome, in order to "Bride of Vocal Moti", said that Zoya is low, full, with beautiful big eyes and with extraordinary whiteness of the skin (cleanliness of the skin as a sign of health appreciated in Muscovy). A portrait of a bride in the form of Parsuna (images of a real face as a holy, the chronicler reports that Zoya was "on the icon written"). Many contemporaries also spoke about the acute mind of a young woman.
In March 1472, the second embassy to Pape was completed by the arrival of Zoe to Moscow. Together with her, her dowry arrived in Russia, including (in addition to many material values \u200b\u200band jewelry), a huge "library" - Greek "Parchmen", Latin chronographs, Hebrew manuscripts, which later, apparently, in the library of Ivan Grozny. A plurality of carts with dowry accompanied the papal legat of Anthony, dressed in the Red Cardinal dress and a lucky four-ring Catholic cross as a sign of hope for the appeal of the Russian prince in Catholicism. Cross in Anthony at the entrance to Moscow took place on the orders of Metropolitan Philip, who did not approve this marriage.
November 12, 1472, adopting Orthodoxy under the name of Sofia, Zoya was married to Ivan III. At the same time, the wife "opened" her husband, and the husband "justified" his wife, which was perceived by contemporaries as the victory of Orthodox faith over the "Latin."
April 18, 1474 Sophia gave birth to the first (rapidly deceased) daughter Anna, then another daughter (also the deceased so fast that they did not have time to do). Disappointment in family life was compensated by activity in the introduction cases. The husband was consulted with her in the adoption of state decisions (in 1474 they were redeemed half of the Rostov Principality, a friendly union was concluded with Crimean Khan Mengli-Girem). Baron Herberstein, twice came to Moscow Ambassador of the German Emperor with Vasili II, having heard a boyars who wrote about Sofa in his notes, that it was an unusually tricky woman who had a great influence on the prince.
Sophia actively participated in diplomatic techniques (the Venetian Messenger of Cantarini noted that the reception organized by her was "very important and affectionate"). According to the legend, given not only by Russian chronicles, but also by the English poet John Milton, in 1477 Sophia was able to overcome Tatar Khan, declaring that there was a sign of more than the construction of the church of St. Nicholas on the place in the Kremlin, where the House of the Khan governors, who controlled the fees of Yasak and the actions of the Kremlin. This story is sophia decisive in nature ("put them out of the Kremlin, the house was demolished, although the temple did not build"). In 1478 Russia actually stopped the payment of Dani Horde; Until the complete overthrow of IGA remained two years.
March 25, 1479 Sophia gave birth to a son, the future of Prince Vasily III Ivanovich.
In 1480, again, the Soviet, Ivan III, left the militia to the River Ugra (near Kaluga), where there was a Tatar Khan of Akhmat. "Standing in the Ugra" battle did not end. The starting frosts and the lack of food forced Khan with the army to leave. These events put an end to the Orda IGU. The main obstacle to the strengthening of the Grand Duty authority collapsed and, relying, on his dynastic connection with the "Orthodox Rome" (Constantinople) through his wife Sophia, Ivan III proclaimed himself to the successor of the leadership rights of the Byzantine emperors. The Moscow coat of arms with Georgy Victoronecis was combined with a double-headed eagle - the ancient coat of arms of Byzantium. This stressed that Moscow is the heiress of the Byzantine Empire, Ivan III - "Tsar of all Orthodoxy", the Russian Church is the succession of Greek. Under the influence of Sofia, the ceremony of the Grand Dummy acquired an unprecedented preservation, similar to Byzantine-Roman.
In 1483, Sophia's authority staggered: she imprudently presented the earlier Maria Borisovna, the first wife of Ivan III, a precious family necklace ("Syazhenia") of his niece, wife of the Virusian Prince Vasily Mikhailovich. The husband was also intended an expensive daughter-in-law of Elena Stepanovna Voloshian, his son of my son Ivan the first marriage. In the conflict arising (Ivan III demanded the return of the necklace in the treasury), but Vasily Mikhailovich preferred to escape along with the necklace in Lithuania. Taking advantage of this, Moscow Boyarskaya Tip, dissatisfied with the success of the Centralization policy of the prince, spoke out against Sophia, considering it by its ideological inspirational of the innovations of Ivan, who stirred the interests of his children from the first marriage.
Sofya began a stubborn struggle for justifying the right to the Moscow throne for his son Vasily. When the son was 8 years old, she even made an attempt to organize a conspiracy against her husband (1497), but he was revealed, and Sophia herself was convicted on suspicion of magic and communications with Baba Caldunya (1498) and, together with his son Vasily, was subjected to opal .
But the fate was a pretty of this irrepressible defender of the rights of a kind (during the years of its 30-year-old marriage, Sophia gave birth to 5 sons and 4 daughters). The death of the eldest son Ivan III, Ivan the young, forced the spouse of Sophia to change the anger on mercy and return the exiled to Moscow. At the joys of Sophia, I ordered a church veil with my name ("Tsarevna Tsargorodskaya, the Great Princess Moscow Sophia Grand Prince Moskovsky").
Having felt again the hostess in the capital, Sophia managed to attract doctors to Moscow, cultural figures and especially architects; In Moscow, active stone construction began. Architects Architects Aristotle Firavanti, Marco Ruffo, Aleviz Fryazin, Antonio and Petro Solary, built in the Kremlin, Assumption and Annunciation Cathedrals at the Kremlin's Cathedrals in the Kremlin, in the Kremlin; The construction of the Arkhangelsk Cathedral ended. Sophia influence on her husband increased. Barren's boyar said ukrusive then, according to the chronicler: "Our sovereign, locked, all sorts of things do." According to the great Russian historian, V.O. Klechevsky, Sophie "can not be refused to influence the decorative situation and the backstage life of the Moscow court, for court intrigues and personal relations; But she could only act for political affairs, the secret or vague thoughts of Ivan himself. "
Sophia died on August 7, 1503 in Moscow earlier Ivan III for two years, having achieved many honors. Her buried in the Moscow ascension of the Great Monastery of the Kremlin.
In December 1994, in connection with the transfer of the remains of the Prince and Tsarist Zhen to the basement Chamber of the Arkhangelsk Cathedral, according to the well-preserved Sophia skull, a student of M.M. Gerasimova S.Nikitin was restored to her sculptural portrait.
Lev Pushkarev, Natalia Pushkareva
