Fyodor Alexeevich ascended the throne at the age of 15, thus continuing the tradition of early enthronement after his father and grandfather. Fyodor Alexeevich Romanov was crowned on 18 July 1676 by Patriarch Joachim without any changes in the ritual.
In the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church laid on the tsar the Monomakh’s Cap, barmy (regalia collar), cross, gold chain, handed him the sceptre and orb. However, the Order of the Coronation recorded some new moments that later were revealed during the coronation of his successors and brothers, Ivan and Peter Alexeevich, who became the co-rulers in 1682. For example, for the first time, it was mentioned that the tsar put on special ceremonial attire before the regalia were laid. After the speech, the Patriarch accepted the tsar’s attire and with a hand gesture ordered to put it on the tsar.
The changes also touched upon tsar’s Eucharist. According to them, the tsar began to take the communion in the same manner as the clergymen had, i.e. in the altar with closed Royal Doors he received separately the Body of Christ from discos and the Blood of Christ from a chalice.
Though, such an order of the Eucharist is officially connected to the coronation of Tsar Fyodor Alexeevich, there are materials stating that already his father, Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich had begun to take the communion upon the clergy’s rite. It is important to note that Byzantine emperors received the communion in the same manner. The revival of this Byzantine ritual at the Muscovy court proves the ambition of the Romanovs, same as their ancestors the Rurikids, to become similar to Byzantine basileus.
Pectoral Cross
Russia. The first half of the 17th с. - 1662. Belonged to Tsar Fyodor Alexeevich.
The pectoral cross, made in the Moscow Kremlin workshops in 1662, 1670s, is the only survived regalia of Tsar Fyodor Alexeevich – senior son of Alexey Mikhailovich. On the back side of the cross, there is an image of tsar’s patron – St Theodore Stratelates. The saint’s figure, floral ornament around him and religious scenes on the front side of the cross are made of bright shining enamels that make all compositions look like multicoloured sparkling mosaic.
Painting “Portrait of Tsar Fyodor Alexeevich”
Russia, 19th с.
Unknown artist.
Oil on canvas.
Painting “Portrait of Tsar Fyodor Alexeevich”
Russia, 18th с.
Unknown artist, Feofan Prokopovich (Text author).
Oil on canvas.
Painting “Portrait of Tsar Fyodor Alexeevich”
Russia, 19th с.
Oil on canvas, wood.