Katherine I

Actually, Peter I gave first example of the imperial coronation ceremony, when laying the crown on Catherine I. In the capacity of the Emperor’s wife, Catherine Alexeyevna bore the title of the Empress, but Peter wanted to award her this title irrespective of the rights, granted thereto by the conjugal ties.

The coronation ceremony represented a sort of alliance of two solemnities: religious and the state one. The crown itself has been made similar to the wedding crowns, used during the nuptials. Later on, the crown of Byzantine Emperors served as the specimen of such crown, consisting of two golden hemispheres, having oblong shape and divided apart by the golden arch crowned with the cross.

In the Assumption Cathedral they have erected a semblance of throne with imperial regalia, lying on a special table. Hand-railed rostra, covered with red cloth, led from the Assumption Cathedral to the Red entrance porch and to the Archangel Cathedral. On the eve of the coronation ceremony «Their Majesties» had moved to the Kremlin from their Summer Palace. In all Moscow churches and monasteries there were ringing all and every church bells. Early in the morning of May 7, 1724 several regiments came to the Kremlin and lined up on the square therein.

In the morning, at 8 o’clock in the Assumption cathedral it has been held a solemn public prayer. Upon the gun volley it has been opened a solemn procession of various guests to the Kremlin palace. At 10 o’clock there took place public appearence of the sovereign with his spouse, making their way to the Assumption Cathedral, where they took their places on the throne. Under accompaniment of the well-wishing singing, volleys of the guns and ringing of the church bells, the Emperor, holding scepter in his hand, imposed imperial mantle and crown on the Empress. After the liturgy, Catherine I kneeled down at the Holy Gate and archbishop Theodosius «anointed her with sacred myrrh», while archbishop Theophanus wiped off the anointed places with «cotton cloth».

Said anointment was followed by making her communion. Upon leaving Assumption Cathedral the Empress made a low bow before the sacred relics and before the graves of various sovereigns in the Archangel Cathedral, as well as before those of the sovereigns in the Resurrection female monastery. Then they gave a festive dinner party. All said solemnities ended with public festivities and with dispensing of the golden and silver badges to the tune of some 15 thousand roubles to the common people.