Sacralization of the Portrait of the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in the Orenburg Gubernia in the 1760s

An interesting example of the Russian phenomenon monarch sacralization is reflected in “lowest report” (1767) sent to Most Holy Governing Synod by retired secretary Bugulma voivodeship chancellery Ivan Nikiforovich Kurcheev (see appendix). In 1762 I. N. was an eyewitness a miraculous connected with portrait Empress Elizabeth Petrovna: “... And from aforesaid image Radiant Monarchess there emanated effulgence which attained Savior stationed my house ...” Later began revere this as icon: I put candles before This known local clergy and himself convinced permissibility such veneration Elizabeth’s portrait, whose intercession he ascribed healing his mother, children, ward. formed cult deceased Empress, her holiness imperishability “relics” (when writing death used word “dormition”). conviction based on connection between icon Elizabeth, miraculously shown Kurcheev. The mentioned service supplication (moleben) done “under name” saint patroness-namesake, she not canonized Church, correlates St. Elisabeth bearing likeness original worship Sts. Zachariah Prophet Righteous (the 5th September) late 19th century. later archival caption Kurcheev’s report supplemented laconic note that some “stucco image” attached document. Apparently, refers said which, according Kurcheev, “emanated effulgence” 1762. There no any additional information image.” One can assume it painted bas-relief plaster probably similar mid-18th century reproductions lead B. C. Rastrelli (1743), are now stored museum collections. published document peculiar striking source tradition monarch’s sacralization. folk piety developed – 20th centuries.