There are people in the history of Russia who have significantly influenced its development. One of such people is Hovhannes Lazaryan, whom contemporaries knew under the name of Ivan Lazarev. It was with his light hand that the resettlement of Armenians on Russian soil began and the provision of all rights to them.
Ivan Lazarev came to Russia as a child - his family, fleeing the war in Persia, came to Moscow. The Lazarian family was ancient and respected: they were diplomats, financiers, and traders. In Moscow, the head of the family quickly achieved success by opening weaving factories where they bought goods even for Empress Elizabeth II.
It was at this time that the first Armenians began to come to Moscow, and Agazar Lazaryan helped to arrange separate quarters for them.
Biography
When Ivan grew up, his father sent him to study in St. Petersburg. The young man studied and at the same time was engaged in commerce: he traded in silk, engaged in jewelry. He was well versed in precious stones and thanks to this he met with the court jeweler of Empress Catherine - the Frenchman Jeremy Pozier. He even invited the young man to become something like his companion. This opened for Ivan the door to high society. He quickly got used to it, because he often gave money to high-ranking individuals. And soon he became a friend of Russian celebrity - Count Orlov. Since Orlov was close to Catherine, he could make a patronage to Lazarev.
Brilliant career
Once it happened: Jeremy Posier left Russia, and Orlov advised his friend Ivan as a court jeweler. Catherine made an order: to make several orders and purchase precious rarities. Lazarev did everything at the highest level, he liked his work, and he received the highest grace, becoming Catherine's personal adviser in jewelry. He also took the position of the leading financier of the Russian Empire.
