It is not for nothing that our people use the phrase "there are women in Russian villages." It seems that they were, are and will be - the whole history of the Russian state speaks about this. One of such heroic personalities was Princess Rostovskaya, nee Maria Mikhailovna Chernigovskaya.
This woman lived in an alarming and tragic 13th century for our country. And she experienced all the difficulties that fell upon the people at that time.
Biography
Maria was born in 1212 in the family of Prince Chernigov Mikhail Vsevolodovich. He was an authoritative and powerful man: in addition to the city of Chernigov, he also ruled Kiev. At that time, hordes of Batu attacked the Russian lands, and each prince was under the gun of the Tatar arrow, each walked along the edge of a knife and depended on khan's mercy or mercy.
The family of princes of Chernigov was noble: Maria’s grandmother by mother was the daughter of the Polish king, and the names of her father’s ancestors are still known and honored in Russia: Dolgorukovs, Volkonskys, Obolenskys, Repnins, Gorchakovs and others.
The family of Mikhail Vsevolodovich had six children: five sons and a daughter, Maria. All the offspring of a noble family received the best education, they loved to read and were known to be literate. Including Mary, although women at that time should not be on a par with men. However, apparently, princely blood does not distinguish people by gender, so Mary was one of the most literate in the family.
At that time, people grew up faster than today, and at the age of fifteen Mary was married - Prince Vasilko Konstantinovich Rostovsky became her bridegroom. He also came from a noble family of Vladimir Prince Konstantin Vsevolodovich, and his grandfather was Vladimir Monomakh himself.
Family and personal life of Mary in marriage with the wise and honest prince of Rostov turned out perfectly: the husband loved and respected his young wife, always took into account her opinion on his princely affairs. This is where the readiness and wisdom of the young princess came in handy.
Two sons were born in their family, they were named Boris and Gleb. The spouses had plans for further life together, an increase in the family, and joint reign, but the trouble came to the threshold of their house along with the Tatar yoke.
Misfortune never comes alone
The Russian princes came to the defense of Russia, but were still disconnected, so the Tatar troops occupied the Russian cities one after another. They went to Ryazan lands, Moscow and Kolomna, Vladimir was in line. And the appetites of the invaders did not diminish - they walked along the Russian land, like locusts through a harvested field, sweeping away everything in its path.
Prince Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich decided to fight back the enemy and called Vasilko Rostovsky to him. He was a brave and desperate warrior and could inspire people to battle. However, neither courage nor strength helped: in the battle on the river Sit Vasilko was captured by the Tatars.
The leader of the army ordered the prince to abandon the Orthodox faith and become a Muslim, but the proud Vasilko refused. The Horde executed him in the Sherensky forest in 1238.
Later he was canonized under Orthodox law and revered as a martyr for the faith. And at the age of twenty-five, Maria remained a widow with two small children in her arms at the head of the Rostov principality.
She ruled with a firm hand, but wisely and fairly. The princely power gave many rights, but it also obliged many things. And again, Maria was helped by her literacy and wisdom, which she drew from books. As well as the strength of will and faith that they instilled in her family.
It was her merit that in the year of the death of her husband on Rostov land appeared Knyaginin Monastery, where the chronicle of those times was kept. Therefore, Maria of Rostov is often called the "chronicler of the Russian land." Until now, these manuscript sources are considered the most valuable historical information, because at that time in many cities there were no annals. Cities were devastated by the Tatars, scribes were killed or fled to other lands. In those bitter times, there were only more or less literate people in the monastery who could clearly describe what was happening in Russia. The Princess Monastery, built by decree of Maria Rostov, became the place where the annals were kept continuously.
One thing in Mary’s life was unshakable - the help of her father, Prince of Chernigov. But once the turn came to him to bow to the Horde. These were the rules, and it was impossible to disobey. But besides taxes and submission, the local Tatar prince demanded that Mikhail Vsevolodovich worship the Horde idols, which meant renunciation of the Orthodox faith. The proud prince refused this abusive order. He stood in front of burning bonfires and prayed to God - his god, and not an alien.
For such impudent behavior and rebellion, Mikhail Vsevolodovich was executed directly in the Tatar residence. Maria Mikhailovna became an orphan for the second time, having lost her father. He was also elevated to the rank of holy martyrs, and the princess believed that now in heaven she had two intercessors - Vasilko and father. It helped to be firm and courageous.
