Biographies of Princesses in Architectonics of the Book of Royal Degrees

The article presents the materials of the Book of the Royal Genealogy (16th century), associated with female images, describes their place in the plot and composition structure (architectonics) of the monument. The life of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, which opens the Book of the Royal Genealogy, emphasizes the legitimacy of the author’s plan, which includes almost all the stories about princely wives and mothers from brief news to detailed stories. The role of these messages is to celebrate the piety of all branches of the royal family. In the characteristics of female representatives of princely families, the author emphasizes the features noted by him in the life of St. Princess Olga (Elena): loyalty to Orthodoxy, service to the cause of its spread, care for the princely family, enlightenment, participation in the earthly affairs of the church (construction of churches, charity), etc. The lives of the princesses are included by the author in the architectonic of the Royal Genealogy, harmoniously fitting into the main concept of the monument.