There is a well-known aphorism — “there are no atheists in the trenches”. Another rather popular expression says, “there are no non-believers at sea”. The fleets of all Christian countries have always had chaplains and priests on board. The Russian navy was no exception. In April 1717, Emperor Peter I ordered to keep “39 priests on ships and other military vessels of the Russian Navy”, and two years later issued another decree that read as follows, “In the naval fleet, on each ship, there should be one hieromonk, who should come from the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.“
The second decree had to be issued because the idea of serving in the navy was not supported by the so-called “white” clergy — those were priests who were allowed to marry. Hence, the authorities decided to involve the “black” clergy in the naval service, that is, monks who did not have families and, moreover, who were accustomed to strict regulations.
On March 15, 1721, a list of regulations for the service of naval priests was compiled, which was called “Points on Hieromonks in the Navy”. On the basis of these points, an oath was drawn up that was to be taken by the naval and military clergy. It was different from the one given by the parish priests. However, naval clergymen constituted a separate service for less than 80 years — only until the late 18th century. On April 4, 1800, during the reign of Tsar Paul I, it was decided to unite the army and Navy priestly services.
The fragment of the folding icon “Christ Pantocrator” presented in the museum depicts Jesus Christ. The Savior holds the Gospel in His left hand, and the orb in His right. A folding icon is a miniature icon. Apparently, such icons came to Rus from Byzantium in the 10th century. Folding icons mostly had three or two panels, less often four or five. The size of the folding icon and its panels was determined by the central part of the icon. Some folding icons were worn on the body (usually pectoral icons) and some were placed in a kiot (an icon case).
According to the testimony of Archdeacon Paul of Aleppo, who visited Russia in the 17th century, every soldier, that is, every Russian warrior, carried a folding icon.
