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Abstract:

This publication contains letters from Sisters of Mercy of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Community, as well as officials, curators and other persons related to the Community. Before entering the collections of the Department of Manuscripts of the Russian National Library, these letters were part of the archive of the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna’s Court Office. The bulk of the published documents are letters from M. Merkurova and E.A. Khitrovo: they constitute the first section of the publication. Among the recipients of M. Merkurova, in addition to the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, are people who were close to the Grand Duchess, namely N.K. Shibel, E.P. Euler, E.L. Shirman. Khitrovo’s letters are addressed to D.P. Khrushchev, to the court office, and to certain ladies (“Madame” and “Mademoiselle”), probably Elena Pavlovna’s confidants. The second section of the publication contains letters from officials involved in the activities of the community or who observed it at the request of Elena Pavlovna, i. e. D.P. Khrushchev, D.E. Osten-Sackena, M.M. Vielgorsky-Matyushkin, V.M. Knyazhevich. The third section (“Varia”) contains letters of feedback on the work of Sisters intended for publication, as well as letters from supporters, petitioners for help from sisters, announcements of awards, and other materials. The published letters help to reveal the details of the organization and life of the Sisters of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross community during the Crimean War.