Borys Sheremetyev’s Granddaughter

Do you know anything about Boris Sheremetyev’s granddaughter?

Her name was Katheryna Saltykova (virgin name – Sheremetyeva). She was Countess, wife of Major General Mykhailo Saltykov, granddaughter of the famous philanthropist of Lavra, Field Marshal Borys Sheremetyev. She was also one of the contributors to Kyiv-Pechersk monastery.

Katheryna Saltykova was the daughter of Field Marshal’s eldest son Mykhailo Borysovych, and, accordingly, a cousin of the no less famous schemanun Nectaria (mundanely known as Natalia Sheremetyeva), wife of Prince Ivan Dolgorukov. Kateryna’s father died in 1711 after his return from Turkish captivity, and was buried in Pechersk Lavra. This death became the tragedy for Borys Sheremetyev and his entire family, because his son was detained, kept for a long time in a brick prison cell, got mentally ill, and, in the end, died. In 1754, Kateryna Saltykova wrote to Archimandrite Luca (Bilousovych) that long ago she had made a promise to God to visit Kyiv and worship Pechersk saints. But circumstances did not allow her to do so. To compensate this she sent fabric (twenty-three yards of brocade and braids) for the liturgical attire to the monastery. In 1755, the Countess, however, managed to visit the Monastery and offered prayers for her dead husband and son.

Caption to the illustration:

1. Portrait of Field Marshal Borys Sheremetyev. Author – Martin Berningroth. Early 18^th century.

Hanna Filipova