Посольство монахов-кармелитов в России: Смутное время глазами иностранцев, 1604-1612 гг

In 1604 the Roman Curia sent an embassy consisting of Carmelite monks to Persia along a route that went through the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonweath and Russia. Papal diplomats turned out to be participants in events connected with the unexpected death of Boris Godunov and the "ascension" to the throne of Dmitry I the imposter. The Carmelites were the only European diplomats who witnessed the Russian Time of Troubles. Because of civil strife and unrest, they managed to get to Persia only in 1608. Despite all the difficulties and trials, the Carmelites described in detail all the events in which they had been witnesses and participants. The Carmelite notes are an invaluable source reflecting the events of the Time of Troubles in Russia. The appendix contains a Russian translation of selected chapters from Berthold Ignace de Sainte-Anne's Histoire de l'établissement de la mission de Perse par les pères Carmes-Déchaussés.