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MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator...
the political benefits of a marriage to the rightful heiress of the Byzantine throne. The marriage would immediately make him suzerain, if only nominal, of a huge territory (conquered by the Turks) and heir of the great empire that had brought the light of Christianity to Russia.Sophia was not Catholic, but Orthodox Christian.
Ivan III gave his consent and sent a delegation to Rome with generous gifts for the bride and the Pope.
The wedding took place without the groom in the St. Paul Cathedral in the Pope's presence, with the Russian ambassador standing in for Ivan III.
Leaving Rome on June 1, in the middle of the Italian summer, Sophia arrived in Moscow six months later on the bright winter day of November 12 and saw her husband for the first time. He waited for her in his mother's palace. The true wedding was celebrated the same evening.
Sophia gave birth to three daughters and six sons, the eldest of whom inherited the throne.