_The Sanctuary_ has a tabernacle of precious metal (17 lbs. gold and 17 lbs. silver) on the grand altar, which contains the Host and formerly also held a number of important state papers which were transferred to St Petersburg in 1880. Also a large Bible of Natalia Naryshkin set with gems worth several thousand pounds. _The Chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul_ is before the most northern apse, with the tomb of St Peter immediately on the right when entering; just beyond it is that of the metropolitan St Theognitus; on the left are sacred relics: (_a_) the "Holy Coat" or a portion of the "tunic" worn by the Saviour; (_b_) a nail of the true cross; (_c_) the right hand of St Andrew the Apostle; (_d_) the head of St Gregory the theologian; and (_e_) the head of St John Chrysostom. The shrines were profaned by Tokhtamysh, and ransacked by the French. Here in olden times the rulers of the principalities in vassalage to Moscow embraced the cross and swore fealty, and here the metropolitans were appointed to their office. _The Chapel of St Dmitri_ of Thessalonica, called "The Peaceable." is on the south side of the sanctuary. It contains the oldest tomb in Moscow, that of Yuri, brother of Ivan "Kalita," and it was in this Chapel that Yuri Glinski, brother of Ivan the Terrible's mother, was slain. _The Chapel of the Virgin Mary_ is reached by a flight of steps near the south apse, for it is situated under the southern cupola. There the patriarchs were elected. In its sanctuary are: (_a_) Copy of the gospels, printed in Moscow and presented to the boy-Tsars, Ivan and Peter, with beautiful initials and rich binding, the work of foreign artisans in the palace; (_b_) an illuminated psalter of the fifteenth century; (_c_) an illuminated MS. of the gospels by Russian scribes, 1664; (_d_) a cross of cypress wood, enclosing a piece of the true cross; (_e_) cross of the Emperor Constantine; (_f_) Jasper vases which were ornamented with the Latin cross--they were brought from Novgorod, having belonged to the old monastery there, by Ivan. IV.; (_g_) a sacramental chalice, which was presented to Monomachus by Alexis Cominus, and is used to the present day for the Holy Oil with which the Tsars are anointed at their coronation. _The Tombs_ of the Patriarchs are ranged along the western wall; that of Jonas is on the north-west, and near the ikonostas is the shrine of St Philip, murdered in Tver by Maluta Skutarov to please Ivan IV.