March 5 — by decree of Peter I, the Senate was established as the highest state body in Russia for legislation and public administration. The extent of the authority granted to the Senate was determined by the fact that it was created “in place of His Tsarist Majesty’s own person” during the Tsar’s absence. Created to duplicate the Tsar’s power, the Governing Senate soon became a body coordinating the work of other state institutions.
Until Peter’s death, the Governing Senate remained the highest authority in matters of legislation and administration, and a supervisory instance in relation to the collegia subordinate to it. At the very end of Peter’s reign, in 1722, the Senate was reorganized and its work streamlined. The posts of the General Prosecutor of the Governing Senate, the Reketmeister, and the Heraldmaster were established. At the same time, the Senate’s offices were created: the Senate Office, the Revision Office, and the Schismatics Office. After the death of Peter I, the significance of the Senate began to decline, and its functions began to change.