| The last Emperor: 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union July 16, 2013 Participants of meeting and public prayer commemorating murder of Tsar’s family in Kiev, 2002. Source: Alexander Polyakov/RIA Novosti Russia has been marking the 400 th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty , whose rule ended dramatically and tragically after the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. How do modern Russians view the royal legacy and what are their perceptions of the last Tsar, Nicholas II ? Public attitudes towards him have undergone several shifts since the collapse of the Soviet Union two decades ago, with the most recent studies showing an increase in appreciation of the monarch. A survey of 1,600 Russians by Moscow’s Levada Center polling organization found that 48 percent viewed Nicholas II positively. He still trailed Soviet-era leader Leonid Brezhnev as Russia’s most popular 20 th Century head of state, and even marginally behind Lenin and Stalin, but polled far more highly than either Boris Yeltsin , independent Russia’s first president, or Mikhail Gorbachev , the last Soviet leader, who polled 22 percent and 21 percent respectively. Nicholas also had the lowest negative rating among those questioned. President Vladimir Putin recently asked Russian historians to develop a cohesive – or as he put it “consistent” – history of Russia for use in school textbooks. How Nicholas’s rule will be judged is not yet clear. Consequently, the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanov house is being celebrated quietly this year, without a major cultural or official program. At the same time, the Kremlin has opted for prominent commemorations of another jubilee, the approaching centenary of the beginning of World War I, since military issues and the “prowess of Russian weaponry” is easier to fit into the present ideological requirements. Russia has yet to reconcile fully with its past and its history is not so much a “home” as a “battlefield”. Perceptions of the last Tsar already look different when compared with a survey in 1994 that asked which past leader could be regarded as a true Russian patriot. Only 5 percent of respondents chose Nicholas II, who did not even make the top ten. |
| Tweet Нравится The Tsar " s Photographer and His Amazing Contribution to the Preservation of Russian History Source: Russia Insider Russian Chemist and Photographer Sergei Mikhaelovich Prokudin-Gorsky Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky was a Russian chemist and photographer famous for his pioneering work in color photography in the early twentieth century. In 1905 Gorsky set himself to the task of photographically documenting the Russian Empire with the primary aim of educating Russian schoolchildren on the diverse history and culture of the realm. After his famous color photograph of renowned author Leo Tolstoy in 1908, Gorsky received an invitation to present his work to Tsar Nicholas II and his family. So impressed was the Tsar that he commissioned Gorsky’s plan and provided him with funding and a specially-outfitted dark room rail car for his work. From 1909 to 1915 Gorsky tirelessly traversed the Russian empire capturing thousands of shots of virtually every walk of Russian life. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the completion of his historic mission, we are publishing 100 of his best shots, giving a vivid glimpse into Tsarist Russia on the eve of the Communist Revolution. ‘War and Peace’ author Leo Tolstoy - 1908 84-year-old Pinkhus Karlinsky was the supervisor of the Chernigov floodgate over the course of 66 years - 1909 Dagestani couple - between 1909-1915 Assumption Cathedral in the Dalmatov Monastery - 1912 Assumption Cathedral in Tobolsk, rampart and part of fence - 1912 Austrian prisoners of war at a barracks near Kiappeselga - 1915 Young boy standing next to a gatepost - 1910 Bukharan bureaucrat - between 1909-1915 Cathedral in Shadrinsk - 1912 Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God at the Ipatevsky Monastery - 1910 Cathedral of the Transfigured Savior and Church of the Entry to Jerusalem in Torzhok - 1910 Foreman of the Chakva tea factory, Lau Dzhen Dzhau - between 1909-1915 Chapel from the time of Peter the Great near the Kivach Waterfall near the river Suna - 1915 |
| " The fates of Russians and Serbs have been intertwined by Divine providence " —Pat. Kirill Moscow, September 14, 2017 Photo: b92.net His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia spoke recently in an interview about the warm filial relations between the Russia and Serbian peoples. “You know, an incredible feeling overwhelms a Russian when they come to Serbia. You don't feel you’re in a foreign country. On the contrary, you feel at home, surrounded by your brothers,” primate told the website Iskra in an exclusive interview, B92 reports . “Our countries have so much in common. Above all, of course, there is our common faith, our common spiritual and moral values, our close cultures and close historical ties,” Pat. Kirill added. Emphasizing this ancient spiritual connection, Russia is planning to create a Russia, Serbia, Greece could launch European pilgrimage route In the future, Russia and its European partners could develop a historical and cultural travel itinerary inspired by the work of Peter the Great. The project could be joined by Austria, France and possibly Holland. " > European pilgrimage route jointly with Serbia and Greece, Russian Deputy Culture Minister Alla Manilova stated in June 2016. “I always think about Serbia with special feelings. I have visited your hospitable Serbian land several times, back when I was the chairman of the Church’s foreign relations department. The Lord has dignified me with visiting your beautiful country twice as patriarch,” Kirill said. Pat. Kirill visited Serbia in Patriarch Of Moscow And All Russia Arrives In Serbia This is a regular visit during which Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will talk with Serbian Patriarch Irinej about the most important issues in the Christian world, and other issues related to the two Churches, the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) has stated. " > November 2014 to consecrate the then-newly erected monument to Tsar Nicholas II. Monument to Tsar and Passion-Bearer Nicolas II to be unveiled in Bosnia and Herzegovina The monument was to be unveiled on June 21, 2014, in Banja Luka on the initiative of the Serbian Republic’s (Bosnia and Herzegovina) president, the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, the St. |
| Saints, Myths and Mineshafts The ancient Christian tradition of long processions has been revived in Russia in recent years, and the night-long marches from Yekaterinburg to Ganina Yama and from Alapayevsk to the scene of Elizabeth’s murder are by no means the longest. Some take several days. The procession is often associated with repentance. 07/23/2010 The Scenes of the Royal Murders Have Become Places of Pilgrimage, but the Church still Does not Recognize the Recovered Remains of the Romanovs, and Archaeologists are Fearful for the Future of the Historic Site Alapayevsk, Sverdlovsk Region – It’s 4.20 a.m. last Sunday, the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of this old industrial town has just finished, and several hundred people, most of them women, but quite a few men and children as well, are stepping into the pre-dawn twilight to begin a 12-kilometer procession. “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, sinners,” sing the believers in time with their rather fast pace. The Alapayevsk procession is one of the annual events which mark what are known here as the “Royal Days.” In the early hours of July 17, 1918, the deposed Tsar Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra, their five children and four servants were shot in the mining engineer Ipatyev’s house in Yekaterinburg. The following night, in Alapayevsk, 150 kilometers north-east of Yektaterinburg, the empress’ sister and founder of the famous Convent of Martha and Mary in Moscow, Grand Duchess Elizabeth, her closest aide, Sister Varvara, and five dukes imprisoned with them, were thrown alive down an abandoned mineshaft. Today these dates are remembered with a host of church services and processions, and a “festival of Orthodox culture” including exhibitions, concerts and conferences. The fifth International Festival of Orthodox Christian Documentaries is also on the agenda. According to local police estimates, about 20,000 people walked in the early hours of Saturday morning from the imposing Church-on-the-Blood, which is built on the site of Ipatyev’s house, to the monastery at Ganina Yama 20 kilometers away. It was here that the Bolsheviks and Chekists attempted to destroy the bodies of the royal family in an abandoned mine. And although their remains have since been discovered about two kilometers away from Ganina Yama, in a place known as “Porosyonkov Log,” the vast majority of believers do not recognize this discovery, while Ganina Yama has over the past decade become one of the main holy sites in the region. |
| Tweet Нравится Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II monument consecrated in Vladivostok Moscow, December 21, 2016 Photo: vladivostok-eparhia.ru On December 18, 2016, the eve of the feast of his heavenly patron St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, a monument to the holy Royal Martyr Tsar Nicholas II was unveiled and blessed by the Holy Protection Cathedral in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, reports the site of the Russian Orthodox Church. The bust of the Tsar-Martyr was blessed by Met. Benjamin of Vladivostok in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the visit of then-Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich to the city, which is being widely celebrated throughout the region as part of the annual “Royal Days” festival of Orthodox culture in Ekaterinburg and the Sverdlovsk region. Photo: vladivostok-eparhia.ru A delegation of the Military Orthodox Mission arrived from Moscow for the opening with a wonder-working and myrrh-streaming icon of Tsar Nicholas, as well as a handful of soil from Ganina Yama, where the bodies of the Royal Martyrs and their faithful servants were impiously disposed of. The soil was placed in a special box near the bust after the procession to the monument and the prayers for its installation. Addressing those gathered, Metropolitan Benjamin stated: “The opening of the monument to St. Nicholas is a great event for both Vladivostok and for all of Russia. Thanks to the visit of the then-tsarevich to our city, the Russian Empire looked to the East… It is important that in Russia people always loved the tsar, because he was chosen by God and dedicated his life to the service of the Fatherland.” The bronze bust of the last emperor of Russia was created and installed at the initiative of the organizing committee for perpetuating of the memory of Tsarevich Nicholas’ visit to Vladivostok with the assistance of the Orthodox Military Mission. 21 декабря 2016 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Fundraising begins to install monument to Nicholas II in Diveyevo Fundraising begins to install monument to Nicholas II in Diveyevo The date of unveiling of the monument was not chosen at random—2017 will mark the 100th anniversary since the tragic events of 1917. |
| Tweet Нравится Patriarch Kirill to prayerfully commemorate 100th anniversary of Tsar Nicholas II " s abdication Moscow, March 10, 2017 Photo: swh.schoolworkhelper.netdna-cdn.com The centenary of the abdication from the throne of the holy Royal Martyr Tsar Nicholas II will be marked by a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, as established by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church at its March 9th meeting in Moscow, reports the site of the Moscow Patriarchate . The prayerful commemoration will take place March 15, on the anniversary of Tsar Nicholas’ stepping-down from the throne, which is also the day of the “Reigning” or “Enthroned” Icon of the Mother of God which miraculously appeared in the village of Kolomenskoye, near Moscow, on the same day as the tsar’s abdication. The appearance of the icon was perceived by the faithful as a sign that the Mother of God would protect the Russian land in the stead of the tsar, from which it takes its name. The Reigning Icon is kept at the Kazan Church in Kolomenskoye Park where it was found, and is one of modern Russia’s main sacred objects. Patriarch Kirill is scheduled to celebrate the anniversary Liturgy in this church. 10 марта 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Amsterdam Romanov exhibition to include personal items, murder weapon Amsterdam Romanov exhibition to include personal items, murder weapon The Netherland’s Hermitage Amsterdam museum will be running the exhibition “1917. Romanovs & Revolution. The End of Monarchy” from February 4 to 17, featuring a number of the last royal family’s personal items, and one of the murder weapons used to martyr Tsar Nicholas II and his family. This will be the only showing of the exhibition in Western Europe. Living Pictures: Nicholas II Paul Gilbert Living Pictures: Nicholas II Paul Gilbert Krupin notes in his letter to Russia " s prime minister that " after the murder of Nicholas II, the Soviet government had blackened the name of the Emperor and wiped away his achievements. |
| Natalia Poklonskaya: “the Theotokos is guiding our Russia”/Православие.Ru Natalia Poklonskaya: “the Theotokos is guiding our Russia” Simferopol, July 10, 2015 In her interview with The Komsomolskaya Pravda Russian newspaper the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Crimea Natalia Poklonskaya answered the question, why she particularly venerated the Holy Russian Emperor and Passion-Bearer Nicholas II Alexandrovich. She also was asked whether she believed that monarchy would return in the future. “Indeed it was a flagrant crime when Tsar Nicholas Alexandrovich was dethroned and then all his family was brutally murdered,” said the Crimea’s Prosecutor General. “And what is better and what will be next: a monarchy or a republic—is not my business”. With the delegation of the Orthodox Army Mission and the myrrh-streaming icon of Tsar Nicholas II – a photo from Natalia Poklonskaya’s Facebook page “One nun had a vision: she was told to go down to the church vault in Kolomenskoye and find a “black board”. She was to wash it “so that it could become red,” and then she would see an image of the Mother of God on it . And indeed, the “Reigning” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was found in the church vault. That find bore deep significance. Following the murder of the royal family the Mother of God took up governing Russia. In red clothing and with Christ Child in Her arms, She is protecting and guiding our Russia. And may God help Russia to prosper,” said N. Poklonskaya, answering the question. 13 июля 2015 г. The “Reigning” Icon of the Mother of God appeared on March 2/15, 1917, in Kolomenskoye village near Moscow (now a famous museum-reserve in Moscow situated in the district with the same name). The Holy Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin) of Moscow (1865-1925) was involved in composing of the service and akathist to this icon. Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также On the Rehabilitation of Tsar Nicholas II and His Family Victor Aksyuchits On the Rehabilitation of Tsar Nicholas II and His Family Victor Aksyuchits On 1 October 2008, the Presidium of the Supreme Court of Russia did grant judicial rehabilitation to Emperor Nicholas II and his immediate family. |
| Romanov family wants new probe into Nicholas II killing/Православие.Ru Romanov family wants new probe into Nicholas II killing Moscow, September 20, 2010 - Interfax The Romanov family is demanding a new criminal case to investigate the killing of Russia's last Tsar and his family. " There needs to be a new criminal case and a new investigator, " Alexander Zakatov, director of the Romanov family chancellery, told Interfax on Monday. " There is a need to make a final decision on who the people whose remains were found in Yekaterinburg were and who is buried in the St. Petersburg Peter and Paul Cathedral. The state, church, and the Romanov family need to reach a single opinion. Russian society should have no doubts about the remains, " Zakatov said. In late August, the Moscow Basmanny Court reversed the decision made by an investigator with the Investigative Committee on January 15, 2009, to close the criminal case on the basis of the Romanov family killing. The Investigative Committee did not contest the decision. On October 1, 2008, the Russian Supreme Court made a decision to rehabilitate Nicholas II and his family. On January 15, 2009, the Investigative Committee issued an order to close the criminal case. The Romanov family disagreed with the Investigative Committee's decision that the Romanovs fell victims of an ordinary crime, saying they were killed on behalf of the state. The Romanov family earlier said it is not ready to recognize the authenticity of the remains believed to be those of the Romanovs, which were found near Yekaterinburg, saying it would be guided by the position of the Russian Orthodox Church on this matter. The Romanovs and people close to them (11 people in total) were shot and killed on a decision made by the Urals Council in the early hours of July 17, 1918. Interfax-Religion 22 сентября 2010 г. ... Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также The Execution of Tsar Nicholas II, 1918 The Execution of Tsar Nicholas II, 1918 The maid carried a pillow. |
| The Monastery of St. John the Forerunner in Mesa Potamos, Cyprus has published a series of high-quality video interviews with top Romanov historians in honor of the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the last Royal Family of Russia. The tribute is entitled The Romanov Royal Martyrs: Centennial Tribute. The series consists of six episodes, which have been received very well, and which the monastery has now finished. The videos also include stunning unpublished Romanov colored pictures by acclaimed Russian colorist Olga Shirnina. The series is as follows: 1. Tsar-Martyr Nicholas Through His Last Diary, with Helen Azar An interview with Helen Azar about Tsar Nicholas’ II conduct during after his abdication, as seen in his last diary. 2. Tsarina Alexandra Through Her Letters, with Helen Azar An interview with Helen Azar about the real Tsarina Alexandra as she is seen through her diaries and letters. 3. The Imperial Children Through Their Writings, with Helen Azar An interview with Helen Azar about the personalities of all the Romanov children, according to their diaries’ entries and their letters. Helen also speaks about her involvement in the project “The Romanov Royal Martyrs: What Silence Could Not Conceal”. 4. Nicholas II: His Reign – His Faith – His Family, with Nicholas B.A. Nicholson An interview with Nick Nicholson. Nicholas speaks about Nicholas’ II reign, faith, and family. He also speaks about his involvement in the project “The Romanov Royal Martyrs”. 5. The Conspiracy Against Nicholas’ II, with Paul Gilbert An interview with Paul Gilbert. Paul speaks about the main plots which aimed to overthrow Nicholas II from his throne. He also refers to the myths regarding Nicholas’ II alleged weakness as a ruler. 6. Romanov Family – Faith in God to the End, with Helen Rappaport An interview with Helen Rappaport about the spirituality of the Romanov family and the last stage of their imprisonment in Ekaterinburg. Click HERE to visit the special Romanov Royal Martyrs web site, created by the Monastery of St. John the Forerunner Mesa Potamos |
| Tweet Нравится Church takes custody of Tsarevich Alexey, Grand Duchess Maria Romanovs " alleged remains - Russian government Source: Interfax-Religion Moscow, December 23, 2015 It has been decided that the alleged remains of Tsarevich Alexey and Grand Duchess Maria Romanovs be handed over by the Russian State Archive into the protective custody of the Russian Orthodox Church, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday. " The inter-agency working group on issues relating to the inquiry and burial of the alleged remains of Tsarevich Alexey and Grand Duchess Maria Romanov, which are kept at the Russian Federation State Archive, jointly with the Russian Orthodox Church has decided to pass the alleged remains of Tsarevich Alexey and Grand Duchess Maria Romanovs into the protective custody of the Russian Orthodox Church before the end of the inquiries conducted as part of the criminal case N252/404516-15 of the assassination of members of the Russian Imperial House in the Urals and in Petrograd in 1918-1919, " the spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Interfax. " At present, the International Center for Genetic-Epigenetic Studies of the Institute of Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences is conducting comparative analyses of the remains of the Emperor Alexander III and those of the Emperor Nicholas II as part of the criminal inquiry. The initial results of these analyses are expected in January 2016, " the spokesperson said. Interfax-Religion 24 декабря 2015 г. Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Remains of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Are Authentic Say Investigators Remains of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Are Authentic Say Investigators Although investigators are already convinced that the samples are genuine, further tests will be conducted in an attempt to provide irrefutable evidence of the veracity of the remains, including comparisons with blood samples taken from the clothes worn by Emperor Alexander II on March 1, 1881, the day of his assassination, which have been kept in the State Hermitage Museum. |
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