Zródło: Romanov News - FB
środa, 14 listopada 2018
Romanov Family's new photos. ..
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/sep/21/family-albums-reveal-life-health-and-bloody-end-of-the-romanovs
....
Now on display for the first time, the photographs are part of a huge collection filling 22 albums that were captured by Herbert Galloway Stuart, an English tutor to the nephews of Tsar Nicholas II, between 1908 and 1916.
Their discovery was a shock, says Natalia Sidlina, a curator of the new Science Museum exhibition where the photographs take centre stage...
....
Now on display for the first time, the photographs are part of a huge collection filling 22 albums that were captured by Herbert Galloway Stuart, an English tutor to the nephews of Tsar Nicholas II, between 1908 and 1916.
Their discovery was a shock, says Natalia Sidlina, a curator of the new Science Museum exhibition where the photographs take centre stage...
From blog's admin....
Dear Friends,
from time to time I receive your comments but in most cases Im not able to reply on them, because my phone is too ancient :)
My blog was initially intended for Polish speaking and for those, who doesn't have possibilities to find some information about Royal Family from original sources. I have found such excellent sources like Helen Azar's site and other sites (you can find links on them in english listed separately) and I wanted to share with you all these. Please send me your ideas and questions to rxlj@mail.ru
With love in Christ,
blog’s administrator
from time to time I receive your comments but in most cases Im not able to reply on them, because my phone is too ancient :)
My blog was initially intended for Polish speaking and for those, who doesn't have possibilities to find some information about Royal Family from original sources. I have found such excellent sources like Helen Azar's site and other sites (you can find links on them in english listed separately) and I wanted to share with you all these. Please send me your ideas and questions to rxlj@mail.ru
With love in Christ,
blog’s administrator
niedziela, 28 października 2018
Игумения Царского рода - Татиана Константиновна
Источник : фейсбук ( Сергиевский Мемориальный Фонд )
sobota, 27 października 2018
Diary of the abdication.
https://www.theromanovfamily.com/tsar-nicholas-ii-diary-of-the-abdication/
TSAR NICHOLAS II: DIARY OF THE ABDICATION
FEBRUARY 1917
27th February. Monday. Disorders started several days ago in Petrograd; unfortunately, even the troops have begun to take part in them. It is a sickening feeling to be so far away and to receive fragments of bad news. Did not spend much time listening to reports. During the day took a walk along the highway towards Orsha. The weather was sunny. After dinner I decided to quickly head to Tsarskoe Selo, and at 1 o’cl. in the morning boarded the train.
28th February. Tuesday. Went to bed at 3.15 as had a long talk with [General] N. I Ivanov, whom I am dispatching to Petrograd with troops to restore order. [We] left Mogilev at five in the morning. Slept until 10 o’cl. The weather was cold and sunny. During the day [we] passed through Vyazma, Rzhev, and Likhoslavl at 9 o’cl.
MARCH 1917
1st March. Wednesday. During the night turned back from M.Vishera as Luban and Tosno turned out to be busy with the riots. Went towards Valdai, Dno and Pskov, where [we] stopped for the night. Saw Ruzsky. He, Danilov and Savvich had dinner. Gatchina and Luga also turned out to be too busy. Shame and disgrace! Was not able to reach Tsarskoe. But thoughts and feelings are constantly over there! How hard it must be for poor Alix to live through all these events alone! May the Lord help us!
2nd March. Thursday. Ruzsky came over in the morning and read [the transcript of] his very long telephone conversation with Rodzyanko. According to him, the situation in Petrograd is such that the Duma ministers are helpless to do anything since the soc.[ial]-dem[ocrat] party, in the form of the worker’s committee, is fighting against them. They want my abdication. Ruzsky passed on this conversation to Stavka, and Alekseyev to all the military commanders. At 2 ½ responses arrived from all. The bottom line is that in order to save Russia and keep the army at the front in tranquility [I] must decide on this step. I agreed. They sent the draft of manifesto from Stavka. At one in the morning I left Pskov with a heavy feeling about all I had experienced...
3rd March. Friday. Slept long and deeply. Awoke far outside of Dvinsk. The day remained sunny and frosty. Talked with my [people] about yesterday’s [events]. Read a a lot about Julius Caesar. At 8.20 arrived in Mogilev. All ranks of staff were on the platform. Received Alexeyev in the train car. At 9 ½ transferred to the house. Alexeyev arrived with the latest news from Rodzyanko. It turned out that Misha abdicated. His manifesto ends with a four-tail election …. within 6 months after the Constituent Assembly. God only knows who put it into his head to sign such filth! In Petrograd the disturbances have stopped – if it would only remain this way.
4 March. Saturday. Slept well. At 10 o’cl. The good Alek came over. Then [I] went to hear the report. At 12 o’cl. [I] drove to the platform, to meet dear Mama who arrived from Kiev. I took her to my [compartment] and had breakfast with her and our [people]. [We] sat for a long time and talked. Today I finally received two telegrams from dear Alix. Took a walk. The weather was appalling – cold with a snowstorm. After tea received Alexeyev and Fredericks. At 8 o’cl. Went to have dinner with Mama and sat with her until 11 o’cl.
5th March. Sunday. The wind was very strong during the night. The day was clear and cold. At 10 o’cl. went to obednya, Mama came over later. She had breakfast and stayed with me until 3 o’cl. Took a walk in the little garden. After tea received N.I.Ivanov who returned from a business trip. He was at Tsarskoe Selo and saw Alix. Said goodbye to poor Count Fredericks and Voikov, whose presence here annoys everyone for some reason; they went to his estate in Penzenkaya County. At 8 o’cl. went to Mama’s for dinner.
6th March. Monday. In the morning was very happy receive two letters from dear Alix and two letters from Maria. The wife of Captain Golovkin of the Finnish regiment brought them. Took a walk in the little garden. Mama came for breakfast. We sat together until 3 o’cl. Took a walk; a snowstorm started again. After tea received Williams. At 8 o’cl. went to Mama’s train.
7th March. Tuesday. Received two more letters from dear Alix, which were delivered by two convoy officers. At 11 o’cl received Williams, Janin, Rychel; everyone is treating me warmly and considerately. Mama had breakfast and [I] sat with her until 2 ½. Received Coanda. Romei, Marcengo and Lontkevich. Took a walk for about an hour. The weather was mild, but it snowed all day. After tea started to pack [my] things. Had dinner with Mama and played bezique with her.
8th March. Wednesday. Last day in Mogilev. At 10 o’cl. signed the farewell command to the troops. At 10 ½ o’cl. went to the guard duty house where [I] said goodbye to all the ranks of staff and commands. At home said goodbye to the officers and regiment Cossacks and Svodny regiment– my heart almost broke! At 12 o’cl. went to Mama’s train car, had breakfast with her and her suite and remained with her until 4 ½ o’cl. Said goodbye to her, Sandro, Sergei, Boris and Alek. Poor Nilov was not allowed to go with me. At 4.45 departed Mogilev, a crowd of people touchingly saw me off. 4 members of the Duma are escorting me in my train! Headed to Orsha and Vitebsk. The weather is frosty and windy. Difficult, painful and lonesome.
9th March. Thursday. Arrived at Tsarskoe Selo quickly and safely – at 11 o’cl. But Lord, what a difference, outside and around the palace, in the park are the guards, and inside, at the entrance are some kind of ensigns! Went upstairs and there saw darling Alix and the dear children. She looked healthy and vigorous, but they all were in beds in a dark room. But everyone feels well, except Maria who just caught measles recently. Had breakfast and dinner in Alexei’s playroom. Saw the good Benkendorf. Took a walk with Valya Dolg.[orukov] and worked with him in the little garden for a bit, since we were not allowed to go any farther! After tea unpacked some things. In the evening went around to see all the residents on the other side, and saw them there all together.
TSAR NICHOLAS II: DIARY OF THE ABDICATION
FEBRUARY 1917
27th February. Monday. Disorders started several days ago in Petrograd; unfortunately, even the troops have begun to take part in them. It is a sickening feeling to be so far away and to receive fragments of bad news. Did not spend much time listening to reports. During the day took a walk along the highway towards Orsha. The weather was sunny. After dinner I decided to quickly head to Tsarskoe Selo, and at 1 o’cl. in the morning boarded the train.
28th February. Tuesday. Went to bed at 3.15 as had a long talk with [General] N. I Ivanov, whom I am dispatching to Petrograd with troops to restore order. [We] left Mogilev at five in the morning. Slept until 10 o’cl. The weather was cold and sunny. During the day [we] passed through Vyazma, Rzhev, and Likhoslavl at 9 o’cl.
MARCH 1917
1st March. Wednesday. During the night turned back from M.Vishera as Luban and Tosno turned out to be busy with the riots. Went towards Valdai, Dno and Pskov, where [we] stopped for the night. Saw Ruzsky. He, Danilov and Savvich had dinner. Gatchina and Luga also turned out to be too busy. Shame and disgrace! Was not able to reach Tsarskoe. But thoughts and feelings are constantly over there! How hard it must be for poor Alix to live through all these events alone! May the Lord help us!
2nd March. Thursday. Ruzsky came over in the morning and read [the transcript of] his very long telephone conversation with Rodzyanko. According to him, the situation in Petrograd is such that the Duma ministers are helpless to do anything since the soc.[ial]-dem[ocrat] party, in the form of the worker’s committee, is fighting against them. They want my abdication. Ruzsky passed on this conversation to Stavka, and Alekseyev to all the military commanders. At 2 ½ responses arrived from all. The bottom line is that in order to save Russia and keep the army at the front in tranquility [I] must decide on this step. I agreed. They sent the draft of manifesto from Stavka. At one in the morning I left Pskov with a heavy feeling about all I had experienced...
3rd March. Friday. Slept long and deeply. Awoke far outside of Dvinsk. The day remained sunny and frosty. Talked with my [people] about yesterday’s [events]. Read a a lot about Julius Caesar. At 8.20 arrived in Mogilev. All ranks of staff were on the platform. Received Alexeyev in the train car. At 9 ½ transferred to the house. Alexeyev arrived with the latest news from Rodzyanko. It turned out that Misha abdicated. His manifesto ends with a four-tail election …. within 6 months after the Constituent Assembly. God only knows who put it into his head to sign such filth! In Petrograd the disturbances have stopped – if it would only remain this way.
4 March. Saturday. Slept well. At 10 o’cl. The good Alek came over. Then [I] went to hear the report. At 12 o’cl. [I] drove to the platform, to meet dear Mama who arrived from Kiev. I took her to my [compartment] and had breakfast with her and our [people]. [We] sat for a long time and talked. Today I finally received two telegrams from dear Alix. Took a walk. The weather was appalling – cold with a snowstorm. After tea received Alexeyev and Fredericks. At 8 o’cl. Went to have dinner with Mama and sat with her until 11 o’cl.
5th March. Sunday. The wind was very strong during the night. The day was clear and cold. At 10 o’cl. went to obednya, Mama came over later. She had breakfast and stayed with me until 3 o’cl. Took a walk in the little garden. After tea received N.I.Ivanov who returned from a business trip. He was at Tsarskoe Selo and saw Alix. Said goodbye to poor Count Fredericks and Voikov, whose presence here annoys everyone for some reason; they went to his estate in Penzenkaya County. At 8 o’cl. went to Mama’s for dinner.
6th March. Monday. In the morning was very happy receive two letters from dear Alix and two letters from Maria. The wife of Captain Golovkin of the Finnish regiment brought them. Took a walk in the little garden. Mama came for breakfast. We sat together until 3 o’cl. Took a walk; a snowstorm started again. After tea received Williams. At 8 o’cl. went to Mama’s train.
7th March. Tuesday. Received two more letters from dear Alix, which were delivered by two convoy officers. At 11 o’cl received Williams, Janin, Rychel; everyone is treating me warmly and considerately. Mama had breakfast and [I] sat with her until 2 ½. Received Coanda. Romei, Marcengo and Lontkevich. Took a walk for about an hour. The weather was mild, but it snowed all day. After tea started to pack [my] things. Had dinner with Mama and played bezique with her.
8th March. Wednesday. Last day in Mogilev. At 10 o’cl. signed the farewell command to the troops. At 10 ½ o’cl. went to the guard duty house where [I] said goodbye to all the ranks of staff and commands. At home said goodbye to the officers and regiment Cossacks and Svodny regiment– my heart almost broke! At 12 o’cl. went to Mama’s train car, had breakfast with her and her suite and remained with her until 4 ½ o’cl. Said goodbye to her, Sandro, Sergei, Boris and Alek. Poor Nilov was not allowed to go with me. At 4.45 departed Mogilev, a crowd of people touchingly saw me off. 4 members of the Duma are escorting me in my train! Headed to Orsha and Vitebsk. The weather is frosty and windy. Difficult, painful and lonesome.
9th March. Thursday. Arrived at Tsarskoe Selo quickly and safely – at 11 o’cl. But Lord, what a difference, outside and around the palace, in the park are the guards, and inside, at the entrance are some kind of ensigns! Went upstairs and there saw darling Alix and the dear children. She looked healthy and vigorous, but they all were in beds in a dark room. But everyone feels well, except Maria who just caught measles recently. Had breakfast and dinner in Alexei’s playroom. Saw the good Benkendorf. Took a walk with Valya Dolg.[orukov] and worked with him in the little garden for a bit, since we were not allowed to go any farther! After tea unpacked some things. In the evening went around to see all the residents on the other side, and saw them there all together.
https://foma.ru/elizaveta-fedorovna-i-sergey-aleksandrovich-romanovyi.html?fbclid=IwAR1hqcZOUmguoBdyK_3g_mkoXiOM-zyUEQYmA51Qqps9p8OLuMI21EMGX9I
Елизавета Федоровна и Сергей Александрович Романовы: история любви, история лжи
Принято считать, что великая княгиня и великий князь состояли в «белом браке» (т. е. жили как брат с сестрой). Это неправда: они мечтали о детях, особенно Сергей Александрович. Принято считать, что Елизавета Федоровна была кротким и тихим ангелом. И это неправда. Ее волевой характер и деловые качества давали о себе знать с детства. Говорили, что великий князь порочен и имеет нетрадиционные наклонности, — снова неправда. Даже всесильная английская разведка не нашла в его поведении ничего более «предосудительного», чем чрезмерная религиозность.
Сегодня личность великого князя Сергея Александровича Романова или остается в тени его великой жены — преподобномученицы Елизаветы Федоровны, или опошляется — как, например, в фильме «Статский советник», где генерал-губернатор Москвы предстает очень неприятным типом. А между тем во многом именно благодаря великому князю Елизавета Федоровна стала той, какой мы ее знаем: «великой Матушкой», «ангелом-хранителем Москвы».......
wtorek, 23 października 2018
sobota, 17 marca 2018
DIARY OF EMPEROR NICHOLAS II - 1918, 2/15 MARCH. FRIDAY.
I remember those days last year in Pskov and on the train.
How long will our miserable Russia be tormented and torn apart by external and internal enemies?
It seems sometimes that it takes longer to endure, you do not even know what to hope for, what to wish for?
But still no one like God!
May His Holy will be done!
I remember those days last year in Pskov and on the train.
How long will our miserable Russia be tormented and torn apart by external and internal enemies?
It seems sometimes that it takes longer to endure, you do not even know what to hope for, what to wish for?
But still no one like God!
May His Holy will be done!
The Miraculous Martyred Emperor!
He is a miracle worker...
An excerpt from article attached:
"It was at this moment that ‘the background of the icon changed and the halo around the Tsar-Martyr’s head gave out rays of golden light; in turn his clothing shone and his face seemed as if it were alive, his mouth seemed to open and his lips moved as if he were speaking. His hand made the sign of the cross in blessing and a strong fragrance was given off; it seemed as though his figure was about to move forward from the background’. (Written by Princess Rosalia von Hohenberg). A deep impression was left on all present."
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/71900.html
'Myrrh Oozing (Streaming) From Tsar Icon.' "An icon with the visage of Tsar Nicholas II has been showing the miracle of myrrh flow for two months in Moscow's Ascension Church on Goroklovoye Field, said the Church Dean Archpriest Vasily Golovanov. He said in an interview with Itar-Tass on Friday that the sing of thaumaturgy to become an argument for canonization on Nicholas II who was buried with his family and servants in St. Petersburg in July (1998). The Russian Orthodox Church was ambivalent on the issue of authenticity of the remains recovered outside Ykaterinburg, where the Imperial family was banished and slain by Bolsheviks, and on canonization. The Church said through one of hierarchs that one of requirements for canonization of relics is their showing a witnessed miracle. Golovanov said the icon had been brought to his church by a parishioner woman who owned it. He said the icon was first seen to ooze (stream) myrrh on November 7. He said the ample flow of myrrh, an oily amber-hued ointment with a subtle aroma occurs almost daily, and fragrance emanates from the icon every day and is more tangible on days of services for the regal martyrs. Golovanov said the miracle had been witnessed by hundreds of Muscovites and pilgrims coming from breadths and lengths of Russia to kiss the icon. Aleksy II Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia has given his blessing for keeping the icon in the small 17 -century Ascension Church on Radio Street, 2. Golovanov said the miracle of myrrh flow from the icon of the so far uncanonized tsar indicates that the event after which millions of the faithful are hankering is close. "The beginning of thaumaturgy on the fateful day of the October coup (1917 Bolshevik Revolution) is a sign that the Russian people will be forgiven for apostasy," he said." http://www.serfes.org/royal/anothermiracle.htm
He is a miracle worker...
An excerpt from article attached:
"It was at this moment that ‘the background of the icon changed and the halo around the Tsar-Martyr’s head gave out rays of golden light; in turn his clothing shone and his face seemed as if it were alive, his mouth seemed to open and his lips moved as if he were speaking. His hand made the sign of the cross in blessing and a strong fragrance was given off; it seemed as though his figure was about to move forward from the background’. (Written by Princess Rosalia von Hohenberg). A deep impression was left on all present."
http://www.pravoslavie.ru/71900.html
'Myrrh Oozing (Streaming) From Tsar Icon.' "An icon with the visage of Tsar Nicholas II has been showing the miracle of myrrh flow for two months in Moscow's Ascension Church on Goroklovoye Field, said the Church Dean Archpriest Vasily Golovanov. He said in an interview with Itar-Tass on Friday that the sing of thaumaturgy to become an argument for canonization on Nicholas II who was buried with his family and servants in St. Petersburg in July (1998). The Russian Orthodox Church was ambivalent on the issue of authenticity of the remains recovered outside Ykaterinburg, where the Imperial family was banished and slain by Bolsheviks, and on canonization. The Church said through one of hierarchs that one of requirements for canonization of relics is their showing a witnessed miracle. Golovanov said the icon had been brought to his church by a parishioner woman who owned it. He said the icon was first seen to ooze (stream) myrrh on November 7. He said the ample flow of myrrh, an oily amber-hued ointment with a subtle aroma occurs almost daily, and fragrance emanates from the icon every day and is more tangible on days of services for the regal martyrs. Golovanov said the miracle had been witnessed by hundreds of Muscovites and pilgrims coming from breadths and lengths of Russia to kiss the icon. Aleksy II Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia has given his blessing for keeping the icon in the small 17 -century Ascension Church on Radio Street, 2. Golovanov said the miracle of myrrh flow from the icon of the so far uncanonized tsar indicates that the event after which millions of the faithful are hankering is close. "The beginning of thaumaturgy on the fateful day of the October coup (1917 Bolshevik Revolution) is a sign that the Russian people will be forgiven for apostasy," he said." http://www.serfes.org/royal/anothermiracle.htm
piątek, 16 marca 2018
ABDICATION OF EMPEROR NICHOLAS II - 15 MARCH
1917 March 15, 1917 in Pskov, in the Imperial train, Emperor Nicholas II first abdicated in favour of Tsarevich Alexei, but swiftly changed his mind and drew up a new manifesto naming his brother, Grand Duke Michael, as the next Emperor of all the Russias. He issued the following statement: "In the days of the great struggle against the foreign enemies, who for nearly three years have tried to enslave our fatherland, the Lord God has been pleased to send down on Russia a new heavy trial. Internal popular disturbances threaten to have a disastrous effect on the future conduct of this persistent war. The destiny of Russia, the honor of our heroic army, the welfare of the people and the whole future of our dear fatherland demand that the war should be brought to a victorious conclusion whatever the cost. The cruel enemy is making his last efforts, and already the hour approaches when our glorious army together with our gallant allies will crush him. In these decisive days in the life of Russia, We thought it Our duty of conscience to facilitate for Our people the closest union possible and a consolidation of all national forces for the speedy attainment of victory. In agreement with the Imperial Duma We have thought it well to renounce the Throne of the Russian Empire and to lay down the supreme power. As We do not wish to part from Our beloved son, We transmit the succession to Our brother, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, and give Him Our blessing to mount the Throne of the Russian Empire. We direct Our brother to conduct the affairs of state in full and inviolable union with the representatives of the people in the legislative bodies on those principles which will be established by them, and on which He will take an inviolable oath. In the name of Our dearly beloved homeland, We call on Our faithful sons of the fatherland to fulfill their sacred duty to the fatherland, to obey the Tsar in the heavy moment of national trials, and to help Him, together with the representatives of the people, to guide the Russian Empire on the road to victory, welfare, and glory. May the Lord God help Russia!" Next day Grand Duke Michael declined to accept the throne until the people were allowed to vote through a Constituent Assembly for the continuance of the monarchy. It is debatable whether Nicholas' enforced abdication was actually legal, and whether he had the right to abdicate on behalf of his son. As Nicholas had already abdicated he was therefore merely a subject of his son, and only Grand Duke Michael as Regent had the right to change the succession. It is also debatable whether the abdication document is actually the version issued by Emperor Nicholas II, or a falsification to be shown to the public. It is very suspicious and highly unlikely that a document so important would be signed in the lower right corner with a pencil signature by Emperor Nicholas II: "Nicholas", and in the lower left corner in black ink over a pencil inscription the assurance by hand of V.B. Fredericks, Minister of the Imperial Court Adjutant General Count Fredericks.
Source :
Romanov News - Новости Романовых
EMPEROR MICHAEL II SIGNED A CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE THRONE
In the afternoon of 15 March [O.S. 2 March] 1917, Emperor Nicholas II, under pressure from generals and Duma representatives, abdicated in favour of his son, Alexei, with Michael as Regent. However, later that evening, he reconsidered his decision and in a second abdication document, signed at 11.40 p.m. but marked as having been issued at 3.00 p.m., the time of the earlier one, Nicholas II declared: We have judged it right to abdicate the Throne of the Russian State and to lay down the Supreme Power. Not wishing to be parted from Our Beloved Son, We hand over Our Succession to Our Brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich and Bless Him on his accession to the Throne. By early morning, Michael was proclaimed as "Emperor Michael II" to Russian troops and in cities throughout Russia, but his accession was not universally welcomed. While some units were cheering and swearing allegiance to the new Emperor, others were indifferent. The newly formed Provisional Government had not agreed to Michael's succession. When Michael awoke that morning, he discovered not only that his brother had abdicated in his favour, as Nicholas had not informed him previously, but also that a delegation from the Duma would visit him at Putyatina's apartment in a few hours time. The meeting with Duma President Rodzianko, the new Prime Minister Prince Lvov, and other ministers, including Pavel Milyukov and Alexander Kerensky, lasted all morning. Putyatina laid on a lunch, and in the afternoon two lawyers (Baron Nolde and Vladimir Nabokov) were called to the apartment to draft a manifesto for Michael to sign. The legal position was complicated as the legitimacy of the government, whether Nicholas had the right to remove his son from the succession, and whether Michael actually was Emperor were all open to question. After further discussion, and several drafts, a declaration of conditional acceptance was settled on as an appropriate form of words. In it, Michael deferred to the will of the people and acknowledged the Provisional Government as the de facto executive, but neither abdicated nor refused to accept the throne. On March 16 [O.S. March 3] 1917. He wrote: "Inspired, in common with the whole people, by the belief that the welfare of our country must be set above everything else, I have taken the firm decision to assume the supreme power only if and when our great people, having elected by universal suffrage a Constituent Assembly to determine the form of government and lay down the fundamental law of the new Russian State, invest me with such power. Calling upon them the blessing of God, I therefore request all the citizens of the Russian Empire to submit to the Provisional Government, established and invested with full authority by the Duma, until such time as the Constituent Assembly, elected within the shortest possible time by universal, direct, equal and secret suffrage, shall manifest the will of the people by deciding upon the new form of government." Given that he never ruled, his brother Nicholas II is regarded as the last actual, or de facto Emperor, while Michael's "reign" is relegated to a largely forgotten footnote of history. Legally the Russian Empire continued as a monarchy until the 16 September 1917, where the Provisional Government, against their promise to hold an election on the subject of a new form of government, declared it a republic. Emperor Michael II was the legal ruler (either as Regent on behalf of Tsarevich Alexei Nicholaevich or as Emperor) of the Russian Empire not for one day - as many claims - but for 6 months.
Source:
Romanov News - Новости Романовых
Source:
Romanov News - Новости Романовых
14 марта 1917 г. в Марфо-Мариинской обители милосердия прошел первый обыск, и была предпринята первая попытка арестовать Великую княгиню Елисавету Феодоровну. В течение года подобные действия продолжались вплоть до состоявшегося ареста 7 мая 1918 г., с которого начался голгофский путь Белого ангела Москвы.
«Как только наступила Февральская революция, – рассказывает Н.Е. Пестов со слов о. Митрофана Сребрянского, – то исчезли со своих постов все органы наблюдения за порядком*. Скрылась вся полиция и жандармерия. Не у кого было искать защиты при нарушении законности. Московская городская дума взяла тогда в свое распоряжение юнкеров. Позвонив в Думу по телефону, можно было вызывать их для водворения порядка при очевидных нарушениях общественной законности. В эти дни в Марфо-Мариинской обители произошло следующее событие. К Обители подъехал грузовик, в котором находилось несколько вооруженных солдат с унтер-офицером и одним студентом. Студент, видимо, не имел понятия, как обращаться с оружием. Он держал все время в руке револьвер, направляя дуло на всякого говорящего с ним. Сошедший с автомобиля отряд потребовал провести их к начальнице Обители. Туда же сестры вызвали и отца Митрофана.
«Мы пришли арестовать сестру императрицы», – заявил возглавлявший отряд унтер-офицер. А студентик подступил к Матушке, направив на нее дуло своего револьверчика. Матушка с обычным для нее спокойствием положила свою руку на протянутый к ней револьвер и сказала: «Опустите свою руку, ведь я же женщина!» Смущенный ее спокойствием и улыбкой студент сразу же сник, опустил руку и тотчас же исчез из комнаты. Отец Митрофан обратился к солдатам: «Кого вы пришли арестовывать? Ведь здесь нет преступников! Все, что имела матушка Елисавета, – она все отдала народу. На ее средства построена Обитель, церковь, богадельня, приют для безродных детей, больница. Разве все это преступление?» Возглавляющий отряд унтер, вглядевшись в батюшку, вдруг спросил его: «Батюшка! Не вы ли отец Митрофан из Орла?» – «Да, это я». Лицо унтера мгновенно изменилось. Обращаясь к сопровождавшим его солдатам, он сказал: «Вот что, ребята! Я остаюсь здесь и сам во всем распоряжусь. А вы поезжайте обратно». Солдаты, выслушав слова о. Митрофана и поняв, что они затеяли не совсем ладное дело, подчинились и уехали обратно на своем грузовике. А унтер сказал: «Я теперь останусь здесь и буду вас охранять!» Это оказалось излишним, так как в это время приехал из Городской думы отряд юнкеров, вызванный оттуда по телефону, и остался охранять Обитель» [1] .
А вот что вспоминал архиепископ Анастасий (Грибановский), возможно, о том же самом эпизоде: «Когда разразилась… революционная буря, она (Елисавета Феодоровна) встретила ее с замечательным самообладанием и спокойствием. Казалось, что она стояла на высокой непоколебимой скале и оттуда без страха смотрела на бушующие вокруг нее волны, устремив свой духовный взор в вечные дали.
У нее не было и тени озлобления против неистовств возбужденной толпы. «Народ – дитя, он не повинен в происходящем, – кротко говорила она, – он введен в заблуждение врагами России»…
Обаяние всего ее облика было так велико, что невольно покорило даже революционеров, когда они пришли впервые осматривать Марфо-Мариинскую обитель. Один из них (по-видимому, студент) даже похвалил жизнь сестер, сказав, что у них не заметно никакой роскоши, а наблюдается только повсюду порядок и чистота, в чем нет ничего предосудительного. Видя его искренность, Великая княгиня вступила с ним в беседу об отличительных особенностях социалистического и христианского идеала. «Кто знает, – заметил в заключение ее неведомый собеседник, как бы побежденный ее доводами, – быть может, мы идем к одной цели – только разными путями», – и с этими словами покинул Обитель» [2] .
«В другой раз пьяный предводитель толпы красноармейцев кричал и оскорблял Елисавету Феодоровну. И услышал тихий ответ, что она здесь для того, чтобы служить всем. Тогда он потребовал, чтобы Матушка служила ему. Она стала на колени, промыла и перевязала ему гнойную рану внизу живота. И сказала, что через день необходимо повторить перевязку, иначе будет заражение крови.
Толпа и ее главарь – протрезвели на глазах. Иссяк поток ругани. Все смолкли и ушли совсем с другими лицами» [3] .
Обстановка вокруг Обители накалялась. Вторжения распоясавшихся хулиганов чередовались с инспекциями новой власти: «Когда в Обитель въехали два грузовика с вооруженными людьми, их встретила Елисавета Феодоровна. Старший объявил, что прибыл для ареста «бывшей Великой княгини Елисаветы Феодоровны Романовой как немецкой шпионки» и для обыска «с целью изъятия оружия».
Она сказала: «Ищите везде». Она не собиралась противиться аресту и попросила только разрешения отдать распоряжения остающимся и проститься с ними. Матушка собрала сестер в церкви. Отец Митрофан начал молебен. В церковь вошли и несколько человек из приехавших за Великой княгиней. Весь молебен Елисавета Феодоровна простояла на коленях. Когда она поцеловала крест и оглянулась на своих охранников, те тоже подошли ко кресту.
После этого они отправились на обыск. Ничего найдено не было. Арест откладывался. Елисавета Феодоровна сказала: «Наверное, мы еще не достойны мученического венца» [4] .
В те «окаянные дни» проявил благородство кайзер Вильгельм. Смирив гордыню, он попытался спасти женщину, которую страстно, но безответно любил в юности. Летом 1917 г. с Елисаветой Феодоровной встретился представитель шведского правительства. Он передал ей предложение кайзера уехать за границу. Великая княгиня отказалась [5] .
Подобные предложения поступали и позже. «Уехать за границу она отказалась, – свидетельствует матушка Надежда. Муж одной женщины, которая у нас лечилась и выздоровела, предложил Матушке тайно увезти ее из Москвы на санях. Она ответила с благодарной улыбкой: «Но сани не смогут вместить всех моих сестер».
Елисавета Феодоровна очень любила Россию, русский народ, выпестованных ею сестер Марфо-Мариинской обители и не могла оставить их в беде.
Вскоре после захвата 25 октября 1917 г. власти большевиками Елисавета Феодоровна писала графине Александре Олсуфьевой:
«Дорогая Аликс!
…Бесконечно жаль Россию и ее детей, которые не ведают, что творят. Но разве это не ребенок, которого мы в болезни любим во сто крат больше, чем когда он весел и здоров? Хотелось бы облегчить его страдания, научить его терпению, помочь. Вот что я чувствую…
Святая Русь не может погибнуть. Но Великой России, увы, больше нет. Однако в Библии Бог показал, что может простить Свой раскаявшийся народ и снова даровать ему благословенную силу. Следует надеяться, что усердные молитвы и раскаяние умилостивят Приснодеву, и что Она будет молить за нас Своего Божественного Сына, и что Господь простит нас…» [6] .
Вначале большевики довольно сносно относились к Марфо-Мариинской обители милосердия. «В течение последних месяцев 1917 г. и в начале 1918-го, – свидетельствует архиепископ Анастасий, – советская власть, к общему удивлению, предоставила Марфо-Мариинской обители и ее начальнице полную свободу жить как они хотели и даже оказывала им поддержку в смысле обеспечения населения Обители жизненными продуктами» [7] .
В Обители был создан Совет Марфо-Мариинской общины, который пред властями представляла В.С. Гордеева, бессменная казначея. В 1917 г. существовавшая при Обители больница была зарегистрирована в Мосздравотделе, откуда сестры стали получать пайки. «С 1917 г. – указывалось в акте обследования Обители от 22 мая 1922 г., – средства добывались работой сестер и сверх того община стала получать помощь от райсовета ввиду существовавшей больницы на 30 коек (хирургическое, терапевтическое отделения) с амбулаторным приемом до 100 человек в день, а также бесплатной столовой для бедных на 450 человек, которая в 1919-1920 гг. была закрыта» [8] . Дважды в неделю грузовик доставлял обычный тогда провиант – вобла, черный хлеб, овощи, сахар, суррогатные жиры[9] .
*Источник: Марфо-Мариинская обитель милосердия. 1909-2009. К 100-летию создания Обители. М., 2009. С. 212-215.
Фото: pastvu.com
[1] Материалы к житию преподобномученицы Великой княгини Елисаветы: Письма, дневники, воспоминания, документы. М. 1996. С 139-140.
[2] Там же. С. 81-82.
[3] «Золотой святыни свет…». Воспоминания матушки Надежды – последней монахини Марфо-Мариинской обители милосердия. / Автор-сост. Е.В. Неволина. М., 2007. С. 27.
[4] Маерова В. Елизавета Федоровна. Биография. М., 2001. С. 318.
[5] Маерова В. Указ. соч. С. 319.
[6] Цит. по: Маерова В. Указ. соч. С. 321.
[7] Материалы к житию… С. 82.
[8] См. Козлов В.Ф. Марфо-Мариинская община сестер милосердия в 1920-е годы (по архивным материалам)// Память как максима поведения: Материалы Свято-Елизаветинских чтений. М., 2001. С. 52.
[9] Маерова В. Указ соч. С. 321.
Patriarch Tikhon's 1918 Letter to Lenin
Patriarch Tikhon was head of the Russian church during the revolution, and courageously condemned what he saw as a demonic attack on a Christian civilization. Previously he was a bishop in the US, from 1898 - 1907, where he was a very successful missionary.
The first Bolshevik government, which consisted mostly of atheists, tolerated the popular Patriarch for a while, realizing that if they martyred him, it would only increase the church's influence, but eventually they pushed him out, put him under house arrest, and demonized and harassed him until his death in 1925. The Russian church made him into a saint in 1989.
This remarkable letter survives as a testimony of what was really happening in Russia at the time, and to the extraordinary courage of this man to speak the truth, knowing it would cost him his life.
It is all the more important because the accounts to the West that came out of Russia at the time, and subsequent histories, were mostly written by left-leaning sympathizers who cheered the revolution on, having little idea what it really was. This obfuscation continues to this day.
Take a few minutes to read this passionate and poetic condemnation of evil. Its startling clarity comes down to us through the years with great force. We highlighted a few of the more moving lines, but honestly, almost every sentence is gripping.
This view of what actually happened during the revolution is as important today as it was 100 years ago. The 100 year commemoration of the Russian revolution shows starkly divergent views of what it was continue to our own day.
This excellent translation is by Nun Cornelia Rees:
“We address this prophecy of the Savior to you, the current makers of our Fatherland’s fate, who call yourself “the people’s” commissars.
For an entire year, you have been gripping the power of the government in your hands, and you are already preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the October revolution; but the rivers of the blood of our brothers, pitilessly murdered at your rallying, cry out to heaven and force us to tell you the bitter truth.
You have traded the Fatherland for soulless internationalism, although you yourselves know perfectly well that when it comes to defending the Fatherland, the proletarians of all countries are those countries’ faithful sons, and not their betrayers.
Having seized power and called the people to entrust themselves to you, what promises have you given them, and how have you kept these promises?
Truly you have given them a stone instead of bread, and a serpent instead of a fish (cf. Matt. 7:9-10). To a people worn out by a bloody war you promised to give peace “without annexation or contribution”.
What victory could you have turned down, you who have led Russia to a shameful truce, with humiliating conditions that even you did not resolve to make fully public? Instead of “annexations and contributions” the great Motherland is conquered, diminished, dismembered; and as pay for the tribute placed on it you secretly transport to Germany gold that you yourself did not amass.
... the great Motherland is conquered, diminished, dismembered; and as pay for the tribute placed on it you secretly transport to Germany gold that you yourself did not amass.
You have taken away from the soldiers everything for which they had valorously fought. You have taught them, only recently brave and invincible, to leave off protecting the Motherland and to run from the field of battle.
You have extinguished in their hearts the inspiring consciousness that there is no greater love than should one lay down his life for his friends (Jn. 15:13).
You have traded the Fatherland for soulless internationalism, although you yourselves know perfectly well that when it comes to defending the Fatherland, the proletarians of all countries are those countries’ faithful sons, and not their betrayers.
... the freedom you have given consists in all manner of indulgence to the lowest crowd instincts, in murder and theft with impunity.
And although you have refused to protect the Motherland from external enemies, you are ceaselessly gathering armies.
Against whom will you lead them?
You have divided the entire nation into warring camps and cast it into a fratricide unprecedented for its cruelty.
You have openly exchanged love of Christ for hatred, and instead of peace you have artificially fomented enmity between the classes. And there is no end in sight to the war you’ve generated, since you aim to deliver triumph to the phantom of world revolution with the hands of Russian worker and peasants.
I will not speak of the collapse of a once great and mighty Russia, of the total fracturing of our railroad, of unprecedented agricultural devastation, of hunger and cold that threatens death in the cities ...
It was not Russia who needed the disgraceful peace with its external enemy but you yourselves, who have plotted to irreparably destroy Russia’s internal peace.
No one feels safe; everyone lives in constant fear of searches, robbery, eviction, arrest, and execution.
Hundreds of defenseless people are seized, then languish for whole months in prisons, are often executed without investigation or trial, even without going to the court you have simplified.
Not only those who are somehow guilty before you, but even those who are in no way guilty, but were taken only as “captives”—these unfortunate people are killed to answer for crimes committed by persons who not only are not of one mind with them, but very often your own followers or those with convictions similar to yours.
Bishops, priests, monks and nuns who are guilty of nothing are executed simply because of some wild accusations of vague and indeterminate “counterrevolution”. This inhuman execution is made even more onerous for the Orthodox because they are deprived of the final consolation before their deaths—the Sacraments—and the bodies of the slain are not given to their families for a Christian burial.
Isn’t this the height of aimless cruelty on the part of those who pretend to be the benefactors of mankind and who themselves supposedly suffered from cruel rulers?
But it’s not enough for you that you have reddened the hands of the Russian people with their brother’s blood; hiding behind various names—contributions, requisitions, and nationalization—you have pushed them into the most barefaced and wanton thievery.
At your hinting were plundered or seized lands, mansions, factories, houses, farm animals, money, personal things, furniture, clothing.
First the wealthy, whom you’ve called “bourgeois”, were robbed; then under the epithet of “kulaks” were the more well-off and industrious peasants also plundered, thus increasing the number of paupers—although you cannot but recognize that with the impoverishment of a great multitude of individual citizens the wealth of the nation as a whole is lost, and the country is impoverished.
Tempting uneducated and ignorant people with the opportunity for easy and unpunished gain, you have fogged their consciences and muffled in them the awareness of sin; but no matter what names you hide this evil-doing behind, murder, violence, and robbery will ever remain serious sins and crimes that cry out to heaven.
You promised freedom.
Freedom is a great good, if it is properly understood—like freedom from evil, not oppressing others, not turning into lawlessness and willfulness.
But you have not given that freedom; the freedom you have given consists in all manner of indulgence to the lowest crowd instincts, in murder and theft with impunity. All manifestations of both truly the civilian and higher spiritual freedom of mankind have you mercilessly crushed.
Is it freedom when no one can bring home food or rent an apartment without special permission, when families, and sometimes all the inhabitants of whole buildings are evicted and their possessions are thrown into the street, and when citizens are artificially divided into ranks, certain of which are consigned to hunger and being plundered?
Is it freedom when no one can speak his opinion openly without fear of being accused of counterrevolution?
Where is freedom of speech and press, where is freedom for preaching in church?
Many bold preachers have already paid with their martyrs’ blood; the voice of social and governmental discussion and criticism is being stifled; all press, other than the narrow Bolshevik press, has been completely strangled.
Especially painful and cruel is the violation of freedom in matters of faith.
Not a day goes by when the most monstrous slanders against Christ’s Church and her servants are not published in the agencies of your press, along with malicious blasphemy and mockery. You deride the servants of the altar, force bishops to dig trenches, and send priests to do dirty work. You have raised your hand against the Church’s inheritance gathered through many generations of the faithful, and have given no thought to violating their posthumous will.
You have closed a large number of monasteries and churches without any excuse or reason. You have blocked access to the Moscow Kremlin—that sacred inheritance of the faithful people. You are destroying the ancient form of church community—the parish; you destroy brotherhoods and other charitable and educational Church institutions, close and rout diocesan meetings, and interfere with the Orthodox Church’s internal government.
By banishing sacred images from schools and forbidding the teaching of faith to children there, you deprive them of the spiritual food necessary for an Orthodox upbringing.
What else can I say? The time fails me (Heb. 11:32) to describe all the catastrophes that have stricken our Motherland.
I will not speak of the collapse of a once great and mighty Russia, of the total fracturing of our railroad, of unprecedented agricultural devastation, of hunger and cold that threatens death in the cities, and of the lack of everything needed for maintaining a household in the villages. This everyone can see.
Yes, we are experiencing terrible times in our reign, and it will not be erased from the peoples’ soul for a long time, having darkened the image of God in it and stamping in it the image of the beast. The words of the prophet have been fulfilled:
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.(Is. 59:7).
We know that our rebukes will evoke only anger and indignation in you and that you will look for an excuse in them for accusing us of opposition to the authorities, but the higher your “column of wrath” rises, the more proven will be the testimony to the truth of our rebukes.
It is not our business to judge earthly authorities; all authority, allowed by God, would attract our blessing if it were truly “God’s servant” for the good of its subjects, and not a terror to good works, but to the evil (Rom. 13:3).
Now to you, who are using your authority to persecute your neighbors and decimate the innocent, we extend our word of instruction: celebrate the anniversary of your coming to power by freeing the prisoners, putting a stop to the bloodshed, violence, devastation, and persecution of faith; turn not to destruction but to the establishment of law and order, give the people their desired and deserved rest from civil war.
Otherwise all the righteous blood you have spilled will be required of you (cf. Lk. 11:50), and you who took sword in hand will yourselves die of the sword (cf. Matt. 26:52).”
November 7, 1918
Source: https://russian-faith.com/persecution/church-leaders-brilliant-1918-letter-lenin-speaks-truth-about-revolution-n1265
https://catalogueofstelisabethconvent.blogspot.co.id/2018/03/patriarch-tikhons-1918-letter-to-lenin.html?m=1
The first Bolshevik government, which consisted mostly of atheists, tolerated the popular Patriarch for a while, realizing that if they martyred him, it would only increase the church's influence, but eventually they pushed him out, put him under house arrest, and demonized and harassed him until his death in 1925. The Russian church made him into a saint in 1989.
This remarkable letter survives as a testimony of what was really happening in Russia at the time, and to the extraordinary courage of this man to speak the truth, knowing it would cost him his life.
It is all the more important because the accounts to the West that came out of Russia at the time, and subsequent histories, were mostly written by left-leaning sympathizers who cheered the revolution on, having little idea what it really was. This obfuscation continues to this day.
Take a few minutes to read this passionate and poetic condemnation of evil. Its startling clarity comes down to us through the years with great force. We highlighted a few of the more moving lines, but honestly, almost every sentence is gripping.
This view of what actually happened during the revolution is as important today as it was 100 years ago. The 100 year commemoration of the Russian revolution shows starkly divergent views of what it was continue to our own day.
This excellent translation is by Nun Cornelia Rees:
“We address this prophecy of the Savior to you, the current makers of our Fatherland’s fate, who call yourself “the people’s” commissars.
For an entire year, you have been gripping the power of the government in your hands, and you are already preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the October revolution; but the rivers of the blood of our brothers, pitilessly murdered at your rallying, cry out to heaven and force us to tell you the bitter truth.
You have traded the Fatherland for soulless internationalism, although you yourselves know perfectly well that when it comes to defending the Fatherland, the proletarians of all countries are those countries’ faithful sons, and not their betrayers.
Having seized power and called the people to entrust themselves to you, what promises have you given them, and how have you kept these promises?
Truly you have given them a stone instead of bread, and a serpent instead of a fish (cf. Matt. 7:9-10). To a people worn out by a bloody war you promised to give peace “without annexation or contribution”.
What victory could you have turned down, you who have led Russia to a shameful truce, with humiliating conditions that even you did not resolve to make fully public? Instead of “annexations and contributions” the great Motherland is conquered, diminished, dismembered; and as pay for the tribute placed on it you secretly transport to Germany gold that you yourself did not amass.
... the great Motherland is conquered, diminished, dismembered; and as pay for the tribute placed on it you secretly transport to Germany gold that you yourself did not amass.
You have taken away from the soldiers everything for which they had valorously fought. You have taught them, only recently brave and invincible, to leave off protecting the Motherland and to run from the field of battle.
You have extinguished in their hearts the inspiring consciousness that there is no greater love than should one lay down his life for his friends (Jn. 15:13).
You have traded the Fatherland for soulless internationalism, although you yourselves know perfectly well that when it comes to defending the Fatherland, the proletarians of all countries are those countries’ faithful sons, and not their betrayers.
... the freedom you have given consists in all manner of indulgence to the lowest crowd instincts, in murder and theft with impunity.
And although you have refused to protect the Motherland from external enemies, you are ceaselessly gathering armies.
Against whom will you lead them?
You have divided the entire nation into warring camps and cast it into a fratricide unprecedented for its cruelty.
You have openly exchanged love of Christ for hatred, and instead of peace you have artificially fomented enmity between the classes. And there is no end in sight to the war you’ve generated, since you aim to deliver triumph to the phantom of world revolution with the hands of Russian worker and peasants.
I will not speak of the collapse of a once great and mighty Russia, of the total fracturing of our railroad, of unprecedented agricultural devastation, of hunger and cold that threatens death in the cities ...
It was not Russia who needed the disgraceful peace with its external enemy but you yourselves, who have plotted to irreparably destroy Russia’s internal peace.
No one feels safe; everyone lives in constant fear of searches, robbery, eviction, arrest, and execution.
Hundreds of defenseless people are seized, then languish for whole months in prisons, are often executed without investigation or trial, even without going to the court you have simplified.
Not only those who are somehow guilty before you, but even those who are in no way guilty, but were taken only as “captives”—these unfortunate people are killed to answer for crimes committed by persons who not only are not of one mind with them, but very often your own followers or those with convictions similar to yours.
Bishops, priests, monks and nuns who are guilty of nothing are executed simply because of some wild accusations of vague and indeterminate “counterrevolution”. This inhuman execution is made even more onerous for the Orthodox because they are deprived of the final consolation before their deaths—the Sacraments—and the bodies of the slain are not given to their families for a Christian burial.
Isn’t this the height of aimless cruelty on the part of those who pretend to be the benefactors of mankind and who themselves supposedly suffered from cruel rulers?
But it’s not enough for you that you have reddened the hands of the Russian people with their brother’s blood; hiding behind various names—contributions, requisitions, and nationalization—you have pushed them into the most barefaced and wanton thievery.
At your hinting were plundered or seized lands, mansions, factories, houses, farm animals, money, personal things, furniture, clothing.
First the wealthy, whom you’ve called “bourgeois”, were robbed; then under the epithet of “kulaks” were the more well-off and industrious peasants also plundered, thus increasing the number of paupers—although you cannot but recognize that with the impoverishment of a great multitude of individual citizens the wealth of the nation as a whole is lost, and the country is impoverished.
Tempting uneducated and ignorant people with the opportunity for easy and unpunished gain, you have fogged their consciences and muffled in them the awareness of sin; but no matter what names you hide this evil-doing behind, murder, violence, and robbery will ever remain serious sins and crimes that cry out to heaven.
You promised freedom.
Freedom is a great good, if it is properly understood—like freedom from evil, not oppressing others, not turning into lawlessness and willfulness.
But you have not given that freedom; the freedom you have given consists in all manner of indulgence to the lowest crowd instincts, in murder and theft with impunity. All manifestations of both truly the civilian and higher spiritual freedom of mankind have you mercilessly crushed.
Is it freedom when no one can bring home food or rent an apartment without special permission, when families, and sometimes all the inhabitants of whole buildings are evicted and their possessions are thrown into the street, and when citizens are artificially divided into ranks, certain of which are consigned to hunger and being plundered?
Is it freedom when no one can speak his opinion openly without fear of being accused of counterrevolution?
Where is freedom of speech and press, where is freedom for preaching in church?
Many bold preachers have already paid with their martyrs’ blood; the voice of social and governmental discussion and criticism is being stifled; all press, other than the narrow Bolshevik press, has been completely strangled.
Especially painful and cruel is the violation of freedom in matters of faith.
Not a day goes by when the most monstrous slanders against Christ’s Church and her servants are not published in the agencies of your press, along with malicious blasphemy and mockery. You deride the servants of the altar, force bishops to dig trenches, and send priests to do dirty work. You have raised your hand against the Church’s inheritance gathered through many generations of the faithful, and have given no thought to violating their posthumous will.
You have closed a large number of monasteries and churches without any excuse or reason. You have blocked access to the Moscow Kremlin—that sacred inheritance of the faithful people. You are destroying the ancient form of church community—the parish; you destroy brotherhoods and other charitable and educational Church institutions, close and rout diocesan meetings, and interfere with the Orthodox Church’s internal government.
By banishing sacred images from schools and forbidding the teaching of faith to children there, you deprive them of the spiritual food necessary for an Orthodox upbringing.
What else can I say? The time fails me (Heb. 11:32) to describe all the catastrophes that have stricken our Motherland.
I will not speak of the collapse of a once great and mighty Russia, of the total fracturing of our railroad, of unprecedented agricultural devastation, of hunger and cold that threatens death in the cities, and of the lack of everything needed for maintaining a household in the villages. This everyone can see.
Yes, we are experiencing terrible times in our reign, and it will not be erased from the peoples’ soul for a long time, having darkened the image of God in it and stamping in it the image of the beast. The words of the prophet have been fulfilled:
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.(Is. 59:7).
We know that our rebukes will evoke only anger and indignation in you and that you will look for an excuse in them for accusing us of opposition to the authorities, but the higher your “column of wrath” rises, the more proven will be the testimony to the truth of our rebukes.
It is not our business to judge earthly authorities; all authority, allowed by God, would attract our blessing if it were truly “God’s servant” for the good of its subjects, and not a terror to good works, but to the evil (Rom. 13:3).
Now to you, who are using your authority to persecute your neighbors and decimate the innocent, we extend our word of instruction: celebrate the anniversary of your coming to power by freeing the prisoners, putting a stop to the bloodshed, violence, devastation, and persecution of faith; turn not to destruction but to the establishment of law and order, give the people their desired and deserved rest from civil war.
Otherwise all the righteous blood you have spilled will be required of you (cf. Lk. 11:50), and you who took sword in hand will yourselves die of the sword (cf. Matt. 26:52).”
November 7, 1918
Source: https://russian-faith.com/persecution/church-leaders-brilliant-1918-letter-lenin-speaks-truth-about-revolution-n1265
https://catalogueofstelisabethconvent.blogspot.co.id/2018/03/patriarch-tikhons-1918-letter-to-lenin.html?m=1
poniedziałek, 5 marca 2018
wtorek, 23 stycznia 2018
CONVERSION OF AN ATHEIST
A testimony received from Monk Ippolit of the Zosima Hermitage (near Moscow):
"Before my entrance into the Monastery, as I recall, I brought a portrait of Emperor Nicholas II and one of his wife, Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna, to my parents. Since they were taught during the Soviet period to think of the tsars as despotic, my parents were puzzled that there could be talk of glorification, and looked with alarm at these two portraits, hung in a prominent place. My mother, educated as a woman of letters, immediately recalled ‘Bloody Sunday’ in 1905, the shooting of workers by Lensky; but, being a God-fearing woman from childhood, she restrained herself from too many opinions and only posed the question, ‘How can this be?!’ to herself. My father, by his own admission an unbeliever, did not spare his opinions, but since he had a grudge against the Communists at that time, he expressed sympathy for the fate of the Royal Martyrs.
The nervousness of our domestic atmosphere, with various comments directed at the Tsar, aggravated the critical situation of my parents or, to be more precise, of my father. He was threatened with prison since he, through his simplicity and ignorance, had fallen in with a crowd of swindlers. They had already been indicted for a criminal act, interrogations had already taken place, and a date for the trial had been appointed. Then my father had a dream at night. The Tsar himself stood there in an officer’s uniform of the royal army with shoulder straps — he was tall, blue-eyed and radiant. He stood half-turned towards my father, and someone dressed in black said, ‘Venerate him and he will help you’ — and my father bowed down before him. He further recalled that the Tsar was surrounded by his family.
After this dream my father and mother went to a small village church dedicated to the Archangel of God, Michael, and all the Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, and had a moleben served to the Royal Martyrs, which the parish priest agreed to serve, after first hearing about the dream my father had had. And what happened? About three or four days later there was a coup in Moscow, the infamous shooting at the White House. Immediately thereafter there was a coup in the regional government; and the head of the local government, who hated my father and wanted in any way possible to convict him and send him to prison, was replaced. The change of officials gave hope for my father to be treated with leniency. After a while the trial took place. My father was given one year of probation. Later he was given amnesty, and they dismissed his conviction — and out of six people convicted, his was the only dismissal.
After this incident my father’s attitude towards the Tsar changed and even became reverent. Now that he had felt real help — he who until then had disparaged all things holy — he ran again, when he encountered ordinary difficulties, to him from whom he had seen this help — to Tsar Nicholas II and all the Royal Martyrs, and that’s the way it was. My father, a farmer, once found himself with nothing to sow. There were no seeds for planting and this threatened him not only with being left without money, but with having to give away all his possessions to settle his debt. Again he, together with my mother, had a moleben served to Tsar-Martyr Nicholas and all the Royal Martyrs. Immediately after this, the superior of a nearby monastery came to see my father at home and told him that he had an acquaintance who wanted to give him seeds for planting. All the land was planted — 370 acres."
Source: R. Monk Zachariah (Liebmann), "The Life of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II", The Orthodox Word, vol. 26, no. 4 (153), July-August, 1990.
A testimony received from Monk Ippolit of the Zosima Hermitage (near Moscow):
"Before my entrance into the Monastery, as I recall, I brought a portrait of Emperor Nicholas II and one of his wife, Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna, to my parents. Since they were taught during the Soviet period to think of the tsars as despotic, my parents were puzzled that there could be talk of glorification, and looked with alarm at these two portraits, hung in a prominent place. My mother, educated as a woman of letters, immediately recalled ‘Bloody Sunday’ in 1905, the shooting of workers by Lensky; but, being a God-fearing woman from childhood, she restrained herself from too many opinions and only posed the question, ‘How can this be?!’ to herself. My father, by his own admission an unbeliever, did not spare his opinions, but since he had a grudge against the Communists at that time, he expressed sympathy for the fate of the Royal Martyrs.
The nervousness of our domestic atmosphere, with various comments directed at the Tsar, aggravated the critical situation of my parents or, to be more precise, of my father. He was threatened with prison since he, through his simplicity and ignorance, had fallen in with a crowd of swindlers. They had already been indicted for a criminal act, interrogations had already taken place, and a date for the trial had been appointed. Then my father had a dream at night. The Tsar himself stood there in an officer’s uniform of the royal army with shoulder straps — he was tall, blue-eyed and radiant. He stood half-turned towards my father, and someone dressed in black said, ‘Venerate him and he will help you’ — and my father bowed down before him. He further recalled that the Tsar was surrounded by his family.
After this dream my father and mother went to a small village church dedicated to the Archangel of God, Michael, and all the Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, and had a moleben served to the Royal Martyrs, which the parish priest agreed to serve, after first hearing about the dream my father had had. And what happened? About three or four days later there was a coup in Moscow, the infamous shooting at the White House. Immediately thereafter there was a coup in the regional government; and the head of the local government, who hated my father and wanted in any way possible to convict him and send him to prison, was replaced. The change of officials gave hope for my father to be treated with leniency. After a while the trial took place. My father was given one year of probation. Later he was given amnesty, and they dismissed his conviction — and out of six people convicted, his was the only dismissal.
After this incident my father’s attitude towards the Tsar changed and even became reverent. Now that he had felt real help — he who until then had disparaged all things holy — he ran again, when he encountered ordinary difficulties, to him from whom he had seen this help — to Tsar Nicholas II and all the Royal Martyrs, and that’s the way it was. My father, a farmer, once found himself with nothing to sow. There were no seeds for planting and this threatened him not only with being left without money, but with having to give away all his possessions to settle his debt. Again he, together with my mother, had a moleben served to Tsar-Martyr Nicholas and all the Royal Martyrs. Immediately after this, the superior of a nearby monastery came to see my father at home and told him that he had an acquaintance who wanted to give him seeds for planting. All the land was planted — 370 acres."
Source: R. Monk Zachariah (Liebmann), "The Life of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II", The Orthodox Word, vol. 26, no. 4 (153), July-August, 1990.
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