Nicholas II

“They Suffered for the Faith”: Russia honours the memory of Nicholas II and his family

On the Day of Remembrance of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church

There is a day in the Orthodox calendar when the faithful remember those who suffered during the years of persecution of the Church. This feast day changes from one year to the next. That is, the established date of 7th February (25th January according to the Old Styke Julian calendar) may change depending on the day of the week. Since the feast is always celebrated on Sunday, this year it falls on 8th February.

The Russian Church spoke with the cleric of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Slonim, Priest Nikolai Savitsky.

The meaning of the holiday

On Sunday, divine services will be held in Orthodox churches in memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors. These are the faces (categories) of holiness in Christianity, indicating the feat of faith.

“A martyr is someone who died for Christ, and a confessor is someone who endured persecution for the faith, but survived,” explains Priest Nikolai Savitsky. — On 8th February, the church commemorates the New Martyrs — those who suffered in the twentieth century. At the moment, 1623 saints are known, but research continues. Clergy are given access to personal files and archives. The history of the church is studied, new facts are discovered. It takes time to confirm them — this is very serious and painstaking work. When people did not deviate from their faith until their last breath, they are then considered. We must then learn about them in order to perform glorification.

On the Day of Remembrance of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors, it is important to read the biographies of several saints in order to understand how much they suffered.

Vneration of the Tsar’s family

There is an icon of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church, in the center of which the Tsar’s family is among the saints. Recall that Emperor Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna and their five children (Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Tsesarevich Alexei) were the last Imperial Family of Russia. After the abdication of Nicholas II from the throne on 15 March 1917 (O.S. 2 March) 1917, the family was initially held under house arrest in the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, before being sent into exile to Tobolsk. Then they were transferred to Ekaterinburg, where they were shot in the Ipatiev House on the night of 16/17 July 1918.

“Yes, history needs to be studied, but it is so twisted and distorted that it is very difficult to get to the bottom of the truth. Nevertheless, the Tsar’s family are glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church – after this fact, questions should disappear,” the priest emphasizes. – The Emperor, his wife and children were canonized in 2000 as passion-bearers. These are saints who suffered during their lifetime or were martyred, but not for confessing their faith in Jesus Christ. As a rule, they became victims of the hatred and deceit of their enemies for other, very different reasons. Virtue is that they met death without malice and resistance. In order to further increase the evil in the world by their resistance, in truly Christian humility and love for those who have hurt them. In this love, the passion-bearers became like Christ, Who humbly accepted crucifixion, death and forgave His tormentors.

Holy Royal Passion-Bearers, pray to God for us!
Святые царственные страстотерпцы, молите Бога о нас!

FURTHER READING

Prayer to the Holy Martyred Tsar Nicholas II

Two NEW books on the Alexander Palace

Posted on 10 Hours Ago by Paul Gilbert

I am pleased to a nnounce the release of a NEW edition of The Empress’s Balcony (published in 2026) and it’s companion volume The Empress’s Chair (published in 2023).

I have compiled two unique pictorials dedicated to two of the most iconic spots in the Alexander Palace – the former residence of Russia’s last Imperial Family at Tsarskoye Selo – both of them favourite spots for the rest and relaxation of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

The Empress’s famous balcony and the corner chair in her Mauve Boudoir served as the settings for hundreds of iconic photographs of herself, the Tsar, their children, as well as extended family members and those close to the Imperial Family.

Each of these pictorials feature more than 100 full-page black-and-white photos. The accompanying text explores the history of both the balcony and chair, as well as the history and recreation of the Maple Drawing Room and Mauve Boudoir. While the balcony was demolished during the Soviet years, the Empress’s chair has recently been recreated for the restored interior of her Mauve Boudoir, which opened to the public in 2021.

Each of these charming pictorials will be a welcome addition to any one who shares an interest in the Alexander Palace and its Imperial residents during the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

***

*This title is available from AMAZON in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Japan

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $13.99 USD

English. 112 pages, 100 black & white photos

Originally published in 2023, this NEW 2026 edition features a NEW cover, plus two additional pages and NEW photographs

Between 1896-1898 – the Court architect Silvio Danini carried out the reconstruction of the eastern wing of the Alexander Palace, which included the personal apartments of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna.

In addition, he installed the famous L-shaped iron balcony for the Empress, which was accessed via the Maple Drawing Room.

The Empress’s balcony became a favourite setting for taking family photographs, taken by the Empress and her children, all of whom were avid amateur photographers. More than a century later, these iconic images provide us with a rare glimpse into the private world of the Imperial Family.

The photographs presented in this pictorial, have all been selected from the private albums of the Empress and her children, and that of Alexandra’s friend and lady-in-waiting Anna Vyrubova.

Read why the balcony was dismantled between 1947-49, and why the palace-museum have no plans to restore it. In the meantime, we have to content ourselves with the selection of vintage photographs which have survived to this day, and are presented in this pictorial.

*This title is available from AMAZON in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Japan

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $13.99 USD

English. 120 pages, 107 black & white photos

Among the Empress’s quarters was the Mauve Boudoir, which would become her favourite room. According to legend, the Empress gave Alexnder Meltzer a lilac branch, her favourite flower, so that he could choose the colour scheme for the decoration of the room.

Among the most notable pieces of furniture in this room was a corner chair, which became a popular spot for family photographs, taken by the Empress and her children, all of whom were avid amateur photographers. More than a century later, these iconic images provide us with a rare glimpse into the private world of the Imperial Family.

Like many other rooms in the Alexander Palace, the Mauve Boudoir suffered a sad fate – the decoration and the interior were lost during the Great Patriotic War. The room has since been reconstructed and restored to its original historic look, as has the Empress’s famous chair.

Paul Gilbert celebrates anniversary of cutting ties with “Russian Imperial House”

Posted on 3 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Maria “Masha” Vadimirovna and her son George “Gosha” Mikhailovich

It was 5 years ago today – 5th February 2021 – that I officially cut all ties with the “Russian Imperial House“. It was on this day that I ceased to support the agenda of Maria Vladimirovna as “Head” of the House of Romanov and as the “legitimate claimant” to the Russian throne. In addition, I severed all ties with the Russian Legitimists (Kirillists) and their cause.

My announcement on social media created quite a buzz that day: garnering nearly 650 “LIKES” and more than 200 comments by followers supporting my decision.

On 5th February 202, I returned by mail the diplomas (‘gramotas’) for the Order of St. Stanislaus 3rd Class (2013), and the Order of St. Anna 3rd Class (2016), and also withdrew my oath of allegiance to Maria, dated and signed 03/14/16 – see below.

The following day, Russell Martin, a prominent American mouthpiece for Maria Vladimirovna, who acts as both translator and International Communications Advisor to the so-called “Chancellery of Her Imperial Highness”, leaped to his computer and wrote a nasty rebuttal as fast as his grubby little fingers could type. Martin made the most outrageous statements and even lies about me!

Maria and George are greatly disliked in both Russia and in the West, and I am not the only one who disputes their claims, however, the Legitimists must have felt very threatened by me for Martin to have responded to my blog and social media announcement in the manner in which he did.

In particular, regarding my “oath of allegiance” to Maria – pictured below – Russell Martin wrote the following: “It appears too that at a certain point he [Paul Gilbert] signed some kind of oath of allegiance to the Grand Duchess as head of the dynasty, because he states that he will no longer abide by this oath.”

Martin’s words “some kind of oath of allegiance” are carefully chosen. They are meant to imply that I am either making it all up or that such a document does not exist. Well, fortunately I save everything, and below is the evidence of this “kind of oath of allegiance” . . .

A person, who is awarded an imperial order receives a diploma (‘gramota’) then has the option to purchase the actual order itself. I (foolishly) paid $350 USD to receive my Order of St. Stanislaus 3rd Class. I never bothered purchasing the other order. As it turns out, these exact same orders, complete with red velvet cases are available in souvenir shops up and down Nevsky Prosspekt in St. Petersburg. I have even seen them for sale in Dom Knigi (House of Books). In addition, one can also buy a tiny lapel pin. Someone is making an awful lot of money from the sale of these trinkets!

But Martin does not work alone. Riding in his back pocket is his lapdog Nicholas B.A. Nicholson, a well known social media troll, who very served as Curator of the Russian History Museum in Jordanville, NY., from April 2020 to September 2021.

Together, Martin and Nicholson coo and fawn over “Her Imperial Highness”, and work diligently to spread her agenda to an English speaking audience. Nicholson is very active on social media, spewing forth Legitimist crap to any one who will give him the time of day. Their work is aided by a small group of Legitimist zealots, most of whom are American. And God help you, if you dare to disagree with any of them!

Why is any of this relevant? Because I want people to get an idea of the type of people with whom Maria surrounds herself with. Their actions and words speak volumes of the lengths they will go to promote and protect the Legitimist cause!

Recall that during the February Revolution of 1917, Maria’s grandfather Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich (1876-1938), marched to the Tauride Palace in Petrograd at the head of the Naval Guards bearing a red armband and swore allegiance to the Russian Provisional Government. In 1926, Kirill proclaimed himself emperor-in-exile, but his claims were contested by a number of grand dukes, grand duchesses, princes and princesses of the Imperial Blood in exile, as well as monarchists in a division that continues to this day.

On a more personal note, it made me sick to my stomach to think that I supported Kirill’s descendants. My decision to severe ties with Masha and Gosha was the right one, I simply followed my heart and my conscience!

Many monarchists (including myself) and those faithful to the memory of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II, believe that Kirill’s act of treason in 1917, should eliminate the Vladimir branch of the Russian Imperial Family from any further consideration.

Further, I no longer wish to involve myself in the dynastic squabbles which continue to this day between Legitimists and those monarchists who dispute Maria’s claim as Head of the Russian Imperial House and claimant to the Russian throne.

While I am a devout monarchist, I do not recognize any person as the claimant to the now defunct throne of Russia. I believe that the Russian monarchy ceased to exist upon the abdication of the Sovereign Emperor Nicholas II on 15th (O.S. 2nd) March 1917 and the murder of both the Tsar and his family on 17th July 1918. If the monarchy is ever to be restored in 21st century Russia, it is up to the citizens of Russia to make that decision, no one else.

I will continue to devote my time to researching and writing about the life and reign of Nicholas II, and committing myself to clearing his much slandered name.

***

Under no pretext can we admit to the throne those whose ancestors belonged to parties involved in the 1917 revolution in one way or another. Nor can we admit those whose ancestors, who betrayed Tsar Nicholas II. Nor can we ignore those whose ancestors who openly supported the Nazis. Thus, without any reservations, the right to the succession to the throne of the Kirillovich branch should be excluded!

Any person who supports this branch of the Romanov dynasty, dishonours the memory of the murdered Holy Tsar Martyr Nicholas II.

Nicholas II Vintage Newsreels No. 1 – 5

Posted on 3 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

This is the first installment of a new feature to my Nicholas II. Emperor. Tsar. Saint. blog, which showcases the vast collection of vintage newsreels which are now available to watch on YouTube and other online media sources. I have taken the liberty of selecting 5 interesting newsreels which depict Emperor Nicholas II and his family attending events in various cities throughout the Russian Empire.

Many of these newsreels include background music, with tunes of the Russian Empire or Orthodox music. Others are narrated in Russian, however, that should not deter the viewer from watching. You can turn on the English (or other language) subtitles by clicking on Google translate and then turn on the closed captioning [CC] button, found at the bottom of the newsreel. ENJOY!

No. 1 – Piety of Emperor Nicholas II

This video presents newsreel footage of the Imperial Family from the Russian State Archive of Film and Photo Documents (RGAKFD). These newsreels captures the moments when the Emperor, together with his Family, attends divine services, venerates the cross and icons, participates in processions of the cross and talks with church leaders.

Music: 1 – “Tsar mighty, Tsar sovereign” (lyrics and music by Shchurovsky; 2 – “Many years, Orthodox Russian Tsar!” (both songs are performed by the choir of the Valaam Monastery).

Duration: 3 minute, 13 seconds with musical background

***

No. 2 – Emperor Nicholas II in Smolensk. 31st August 1912

The newsreel opens with the Imperial Train arriving at the railway station in Smolensk, whereby the Emperor walks down the platform to review the honour guard. He is then seen receiving gifts and the traditional bread and salt from local officials and dignitaries.

At 2:39, you will notice a rather plump chap appearing from the right hand side of the screen. This is Prince Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov (1868-1927), one of Nicholas II’s closest advisors. Between 1906-1915, Orlov headed the Emperor’s Military Cabinet, he also served as the the Emperor’s personal chauffeur. For many years, he was one of Nicholas II’s most trusted aides, however, his negative feelings towards Rasputin, eventually led to his dismissal from the Imperial Court.

Further into the newsreel, we see carriages carrying the Imperial Family arriving at the Cathedral Church of the Assumption. Their visit coincided with events marking the 100th anniversary of the Patriotic War of 1812. Upon leaving the cathedral, they pass by students of the Smolensk Diocesan School. If you watch closely, you will see the dedicated Minister of the Imperial Court, Baron V.B. Fredericks, who constantly shadowed the Emperor.

The newsreel concludes with a view of the Imperial Family, standing on a hill overlooking Smolensk.

Duration: 5 minutes, 54 seconds with musical background

***

No. 3 – French President Raymond Poincare’s State Visit to Russia, 1912-1914

In this newsreel we see Emperor Nicholas II with President Raymond Poincare of France at Krasnoye Selo, the summer military capital of the Russian Empire. We see Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and her daughters getting into some of the fine automobiles which the Emperor was so fond of.

This is followed by a parade of grand dukes and generals on horseback. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna is then seen riding in an open carriage with President Raymond Poincare, the Emperor on horseback riding along side.

Members of the Imperial Family join Poincare in a tent, positioned on a slight hill, where they can witness manoeuvres in honour of the French president’s state visit. Towards the end of the footage, the Empress is seen nodding as soldiers file past the tent and its guests.

Duration: 4 minutes, 19 seconds, no audio

***

No. 4 – Emperor Nicholas II at Revel in 1908

[1] Arrival of the Imperial train in Revel (modern day Tallinn, Estonia). We see Emperor Nicholas II, along with members of his family and retinue walking along the platform

[2] A launch carries the Emperor and his family to the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart’

[3[ Arrival of a train in Revel carrying the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Queen Olga of Greece, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, Prince P.A. Oldenburg, among others

[4] A launch carries the Dowager Empress and members of the Imperial Family to the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart’

[5] The arrival of the British Royal Yacht ‘Victoria and Albert’, carrying King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Revel, 27th May 1908

Duration: 8 minutes, 30 seconds with musical background

***

No. 5 – Historic visit to Riga in the summer of 1910 by Emperor Nicholas II

At the beginning of the newsreel we see the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart’ sailing into the harbour. It is one thing to admire the ‘Standart’ in photographs, however, it is only when one views it in a moving image, that one can put into perspective the sheer size of this magnificent “floating palace” – 128 m (420 feet) in length and 5557 tons standard in weight. It was the envy of all the royal houses of Europe and Great Britain.

Nicholas II’s visited Riga with his family for three days – from 3 to 5 July 1910. The Imperial Family arrived for the celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the capture of Riga from Sweden by Russian troops, making it part of the Russian Empire.

The highlight of the visit was the grand opening and consecration of the monument to Emperor Peter I on the Alexander Boulevard in Riga, which is also featured in this video.

Alexandre Spiridovitch writes about the tsar’s 1910 visit to Riga in his memoirs Last Years of the Court at Tsarskoe Selo Volume II (1910-1914) – first English language edition published in 2017 [now out of print].

Duration: 5 minutes, 1 second with Russian language audio

Ukraine to remove fresco depicting Nicholas II “as religious propaganda of an aggressor country.”

Posted on 6 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: fresco depicting the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers
on the wall of the Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral

The Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral in the Ukrainian city of Volodymyr (Vladimir) in the Volyn region, recently came under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church[1]. On 31st January 2026, a fresco depicting Emperor Nicholas II and his family was discovered during an inspection tour of the building.

The fresco is non-political, however, Ukrainian authorities have already demanded the removal of the fresco as part of their anti-Russian campaign and so-called “decommunization” of all cultural heritage sites and geographical names associated with the Romanov dynasty.

According to People’s Deputy of Ukraine Ihor Huz, the fresco depicting the Holt Royal Passion-Bearers will be removed “as religious propaganda of an aggressor country.”

Recall that Nicholas II and his family were canonized as Holy Royal Passion-Bearers by the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church on 15th August 2000. Both Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians venerate icons of the Holy Royal Passion-Beaers. Therefore, the move by Ukrainian authorities shows nothing but blatant disrespect for freedom of religion.

In recent years monuments, busts, icons and even church doors depicting members of the Romanov dynasty have been removed from sites in Ukraine, as part of the country’s mindless and shameful attempts to erase history.

Sadly, Ukraine’s actions mirror] that of the Bolsheviks in 1918, when Lenin ordered the removal of all symbols of Tsarist Russia, including the removal of all Tsarist symbols, such as double-headed eagles, the destruction of monuments, memorial plaques, the renaming of cities, towns, squares, buildings and street names.

NOTES:

[1] Until October 2025 the Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral was under the control of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). On 11th October 2025, by a court decision, the building was brought under state ownership. Clerics of the Moscow Patriarchate tried to prevent the entry of government official into the cathedral by barricading the central passage with benches. The (regional) state administration of Volyn Oblast handed the Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in January 2026.

Russia does not intend to pay the debts of Nicholas II

Posted on 7 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

Moscow is not responsible for Petrograd

Further to my previous post ‘United States demands billions from Russia for Romanov-era bonds‘ – published on 16th January 2026, I am pleased to provide the following update on this issue:

“The Russian Federation does not intend to pay the debts of the Russian Empire” – said Deputy Finance Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Kolychev regardubg the lawsuit filed on 16th January 2026 by the American investment fund Noble Capital RSD LLC. The lawsuit filed in the court of the District of Columbia (USA) is demanding $225.8 billion USD from Moscow for sovereign bonds issued by the Tsarist government in December 1916. The chances of this claim being satisfied are close to zero, if we proceed from historical logic.

The sovereign bonds of the Russian Empire, were issued n December 1916 at 5.5% per annum for a period of 5 years, just two months before the fall of the Tsarist government, were then transferred to the management of the National City Bank of New York (which later changed its name to Citibank). The amount of the claim is $25 billion of fixed capital plus interest accrued over almost 110 years.

The defendants in the lawsuit are the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and the National Welfare Fund of Russia (NWF). They have until 30th January 2026, to file objections to the lawsuit of the Delaware-registered Noble Capital RSD.

Noble Capital’s lawsuit, strictly speaking, cannot even be accepted for consideration in court, since it is based on factually incorrect premises, notes Igor Semenovsky, associate professor of the Department of International and Public Law of the Faculty of Law at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation:

“The lawsuit alleges that in February 1918, the Soviet Union refused to pay the debts of both the Tsarist and the Provisional Government, citing that the USSR was established only at the end of 1922. It is also argued that the recognition of the debts of the USSR by the Russian Federation is tantamount to its recognition of the debts of the Russian Empire, which is incorrect both historically (because the USSR did not recognize the Tsarist debts) and logically (the Russian Federation declared itself the successor of the Soviet Union only, but never declared itself the successor of the Russian Empire or the Provisional Government). Neither the RSFSR before 2022, nor the USSR after 2022 undertook such continuity, that is, the logical scheme of transitivity does not work here either.”

Nevertheless, the plaintiff insists that such succession exists. As a precedent (paragraphs 26 and 28 of the lawsuit), the agreements between the USSR and Great Britain of July 1986 and between the Russian Federation and France of November 1996 were mentioned.

There are indeed precedents when the USSR and the Russian Federation recognized Tsarist debts ad hoc (in particular cases), but this does not increase the chances of Noble Capital to win theie lawsuit, Vladimir Kanashevsky, head of the Department of Private International Law at the Kutafin Moscow State Law Academy, explained:

“Russia, like any sovereign country, has state immunity from the decisions of any national court. We may ask why Noble Capital did not present its claims in 1996, when the Russian Federation signed an agreement with the Paris Club on the payment of Tsarist debts. Even if the American court agrees with the plaintiff’s arguments, the Russian Federation has the right to ignore this decision. In this case, the plaintiff may try to enforce the judgment at the expense of Russian property that it can reach, for example, the frozen assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.”

Probably, it is these frozen assets that are the goal of the authors of the lawsuit. Sooner or later, their fate will have to be decided, and the investment fund (or those who stand behind it) wants to create a legal basis for withdrawing this money in its favor. Albeit under the guise of imperial debts.

Lost Orthodox Churches of Imperial Russia – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Borki)

Posted on 9 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour at Borki. 1916

During the Bolshevik and later the Soviet war against the Russian Orthodox Church (1920-1980s), thousands of Orthodox churches, cathedrals and monasteries of the Russian Empire were destroyed. Many of these architectural monuments were blown up, their materials were used to construct new buildings. For instance. the marble salvaged from the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow in 1931, was used to decorate some of the city’s elaborate Metro stations.

One of the greatest architectural losses of both the Russian Empire and the Russian Orthodox Church is that of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Borki, Kharkov Oblast (today, part of eastern Ukraine).

The cathedral was built in 1891-1894 in the village of Borki, on the site of the crash of the Imperial Train on 17th October 1888, in memory of the dead and in honour of the miraculous salvation of the Emperor Alexander III and his family. The majestic cathedral, was designed in the Russian-Byzantine style, by the Russian architect Robert Robertovich Marfeld (1852-1921).

PHOTO: Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna leaving the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on 20th August 1898, the day marking the 10th anniversary of the Borki train disaster

History

On 27th April 1889, on the initiative of the Kharkov governor Alexander Ivanovich Petrov (1838/1841—1915), a committee was created to erect a memorial at the site of the crash of the tsar’s train. On 30th May, the committee decided to construct a cathedral in the center of the architectural ensemble, and to erect a chapel on the site of the disaster itself. On the same day, the landowner Apollon Mikhailovich Mernenkov donated the land near the site of the disaster for the construction of the cathedral.

At the time, the crash site of the Imperial Train attracted a lot of people who came to pray at the site, but expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that there was no room for offering thanksgiving prayers for the salvation of the Tsar and his family, Archbishop Ambrose (Klyucharev) of Kharkov and Akhtyrka (1820-1901) and the Venerable Herman of Svyatogorsk (Gregory Ivanovich Klitsa (1816–1890) organized the construction of a wooden church and skete.

In addition, buildings for visitors to the skete, buildings for monastic cells and refectory, and a summer shelter for pilgrims were erected on the land donated by the peasants of the village of Sokolovo, Trees used for the construction of the Old Russian style church came from a pine forest in Moscow, and transported by rail. On 20th August 1889, the opening of the skete and the consecration of a church in honour of the Image of Christ the Saviour Not-Made-by-Hands took place.

PHOTO: view of the iconostasis of Christ the Saviour at Borki. 1908

PHOTO: view of the iconostasis of Christ the Saviour at Borki. 1908

PHOTO: view of the two side chapels of Christ the Saviour at Borki. 1908

The project of the stone Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was developed by Robert Robertovich Marfeld (1852-1921), construction was carried out at the expense of the local manufacturer I. Voronin and numerous donors.

On 21st May 1891, the foundation was laid, the ceremony was attended by Empress Maria Feodorovna, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich [future Emperor Nicholas II] and other members of the Imperial Family.

The cathedral was designed to hold 1400 worshippers. It was a majestic structure, surrounded on three sides by a covered gallery and crowned with a huge golden dome. All the exterior gilding of the cathedral and chapel were made of gold leaf.

The interior of the cathedral was distinguished by simplicity and at the same time elegance. On the right side of the Holy Doors was placed the Image of the Saviour Not-Made-by-Hands, in honour of which the cathedral was erected, and on the left side was an icon of the Mother of God. The Holy Doors were carved from linden wood. On three sides of the church there were extensive choirs.

On 17th October 1891, a chapel was laid at the place where the Imperial Family miraculously came out from under the wreckage of the train. At first, its underground section was erected in the railway embankment, then aboveground, in the form of a tetrahedral tower with a golden dome. The Ministry of Railways at its own expense built two majestic staircases on the slope of the embankment and a platform opposite the cathedral itself.

On 14th July 1894, in the presence of Emperor Alexander III and members of his family, the solemn consecration of the cathedral in the name of Christ the Saviour took place.

A landscaped park was laid out in front of the cathedral, and outdoor lighting was installed. At the place where the Empress tended to the wounded victims of the train crash, a gazebo made of stones and metal was erected.

In 1900, the cathedral complex was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Railways. With the money raised by the railway and voluntary donations, a hospital and a home for elderly railway workers were built at the cathedral complex, a parochial school and a public library were opened, as well as a museum dedicated to the events of 17th October 1888.

On 20th August 1898, Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna along with other members of the Imperial Family visited the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, on the day marking the 10th anniversary of the Borki train disaster.

In 1908, a monument to Emperor Alexander III was erected next to the cathedral.

PHOTO: view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour at Borki. Only the Chapel of the Saviour (right) has surived to the present day

Destruction

During the Great Patriotic War (1941-45), the cathedral complex was completely destroyed. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour caught fire, the golden dome collapsed. On 7th September 1943, the cathedral was blown up during the offensive of Soviet troops. It is not known whether it was the Soviets or the Nazis who shelled it. After the war, the ruins of the cathedral were blown up.

Miraculously, only the Chapel of the Saviour, situated some 60 meters from the cathedral survived, although it to was badly damaged during the war. In 1992-1993, the chapel was restored, funded by conations raised by local residents and the Southern Railway. On 27th April 2003, the chapel was consecrated by Bishop Onufriy.

PHOTO: the Chapel of the Saviour at Borki as it looks today

FURTHER READING

Lost Orthodox Churches of Imperial Russia – Part I + 13 PHOTOS

Lost architectural monuments of the Moscow Kremlin + 13 PHOTOS

Confession of a regicide – Grigory Nikulin (1894-1965)

Posted on 10 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Grigory Petrovich Nikulin as he looked in 1918 and 1950

July 17th 1918, is the date that forever divided Russian history into “before” and “after”. That night, in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg, the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family were brutally murdered.

From loser to Chekist: the path of the regicide

Grigory Petrovich Nikulin, the future executioner was born in 1894 near Kiev into a poor lower-class family. Life did not work out well for Grigory, as a youth: he did not graduate from school or college, and he was already working hard by the age of 14. Fleeing from his alcoholic and abusive father, he ran away from home and quickly fell under the influence of revolutionary ideas. By 1916, he was already an experienced underground worker at a dynamite factory near Ekaterinburg.

After the February 1917 Revolution, Nikulin came out of the shadows, joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) and became part of the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (the Cheka). Here he made the acquaintance of Yakov Yurovsky, the future commandant of the Ipatiev House. Cold-blooded and loyal, Nikulin was ideally suited for the role of a guard, and then an executioner.

Nikulin proved his ruthlessness by shooting Prince Vassily Alexandrovich Dolgorukov (1868-1918), who had faithfully followed the Tsar and his family into exile. He was also involved in death of Bishop Hermogenes (Dolganyov) of Tobolsk and Siberia (1858-1918), who was drowned in the Tura River by the Bolsheviks.

A sentence that was waiting in the wings

In the spring of 1964, already being a pensioner and former head of the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department, Nikulin agreed to a radio interview. His story is a chilling protocol of a state sponsored murder.

According to him, the question of the fate of the Tsar was decided at the very top. The Chekist and fellow regicide Filipp Goloshchyokin went to Moscow twice to coordinate with Vladimir Lenin and Yakov Sverdlov. Initially, a public trial was planned, but the approach of the White Army on Ekaterinburg made it necessary to alter their plan. The final decision was made by the Ural Executive Committee of the Regional Council.

On 16th July, Yurovsky, returning from a meeting of the executive committee, announced that the execution would take place that night. Various options were discussed: to kill the prisoners in their sleep or to throw grenades into their rooms. They settled on a firing squad. Under the pretext of the danger of an attack on the house, the Tsar, his family and four faithful retainers were led down to the basement, where they would all be shot. There were to be no survivors.

At about 11 p.m., Botkin was woken up. “Would you be so kind as to awake the family and lead them downstairs.” Meanwhile the regicides assembled in the Ipatiev House to carry out the murders – Medvedev, Yermakov, Yurovsky, Pavel Medvedev and Kabanov – a total of eight people.

It took the family two hours to get ready. When they went down to the basement, they had to carry chairs – for the Empress and the Tsesarevich, who was dreadfully ill and could not stand.

” Alexandra Fedorovna and the heir sat down. Then Comrade Yurovsky, uttered: your friends are advancing on Ekaterinburg and therefore you are sentenced to death. They didn’t even get it, they had no time to react, because Nikolai yelled: “Ah!” and at that time there was a volley! One! Two! Three!”

Following all that, the innocent girl, Princess Anastasia, Demidova, who protected herself from fright with a pillow, and a sick teenager [Alexei] who, according to Nikulin, “tossed and turned for a long time.” They were both shot dead.

The regicide was “finished” in half an hour. The bodies were wrapped in blankets and thrown into the back of a waiting truck parked in the yard. The noise of the engine was supposed to drown out the shots and screams of the women.

“Baltasar was killed . . .”

According to the investigator Nikolai Alekseevich Sokolov (1882-1924), the bodies of the Imperial Family were taken to the forest, where they were desecrated and subsequently destroyed. The regicides themselves were shocked by what they had done. One of them said: “No one will ever find them…”

Nikulin himself sincerely believed that “humanity was shown on our part” and said that “he would be happy” if the Whites did the same to him. Obviously, he understood what a crime he had committed, and what kind of reprisal the embittered officers could have committed against him.

It is interesting to note, that on 20th July 1918, Nikulin accompanied two wagons of the Tsar’s family belongings from Ekaterinburg. They were first delivered to Perm, and after sorting, part of the valuables (silver, gold) along with four thousand poods of gold collected in the banks of the Ural cities were delivered to Moscow by a special train No 3-bis and handed over to the State Depository, the commandant of the train was Yakov Yurovsky, Nikulin was his assistant.

PHOTO: Nikulin’s grave in the Old Bolshevik section
of the Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow

Grigory Petrovich Nikulin died on 22nd September 1965, at the age of 71. He was buried in the Old Bolshevik section of the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Across from Nikulin’s grave is the grave of Boris Yeltsin (1931-2007), President of the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999. The Ipatiev House was demolished by order of Boris Yeltsin in 1977 while he was leader of the Sverdlovsk Executive Committee.

The Politburo had declared the house not to be of “sufficient historical significance”, however, the real reason was that the Ipatiev House was becoming a shrine for a growing number of faithful, who left candles, made the sign of the Cross and offered prayers to the murdered Tsar and his family.

Given his participation in the regicide, it is nothing short of a miracle that Nikulin’s grave has not been vandalized by those faithful to the memory of Emperor Nicholas II and his family. In recent years, the graves of Pyotr Yermakov in Ekaterinburg and Yakov Yurovsky in Moscow have been vandalized repeatedly.

Equestrian monument of Nicholas II to be installed in in the Chelyabinsk region

Posted on 11 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

Further to my article New monument to Nicholas II to be installed in the Urals, published on 7th May 2025, I am pleased to provide an update on this new monument to Emperor Nicholas II.

A new equestrian monument of Emperor Nicholas II is to be installed in the Ural city of Verkhneuralsk, which is located about 230 km south of Chelyabinsk and 450 km south of Ekaterinburg.

The monument is in memory of Tsesarevich Grand Duke Nicholas Alexandrovich [future Emperor Nicholas II] visit to Verkhneuralsk on 3-4 August (O.S. 22-23 July) 1891, during a trip across the Russian Empire following his Eastern Journey (1890-91).

The model [seen in photos above] is already ready. It was made by the Chelyabinsk artist and sculptor Anna Shumakova.

“The composition is dynamic and symbolic: the young Tsesarevich frozen in a tense, restrained pose, and his horse seems to be keenly listening to the road,” the Verkhneuralsk administration notes.

The weight of the life-size bronze sculpture featuring the Tsar on horseback is 3 tons, not including the pedestal.

The sculptor has paid particular attention to historical accuracy. On the uniform of the Tsesarevich, are details of the highest state awards, including the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called and the Imperial Order of St. Prince Vladimir of the 4th degree.

The monument is to be installed on the grounds of Cathedral of the St. Nicholas the Wonderworker [built in 1870] in Verkhneuralsk. The monument will be installed and consecrated upon completion of the landscaping and gardens. The grand opening of the monument is tentatively scheduled for the 19th (O.S. 6th) May [Nicholas II’s birthday].

Nicholas II: defender of the Orthodox faith

Posted on 14 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

Nicholas II, Russia’s last emperor, is revered by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Serbia Orthodox Church as a saint for his deep piety, unwavering defense of Orthodoxy, embodying the traditional role of the Tsar as God’s anointed Defender of the Faith.

A symbol of Steadfastness. Nicholas II serves as an inspiration for Orthodox Christians, representing the ideal of a ruler and believer who remained true to God amidst immense trials and tribulations.

Nicholas II saw himself as the Supreme Defender of the Orthodox faith, fostering church growth, promoting canonizations, and upholding traditional values, while the ROC honours him as an example of steadfast faith and a symbol for believers against modern evils.

As God’s Anointed, Nicholas II could not be displaced during his lifetime. Since the will of God was nowhere manifest, neither in the naming of his brother Grand Duke Mikhail to the throne, nor in the Tsar’s signing of the instrument of abdication, his status as Emperor and Tsar remained inviolate and unassailable.

“The Tsar was a living incarnation of faith in the Divine Providence that works in the destinies of nations and peoples and directs Rulers faithful to God into good and useful actions”
– St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco (1896-1966)

Religion and the Church Under Nicholas II

Nicholas II believed his divine duty as Supreme Guardian of the Orthodox faith and ‘Head of the Church’ in the spirit of his Byzantine imperial predecessors, and to protect the Orthodox Church and its doctrines, viewing himself as the first among believers and God’s chosen ruler.

During his reign (1894-1917), the Russian Orthodox Church expanded significantly with construction of new churches, monasteries, and schools, with the Tsar personally supporting religious publications and artifacts. He personally helped to finance from his own pocket, the construction of new churches, both within the Russian Empire and abroad.

The Russian Orthodox Church under Emperor Nicholas II flourished. In 1914, it consisted of 68 dioceses, 54,923 churches, 953 monasteries, 4 theological academies, 185 religious schools, 40,530 schools and 278 periodicals. The clergy consisted of 157 bishops, 68,928 priests, 48 987 clerics, 21,330 monks in monasteries and 73,229 nuns in convents.

Nicholas II actively supported the canonization of revered figures, most notably St. Seraphim of Sarov, and other saints such as Theodosius of Uglitsk and John of Tobolsk.

Icons of the Holy Royal Martyr Nicholas II are now found in Orthodox churches globally, and many Orthodox believers venerate him as a great saint.

His Canonization as a Saint

The canonization of Russia’s last Tsar, also known as “glorification,” was the elevation to sainthood of Nicholas II as a “new martyr” by the ROCOR on 1st November 1981 and as a “passion-bearer” by the Moscow Patriarchate on 15th August 2000, recognizing his peaceful endurance of persecution and execution by the Bolsheviks. Despite his official designation as “passion-bearers” by the Moscow Patriarchate, Nicholas II is nevertheless spoken of as “martyr” in Church publications, icons, and in popular veneration by the people.

Nicholas II was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church primarily for his role as a pious “passion-bearer”—a saint who faced death with Christian humility and resignation—and for his significant support of Serbia during World War I, specifically his efforts to protect Serbia and his solidarity with the Serbian people.

In essence, Nicholas II embodies the historical ideal of the Orthodox Tsar, and his life and martyrdom solidified his place as a revered saint, a defender of his people and his faith until the very end.

***

CLICK on the above image to watch the VIDEO
Researched, written and narrated by Paul Gilbert
Duration: 20 minutes. Language: English

Emperor Nicholas II reigned for 22+ years – from November 1894 to February 1917. With his murder, the last Orthodox Christian monarch, along with the thousand-year history of thrones and crowns in Russia, ended, ushering in an era of lawlessness, apostasy, and terror, one which would sweep Holy Orthodox Russia into an abyss which would last more than 70 years.

This new video production is based on the research of project colleague and independent researcher Paul Gilbert, who also narrates this video.

In the first 24 hours of it’s release on YouTube, some 3,000 people had watched the video! Since it’s release in July 2020, it has been viewed by more than 134.000 people.

The creators have done a remarkable job of incorporating a wonderful collection of photos – both vintage B&W and colourized by Olga Shirnina (aka KLIMBIM) – historical newsreel film footage and music.

One viewer noted on social media: “Only 20 minutes long, this is the BEST portrayal of the last Tsar’s Orthodox faith I have ever seen. Very well-made, historical and moving.”

The crowning moment of this video is near the end, which shows film footage of the actual canonization ceremony of Emperor Nicholas II and his family, performed on 20th August 2000 by Patriarch Alexei II (1929-2008) in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. You can hear His Holiness calling out each of the names of the Imperial Family. The footage is extremely moving to watch.

This 20-minute video is presented in the framework of the production of the book The Romanov Royal Martyrs: What Silence Could Not Conceal published by Mesa Potamos Publications in 2019.

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CLICK on the IMAGE below for more details and to order your copy

‘NICHOLAS II: RUSSIA’S LAST ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MONARCH’

Compiled and Edited by Paul Gilbert

134 PAGES. ILLUSTRATED

AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK and EBOOK EDITIONS

An illustrated 16-page Introduction by independent researcher Paul Gilbert explores the piety of Nicholas II, and his devotion to the Russian Orthodox Church, which reached its fullest development and power, during his 22-year reign.

This book further examines the trials and tribulations the Tsar endured, which later led to his canonization by the Russian Orthodox Church.