PHOTO: plaque to Emperor Nicholas II and an icon of the Holy Royal Martyrs was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Rukumija Monastery

On 12th November, a simple wooden plaque to Emperor Nicholas II and an icon of the Holy Royal Martyrs was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Rukumija Monastery, near the town of Pozharevac in Serbia. The installation of the plaque is in gratitude for the Russian Emperor’s efforts to come to the aid of Serbia during the First World War.

The ceremony began with the singing of the Russian and Serbian national anthems, then the choir performed the “Song to the Holy Tsar Nicholas“. This was followed by the consecration ceremony performed by the rector of the monastery Heiromonk Simeon, in the presence of parishioners and distinguished guests from the Russian Embassy in Belgrade (Vladlen Zelenin), the Russian House in Belgrade (Georgy Engelgart) and the Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Peoples (Natalya Kotseva).

Zelenin thanked the Serbian people for honouring the memory of Tsar Nicholas II. In turn, Engelhardt noted that the gratitude and love of the Serbian people for the last Russian Tsar could serve as an example for the Russian people themselves.

PHOTO: the Rukumija Monastery, near the town of Pozharevac in Serbia

For Serbians, Emperor Nicholas II is revered both as a saint and as a statesman. For many Serbs, the image of the Russian Tsar is a symbol of loyalty, honesty and devotion to one’s word. The Serbian people remember that it was for the sake of saving Serbia that Nicholas II entered the First World War.

For more information on Serbia’s reverance for Emperor Nicholas II, please refer to the following articles, researched from Russian and Serbian sources by Paul Gilbert:

Nicholas II through Serbian eyes, published on 13th October 2020

“For us Serbs, Nicholas II will be the greatest and most revered of all saints”, published on 11th August 2022

“I consider Nicholas II a great reformer” – Serbian Ambassador to Russia, published on 13th May 2019

New outdoor portrait of Nicholas II appear’s in Serbia’s capital, published on 2nd January 2020

Icon of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II from Serbia arrives in St. Petersburg, published on 14th May 2021

The Russian House of Emperor Nicholas II in Belgrade, Serbia, published on 12th October 2022

© 14 November 2022