On this day – 20th August 2000 – after eight years of debate, and at times threatening to split the Russian Orthodox Church, the Council of Bishops unanimously approved the canonization of Emperor Nicholas II and his family as passion-bearers[1]. The rite of canonization took place in Moscow’s newly reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia (1929-2008), and nearly 150 bishops debated, once and for all, the issue of the Tsar’s spiritual life and qualifications for sainthood. Supporters of this action had long insisted that Nicholas II was anointed by God[2] and was incapable of stopping the communist takeover of Russia. Those who opposed the Tsar’s canonization insisted that he was weak, indulged in excesses and had little concern for the suffering of his people.

“In the last Orthodox monarch of Russia and in the members of his Family we see people who sincerely sought to live by the commandments of the Gospel. In the suffering endured in captivity by the Imperial Family with humbleness, patience and meekness, in their martyrs’ death during the night of 17th (O.S. 4th) July 1918, the evil-defeating light of the faith of Christ was revealed,” the Bishop’s Council concluded.

The Moscow Patriarchate canonized the family as passion-bearers: people who face death with resignation, in a Christ-like manner, as distinguished from martyrs, the latter historically killed for their faith. Proponents cited the piety of the family and reports that the Tsarina and her eldest daughter Olga prayed and attempted to make the sign of the cross immediately before they died.

The term “passion-bearer” is used in relation to those Russian saints who, “imitating Christ, endured with patience physical, moral suffering and death at the hands of political opponents. In the history of the Russian Church, such passion-bearers were the holy noble princes Boris and Gleb (1015), Igor of Chernigov (+ 1147), Andrei Bogolyubsky (+ 1174), Mikhail of Tverskoy (+ 1318), Tsarevich Dimitri (+ 1591). All of them, by their feat of passion-bearers, showed a high example of Christian morality and patience.

Despite their official designation as “passion-bearers” by the August 2000 Council, Nicholas II and his family are referred to as “martyrs” in Church publications, icons, and in popular veneration by the people.

The four faithful retainers who had been killed along with the Imperial family were also canonized as new martyrs by the ROCOR in 1981 The canonized servants were Dr. Eugene Botkin, court physician; Alexei Trupp, footman; Ivan Kharitonov, cook; and Anna Demidova, Alexandra’s maid. Also canonized were two servants killed in September 1918, lady in waiting Anastasia Hendrikova and tutor Catherine Adolphovna Schneider. All were canonized as victims of oppression by the Bolsheviks.

On 3rd February 2016, the Bishop’s Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) canonized Dr. Botkin as a righteous passion bearer. They did not canonize the servants, two of whom were not Russian Orthodox: Trupp was Roman Catholic, and Schneider was Lutheran.

Since the late 20th century, believers have attributed healing from illnesses or conversion to the Orthodox Church to their prayers to Maria and Alexei, as well as to the rest of the family.

On 20th August 2025 – the day marking the 25th anniversary of the canonization of the Holy Tsar’s Family, a moleben[3] was performed at the Church on the Blood (Ekaterinburg), built on the site of the Ipatiev House, where Nicholas II and his family were murdered on 17th July 1918.

NOTES:

[1] Emperor Nicholas II and his family were canonized as “new martyrs” by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in 1981. The term “new martyrs” refers to those who were killed for their faith in the 20th century, especially during the persecution of Christians in the Soviet era. 

[2] “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 Michael to the throne, nor in the Tsar’s signing of the instrument of abdication, his status as Tsar remained inviolate and unassailable.”

by Evgeni Vernigora. ‘A Personal Reflection on the Abdication of the Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II’
Published in ‘Orthodox Life,’ 13th June 2018

[3] a liturgical service of supplication or thanksgiving

FURTHER READING:

The Canonization of Nicholas II + 12 PHOTOS

ROC Report on the Canonization of Nicholas II and his family

Obituary: His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia (1929-2008)

© Paul Gilbert. 20 August 2025

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NICHOLAS II: RUSSIA’S LAST ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MONARCH

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PAPERBACK EDITION – PRICE $10.99

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BOOK DESCRIPTION

This book is not only for Orthodox and non-Orthodox persons, but for any one who shares an interest in the life, death, and martyrdom of the Holy Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II.

An illustrated 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.

Paperback edition, with 134 pages + 23 black & white photographs

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BONES OF CONTENTION:
The Russian Orthodox Church & the Ekaterinburg Remains

by Paul Gilbert

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PAPERBACK EDITION – PRICE $13.99

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Originally published in 2020, this NEW REVISED & EXPANDED EDITION features an additional 40 pages, new chapters and 90 black and white photos.

In May 2022, the Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, will convene in Moscow during which they will review the findings of the Investigative Commission and deliver their verdict on the authenticity of the Ekaterinburg Remains.

This is the first English language title to explore the position the highly contentious issue of the Russian Orthodox Church’s position on the Ekaterinburg remains. The author’s research for this book is based exclusively on documents from the office of the Moscow Patriarchate, as well as Russian media and archival sources.

Paperback edition. 206 pages. + 90 black & white photographs

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MOST PIOUS TSAR
Icons, Frescoes and Holy Images of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II

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In 1938, Russia’s last tsar Nicholas II was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church. On 1st November 1981, he was canonized as a new martyr by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). On 20th August 2000, after 8 years of study, he was canonized as a passion bearer by the Moscow Patriarchate, although the people had already been venerating him as a saint for a long time, and this canonization was simply a confirmation of a fact that already existed by itself.

Since these historic dates, icons of Russia’s last Tsar have been installed in Orthodox churches across Russia and around the world. In addition home icons have been mass produced and sold for veneration by Orthodox Christians.

This book will not only appeal to Orthodox and non-Orthodox persons, but for any one who shares an interest in icons and iconography. This book also includes a Prayer and Akathist to the Holy Martyred Tsar. The highlight of this book, however, are the 130+ colour photographs of icons, frescoes and holy images depicting the Holy Royal Martyr Nicholas II.

English. Large 7″ x 10″ format. 162 pages with 132 photos in FULL COLOUR!