Monuments / Busts | Nicholas II

New monument to Nicholas II and his family unveiled in the Surgut district

On 19th August 2026, a new monument to Emperor Nicholas II and his family was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Church of of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, situated in the village of Bely Yar, Surgut district.

The opening of the monument is timed to the 135 years ago, the heir to the throne visited Ugra.during a trip across the Russian Empire following his Eastern Journey (1890-91).

Historical documents in the district archives note: “On 21st (O.S. 8th) July, 1891, at 5 o’clock in the evening, the heir to the throne, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Nicholas Alexandrovich [future Emperor Nicholas II], arrived at the Beloyarsk wharf, which is seven versts from Surgut, on the steamer “Nikolai“.

The 3-meter bronze sculptural composition was created by a group of Moscow sculptors. The consecration of the monument of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers was performed by Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut.

The opening and consecration ceremony was attended by the Governor of Ugra Ruslan Kukharuk, co-founder of the Sibpromstroy group of companies Nikolai Storozhuk, as well as local politicians of the Surgut district.

“The opening and consecration of the monument is one of the most important moments in the construction of the temple complex,” the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Surgut reported. “The monument is designed to remind us of love for the Motherland and the desire for a pious life. The Royal Passion-Bearers – Nicholas II, Alexandra Feodorovna and their children – became a symbol of family fidelity and spiritual fortitude. Their canonization [on 20th August 2000] tells us about the importance of mercy, humility and trust in God even in the most difficult trials.”

Construction of the Church of of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God began in the 2010s. The domes and crosses on the building were installed at the end of 2018, work on the interiors and landscaping are currently near completion.

Monument to Russian Glory in Belgrade was the world’s first monument to Nicholas II

Posted on 14 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: on 3rd August, members of the National Council of the Russian National Minority gather at the Monument to Russian Glory to honour Tsar Nicholas II and soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army, who died during the Great War (1914-18)

Many readers may be surprised to learn that the world’s first monument to honour Emperor Nicholas II was NOT installed in Russia, but in Serbia. The Monument to Russian Glory was completed and consecrated in January 1936, in the Russian Necropolis of the New Cemetery in Belgrade. The monument also honours soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army who died during the First World War.

It is interesting to note, that Russia’s last Tsarwas canonized as a saint by the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1938 – 43 years BEFORE the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) in 1981 and 62 years BEFORE the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.

Russia’s first monument to Nicholas II was installed on 17th July 1993, on the grounds of the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral at Tsarskoye Selo. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, more than 125 monuments, busts and memorial plaques have been installed in 46 regions of the Russian Federatuon. The Serbian capital Belgrade, features no less than 3 monuments to Nicholas II.

PHOTO: the Monument to Russian Glory in Belgrade, Serbia.
The Iverskaya [Iberian] Chapel can be seen on the left.

The Monument to Russian Glory, was created on the initiative of the Association of the Former Imperial Officers and other Military Conscripts, with the support of members of the White Russian émigré community in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (now Serbia) in the interwar period.

The monument is located at the edge of the Russian Necropolis of the New Cemetery. Situated near the monument is the Iverskaya [Iberian] Chapel, designed by Valery Vladimirovich Stashevsky. The design for the chapel is a replica of the original chapel in Moscow which the Bolsheviks demolished that same year, and reconstructed in 1994-95.

The monument itself, was built according to the project of the prominent Russian architect Roman Nikolaevich Verkhovskoy (1881-1968). The foundation stone was laid on 19th July 1934.

King Aleksandar I Karadjordjevic (1888-1934) donated 5,000 dinars for the monument’s construction. The completed monument above the Ossuary with the statue of the Archangel Michel, as well as the Iverskaya [Iberian] was officially unveiled on 24th May 1935. It was consecrated on 12th January 1936.

VIDEO: on 3rd August 2026, members of the National Council of the Russian National Minority gather at the Monument to Russian Glory to honour Tsar Nicholas II and soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army, who died during the Great War (1914-18). Duration: 17 minutes, 23 seconds

On 3rd August 2026, on the the day marking the 112th anniversary of the Russian Empire’s entry into the First World War to defend Serbia and the 110th anniversary of the formation of the First Serbian Volunteer Division, a memorial service and tribute to Tsar Nicholas II and the Russian soldiers who died for the Serbs.

The event was organized by members of the National Council of the Russian National Minority. May this important date of 1st August and the magnificent gathering in Belgrade in 2026 be remembered.

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FURTHER READING

Nicholas II through Serbian Eyes + PHOTOS

1st August 1914 – the beginning of the end of the great European monarchical Empires

New monument to Nicholas II unveiled in Zarechny

Posted on 23 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: monument to Nicholas II, set against the
backdrop of the Church of Seraphim of Sarov

On Thursday, 30th July 2026, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the the Church of Seraphim of Sarov, in the Russian town of Zarechny.

It is interesting to note that during the Soviet years, Zarechny was renamed Penza-19. From 1962 to 1992, it was a closed town[1] in the Penza Oblast (District), located 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) east of the city of Penza.

Prominent guests at the unveiling ceremony included Boris Korchevnikov, General Director of the Spas TV channel and TV presenter Pavel Astakhov.

The act of consecration of the monument to Nicholas II, was performed by the rector of the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Father Viktor Storozhev.

Following the unveiling and consecration, he thanked the initiators of the project and philanthropists who donated the monument to the city. He expressed the hope that the newly landscaped park-square, which now surrounds the church will become a place where people will come and reflect on the life and reign of Russia’s much slandered Tsar.

PHOTO: the act of consecration of the monument to Nicholas II was performed
by Father Viktor Storozhev, at the Church of Seraphim of Sarov

The installation of the monment in Zarechny is the 10th monument of Russia’s last Tsar, to be installed in Russia this year. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, more than 125 monuments, busts and memorial plaques have been installed in 46 regions of the Russian Federation.

NOTES:

[1] A closed city or town is a settlement where travel or residency is restricted. In the Soviet Union, closed cities were quarantined for research and military purposes.

Cross Procession to Russia’s greatest monument to Nicholas II held near Moscow

Posted on July 20 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: on 15th July 2026, a moleben was served for Nicholas II, near the Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God, n the village of Taininskoye

On 15th July 2026, a Cross Procession was held in the village of Taininskoye (Mytishchi district). situated 19 km northeast of Moscow. The village is home to Russia’s greatest monument to Emperor Nicholas II – by the Russian sculptor Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Klykov (1938-2006).

A Divine Liturgy was performed in the beautiful 17th-century Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God [built in 1675-1677]. From there, some 500 pilgrims walked to the nearby monument to Emperor Nicholas II.

PHOTO: View of the Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God [built in 1675-1677], in the village of Taininskoye [Mytishchi district]

The Orthodox faithful gathered at the monument, where a moleben [a liturgical service of supplication or thanksgiving] was served to the Holy Passion-Bearer The service was performed by Priest Victor Seleznev, who serves as chairman of the Department for Organized Orthodox Recreation, Pilgrimage and Tourism of the Sergiev Posad Diocese.

From there, the pilgrims set off on a 5-day Cross Procession, on foot to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra – a distance of nearly 100 km. [62 miles] This year, they were joined by Cossacks of the Central Cossack Army. The event has been held annually since 2017, one which has the blessing of Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov with the support of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society (IOPS).

Recall that since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, more than 100 monuments, busts and memorial plaques have been installed in 36 regions across Russia. As of 16th July, there have been 9 monuments installed in cities and towns across the Russian Federation this year alone.

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PHOTO: Cross Procession at the monument to Nicholas II in Taininskoye (2024)

PHOTO: Cross Procession at the monument to Nicholas II in Taininskoye (2025)

FURTHER READING

Taininskoye: the site of Russia’s greatest monument to Nicholas II + PHOTOS and VIDEO

Russia’s 3rd equestrian monument of Nicholas II unveiled in in the Chelyabinsk region

Posted on July 17 by Paul Gilbert

On 16th July 2026, a new equestrian monument of Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the Ural city of Verkhneuralsk. The city is located on the left bank of the Ural River, 230 km south of Chelyabinsk and 450 km south of Ekaterinburg.

This is the 9th monument to Russia’s last Tsar installed in 2026, and Russia’s 3td equestrian monument of Nicholas II – the other 2 are located in Kulebaki and Moscow.

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).

It was at Verkhneuralsk, that 135 years ago the inhabitants of the Ural city met the future emperor. Tired from his long journey across the Russian Empire from Vladivostock, the Tsesarevich modestly ate his supper and retired, and in the morning the whole city turned out to get a glimpse of him. After a parade of local Cossacks, Nicholas Alexandrovich said: “Your regiment is excellent, excellent – thank you!”

In honour of this visit, the northern side-chapel was built in the name of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. It was built on benevolent donations in memory of the miraculous salvation of Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich, following an assassination attempt on his life in Otsu, Japan. The altar was consecrated on 18th November 1897.

In 2025, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker marked it’s 150th anniversary. It is the only church in the city that survived the turbulent 20th century under the Bolsheviks and later Soviets, and still retained its grandeur.

The monument is the work of the South Ural sculptor Anna Shumakova. She is a native of Emanzhelinsk, has been engaged in sculpture for 25 years. Her works are installed in symbolic places in different cities of Russia, in recent years she has been working on the creation of compositions of warriors-defenders.

“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.

New monument to Nicholas II unveiled in Samara

Posted on July 13 by Paul Gilbert

On 12th July 2026, on the day of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated in the Russian city of Samara. The marble bust of the Holy Tsar-Passion-Bearer on a granite pedestal were installed on Kuibyshev Square opposite the Samara Diocesan Administration.

The ceremony began with a Divine Liturgy, followed by the rite of consecration, which were performed by Metropolitan Theodosius of Samara and Novokuybyshevsk.

Prominent guests included Boris Korchevnikov, General Director of the Spas TV channel; TV presenter Pavel Astakhov; as well as Ekaterina Matveeva, Minister of Tourism of the Samara Region, and Tatyana Shestopalova, Head of the Department of Culture and Youth Policy of the Samara Administration.

Also present during the solemn ceremony were representatives of the Samara Provincial Noble Assembly, clergymen of the Samara Diocese, parishioners and local residents.

The opening of the monument to the Holy Passion-Bearer was timed to coincide with both the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and the day marking the 122nd anniversary of the Emperor’s visit to Samara on 12th July 1904. It was on this day, that Nicholas II prayed in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (demolished in 1930) and blessing the soldiers who went to the Russo-Japanese War.

Two plaques on the siders of the pedestal depict quotes from the Emperor: “To My spiritual gaze I clearly see a calm, healthy and strong Russia, faithful to its historical precepts, happy with the love of its grateful sons, proud of their selfless devotion to Our Throne” (1914) and “In Samara… he went on horseback to inspect the troops. Everyone introduced themselves perfectly… The order was exemplary” (1904).

America’s second bust-monument to Nicholas II installed in California

Posted on June 24 by Paul Gilbert

On 14th June 2026, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Church of All Russian Saints (ROCOR) in Burlingame (app.17 miles south of San Francisco), California. This is the second bust-monument to Russia’s last Tsar to be installed in the United States.

Several hundred parishioners attended the event, which was timed to the third Sunday after Pentecost and the Feast of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land.

His Grace Bishop Peter of Seattle celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Grace were the parish Rector, Mitred Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, and clergy of the Western American Diocese.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a procession took place during which a monument to the Holy Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II was blessed. The monument was erected through the efforts of Anna Generalova.

The honour of unveiling the bust-monument was given to the benefactors of the project and a descendant of the House of Romanov, Princess Victoria Golitsyna.

Princess Victoria Golitsyna is a descendant of Emperor Paul I on her father’s side and a great-great-great-granddaughter of Emperor Alexander III on her mother’s side. Her participation gave the ceremony a special historical meaning and symbolism.

In the courtyard of the parish a beautifully decorated exhibition dedicated to the Imperial Family was presented. High-quality photographs, historical materials and stands told about the life of Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and their children.

The bronze bust was a copy of the work of the famous Russian sculptor Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Klykov (1938-2006).

Recall that the first bust-monument to Nicholas II installed in the United States took place on 17th July 2018, in the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York City – also a copy of Klykov’s.

According to the head of the Foundation “Under the Protection of the Mother of God” Eugene (Evgeny) Korolev:

“This image was first made before the revolution, out of stone. During Perestroika in the Soviet Union, vandals desecrated it,” Korolev explained. “After the fall of the USSR, in 1993, the bust was brought from Crimea to Moscow, to the workshop of Russian national artist Vyacheslav Klykov. He created a mold of the bust and poured it in bronze. Unfortunately, we do not know the identity of the original artist who created this marvelous work. But we do know that this monument is considered the most faithful to the likeness of Emperor Nicholas II. I would like to offer my respect to Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Klykov, for granting new life to this work of art.

New monument to Nicholas II unveiled in Ussuriysk

Posted on June 5 by Paul Gilbert

On 5th June 2026, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Russian city of Ussuriysk – situated 98 kilometers (61 mi) north of Vladivostok. This is the seventh monument to be installed in Russia in the last six months!

The installation of the bust-monument in Ussuriysk is timed to preserve the memory of the visit of Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich to Ussuriysk (then the village of Nikolskoye) in May 1891, following his Eastern Journey to India and the Far East. It was during this visit, that the future Emperor of Russia attended a Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker [demolished by the Bolsheviks in 1932].

Before the ceremony, a divine liturgy was held in the church, followed by a cross procession, with the participation of the clergy of the Vladivostok Diocese, parishioners, Cossacks, war veterans, local government officials, parishioners and local residents.

The rite of consecration of the bust-monument was performed by Metropolitan Veniamin (Pushkar).

In his welcome speech, Andrey Podoplelov, Deputy Chairman of the Duma of the Ussuriysk City District, said:

“Today we pay tribute to the man whose name is inextricably linked with the history of our city. It was Nicholas II, who visited Nikolskoye [renamed Ussuriysk in 1935], supported the initiative to assign the status of a city to the village of Nikolskoye. We must remember our history, and the installation of this bust-monument is a sign of continuity and respect for the past of Ussuriysk.”

Elena Lishchyshyna, Acting Deputy Head of Administration, Chief of Staff, further added:

“The opening of this monument is a tribute to the ruler, a tribute to a man who was loyal to Russia, was faithful to his duty, loyal to his people and sincerely believed in God. I hope that our future generations will value their history, remember the great Tsar.” .

The installation of the brozen monument and granite pedestal was made possible thanks to the assistance of the deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Primorsky Territory Alexander Kirilyuk, who supported the organization and financing of the project. The author of the monument is a sculptor from Vladivostok, a member of the Union of Artists of Russia Ilya Topchiy.

New monument to Nicholas II installed in Izhevsk

Posted on May 26 by Paul Gilbert

On 24th May 2026, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II, was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Church of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers in the Russian city of Izhevsk.

Izhevsk is located west of the Ural Mountains, about 486 km west of Ekaterinburg and 969 km east of Moscow. It is the 22nd largest city in the Russian Federation,

In the past few weeks, similar bust-monuments to Russia’s last Tsar have been installed in more than half a dozen cities across the Russian Federation. Their unveiling and consecration are timed to the 158th anniversary of Nicholas II’s birth on 19th (O. S. 6th) May and the 130th anniversary of his Holy Coronation in Moscow on 27th (O. S. 14th) May.

The ceremony was attended by Metropolitan Viktorin of Izhevsk and Udmurtia, the mayor of Izhevsk Dmitry Chistyakov, former Children’s Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov, Vice-President of the Orthodox Television Foundation, General Director of the SPAS TV channel Boris Korchevnikov, city officials, members of the clergy, parishioners of the church, and local residents.

“Tsar Nicholas II was the Commander-in-Chief of our army. Under him, steel production in the country increased 1.8 thousand times, and mechanical engineering – 44 times. He created a holy country by building 7.5 thousand churches,” said Boris Korchevnikov, one of the initiators of the project and the general director of the “Spas” TV channel. “This justifies the opening of this monument. During his reign, Izhevsk received special patronage as the defense and industrial heart of Russia.”

Bronze plaques were installed on each of the four sides of the pedestal. On one side, there is a quote from the address of Nicholas II to his subjects on the occasion of his accession to the throne in 1894:

“I take a sacred vow in the face of the Almighty to always have one goal – peaceful prosperity, power and glory of dear Russia, and the arrangement of the happiness of all loyal subjects.”

On another side of the pedestal there is an excerpt from the address of the former emperor – following his abdication – to the troops, made on 21st March 1917 (according to the new style):

“To you, my dearly beloved troops, I appeal with an urgent appeal to defend our native land from the evil enemy. Russia is bound to her valiant allies by one common desire for victory. The present unprecedented war must be brought to the complete defeat of the enemies. Whoever now thinks about peace and desires it is a traitor to his Fatherland. I know that every honest warrior understands and thinks this way. Do your duty as before. Defend our great Russia with all your might. Listen to your superiors. Any weakening of the order of service (discipline) only plays into the hands of the enemy. I firmly believe that the boundless love for the Motherland has not faded in your hearts. May the Lord God bless you for further feats and may the Holy Great Martyr and Victory-Bearer George lead you from victory to victory.”

The monument was donated to the region as part of the “Alley of Russian Glory” educational project. The bust was donated to the church by the author of the project, entrepreneur Mikhail Serdyukov.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, more than 100 monuments, sculptures, busts and memorial plaques to Nicholas II have been installed in cities and towns across the Russian Federation.

New monument of Nicholas II unveiled in the Urals

Posted on May 19 by Paul Gilbert

On 15th May 2026 – a new bust-monument of Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated in the Ural city of Alapaevsk. The installation of the monument is timed to the 158th anniversary of the birth of Russia’s last Tsar on 19th (O.S. 6th) May.

Recall that on 18th July 1918, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, along with five additional members of the extended Russian Imperial family and two of their servants were murdered by the Bolsheviks near Alapaevsk. The horrific murders took place just one day after Emperor Nicholas II and his family were murdered in Ekaterinburg on 17th July.

The monument of the Holy Passion-Bearer Nicholas II was installed on Elizabeth Square, near the Alapaevsk City Hospital.

The opening ceremony was attended by the clergy of the Alapaevsk Diocese – the rite of consecration (see photo above) of the monuments was performed by the Secretary of the Alapaevsk Diocese, Priest Dimitry Yamshchikov, co-served by Hierodeacon Dionisy (Matrosov). The prayer hymns were sung by the choir under the direction of conductor Ustinya Alexandrovna Nikulina.

The installation of these monument in the city of Alapaevsk became possible thanks to: Pavel Alekseevich Astakhov – organizer, sponsor of the installation of monuments, TV presenter. Boris Vyacheslavovich Korchevnikov – General Director and Producer of the SPAS TV channel. Vasily Pavlovich Koshche – philanthropist and social partner of the Alapaevsk municipal district, as well as Denis Alexandrovich Abramov – General Director of Alapaevsk DOZ LLC and the company’s team.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, more than 100 monuments, sculptures, busts and memorial plaques to Nicholas II have been installed in cities and towns across the Russian Federation.