Nicholas II | Nicholas II

Portrait of Tsar Nicholas II found in Tbilisi dumpster

PHOTO: portrait of Emperor Nicholas II found in a Tbilisi dumpster

On 17th September 2026, a prominent Georgian scientist and researcher, Nana Kardava, found a portrait of Emperor Nicholas II in a dumpster .in Tbilisi. She subsequently brought the painting to the Palace of Arts of Georgia, situated in the Georgian capital.

Museum experts believe that the work has a distinctive artistic value – the compositional type of the portrait is close to the portraits of Emperor Nicholas II, created by the great Russian artist Ilya Yefimovich Repin in 1895-1896. Repin created several official portraits of the young emperor, and it was during this period that one of the most famous state iconographic types of Nicholas II was formed.

PHOTO: an art expert with Nana Kardava, posing with the portrait of Nicholas II

The painting shares several interesting similarities with Repin’s style and patterns, such as the emperor’s posture and head slightly turned, the direction of his gaze, a dark military uniform with a red collar, a golden aiguillette, a diagonally lowered portupea and the characteristic gesture of the right hand. These similarities give museum experts reason to connect the work at this stage with the portrait type of Nicholas II created by Repin.

PHOTOS: two of Repin’s most famous state portraits of Emperor Nicholas II

The director of the Palace of Arts of Georgia, Georgi Kalandia, noted that the historical study of the painting by art experts is now under way, the results of which will identify the artist.

In order to accurately establish the authorship, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies: the study the reverse side of the canvas, the inscriptions on it, to analyze the paint, and also to compare in detail with other famous works of Ilya Repin.

Kalandia stressed that the very fact that the canvas, which has great historical and artistic significance, was discovered completely by accident and could easily have been destroyed, gives this story a special meaning. The portrait will be kept in the collection of the Palace of Arts Museum.

Repin often painted portrait studies for his more important works, with ceremonial portraits being among them. It should be noted that Repin had a number of very talented students who worked under him, often recreating copies of the great portraitists works.

PHOTO: the portrait reflects the work of Russian artist Ilya Repin

In 1895-1896, Ilya Repin created several portraits of Nicholas II, two of which are kept in the collection of the State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg), and one more in the State Hermitage Museum. The artist was commissioned to paint one of the works by the Ministry of the Imperial Court for the meeting room of the State Council. As Repin said in a letter to the public figure and collector Alexander Zhirkevich, “it took seven sessions to paint the ceremonial portrait”.

Ilya Repin painted the same portrait again, but as an element of the interior. In the painting “The Ceremonial Meeting Of The State Council 7 May 1901”, on the day of the centenary of its establishment”, Nicholas II sits against its background.

This is not the first portrait of Nicholas II by Repin found in a landfill. After the 1917 Revolution, the portrait from the Mariinsky Palace was considered lost. In the early 1980s, it surfaced in the possession of the Leningrad collector Nikolai Kozhevnikov, who claimed to have found the canvas in a landfill during the Great Patriotic War. The canvas passed from hand to hand, was stored under a carpet, once it was even exchanged for a two-room apartment in Leningrad.

Chapel dedicated to Nicholas II and his family consecrated in Murmansk airport

Posted on 14 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Metropolitan Mitrofan of Murmansk and Monchegors performs the rite
Of Consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Passion-Bearers at Murmansk Airport

On 13th September 2026, a chapel in honour of the Holy Passion-Bearers Tsar Nicholas II and his family was consecrated in the Murmansk Airport, named after Nicholas II in 2019. The chapel now offers passengers and airport staff, a quiet place, for prayer and solitude.

Work on the chapel began in December 2025, and was opened on 4th May 2026, while the decoration of the interiors was carried out during the past 4 months. The tiny chapel is located on the second floor of the new terminal.

The rite of consecration was performed by Metropolitan Mitrofan of Murmansk and Monchegorsk. The service was attended by the general director of the Spas TV channel Boris Korchevnikov, the clergy of the Murmansk diocese, parishioners and curious airport passengers.

PHOTO: Metropolitan Mitrofan of Murmansk and Monchegors performs the rite
Of Consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Passion-Bearers at Murmansk Airport

PHOTO: the interior of the Chapel of the Holy Passion-Bearers
is decorated with icons and portraits of Nicholas II and his family

The head of the Murmansk Metropolis congratulated those present and stressed that the opening of the chapel is a big step in the return of the historical memory of the Kola Region.

“We must not forget who the founder of the city of Romanov-on-Murman, through whose prayers our land flourishes – the Holy Passion-Bearers, the Kola Saints and all the Russian saints – this is our hope and prayers,” said Bishop Mitrofan.

Metropolitan Mitrofan also answered questions from the Spas TV channel correspondent and spoke about the unique icons which decorated the interior of the chapel. In addition to the icons, the walls of the chapel’s interior are decorated with large framed portraits of Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovma and their 5 children: Tsesarevich Alexei, and Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

The chapel was erected by the joint efforts of the Murmansk Diocese, the Government of the Murmansk Region and the Novaport Holding Company with the support of philanthropist Alexander Petrovich Biba.

PHOTO: Chapel of the Holy Passion-Bearers
Tsar Nicholas II and his family at Murmansk Airport

***

Recall that on 31st May 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree naming Murmansk Airport after the founder of the city, Nicholas II.

Prior to that, residents of the Russian Arctic city had voted in favour of naming the airport in honour of Russia’s last Tsar, who received 68,260 votes (48%).

More than 5.5 million people took part in the ‘Great Names of Russia’, a national competition in which the Russian people could cast votes to rename 42 of the country’s major airports.

Recall that in 1916, Romanov-on-Murman was the last city and first ice-free port founded in the Russian Empire by decree of Emperor Nicholas II.

On 1st April 1917, the Minister of War and Navy Alexander Guchkov [one of the traitors responsible for the abdication of the Tsar] ordered to rename Romanov-on-Murman to Murmansk. The new name was approved on 3rd April 1917.

***

Since 2019, great efforts have been made to draw attention to Murmansk residents and visitors of Nicholas II’s connection to the Arctic city . . .

Exhibition dedicated to Nicholas II opens at Murmansk Airport

In November 2020, a permanent photo exhibition dedicated to Emperor Nicholas II opened in the main terminal building of Murmansk Airport – [the link above features 12 photos]

There have been proposals for the square in front of the airport terminal, however, whether these plans come to fruition remains to be seen . . .

New monument of the Imperial Family to be installed at Murmansk Airport

On 26th January 2023, a St Petersburg architecture and landscaping firm, published an artist’s concept of the new square in front of the Nicholas II-Murmansk Airport, the highlight of which will be a major sculptural composition depicting the last Russian Imperial Family.

“More than 3 kilograms of Tsar’s family bones remain in the ground” – experts claim

Posted on 15 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: entrance to the Romanov Memorial at Porosenkov Log

According to the director of the Romanov Memorial Charitable Foundation Ilya Korovin, state experts, claim that more than 3 kilograms [6.6 lbs] of Tsar’s family [Alexei and Maria] bone remain in the ground at Porosenkov Log, where the remains of Russia’s last Tsar and his family were discovered in 1979.

Remains of Alexei and Maria

Recall that only partial remains of Tsesarevich Alexei and his sister Grand Duchess Maria were discovered in 2007, in a second grave, situated about 60-70 meters [more than 200 feet] from the main grave.

As noted above, the main grave, containing the remains of Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, three of their five children: Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana and Anastasia, along with their four faithful retainers were discovered in 1979, however, they were not exhumed until 1991. And it was not until 2007, that the second grave, containing the remains of the other two children: Alexei and Maria were discovered.

The burial of the Imperial Family’s remains took place on 17th July 1998, at the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. This historic event took place nearly a decade before Alexei and Maria’s remains were discovered.

While there have been repeated calls to carry out further excavations for more remains, these calls have failed to produce any results. This is one of the many reasons “WHY” the Romanov Memorial at Porosenkov Log and the areas surrounding it needs to be protected from development.

FURTHER READING

The Fate of the Ekaterinburg Remains + PHOTOS – updated on 18 June 2021

PHOTO: Only 44 pieces of Alexei and Maria’s bones
have been found at Porosenkov Log, near Ekaterinburg

For years, the boxes containing 44 bone fragments of Alexei and Maria remained on dusty shelves in the Russian State Archives in Moscow. On 24th December 2015, their remains were transferred to the Lower Church of the Transfiguration Cathedral at the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow, where they remain to this day.

The question of when Alexei and Maria’s remains will be buried with that of their family currently rests with the Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Council were set to meet in 2021, and then 2022 to discuss the Ekaterinburg Remains, however, this was delayed . . . indefinitely.

“Since the international situation continues to make it difficult for many members of the Bishops’ Council to arrive in Moscow [from foreign countries], a decision has been made to postpone the meeting indefinitely . . . ” the Synod’s resolution stated (Journal No. 66) dated 25th August 2022.

PHOTO: arks containing the remains of Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich and Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna are carried to the Lower Church of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow in December 2015

Creation of a historical and cultural reserve

During a meeting of the Council of Caring Citizens, held earlier this week in Ekaterinburg, the mayor of the Ural city, Alexei Orlov,voiced his support for the creation of a historical and cultural reserve in Porosenkov Log and surrounding areas. The initiative was announced by the director of the Romanov Memorial Charitable Foundation Ilya Korovin.

According to Korvin, “the status as a historical and cultural reserve, Porosenkov Log would be protected from developers. The process would involve a historical and cultural examination by experts, who on conclusion, would recognize the territory as a unique integral historical, cultural and natural complex. The documents are now being prepared,” he added.

Although Mayor Alexei Orlov generally supported the initiative, he emphasized that the status and restrictions still need further discussion. “Any obstacles could impact minor upgrades to the area, such as the construction of access roads to the Romanov Memorial,: he said.

Local guide Konstantin Brylyakov confirmed that in winter it is difficult for cars and buses to park at the memorial. He also noted, that visitors are also restricted access to the memorial, due to the accumulation of snow on the path which leads from the tiny parking area near the road.

“The topic is delicate. In order to develop the territory, we need to think about the status, so as not to create restrictions for ourselves,” Orlov concluded.

At the same time, the mayor, at the request of Ilya Korovin, guaranteed a ban on any construction in this part of the Zheleznodorozhny district of the city. This would include the areas in an around the Romanov Memorial.

Earlier it became known that the Russian Orthodox Church received 70 hectares of the Ekaterinburg forest park, near the Romanov Memorial. The entire site has the status of a specially protected natural area, and Porosenkov Log as a cultural heritage site of regional importance. It is generally believed that following the recognition of the Ekaterinburg Remains by the Moscow Patriachate as those of Nicholas II and his family, that the ROC have plans to construct a monastery, similar to that of Ganina Yama, situated 3.8 km down the road. The Ekaterinburg Dioces, however, deny such claims.

Recall that in 2015, the discussion about the remains found in Porosenkov Log resumed. The criminal investigation finally confirmed their authenticity, but the Russian Orthodox Church has not yet made a decision on the recognition or non-recognition of the remains. And so, we wait . . .

New bust-monument to Nicholas II unveiled in Diveyevo

Posted on 19 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: bust-monument to Nicholas II, installed in front of
the Chapel in Honour of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers

On 10th September 2026, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent near the Russian village of Diveyevo, situated in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The monument was installed in front of the Chapel in Honour of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers.

The rite of consecration was performed by Metropolitan Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas. Praying at the service were the abbess of the convent, Abbess Sergia (Konkova) and the sisters of the convent.

PHOTO: the rite of consecration was performed by
Metropolitan Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas

Before the consecration, the head of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolia addressed the parishioners:

“The installation of the monument to Tsar-Passion-Bearer Nicholas II serves as another reminder for all of us of the tragic death of the Imperial Family, and of the events that changed the course of the history of our country.

“Emperor Nicholas II played an important role in the glorification of St. Seraphim of Sarov. The Tsar himself visited the Diveyevo monastery, which was one of the greatest events in the history of this monastery. This monument will become not just another “decoration” of the Diveyevo monastery, but a symbol of the connection between the present and the past.”

PHOTO: Metropolitan Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, poses next to the
new monument to the Holy Passion-Bearer Nicholas II on the grounds of the Holy
Trinity Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent

The initiator of the installation of the monument to Nicholas II was the “Spas” TV channel, and Pavel Astakhov, a Russian statesman and writer. Thanks to him, similar monuments to Russia’s last Tsar have been installed in the Samara and Penza regions as part of the “Alley of Russian Glory” project.

The installation of the monment in Diveyevo is the 15th monument of Russia’s last Tsar, to be installed in Russia this year. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, between 125 to 150 monuments, busts and memorial plaques have been installed in nearly 50 regions of the Russian Federation.

FURTHER READING

Did Saint Seraphim of Sarov predict the death and martyrdom of Russia’s last tsar?

Large-scale Nicholas II exhibition to open in Kazan

Posted on 20 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

On 22nd October 2026, a large-scale exhibition dedicated to Russia’s last Tsar will open at the Kazan-Hermitage Exhibition Centre – a branch of the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg).

The exhibition “Nicholas II: Family and Throne” will feature some 350 + items: jewellery and decorative art, portraits and photographs, uniforms, gowns, dresses and other personal items which tell the story about Nicholas II and his family.

An illustrated Russian-language catalogue has been prepared for the exhibition. Unfortunately, due to the current economic sanctions imposed by the West, it will not be possible to order a copy from Russia.

The exhibition “Nicholas II: Family and Throne” runs from 22nd October 2026 to 30th August 2027 at at the Kazan-Hermitage Exhibition Centre – pictured above.

I will be writing a full report + PHOTOS of the exhibition, after the opening . . . STAY TUNED!

Bust-monuments to Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna unveiled in Gusev

Posted on 24 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Bust-monuments to Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna
in the courtyard of the Museum of History and Local Lore in Gusev

On Saturday, 5th September 2026, a pair of bust-monuments to Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna were unveiled and consecrated in the courtyard of the Museum of History and Local Lore in the Russian city of Gusev, situated about 112 km (70 miles) from Kaliningrad.

The brass monuments were installed near the second building of the museum, where, after reconstruction, the Center for the Preservation of the Memory of the First World War was opened in 2025.

The event coincided with Tsar’s Days, which is currently taking place in Kaliningrad. This event honours the memory of Russia’s last Tsar and his family in cities across the Russian Federation.

PHOTO: Bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II at Gusev

PHOTO: Bust-monument to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna at Gusev

The ceremony began with much pomp and pageantry, including a march of the Life Guards Regiment. Bishop Nikolai of Chernyakhov and Slavsk performed a Divine Liturgy and consecrated bust monuments to the Holy Passion-Bearers.

“Let those who will come here know, these were people who loved Russia, who served their country faithfully. And if we serve our Fatherland, our life has meaning,” His Eminence said.

According to the government of the Kaliningrad region, the monuments were created by sculptor Leonid Mikhailenko in St. Petersburg.

“The Holy Passion-Bearers Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna are the main saints who pray for Russia,” said the Director of the Elisabeth-Sergius Educational Society Foundation (ESPO) Anna Vitalievna Gromova.

“This event was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the leadership of the region, scientific, museum, local history communities and philanthropists,” she added. “The events and reforms that took place during the reign of Emperor Alexander III and Emperor Nicholas II largely predetermined the fate of Russia, including the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-45).”

The ceremony ended with the laying of flowers at the monuments and a performance by a military band.

PHOTO: Bust-monuments to Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna
in the courtyard of the Museum of History and Local Lore in Gusev

NEW BOOK – Tsar Nicholas II by Andrei G. Elchaninov

Posted on 28 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

REVISED and UPDATED 2026 EDITION

*You can order this title from most AMAZON outlets, including
the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Sweden,
Brazil, Mexico and Japan
*Note: prices are quoted in local currencies

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE HARD COVER EDITION @ $25.00 USD

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $20.00 USD

English. 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ format. 216 pages with 30 photos

This authorized account of Emperor Nicholas II by Major-General Andrei Georgievich Elchaninov (1868-1918), is an unprecedented biography of a living tsar. It was originally published in 1913, to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The author served as a professor of military art in the General Staff Academy in St. Petersburg, he later served in the suite of Tsar Nicholas II.

Nicholas II reviewed and corrected the proofs himself in January 1913. He made changes to the text, and requested the removal of sentences describing the Tsesarevich Alexei’s illness.

Elchaninov gathered considerable material for the twelve chapters about Nicholas II’s personal life based on observations and impressions. The first chapters describe Russia’s last Tsar as a caring, devoted and loving husband and father. The remaining chapters focus on his relationship with his government, the church, the army, the Russian people, and the policies which he pursued during the first 18 years of his reign.

Written before the First World War and the 1917 Revolution. Elchaninov writes in glowing patriotic language portraying Nicholas II as an indefatigable “Imperial worker” in the service of Russia’s best interests and the “Sovereign father” of the Russian people.

The cover of the book features a handsome portrait of Emperor Nicholas II. 1903. Artist: Friedrich August von Kaulbach (1850-1920)

In addition to Elchaninov’s biography on the Tsar, this NEW 2026 edition includes an expanded introduction and a short biography of Andrei Elchaninov + 5 appendixes: Chronology of Events in the Life and Reign of Nicholas II; 100 Facts and Statistics During the Reign of Nicholas II (1894-1917); Bibliography of 100+ English-language Titles on Nicholas II; Nicholas II’s Diaries and Nicholas II’s Personal Libraries + 30 black and white photos!

This book is an excellent resource tool for any one interested
in the life and reign of Russia’s much slandered last Tsar!

***

Andrei Georgievich Elchaninov (1868-1918)

Very little is known about the life of Andrei Georgievich Elchaninov (1868-1918), the man who held the title of Emperor Nicholas II’s official biographer. Born just one month apart in 1868, the Tsar and Elchaninov were the same age – 50, when they both fell victims to the Bolsheviks in 1918.

Subscribe to my bi-weekly Nicholas II news updates . . . it’s FREE!

Posted on 28 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

NOTE: my next news update will be e-mailed on 15th September 2026

New monument to Nicholas II unveiled in Mariinsk

Posted on August 28 by Paul Gilbert

On 27th August 2026, a new bust-monument to Emperor Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on the grounds of the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the Russian city of Mariinsk, Kemerovo Region, located in the south of Western Siberia.

The unveiling ceremony was led by Metropolitan Aristarkh of Kemerovo and Prokopyevsk, head of the Kuzbass Metropolia. Before the consecration of the monument, Metropolitan Aristarchus addressed those present with an archpastoral sermon, in which he noted the contribution of Nicholas II to the history of the Fatherland.

Following the of the bust-monument to the Holy Passion-Bearer Nicholas II, Metropolitan Aristarkh then performed the rite of consecration in the presence of members of the clergy and local diocese, parishioners and local residents.

The event was attended by Russian statesman, lawyer, TV presenter and writer Pavel Astakhov, Evgeny Sergeevich Ivanov, Chairman of the Committee for Cooperation with Religious Organizations of the Administration of the Government of Kuzbass, as well as Alexei Sergeevich Yakovlev, Deputy Head of the City of Kemerovo and Head of the Territorial Administration of the Leninsky District. The bishop opened the sculpture.nstalled in Mariinsk.

The bust of Russia’s last Tsar was installed as part of the “Alley of Russian Glory Project”. The project is aimed at perpetuating the memory of famous Russians who glorified the Fatherland, as well as reviving the patriotic spirit of the country’s citizens and educating the younger generation on glorious heroic traditions. In 2026, similar monuments appeared in Tomsk, Zarechny and Tver with the support of the SPAS television network.

The installation of the monment in Mariinsk is the 13th 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 nearly 50 regions of the Russian Federation.

Sakhalin Communists want monument to Nicholas II replaced with monument to Joseph Stalin

Posted on August 27 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Emperor Nicholas II and Joseph Stalin

The Sakhalin regional branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation have demanded the removal of a monument to Emperor Nicholas II, which was recently installed in the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and replacing it with a monument to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Recall that a bust-monument to the Holy Passion-Bearer Nicholas II was unveiled and consecrated on 23rd August 2026, on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, situated on Victory Square inYuzhno-Sakhalinsk (from 1882 to 1905 – Vladimirovka, from 1905-1946 – Toyohara (from Japanese), situated on Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East.

The Communists consider it inappropriate to place a monument to Russia’s last Tsar, since it was during the reign of Nicholas II that Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and handed over the southern part of Sakhalin to Japan.

The Sakhalin regional branch of the Communist Party also recalled that shortly before the opening of the monument, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi again announced territorial claims against Russia. Therefore, the installation of the monument to Nicholas II can be perceived as a political signal and used by Japanese propaganda, party members believe.

PHOTO: local communists want to replace this
monument to Nicholas II with one of Joseph Stalin

As an alternative to the monument to the emperor, the Communists put forward a proposal to erect a monument to Joseph Stalin on the same square, thanks to whom South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands returned to the USSR in 1945. The proposal was sent to Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko, regional prosecutor Vladimir Shaibekov, deputies of the regional Duma, Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The communists proposal caused a wide public outcry. Many citizens support the proposal, believing that the memory of Stalin should be immortalized in historically significant places. Others, however, expressed their concerns about the need to erect a monument to persons associated with political repressions and terror, which affected tens of millions of people during the Bolshevik and later Soviet years.

One has to wonder if the Sakhalin Communists asked themselves – “why” would an Orthodox Church, want a monument to Stalin, the Soviet leader who declared war on the Church, ordering the demolition and closure of thousands of Orthodox churches, cathedrals and monasteries and the execution and imprisonment of thousands of priests, monks and nuns?