Nicholas II | Nicholas II

Final scenes for ‘The Romanovs. Devotion and Betrayal ‘ shot in the Alexander Palace

PHOTO: a scene from the film, with actors portraying the Imperial Children playing on the slide in the Marble [aka Mountain] Hall in the Alexander Palace

On 24th January 2025, the final scenes for the upcoming Russian-language film Романовы: Преданность и предательство / The Romanovs. Devotion and Betrayal were filmed in the Alexander Palace and Park at Tsarskoye Selo. The film is based on the book of the same name by the Tyumen writer Sergey Kozlov.

The filming of the 12-part series began in Tobolsk in March 2024, and has since been filmed in places associated with Nicholas II and his family, including St. Petersburg, Perm and Tsarskoye Selo. Copies of Rasputin’s house and the Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg were recreated for the film.

Crews began a 5-day shooting of the final scenes for the film in the Alexander Palace and Park on 24th January. Scenes were filmed in various rooms and halls of the palace.

According to the film’s director Vasily Chiginsky, editing and post-production are already underway, with the film expected to be complete by the end of the year.

PHOTO: early 20th century motorcars parked outside the Alexander Palace that were used during the filming of ‘The Romanovs. Devotion and Betrayal‘

NOTE: I have been following the progress of this large-scale historical project since it began filming in March of last year. I will continue to share any new developments, including more videos, as they become available – PG

Handwritten note by Nicholas II to be auctioned in Moscow

Posted on January 24 by Paul Gilbert

A handwritten note of Emperor Nicholas II, addressed to the Governor-General of St. Petersburg Dmitry Fedorovich Trepov in 1906 will go under the hammer next month at a Moscow auction. The auction will be held at the Litfond Auction House on 6th February, the list price is 75,000 Rubles [$760.00 USD].

Description: In a personalized envelope with a written signature “Nikolai”, the addressee is written in pencil on the envelope: “To D.F. Trepov”. The note is written on a sheet of 18×11.1 cm. writing paper with the stamp “Ца́рское Село́ / Tsarskoye Selo” in the upper lefthand corner.

A rough translation of the Tsar’s note to Trepov reads:

“I ask you, Dmitry Fyodorovich, to familiarize yourself with the enclosed files of the Council of Ministers and come to see me tonight at 10 1/2 o’clock, to discuss what you have managed to read of the report. Jan. 10. 06 g. N”.

PHOTO: Dmitry Fedorovich Trepov (1855-1906)

Major-General Dmitry Fedorovich Trepov (1855-1906) enjoyed a short, but impressive career – he was only 50 when he died. He served as Head of the Moscow police (from 1896). Then, taking advantage of the favour of Emperor Nicholas II: was a Major General (1900), Major General of the Retinue (1903), Governor-General of St. Petersburg (from 1905), as well as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. By the personal order of the Emperor he was settled on the first floor of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. He strongly believed that autocracy was the only way for Russia.

Churchill on Nicholas II

Posted on January 24 by Paul Gilbert

Today – 24th January 2025 – marks the 60th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965). In 1929, Winston Churchill wrote his assessment of Emperor Nicholas II, which, though not uncritical, is a much fairer one than that customarily given by Western historiography. They are among the most succinct and powerful English words in defense of Nicholas’ character — in part because Churchill does not depend upon the “well he was a good husband and father” strategy. He also addresses some of the questions that still exist in Russia today (democratize or hold firm). Many voices remain critical of Nicholas II’s refusal to democratize (although he did create the Duma, and think how long ago Magna Carta was written), herewith is Winston Churchill’s verdict:

“It is the shallow fashion of these times to dismiss the Tsarist regime as a purblind, corrupt, incompetent tyranny. But a survey of its thirty months’ war with Germany and Austria should correct these loose impressions and expose the dominant facts. We may measure the strength of the Russian Empire by the battering it had endured, by the disasters it had survived, by the inexhaustible forces it had developed, and by the recovery it had made. In the governments of states, when great events are afoot, the leader of the nation, whoever he be, is held accountable for failure and vindicated by success. No matter who wrought the toil, who planned the struggle, to the supreme responsible authority belongs the blame or credit.

“Why should this stern test be denied to Nicholas II? He had made many mistakes, what ruler has not? He was neither a great captain nor a great prince. He was only a true, simple man of average ability, of merciful disposition, upheld in all his daily life by his faith in God. But the brunt of supreme decisions centred upon him. At the summit where all problems are reduced to Yea or Nay, where events transcend the faculties of man and where all is inscrutable, he had to give the answers. His was the function of the compass needle. War or no war? Advance or retreat? Right or left? Democratize or hold firm? Quit or persevere? These were the battlefields of Nicholas II. Why should he reap no honour from them? The devoted onset of the Russian armies which saved Paris in 1914; the mastered agony of the munitionless retreat; the slowly regathered forces; the victories of Brusilov; the Russian entry upon the campaign of 1917, unconquered, stronger than ever; has he no share in these? In spite of errors vast and terrible, the regime he personified, over which he presided, to which his personal character gave the vital spark, had at this moment won the war for Russia.

“He is about to be struck down. A dark hand, gloved at first in folly, now intervenes. Exit Tsar. Deliver him and all he loved to wounds and death. Belittle his efforts, asperse his conduct, insult his memory; but pause then to tell us who else was found capable. Who or what could guide the Russian State? Men gifted and daring; men ambitious and fierce, spirits audacious and commanding – of these there were no lack. But none could answer the few plain questions on which the life and fame of Russia turned’.”

Source: Churchill Winston S., The World Crisis, 1916-1918, p. 695-7, London, 1929.

On 16 December 2014, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu opened a sculptural composition dedicated to the heroes of World Wars I and II on the grounds of the Ministry of Defense on the Frunze Embankment in Moscow. The WWI monument features Nicholas II on horseback (above), recognizing and honouring his efforts during the Great War.

***

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Please CLICK on the BANNER or LINK above to review my current selection of titles in hardcover, paperback and ebook editions. Listings provide a full description for each title, pricing and a Look inside feature.

The Tsar’s Chapel in Pskov, in memory of the Tsar’s abdication

Posted on January 23 by Paul Gilbert

In 2003, a memorial chapel in memory of the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II was constructed on the square in front of the modern-day railway station in Pskov. The Chapel of the Resurrection of Christ was officially opened and consecrated on 17th July 2003.

Recall that on the night of 14/15 (O.S 2/3) March 1917, in a carriage of the Imperial Train, which was detained at the Varshavsky Railway Station in Pskov, the last Russian autocrat signed the act of abdication from the throne. The monarchy and the Russian Empire ceased to exist.

The Varshavsky Railway Station was built 140 years ago (on 9th September 1863) in connection with the opening of the St. Petersburg – Warsaw Railway. The two-storey station building, was restored anew for the 1100th anniversary of the city in 2003.

The chapel’s architect Sergei Nikolaevich Kondratiev, wanted to construct the chapel to correspond with the station building. He chose the architectural style of Imperial Russia, based on the famous examples of St. Petersburg, Oranienbaum and Peterhof.

The tiny chapel stands 17 meters [56 ft.] in height, it is crowned with a dome and a small cupola on which a gilded cross is installed. The dome is covered with sheet copper, the dome and the cross are made of a special alloy made at one of the defense plants in Chelyabinsk. The single colour scheme of the chapel’s facade is a combination of golden-brown, green and white.

A marble plaque was installed on the side of the chapel, on which the inscription is engraved: “The Tsar’s Chapel was built in the year of the 1100th anniversary of Pskov as a repentance and deep sorrow of the people of Pskov over the tragic death of the last Russian Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov.”

NEW BOOK: At the Court of the Last Tsar

Posted on January 20 by Paul Gilbert

*You can order this title from most AMAZON outlets worldwide, including
the United States and Canada
*Note: prices are quoted in local currencies

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Language: English. 322 pagess

Following the October 1917 Revolution, many of those who served at the Imperial Court were able to flee Bolshevik Russia to a new life abroad. Amonth them was General Alexander Mossolov, whose memoirs have been out of print for years, are once again available in a new paperback editions.

General Alexander Mossolov, was head of the Court Chancellery from 1900 to 1916. His memoirs, published in 1935, are an important historical record on Russia’s last tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, their children, their relatives and their Court during those sixteen years.

Mossolov was impressed by the Tsar’s positive qualities as a faithful, loving husband and father; timid, courteous, even-tempered, thoughtful and affable towards all around him, with ‘an ingrained dislike of argument’, and with a touching concern for the fate of Russian soldiers wounded in wartime.

The Tsarina was very shy, devoid of social skills and with no appetite for ‘society talk’, yet an efficient organizer, particularly with regard to the installation of hospital trains, convalescent homes, and hospitals, and her ability to gather round her persons of ability and energy.

His pen portraits of Count Freedericksz, Minister of the Court, the Tsar’s aunt Maria Pavlovna, Grand Duchess Vladimir, and foreign royalty such as the German Emperor William II, and King Edward VII of England, are equally perceptive.

Mossolov’s memoirs are a kindly testimonial to the sovereign whose reign and life ended in tragedy, but remained to the end a conscientious and well-intentioned man.

***

Alexander Alexandrovich Mosolov (1854-1939), was Born in Ryazan, Russia. From 1901 he served as an aide-de-camp. From 1902 he was appointed to the Retinue of His Imperial Majesty. In 1900-1916 he held the position as head of the chancellery of the Ministry of the Imperial Court, and was in the close circle of Emperor Nicholas II. He fought against the Bolsheviks in the South of Russia; in emigration he lived in France and later in Bulgaria.

The favourite tunes of Nicholas II and his family – Part 2

Posted on January 19 by Paul Gilbert

This second video features another tune, which was apparently a favourite of Emperor Nicholas II and his Family. Click on the image above to listen to Я ехала домой / I was on my way home, a romanice, which tells us a short story through the eyes of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna’s heart. [Duration: 3 minutes, 11 seconds]

The romance “I Was on my way home”, composed by Marie Poiret in 1901 or 1905, is about the love and tenderness of a woman’s heart. The romance became very famous and was part of the repertoire of many performers of the time, including Alexander Vertinsky, Keto Dzhaparidze, Rada Volshaninova, Alla Bayanova among others.

Maria Yakovlevna Poiret (1864-1933) was a Russian dramatic actress, journalist, poet, writer and composer. Her fame has reached our time as the author of several romances, including “I was on my way home”. She also wrote the lyrics to such tunes as “Swan Song”, “I Don’t Want to Die”, as well as to the music of other composers.

NOTE: the translation is not perfect, but it will give you the gist of the lyrics – ENJOY!

I was going home, my soul was full

Unclear for myself, some kind of new happiness.

It seemed to me that everyone with such a fate,

They looked at me with such affection.

I was on my way home… Two-horned moon

I looked out of the windows of the boring car.

The distant annunciation of the morning bells

He sang in the air like a gentle string…

I was driving home, I was thinking about you,

My thought was anxiously both confused and torn.

A sweet slumber touched my eyes.

Oh, if only I had never woken up again…

Set against the background of this romance are a number of images depicting Empress Alexandra Feodorovna riding on the Imperial Train [these images have been photoshopped]. In addition are vintage photos of Nicholas and Alexandra. The vocals of this haunting romance is performed by the popular contemporary Russian singer Irina Krutova. The video was created by Irina Koroteeva (Moscow).

NOTE: Stay tuned for additional videos, featuring more favourite tunes of Nicholas II and his family.

More favourite tunes of Nicholas II and his family:

Part 1 – “Утро туманное” (Misty Morning)

Famous Serov portrait ot Nicholas II to be exhibited in London

Posted on January 13 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Portrait of Emperor Nicholas II in the uniform of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys (1902). Artist: Valentin Alexandrovich Serov (1865-1911)

In 2025, a portrait of Emperor Nicholas II, painted in 1902 by the Russian artist Valentin Alexandrovich Serov (1865-1911) will be shown at the National Army Museum in London at an exhibition dedicated to the art of battle during the era of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).

The National Army Museum in London will host a major exhibition Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria, which runs from 1st July to 1st November 2026.

The exhibition will showcase over 140 works of art from the museum’s collection, including works on loan from other museums and private collections. Among these is Serov’s portrait of Nicholas II, on loan from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum in Edinburgh.

In Serov’s portrait, painted in 1902 in a lively impressionist manner, Russia’s most famous portrait artist, was able to convey the remarkable resemblance of the two Royal cousins: Nicholas II (1868-1918) and his elder cousin, the British King George V (1865-1936).

In Serov’s portrait, the young Russian Emperor is dressed in the uniform of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys. This title was granted to him in 1894 by Queen Victoria on the occasion of the wedding of her granddaughter Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine to the future Emperor of Russia.

In 1902, the Emperor commissioned a portrait from Valentin Serov and, upon completion, presented the work to his Scottish Regiment. The portrait was taken to Edinburgh, to the castle where the headquarters of the Royal Scots Greys were located.

PHOTO: Serov’s portrait can be seen in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum,
located in the New Barracks at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.
PHOTO © The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Trust

In 1971, the Royal Scots Greys was reformed and changed its name to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. But the portrait of the honorary commander of the regiment remained in its place in the living room of the regimental castle.

In the 2010s, the Board of Trustees of the regimental fund of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regiment summoned an expert in Russian painting to Edinburgh. The insurance valuation of Serov’s work was valued at £15 million ($18 million USD).

Serov’s portrait of Emperor Nicholas II (1902) is on permanent display in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, located in the New Barracks at Edinburgh, Scotland.

In April 2017, a delegation of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards travelled to Russia, where they presented a uniform of Colonel-in-Chief to the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum, and now on display in the Sovereign Martial Chamber’s World War I Museum.

The Myth and Reality: Military Art in the Age of Queen Victoria exhibition, runs from 1st July 2025 to 1st November 2026 at the National Army Museum in London.

NEW BOOK – Sovereign No. 14 (Winter 2025)

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Paul Gilbert

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

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $20.00 USD

English. Large format 8-1/2″ x 11-1/2″. 130 pages. 124 Black & White photos

The No. 14 Winter 2025 issue of SOVEREIGN features articles about Russia’s last Tsar, his family, the Romanov dynasty and the history of Imperial Russia. These articles have been researched and written by independent historian and author Paul Gilbert. His works are based on new research from Russian archival and media sources.

In an effort to preserve his 30+ years of research, the author has reproduced a selection of the more than 800 articles he has written for his blog in a printed format for the first time. The author has updated many of these articles with additional facts and photos. In addition, this issue features 2 new works translated from Russian, and published in English for the first time.

In less than 24 hours of its release on AMAZON ON 8th January 2025, the No. 14 issue of my semi-annual publication SOVEREIGN is the ‘#1 NEW RELEASE in the RUSSIAN HISTORY’ category!

The No. 14 issue features the following 18 articles:

[1] 120th anniversary of Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich’s baptism

[2] 130th anniversary Nicholas II ascension to the throne

[3] 130th anniversary of the wedding of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna

[4] Protecting the Tsar

[5] Nicholas II attends consecration of monument to his father in Moscow, 1912

[6] Monuments of Nicholas II and his family in and around Ekaterinburg

[7] Redevelopment of the Russian Imperial Navy During the Reign of Nicholas II

[8] The myth of hunger during the reign of Nicholas II

[9] The fate of Nicholas II favourite motorcar

[10] Emperor Nicholas II and King Edward VII Meet at Reval,1908

[11] Queen Elizabeth II receives Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, 1959

[12] Telephones in the Alexander Palace during the reign of Nicholas II

[13] How British Intelligence tried to get Nicholas II out of Russia

[14] “The daughters were wearing diamond shields” – Yakov Yurovsky

[15] Nicholas II and his canine companions

[16] Those who served the Tsar: Vladimir Voeikov (1868-1947)

[17] A typical work day for Nicholas II

[18] Tsar Nicholas II Men’s Choir

***

Back issues of SOVEREIGN

No. 13 Summer 2024

No. 12 Winter 2024

NOTE: back issues of Nos. 1 to 12 are now out of print.
Second-hand copies are available on AMAZAON eBay.

Nicholas II’s study in Livadia Palace to be recreated

Posted on December 29, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: the Emperor’s Study in Livadia Palace, as it looks today

According to Natella Sheremeteva, one of the founders of the Foundation for the Preservation of Historical Cultural Heritage, the Study of Emperor Nicholas II in the Livadia Palace, Crimea will be recreated in 2025.

“The Foundation’s projects will provide close cooperation with Crimean museums. The expositions of the Crimean palace-museums should be improved and replenished with antiques from private collections. Assistance in this will be provided by the Foundation . . . One of the immediate priorities is to assist the Livadia Palace in recreating the Study of Emperor Nicholas II”, she said during a cultural event held in Yalta over the weekend.

Sheremeteva, who is also curator of the Antique Art Gallery, added: “We have been operating for more than 20 years. We are quite well known and respected in St. Petersburg. This year, a decision was made to relocate to Yalta, our services are needed here more.”

“In 2025 we will begin to recreate the historic interior of the Study of Emperor Nicholas II in the Livadia Palace,” said Sheremeteva.

In turn, Alexander Balinchenko, Director of the Alupka Palace and Park Museum, who was present at the event, thanked the Foundation for the Preservation of Historical Cultural Heritage, for its philanthropic activities and wished fruitful cooperation: “This is a very important event for all of us!”

It is not clear if the furniture will be recreated for the Emperor’s Study, as was done with the New Study and Working Study of Nicholas II in the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo. It is important to note that the desk which is currently on display in this interior is not the original, it is merely a replacement. The cost to recreate furniture for this interior would be costly, and only possible with the financial assistance of a large Russian corporation of wealthy oligarch.

PHOTO: the Emperor’s Study in Livadia Palace, as it looks today

In 1913, the unique carpet – seen on above photo – was gifted by Ahmad Shah Qajar Shah of Persia to the family of Emperor Nicholas II on the occasion of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. After the Revolution, the carpet among other items came into the possession of *Baron Eduard von Falz-Fein.

After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, von Falz-Fein dedicated a significant part of his life to the return of historical and cultural monuments to Russia, including the priceless carpet, which he gifted to Livadia Palace, where it remains on display to this day. It is one of the few original items from the Study of Emperor Nicholas II to have survived to the present day.

*Baron Eduard Oleg Alexandrowitsch von Falz-Fein (14 September 1912 – 17 November 2018) was born in Imperial Russia, and fled with his parent to Germany in 1918. He lived for most of his life in Liechtenstein, where he became a successful athlete, businessman and philanthropist. It is interesting to note that Falz-Fein funded much of the research on the identification of the Romanov family remains. He died in Vaduz on 17 November 2018, at the age of 106!

History of the Studay of Emperor Nicholas II in Livadia Palace

One of the most beautiful interiors of the Livadia Palace was the Emperor’s Study, which was located on the second floor. In 1911, Nicholas II wrote in his diary: “I am delighted with my upper study.”

Despite his abscence from the northern capital, the Emperor faithfully carried out his duties during his stays in Crimea. Couriers arrived by train from St. Petersburg, with “piles of papers and documents”, which were delivered to the imperial residence at Livadia. Nicholas II diligently read the documents, often writing notes and signed them in his Study daily. He regularly met with officials (ambassadors, political and state figures), whom Nicholas II received, always in uniform.

PHOTOS: the Study of Emperor Nicholas II in Livadia Palace as it looked in 1912-1914

The furniture and the wall panels with shelves in the Emperor’s Study were made by the craftsmen of the F.F. Tarasov Furniture Factory in St. Petersburg and the K.V. Zibrecht Factory in Moscow.

The furniture was made from ash wood with baitsovka in a dark greenish-brown tone. They were complemented with green Moroccan leather chairs and armchairs, embossed with the image of the iris flower in the Art Nouveau style.

The furniture was composed in such a way that the natural light, which flooded the spacious interior, gave the impression that the Emperor’s Study was divided into two parts – a working part, a business one, facing the windows of the bay window, and a corner part, in which Nicholas would relax while smoking a cigarette in front of a massive fireplace made of gray-green diorite.

While the original wall panels and fireplace have survived, none of the furniture – including the Emperor’s desk – has not survived to the present day. On 30th April, 1918, German troops entered Livadia and immediately began to plunder the palace. Any remaining items of furniture and decoration were transferred to other museums. Livadia Palace then became a sanitorium. In 1993 the Livadia Palace received the status of a museum.

19th December marks the name day of Nicholas II

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: contemporary icon depicting the Holy Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II and Saint Nicholas of Myra – aka Nicholas the Wonderworker (born 270- died 343 A.D.)

Today – 19th (O.S. 6th) December – the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the name day of Emperor Nicholas II. The Tsar’s patron saint is Saint Nicholas of Myra – aka Nicholas the Wonderworker (born 270- died 343 A.D.).

Upon his birth on 19th (O.S. 6th) May 1896, the future Emperor and Tsar of Russia received the traditional Romanov name – “Nikolai” (Nicholas). His name can be attributed to “naming a male after an uncle” (a custom which dates from the Rurik dynasty), in which Nicholas was named in memory of his father’s elder brother and mother’s fiancé, Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich (1843-1865), who died at the age of 21. The names, patronymics, and namesake saints of the Tsesareviches themselves (Nicholas of Myra) and their fathers (Alexander Nevsky) coincided. The Holy Tsar-martyr Nicholas II’s name day is marked on 6th December according to the Old Style Julian calendar, the day on which St. Nicholas the Wonderworker died.

Nicholas the Wonderworker was a Christian saint, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (Byzantium). He is revered as a miracle worker, considered the patron saint of sailors, merchants and children.

A patron saint is a person who has special meaning, and is often represented in pictures, icons, or statues. Most Orthodox Christians have a patron saint, and they usually receive this saint on the day of their baptism.

Russians celebrate name days separately from birthdays. Celebrations range from the gifting of cards and flowers to full-blown celebrations similar to birthday parties. Such a celebration begins with attendance at the divine services marking that day (in the Russian tradition, the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy), and usually with a festive party thereafter. The Russian Imperial Family followed the tradition of giving name day gifts.

Before the October Revolution of 1917, Russians regarded name days as important as, or more important than, the celebration of birthdays, based on the rationale that one’s baptism is the event by which people become “born anew” in Christ.

Nicholas II took particular joy in celebrating his name day, and recorded his memories in his diary . . .

From the diary of Emperor Nicholas II of 19th (O.S. 6th) December 1915:

“Sunday. It was strange and pleasant to spend my name day at home! We attended mass. The whole family arrived for breakfast; We sat in the small library at three tables. Then we went to Alexei and sat with him…”

From the diary of Emperor Nicholas II of 19th (O.S. 6th) December 1916:

“We got up early and in the morning the congratulations began. Walking back from the church, I greeted the units that celebrate their holidays today. The report, under Shuvaev, was short. A lot of people were eating breakfast. I received gifts from Alix and the children…”

From the diary of Emperor Nicholas II of 19th (O.S. 6th) December 1917:

“My name day was spent calmly and not following the example of previous years. A moleben [prayer service] was served at 12 o’clock. The soldiers of the 4th regiment in the garden, who were on guard, all congratulated me, and I congratulated them on their regimental holiday. I received three pies and sent one of them to the guard.” [The Imperial Family were living under house arrest in Tobolsk at the time, it would be Nicholas’s last name day – Ed.]

In 1885, the future Emperor Nicholas II], was presented with an unusual icon of his heavenly patron St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The icon was painted by Grigory Zhuravlev, who had no arms or legs, but used his teeth to paint the image.

For decades the icon sat hidden away in the vast funds of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. In recent years, the provenance of the icon was discovered in 2023, thanks to the help of a local historian, Alexander Malinovskiy.