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| The Imperial Family, last days |
Life of St. Nicholas II, the Passionbearer
Another Life of the Saint.
(See Category A, below, for another more detailed account)
Though he never set foot in the States, Passionbearer Tsar Nicholas II,* still contributed to the Churches and missions here (financially, through donating icons, adornments, etc). Oftentimes these gifts were even very personal: such as an old Romanov family Gospel, beautiful Church bells used at the Tsar's coronation, or with the sending of aid...
When the multi-Orthodox of Galveston, Texas requested the Tsar to give them their first Priest, the Saint chose and sent his own beloved former-tutor, Fr. Theoclitos Triantafilides (a probable Saint). The last Russian Tsar was a man who greatly loved the Lord's Church and His Saints, and acted from the heart.
In our own Century, one of the Churches benefited by the Tsar received national attention:
The only Church destroyed in the NY terrorist attacks of 9/11 was the [Greek Orthodox] Church of St. Nicholas. The Church had relics of Sts. Sabbas the Sanctified, Nicholas the Wonderworker, and Catherine the Greatmartyr, all donated to them by the last Tsar. These relics were never recovered after 9/11, but are probably buried beneath the earth and rubble, sanctifying the place.
Many other Churches in the States remember the Tsar's contributions to them.
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*Though the Tsar is not perfect, we do recognize that Soviet historians maliciously skewed his character (either depicting him as weak and an ineffective ruler, or as uncaring and blood-thirsty), and we in the States have unfortunately learned our history from their accounts. However, earlier recollections of the Saint--his own diary entries and letters, memories of those close to him (tutors of his children), a great deal of his people, etc---as well as the memory of the Church remember and reveal him as a pious, meek man.
He is not glorified as a Saint for politics. He is glorified for His faithful life to God.
He was a true Orthodox Tsar: who cared deeply for God and his people, who only desired to serve (rather than seeking tyranny). He gave up the throne in humility, because he believed he was standing in the way of the people and the good of the country.
The Passionbearer Tsar Nicholas ruled a country that was the best economically at the time (which is often overlooked). During his reign there were many improvements that he initiated or contributed to. For instance, the precursor to the League of Nations:
"On 24 August 1898, at their weekly reception at the Foreign Office in St. Petersburg, the ambassadors and ministers of the major nations accredited to the Russian Court were presented a written statement to be forwarded to their respective governments. In it, the Tsar invited the governments to join an international conference on peace and disarmament. According to the Tsar, he thought it would be better for the prosperity and progress of mankind if governments sat down and talked and concluded agreements instead of being divided and hostile towards one another." (Source)This was a different idea at the time. Usually rulers would only make alliances against their enemies, but never ally themselves internationally (with everyone, to seek peace and be accountable to one another). But this proposal came from a heart that desired God's love towards others, rather than a political gesture. The Lord says, "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
This forgiving, peace-seeking aspect of St. Nicholas II seems to have been lifelong. As the Saint's daughter (St. Olga, Grand Duchess) would later write from their exile in Tobolsk, 1918:
“Father asks me to tell all who have remained loyal to him and those over who they might have influence, that they should not avenge him, for he has forgiven everyone and prays for them all; that they should not themselves seek revenge; that they should remember that the evil there is now is in the world will become yet more powerful, and that it is not evil that will conquer evil – only love.”Much more could be said about this Passionbearer and his holy family. Their lives are truly a testimony to loving others to the end, though they hurt or harm you. They were much long-suffering, strong in Faith, and now part of our great cloud of witnesses who intercede for us.
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Additional Categories
A) Writings by or about St. Nicholas II:
1. (Book) The Royal Passionbearers of Russia: Their Life and Service
B) Additional Resources:
1. 95 Years Later
2. The Reason Why We Venerate the Royal Martyrs
3. (Article) Profound Examples of Holiness: The Royal Martyrs in Their Own Words & Through the Words of Those Who Knew Them
C) Orthodox Churches which benefited through his contributions:
1. Holy Trinity Cathedral; Chicago, IL
2. St. Nicholas Church; NYC, NY.
3. Sts. Constantine and Helen; Galveston, TX
4. St. Nicholas Cathedral, NY
5. Holy Ghost Church; Bridgeport, CT
6. Holy Trinity Cathedral; San Francisco, CA
7. Holy Assumption Church; Marblehead, OH
8. St. Theodosius Cathedral; Cleveland, OH
9. St. Spiridon Cathedral; Seattle, WA
10. St. George Church; Michigan City, IN
11. Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church; Hartshorne, OK
12. Sts. Peter and Paul Church; Endicott, NY
13. St. Ioasaf Church; Muddy, IL. (And mention of 4 other Churches)
and possibly:
St. Nicholas Church; Olyphant, PA
D) Saints glorified under his reign (information and list)
E) Relics or belongings of the Tsar located in America:
1. See category C.
2. Russian Museum at Holy Trinity Monastery; Jordanville, NY
3. St. Tikhon's Monastery's Museum; South Canaan, PA (includes 17th C Romanov family Gospel)
4. St. Sabbas Monastery; Harper Woods, MI (includes the Tsar's Palace Throne)
5. Novo Diveevo Monastery?; Nanuet, NY (a cross from the Ipatiev house, probably belonging to the Royal Passionbearers, among many other items)
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Glorification of the Romanovs (long)
Tsar Nicholas II: the Martyred Emperor (short)
100yr Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Tsar (July 16/17, 2018)