Application №3
to the report of the Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna
Yuvenaly, Chairman of the Synodal Commission
for the canonization of saints
THE ROYAL FAMILY AND G.E. RASPUTIN
Relations royal family to G.E. Rasputin cannot be considered outside the context of the historical, psychological and religious situation that prevailed in Russian society at the beginning of the 20th century; the phenomenon of Rasputin, which many researchers talk about, can hardly be understood outside the historical background of Russia at that time.
No matter how negatively we view the personality of Rasputin himself, we must not forget for a moment that his personality could be fully revealed in the conditions of life in Russian society on the eve of the 1917 catastrophe.
Indeed, the personality of Rasputin is in many ways a typological expression of the spiritual state of a certain part of society at the beginning of the 20th century: “It is no coincidence that in high society they were fond of Rasputin,” writes Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov) in his memoirs, “there was the appropriate ground for this. And therefore, not in him alone, I even say, not so much in him, but in the general atmosphere, lay the reasons for his enthusiasm for him. And this is typical of the pre-revolutionary stagnation. The tragedy in Rasputin himself was deeper than simple sin. Two principles fought in it, and the lower prevailed over the higher. The process of his conversion that had begun broke down and ended tragically. There was a great personal emotional tragedy. And the second tragedy was in society, in different layers him, starting from the impoverishment of power in spiritual circles to licentiousness in the rich” (2, 138).
How could it happen that such an odious figure as Rasputin could have a significant influence on royal family and on the Russian state-political life of his time?
One of the explanations for the Rasputin phenomenon is the so-called "eldership" of Rasputin. Here is what the former comrade of the chief prosecutor of the Holy Synod, Prince N.D., writes about this. Zhevakhov: “When Rasputin appeared on the horizon of St. Petersburg, whom popular rumor called the “old man”, who came from distant Siberia, where he allegedly became famous for his high ascetic life, the society faltered and rushed towards him with an unstoppable stream. He became interested in both the common people and the believing representatives of high society, monks, laity, bishops and members of the State Council, statesmen and public figures, united among themselves as much by a common religious mood as, perhaps, by common moral suffering and hardships.
Rasputin's glory was preceded by many attendant circumstances and, among other things, the fact that Archimandrite Feofan, known throughout Petersburg for the height of spiritual life, supposedly went to Rasputin in Siberia several times and used his spiritual instructions. The appearance of Rasputin in St. Petersburg was preceded by a formidable force. He was considered, if not a saint, then, in any case, a great ascetic. Who created such fame for him and brought him out of Siberia, I don’t know, but in an atmosphere further developments the fact that Rasputin had to make his way to glory by his own efforts is of the utmost importance. He was called either "old man", then "seer", then "God's man", but each of these platforms put him on the same height and fixed in the eyes of the St. Petersburg world the position of a “saint” (5, 203-204, 206).
In fact, having appeared in St. Petersburg, Rasputin, who until recently had spent his life in a riot and drunken revelry - at least his fellow villagers testify to this - already had the reputation of an "old man" and a "seer." In all likelihood, in 1903, he met the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Bishop Sergius (Stragorodsky), who introduces Rasputin to the inspector of the Academy, Archimandrite Feofan (Bystrov) and Bishop Germogen (Dolganov). Rasputin made a particularly favorable impression on Archimandrite Feofan, the confessor of the royal family, who felt deep sympathy for this Siberian peasant preacher and saw in "Elder Gregory" the bearer of a new and true power of faith. Through the mediation of Grand Duke Peter Nikolayevich and his wife Milica Nikolaevna, on November 1, 1905, a fatal acquaintance with the royal family took place, as we read in the diary of Emperor Nicholas II: “We drank tea with Milica Nikolaevna and Stana. We met a man of God - Gregory from Tobolsk province» (3, 287).
The first two years after they met, Rasputin did not become for the royal family that “dear Gregory”, for whom their souls were open. They happily met and listened to other "God's people." So, the Emperor wrote in his diary on January 14, 1906: “At 4 o’clock, the man of God Dimitri from Kozelsk near Optina Pustyn came to us. He brought an image painted according to a vision he had recently had. I talked with him for about an hour and a half" (3, 298).
Until the end of 1907, the meetings of the imperial family with "Elder Gregory" were random and rather rare. Meanwhile, the rumor about the “Siberian elder” also increased, but as his fame grew, the unpleasant facts of his immoral behavior became public knowledge. Perhaps they would have remained facts of Rasputin's biography and, at best, would have entered the history of St. Petersburg society as a curiosity, if they had not coincided with the beginning of the period of systematic meetings between Rasputin and the royal family. In these regular meetings, held in the Tsarskoye Selo house of A.A. Vyrubova, the royal children also took part. Rumors spread that Rasputin belonged to the Khlysty sect. In 1908, by order of the Emperor, the Tobolsk Ecclesiastical Consistory conducted an investigation into Rasputin's belonging to the Khlysty. In the conclusion of the investigation, it was noted that “upon a careful examination of the investigative case, it is impossible not to see that we have before us a group of people who have united in a special society with a peculiar religious and moral worldview and a way of life that is different from the Orthodox ... The very way of life of the followers of Gregory the New and the personality he himself seems to be close ... to Khlystism, but there are no firm principles on the basis of which it could be argued that we are dealing with Khlystism here, in the case management examined by the investigation, ”therefore, the investigation was sent for additional investigation, which, according to unidentified reasons, it was never completed. However, in recently published memoirs about Rasputin, V.A. Zhukovskaya again raises the question of Rasputin's belonging to an extreme form of Khlystism. These memoirs provide evidence (of Rasputin's phraseology and his erotic zeal) about the belonging of the "old man Grigory" to the Khlyst sect (7, 252-317).
What is the solution to the mystery of Rasputin? How could the uncombinable—truly satanic rampage and prayer—combine in him? Obviously, the confrontation between these two principles took place in his soul for years, but in the end, the dark one still prevailed. Here is what he wrote in his memoirs: “A Siberian wanderer who sought God in a feat, and at the same time a dissolute and vicious person, the nature of demonic power, he combined tragedy in his soul and life: zealous religious deeds and terrible ups and downs alternated with his fall into the abyss of sin. As long as he was aware of the horror of this tragedy, all was not yet lost; but later came to justifying his falls, and that was the end” (4, 182). An even sharper assessment of the controversial nature of Rasputin was given by the former tutor of the Grand Duke P. Gilliard: “Fate wanted the one who was seen in the halo of a saint to be in reality an unworthy and depraved creature ... the unholy influence of this person was one of the main causes of death those who believed that they would find salvation in him” (6, 40).
So why did Rasputin turn out to be so close to the royal family, why did they believe him so? As noted by A.A. Vyrubova in her testimony to the ChSKVP in 1917, Nikolai and Alexandra Fedorovna “trusted him as Father John of Kronstadt, they believed him terribly; and when they had grief, when, for example, the heir was sick, they turned to him with a request to pray” (1, 109).
It is precisely in this latter that one should see the reason for the “fatal connection” that connected Rasputin with the royal family. It was at the end of 1907 that Rasputin was next to the sick heir, for the first time he helped to improve the health of Alexei Nikolaevich. The intervention of Rasputin repeatedly changed in better side the course of the heir's illness - there are quite a few references to this, but there are almost no specific, truly documented data. Someone heard something, someone knew something from someone, but none of the people who left written testimonies saw anything themselves. It is no coincidence that Pierre Gilliard writes about how he repeatedly “had the opportunity to see what an insignificant role Rasputin played in the life of Alexei Nikolayevich,” but, we repeat, there have always been more rumors in this area than reliable facts.
It was the case of the healing of the prince that was the turning point in Alexandra Feodorovna's attitude to Rasputin, to this, in her words, "a man of God." Here is what P. Gilliard, already mentioned by us, writes about Rasputin’s influence on Alexandra Fedorovna through her son’s illness: “The mother grabbed the hope that was given to her, like a drowning man grabs the hand that is extended to him, and she believed in him with all the strength of her soul. For a long time, however, she was convinced that the salvation of Russia and the dynasty would come from the people, and she imagined that this humble peasant was sent by God ... The power of faith did the rest and, thanks to self-hypnosis, which was facilitated by random coincidences, the Empress came to the conclusion that that the fate of her son depends on this man. Rasputin understood the state of mind of this desperate mother, crushed in the struggle and, it seemed, reached the limits of her suffering. He fully mastered what he could learn from this, and with diabolical art he achieved that his life was to some extent connected with the life of the crown prince ”(6, 37-38).
It was the illness of her son that turned out to be the defining moment in relation to Alexandra Fedorovna and Rasputin - he became the hope and support of her family, moreover, she believed that under the protection of this man her family and Russia were not in danger - she knew this for sure, she felt it with all her a heart that "never deceived."
Therefore, for all the ugliness of various rumors and gossip that surrounded Rasputin, Alexandra Fedorovna saw him only from one side. According to the palace commandant V.N. Voeikova, Alexandra Fedorovna looked at Rasputin as "at her man", who played the role of a mentor-comforter in her family - and how can we not understand the suffering mother, whose son is saved from death by this man? She was convinced that Rasputin was a messenger from God, his intercession before the Almighty gives hope for the future...
Alexandra Fedorovna expressed her understanding of the role of Rasputin in letters to her husband. So, in June 1915, she wrote: “Obey our Friend: trust him, the interests of Russia and yours are dear to your heart. God did not send him for nothing, only we should pay more attention to his words - they are not spoken to the wind. How important it is for us to have not only his prayers, but also advice.” In another letter to her husband, she wrote that "that country, the Sovereign of which is directed by a Godly Man, cannot perish." We see how Rasputin gradually turns from an "old man-comforter" into an influential political figure. Being smart and quick-witted, he undoubtedly understood that he could not evade the role of adviser to the “mother of the Russian land”, otherwise he would lose the favor of the royal family. It was in this dramatic confusion of Rasputin's roles that the tragedy of the last reign was found. The Empress assigned a role to the “simple and praying man” that he under no circumstances had the right to play, and even had no opportunity to successfully fulfill it.
All attempts by close relatives, friends, church hierarchs to warn Alexandra Feodorovna against the influence of Rasputin ended in a break, resignation, and complete isolation. In letters to Emperor Nicholas dated June 15, 1915, Alexandra Feodorovna wrote: “Samarin will undoubtedly go against our Friend and will be on the side of those bishops whom we do not like - he is such an ardent and narrow Muscovite” (1, 192). It is well known how the actions against Rasputin of the Hieromartyr Metropolitan Vladimir, the Bishops Hieromartyr Hermogenes and Theophan ended. Full break occurred with Alexandra Feodorovna and with her sister, the venerable martyr Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fedorovna, who, in a letter to the emperor dated March 26, 1910, wrote about Rasputin's being in spiritual delusion.
The relationship between the Emperor himself and Rasputin was more complicated - he combined admiration for the "old man" with caution and even doubts. So, after the first meeting with Rasputin in 1907, he told Prince Orlov that he had found in Rasputin "a man of pure faith." Chairman State Duma He characterizes M. Rodzianko as follows: “He is a good, simple Russian man. In moments of doubt and anxiety, I like to talk with him, and after such a conversation, my heart always feels light and calm. But still, the Emperor was worried about Rasputin - after all, he could not help but be disturbed by reports from confidants about his scandalous behavior. The emperor repeatedly tried to get rid of him, but each time he retreated under pressure from the Empress or because of the need for Rasputin's help to heal the heir. Here is what P. Gilliard writes about this: “At first he endured him, not daring to strike a blow at the faith of the Empress, which the Empress had in him and in which she found hope that gave her the opportunity to wait. The emperor was afraid to remove Rasputin, because if Alexei Nikolaevich died, then the Emperor in the eyes of his mother would undoubtedly be the murderer of his child ”(6, 157-158).
Summing up the analysis of the reasons for the influence of G. E. Rasputin on the royal family, in conclusion, I would like to note that the Emperor was unable to resist the will of the Empress, tormented by despair due to her son’s illness and, therefore, under the sinister influence of Rasputin, as the whole family had to pay dearly for it!
Bibliography
1. Bokhanov A. N. Twilight of the Monarchy. M., 1993.
2. Veniamin (Fedchenkov), Metropolitan At the turn of two eras, b/m, 1994.
3. Diaries of Emperor Nicholas II. M., 1991.
4. Evlogii (Georgievsky), Metropolitan The path of my life. M., 1994.
5. Zhevakhov N.D., prince. Memories, volume 1. M., 1993.
6. Gilliard P. Thirteen years at the Russian Court. Paris, b/g.
7. Zhukovskaya V.A. My memories of Grigory Efimovich Rasputin, 1914-1916 // Russian archive. History of the Fatherland in evidence and documents of the 18th - 20th centuries, volumes 2-3. M., 1992, p. 252-317.
Grigory Rasputin is one of the most mysterious and mystical personalities in Russian. Some consider him a prophet who was able to save from the revolution, while others accuse him of quackery and immorality.
He was born in a remote peasant village, and spent the last years of his life surrounded by the royal family, who idolized him and considered him a holy man.
We bring to your attention the main events of it, as well as the most Interesting Facts from his life.
Brief biography of Rasputin
Grigory Efimovich Rasputin was born on January 21, 1869 in the village of Pokrovskoye, Tobolsk province. He grew up in a simple family and saw with his own eyes all the hardships and sorrows of peasant life.
His mother's name was Anna Vasilievna, and his father's name was Efim Yakovlevich, he worked as a coachman.
Childhood and youth
Rasputin's biography was noted from birth, because little Grisha was the only child of his parents who managed to survive. Before him, three children were born in the Rasputin family, but they all died in infancy.
Gregory led a rather secluded life and had little contact with his peers. The reason for this was poor health, because of which he was teased and avoided communicating with him.
Even as a child, Rasputin began to show a keen interest in religion, which would accompany him throughout his biography.
FROM early childhood he liked being close to his father and helping him around the house.
Since there was no school in the village in which Rasputin grew up, Grisha did not receive any education, however, like other children.
Once, at the age of 14, he became so ill that he was close to death. But suddenly, miraculously, his health improved and he made a full recovery.
It seemed to the boy that he owed his healing Mother of God. It was from this moment of his biography that the young man began to study the Holy Scriptures in various ways and memorize prayers.
Pilgrimage
Soon, the teenager discovered a prophetic gift in himself, which in the future will make him famous and drastically affect both his own life, and in many ways on the life of the Russian Empire.
At the age of 18, Grigory Rasputin decides to make a pilgrimage to the Verkhoturye Monastery. Then, without stopping, he continues his wanderings, as a result of which he visits Athos in Greece, and Jerusalem.
During this period of his biography, Rasputin met various monks and representatives of the clergy.
The royal family and Rasputin
The life of Grigory Rasputin changed radically when, at the age of 35, he visited.
Initially, he experienced serious financial difficulties. But since during his wanderings he managed to get acquainted with various spiritual figures, Gregory was supported by the church.
So, Bishop Sergius not only helped him financially, but also introduced him to Archbishop Feofan, who was the confessor of the royal family. At that point in time, many had already heard about the clairvoyant gift of an unusual wanderer named Gregory.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia experienced not the most better times. In the state, in one place after another, strikes of peasants took place, accompanied by attempts to overthrow the current government.
Added to all this Russo-Japanese War, ended , which became possible due to the special diplomatic qualities .
It was during this period that Rasputin met and made a strong impression on him. This event becomes a turning point in the biography of Grigory Rasputin.
Soon the emperor himself is looking for an opportunity to talk with the wanderer on various topics. When Grigory Efimovich met Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, he won her over even more than her royal husband.
It is worth noting that such close relations with the royal family were also explained by the fact that Rasputin participated in the treatment of their son Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia.
The doctors could do nothing to help the unfortunate boy, but the old man somehow miraculously managed to treat him and have a beneficial effect on him. Because of this, the empress idolized and defended her "savior" in every possible way, considering him a man sent down from above.
This is not surprising, because how else can a mother react to a situation when her only son is severely tormented by bouts of illness, and doctors cannot do anything. As soon as the marvelous old man took the sick Alexei in his arms, he immediately calmed down.
The royal family and Rasputin According to historians and biographers of the tsar, Nicholas 2 repeatedly consulted with Rasputin on various political issues. Many representatives of the authorities knew about this, in connection with which Rasputin was simply hated.
After all, not a single minister or adviser could influence the opinion of the emperor in the way that an illiterate peasant who came from the outback managed to do.
Thus, Grigory Rasputin took part in all public affairs. It is also worth noting that during this period of his biography, he did everything possible so that Russia would not be drawn into the First World War.
As a result, he made himself many powerful enemies from among the officials and the nobility.
Conspiracy and assassination of Rasputin
So, a conspiracy was drawn up against Rasputin. Initially, they wanted to destroy him politically through various accusations.
He was accused of endless drunkenness, dissolute behavior, magic and other sins. However, the imperial couple did not take this information seriously and continued to trust him completely.
When this idea was not crowned with success, they decided to destroy it literally. The conspiracy against Rasputin was attended by Prince Felix Yusupov, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Jr. and Vladimir Purishkevich, who held the post of State Councilor.
First unsuccessful attempt the murder was undertaken by Khioniya Guseva. The woman pierced Rasputin's stomach with a knife, but he still survived, although the wound was really serious.
At that moment, when he was in the hospital, the emperor decided to participate in a military conflict. However, Nicholas 2 still fully trusted "his friend" and consulted with him on the correctness of certain actions. This even more aroused hatred among the opponents of the king.
Every day the situation escalated, and a group of conspirators decided to kill Grigory Rasputin at all costs. On December 29, 1916, they invited him to the palace of Prince Yusupov, under the pretext of meeting a certain beauty who was looking for a meeting with him.
The elder was taken to the basement, assuring that the lady herself would now join them. Rasputin, not suspecting anything, calmly went downstairs. There he saw a set table with gourmet treats and his favorite wine - Madeira.
While waiting, he was offered to taste cakes, which were previously poisoned with potassium cyanide. However, after he ate them, for some reason unknown reasons the poison had no effect.
This brought supernatural terror to the conspirators. Time was extremely limited, therefore, as a result of a short discussion, they decided to shoot Rasputin with a pistol.
He was shot several times in the back, but this time he did not die, and even managed to run out into the street. There, he was shot several more times, after which the killers began beating and kicking him.
Then the dead body was wrapped in a carpet and thrown into the river. Below you can see Rasputin's body recovered from the river.
An interesting fact is that medical expertise proved that even when ice water, after poisoned cakes and many shots at close range, Rasputin was alive for several more hours.
Rasputin's personal life
The personal life of Grigory Rasputin, as, in fact, his entire biography, is shrouded in many secrets. It is only known for certain that his wife was a certain Praskovya Dubrovina, who gave birth to his daughters Matryona and Varvara, as well as his son Dmitry.
Rasputin with his children In the 30s of the 20th century Soviet authority arrested them and sent them to special settlements in the North. Them further fate unknown, except for Matrena, who in the future managed to escape to France.
Predictions of Grigory Rasputin
At the end of his life, Rasputin made several predictions about the fate of Emperor Nicholas II and the future of Russia. In them, he prophesied that several revolutions awaited Russia and that the emperor and his entire family would be killed.
In addition to this, the elder foresaw the creation Soviet Union and its subsequent collapse. Rasputin also predicted Russia's victory over Germany in the great war and its transformation into a powerful state.
He also talked about our days. For example, Rasputin argued that the beginning of the 21st century will be accompanied by terrorism, which will begin to flourish in the West.
He also prophesied that Islamic fundamentalism, known today as Wahhabism, would be formed in the future.
Rasputin's photo
The widow of Grigory Rasputin Paraskeva Feodorovna with her son Dmitry and his wife. Behind is a housekeeper. 
Accurate recreation of the scene of the murder of Grigory Rasputin 
Rasputin's assassins (left to right): Dmitry Romanov, Felix Yusupov, Vladimir Purishkevich
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FEDERAL AGENCY FOR EDUCATION
STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
HIGHER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
"Brotherly State University"
Department of History
THE ROLE OF RASPUTIN IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROMANOV DYNASTY
group student
AT-09-1 D.O. Podkorytov
Head: A.Yu. Buryakova Senior Lecturer of the Department of History
Bratsk 2009
Introduction…………………………………….……………………………….…..3
1 Life before Petersburg………………………………………….......………...6
1.1 Biography………………………………………………………………….…...6
1.2 Rasputin and the Church………………………………………………….……..8
1.3 The first case of Rasputin's "Khlysty" in 1907. …..……………….…eight
1.4 Secret police surveillance, Jerusalem - 1911 ………….…….…9
1.5 The second case of Rasputin's "Khlysty" in 1912. ……………….....…..9
2 Appearance in St. Petersburg…………...…………...………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2.1 Gorokhovaya, 64………………………………………………………………12
2.2 Prophecies, writings and correspondence of Rasputin………….………..13
2.3 Assassination of Khionia Guseva…………………………………………….….14
2.4 Rasputin's relationship with the Royal Family…………………………….14
2.5 Estimates of the influence of Rasputin on the royal family………………………16
2.6 Rasputin's influence on politics………………………………………..17
3 The murder and funeral of Rasputin………………………..............………20
3.1 Investigation of the Provisional Government………………………….21
3.2 After the death of the “old man”……………………….....…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Conclusion…………………….………………………………….…...………23
References……………….…………………………………….…….….25
Introduction
I chose this topic because it is not fully studied in history and does not have an unambiguous opinion in the role of Rasputin in the collapse of the Romanov dynasty. Not a single person in all the years of Russian history has attracted more attention than Grigory Efimovich Rasputin. Because his life was surrounded by secrets, and even though his name was at one time banned, he drew upon himself Special attention and the curiosity of its impact on the royal family. He aroused a wide variety of feelings in the people around him, some experienced some kind of strange fear in front of him, others deep reverence, and for others, the memory of the tragic fate of the Royal Family, which ended on July 17, 1998.
For a long time, historical information about Rasputin was not available to the general public. One could learn about him only from the Encyclopedic Dictionary: Rasputin (New) Grigory Efimovich (1872-1916), favorite of Nikolai2 and his wife Alexandra Fedorovna. A native of the peasants of the Tobolsk province, in his youth a horse thief. Posing as a seer and healer, he entered the court environment and gained great influence on state affairs. Killed in December 1916. monarchists. The curious contented themselves with this laconic characterization. Now we know much more.
Until now, this personality is ambiguous, mysterious, completely unexplored by historians, around which controversy does not stop. There are more and more versions regarding his influence on the imperial family, politics and the fate of Russia.
A. Troyat a "Rasputin" described Rasputin as a very outstanding person who, despite his rustic appearance, felt good in society. He especially paid attention to his look, according to him, he was full of magical power.
Aron Simanovich in his book "Rasputin and the Jews" noticed that Rasputin differed from other dubious personalities, clairvoyants, soothsayers and the like in his amazing willpower and an equally amazing ability to subordinate weaker people to it. Contemporaries imagined Rasputin as a drunken dirty peasant who penetrated the royal family, appointed and
dismissed ministers, bishops and generals. In addition, wild orgies
lustful dances among drunken gypsies, and at the same time incomprehensible power over the king and his family, hypnotic power and faith in one's special purpose. But behind the rough mask of a peasant, there was a strong spirit, intensely thinking about state problems.
In the royal family, - continued A. Simanovich, - Rasputin spoke about the Russian people and their suffering, described peasant life in detail, and the royal family listened to him attentively. The tsar learned a lot from him that would have remained hidden for him without Rasputin. Rasputin ardently defended the need for a broad agrarian reform.
wrong, _ he often said. _ The peasants are liberated, but they do not have enough land. "Rasputin dreamed of a peasant monarchy in which noble privileges would not have a place." From the words of Rasputin, the empress wrote down his teaching: The Motherland is wide, it is necessary to give it scope for work, but not for the left and not for the right, the left are stupid, and the right are fools. Why yes because
that they want to teach with a stick."
Vladimir Purishkevich wrote in his diary “how I killed a slutty”: on September 19, 1916 (a Black Hundreds deputy), he delivered an impassioned speech against Rasputin in the State Duma. He exclaimed ardently: "The dark peasant should not rule Russia any longer!". "On that day," wrote V. Purishkevich, "all the deputies of the Duma were my like-minded people..."
On the same day, the idea was born to kill Rasputin. After listening to Purishkevich's accusatory speech, Prince Felix Yusupov approached him with this proposal. Then several more people joined the conspiracy, including Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich.
Kasvinov M.K. in "23 Steps Down" he represented Rasputin as a strong man who does not seek favors from his august entourage. On the contrary, they curry favor with him, begging him for intercession before fate, blessings and recommendations on behalf of God.
About the Tsar's canopy, he wrote that the Queen, as if spellbound, sat in front of him, listening to his insinuating, interspersed with mystical quirks, male speech.
O.A. Platonov on site http:// www. chrono. en/ libris/ lib_ p/ rasput15. html introduces Rasputin like this:
Rasputin-Novykh Grigory Efimovich (Our Friend), 1869-1916, peasant of the village of Pokrovskoye, Tyumen district, Tobolsk province, deeply religious Orthodox person, who devoted his life to wandering in holy places and charity, had a great spiritual influence on the King and Queen. The slander campaign against Rasputin, and then his murder, were planned and organized by the Masonic underground in order to discredit the Tsar and seize supreme power. Historical and archival sources do not confirm the accusations against Rasputin of whiplash, debauchery, drunkenness and financial fraud.
to Rasputin when they attempted on him.
When, in the middle of the day, Rasputin was wounded in the stomach, he was interrogated. He said that he was never afraid of anything, and never expected any attempts on his life. The press at that time took this event very vividly; they wrote that Rasputin had died, as if everyone had been waiting for this.
The purpose of the author is to find out where he came from in history who this native of the people was, who he was before appearing in the royal family, how he appeared in it and whether he had any influence on it. If he provided what for what purpose and doing it for himself or by someone else's decree.
Biography
Rasputin's biography can be divided into two periods: life before coming to St. Petersburg and after. Little is known about the first stage of life in Siberia. He was born in the village of Pokrovsky, Tobolsk province, the youngest son in a prosperous, at that time, peasant family - big house lots of land, cattle, horses. Rasputins is a village nickname that has been assigned to them almost officially. Its exact origin is unknown. Maybe from the words "debauchery", "crossroads", or maybe "unravel". The father's character confirms this - he does not mind drinking, and lives on a grand scale, and is country-savvy. He didn’t particularly deal with children, he didn’t force him to comprehend science, since he saw more sense in the school of life. The brothers Mikhail and Gregory live freely, their universities are a village, boundless expanses of fields and forests. They have something animal, wild, closely intertwined with an almost fanatical Orthodox faith. But they were not together for long. Once they played on the banks of the Tura River, but finished playing - both flew into the water. The river is stormy, the current is strong, the water is cold - illness cannot be avoided. Mikhail was not saved, but Gregory was "prayed away" .. Having recovered, he says that the Mother of God herself appeared to him and ordered him to recover. This shocked the entire village. There, far from civilization, true, unshakable faith flourishes. The simplicity of morals does not prevent us from earnestly praying, observing all rituals, and tremblingly appealing to the healing power of nature - God. Rough carnal reality coexists with the most exalted spiritual feelings. After his recovery, Gregory often reflects on his healing. He is sure that he was blessed by the powers of heaven. This is how his spiritual development begins.
Having matured, he is more and more drawn to wanderings, to those. who are called "old men", God's people. Perhaps this is the result of the exciting stories of wanderers who found shelter in the Rasputin house, or maybe it is a true vocation. Gregory listens to the messengers not of this world, opening his eyes wide. His dream is to become just like them. He annoys his parents with talk that God calls him to wander the wide world and his father, agreeing, finally blesses him. Gregory begins with the surrounding villages, marveling at all the hardships and humiliations that fall to the lot of God's people.
At nineteen, he marries the beautiful Praskovya Dubrovina, whom he meets at a church festival. At first, their family life proceeds peacefully, but Gregory's reputation is not so clean, besides, he is deeply worried about the death of his first child. In 1892 he was accused of stealing stakes from the monastery fence and expelled from the village for a year. He spends this time wandering, making pilgrimages to holy places, where he studies Holy Scripture and literacy among the elders. He goes without a definite goal, from monastery to monastery, sleeps with monks and peasants, feeds on the occasion from other people's tables, thanks the owners with prayers and predictions. In 1893 goes to Greece, and upon returning to Russia, to Valaam, Solovki, to Optina Pustyn and other shrines Orthodox Church. During brief visits to his native home, he diligently takes care of the household and at the same time restores his strength to go on new wanderings. His visits were marked by the birth of three children: Dmitry in 1895, Matryona (Maria) in 1898 and Varvara in 1900.
Rasputin's life is full of black and white stripes. Either he is pure, like an angel, or he rushes to extremes, gives free rein to his broad nature. For some, he is a clairvoyant and healer, for others he is a penitent sinner, for others, like him, he is a spiritual teacher. Bad fame, intertwined with the glory of the ascetic and the elder, reaches the capital. He is accused of belonging to a sect of whippers, but not finding sufficient evidence, the case is closed.
What brought "Elder Gregory" to Petersburg? Perhaps a wider field of activity. It is not the brilliance of the capital that attracts him, but the presence of higher clergy. Next to them, he could improve the talent of a healer, a true believer. He is sure that he is acting according to the will of the Lord.
The second stage begins. In the spring of 1903 34-year-old Rasputin is in St. Petersburg. Here are some of the main dates of this period.
November 1, 1905 - Grand Duchesses Milica and Anastasia, daughters of Prince Nikolai Chernogorsky, arrange an informal meeting between Rasputin and the Emperor and Empress at their Znamensky estate.
November 15, 1906 Rasputin's first official meeting with the Sovereign. The king notes that he "makes an impression."
October 1907 - The first healing of the prince.
Early 1911 - trip to the Holy Land. Rasputin described her impressions in his notes entitled "My thoughts and reflections."
Summer 1911 - return to St. Petersburg.
October 12, noon - The Empress telegraphs Rasputin about this, who helps prayerfully. Answer: "The disease is not so terrible. Don't let the doctors get pissed off!"
1914 - Rasputin settles in his own apartment on the street. Gorohova, 64.
It should be noted that Rasputin alternated his life in St. Petersburg with regular visits to Pokrovsky at least once a year he was at home. There he took refuge as soon as his position in society became unfavorable.
Rasputin and the Church
By the beginning of the century, reforms were ripe and they started talking about even convening a council and establishing a patriarchate. It was in Rasputin that the divergence between the official, "synodal" church and the unofficial one, associated with Orthodox monasteries, elders, people's search for God, etc., on the one hand, and the synod and the Chief Procurator, on the other, manifested itself.
Modern biographers of Rasputin (O. Platonov) are inclined to see in the official investigations conducted by the church authorities in connection with the activities of Rasputin a certain broader political meaning; but the investigative documents (the case of Khlystism and police documents) show that all the cases were the subject of their investigation of the very specific acts of Grigory Rasputin, which encroached on public morality and piety.
The first case of Rasputin's "Khlysty" in 1907.
In 1907, the Tobolsk Consistory opened a case against Rasputin on the denunciation of 1903, who was accused of spreading false teachings similar to Khlyst's and forming a society of followers of his false teachings. The case was started on September 6] 1907, completed and approved by the Bishop of Tobolsk Anthony (Karzhavin) on May 7, 1908. The initiative of the investigation came from Anthony himself, and behind him stood people from the entourage of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich. The initial investigation was led by priest Nikodim Glukhovetsky. On the basis of the “facts” collected, Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov, a member of the Tobolsk Consistory, prepared a report to Bishop Anthony with a review of the case under consideration by Dmitry Mikhailovich Berezkin, inspector of the Tobolsk Theological Seminary.
Secret Police Surveillance, Jerusalem - 1911
In 1909, the police were going to expel Rasputin from St. Petersburg, but Rasputin got ahead of her and left for his homeland in the village of Pokrovskoye for a while.
In 1910, his daughters moved to St. Petersburg to Rasputin, whom he arranged to study at the gymnasium. At the direction of Prime Minister Stolypin, Rasputin was put under surveillance for several days.
At the beginning of 1911, Bishop Feofan invited the Holy Synod to officially express displeasure to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in connection with the behavior of Rasputin, and a member of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Anthony (Vadkovsky) reported to Nicholas II about negative impact Rasputin.
On December 16, 1911, Rasputin had a skirmish with Bishop Hermogenes and Hieromonk Iliodor. Bishop Germogenes, acting in alliance with Hieromonk Iliodor (Trufanov), invited Rasputin to his courtyard, on Vasilyevsky Island, in the presence of Iliodor, “convicted” him, hitting him with a cross several times. An argument ensued between them, and then a fight.
In 1911, Rasputin voluntarily left the capital and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
On January 23, 1912, by order of the Minister of the Interior, Makarov, Rasputin was again placed under surveillance, which continued until his death.
The second case of Rasputin's "Khlysty" in 1912.
In January 1912, the Duma declared its attitude towards Rasputin, and in February 1912, Nicholas II ordered V.K. , which contained the beginning of the Investigative Proceedings regarding the accusation of Rasputin of belonging to the Khlyst sect. On February 26, 1912, at an audience, Rodzianko suggested that the tsar expel the peasant forever. Archbishop Anthony (Khrapovitsky) openly wrote that Rasputin is a whip and participates in zeal.
The new (replaced Eusebius (Grozdov)) Tobolsk Bishop Alexy (Molchanov) personally took up this matter, studied the materials, requested information from the clergy of the Intercession Church, and repeatedly talked with Rasputin himself. Based on the results of this new investigation, the conclusion of the Tobolsk Spiritual Consistory was prepared and approved on November 29, 1912, and sent to many high-ranking officials and some deputies of the State Duma. In conclusion, Rasputin-Novy is called "a Christian, a spiritually inclined person who seeks the truth of Christ." There were no more official accusations against Rasputin. But this did not mean at all that everyone believed in the results of the new investigation. Rasputin's opponents believe that Bishop Alexy "helped" him in this way for selfish purposes: the disgraced bishop, exiled to Tobolsk from the Pskov see as a result of the discovery of a sectarian St. John's monastery in the Pskov province, stayed at the Tobolsk see only until October 1913, that is, only a year and a half, after which he was appointed Exarch of Georgia and elevated to the rank of Archbishop of Kartal and Kakheti with the title of member of the Holy Synod. This is seen as the influence of Rasputin.
However, researchers rightly believe that the elevation of Bishop Alexy in 1913 took place only thanks to his devotion to the reigning house, which is especially evident from his sermon delivered on the occasion of the 1905 manifesto. Moreover, the period in which Bishop Alexy was appointed Exarch of Georgia was a period of revolutionary ferment in Georgia.
It should also be noted that Rasputin's opponents often forget about a different elevation: Bishop Anthony of Tobolsk (Karzhavin), who brought the first case of “Khlystism” against Rasputin, was moved in 1910 from cold Siberia to the Tver cathedra and was elevated to the rank of archbishop on Easter. But they remember that this translation took place precisely because the file was sent to the archives of the Synod.
Appearance in St. Petersburg
“He does not seek favors from his august patrons, but they bow and fawn before him. They beg him for intercession before fate, blessings and recommendations on behalf of God” 1
Even before his appearance at court, the most fantastic rumors about this mysterious man were circulated, based on the letters of Grand Duchess Anastasia.
On the way back to Pokrovskoye, after his second journey, Rasputin stopped in Kyiv, at the Mikhailovsky Monastery. There he met the wife of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Anastasia and her sister Militsa, who went to Kyiv on a pilgrimage and stayed in the same monastery, but as guests of honor, and not wanderers, like Rasputin. Soon after the first meeting, he received an invitation for tea and did not fail to take advantage of it.
Rasputin's fame was ahead of him - the rumor about his ascetic life reached the capital and became known to the highest spiritual ranks. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, thanks to a letter of recommendation, he is received by His Holiness Feofan, inspector of the Theological Academy, who sees in him a true son of the Russian land, an original Christian, not a church man, but a man of God. Rasputin impresses not only with his spirituality, but also with his appearance. A. Troyat describes it most vividly:
"Man tall, thin, with long and straight hair, a shaggy beard, a scar on his forehead. Wrinkled face, wide nose with flaring nostrils. Most of all, his eyes attract attention. The look betrays magnetic power. The shirt, tied at the waist with a belt, does not cover the hips. Wide trousers tucked into boots with high tops. Despite the rustic style, he feels comfortable and at ease in any society. "2 Of course, such a person could not remain unnoticed in the capital. Under the patronage of the episcopal mantle of Vladyka Feofan, he is given access first to St. Petersburg high society spiritual circles, then through their influential representatives - to the palace of Prince Nikolai Nikolaevich.His reputation was confirmed by the meeting with John of Kronstadt and the fact that Bishop Feofan was the confessor of the Empress.
Undoubtedly, Rasputin would not have been able to break through to the "top" so quickly if there had not been appropriate circumstances for this. In a word, he was lucky. These are the circumstances.
First, the spirituality of the empress, deep faith and trust in her confessor, who in her eyes had not only personal, but also church authority. Rasputin did not raise doubts among the Empress, also because he constituted precisely that phenomenon of Russian life, which especially attracted the Empress, who saw in him the embodiment of the images with which she first became acquainted in Russian spiritual literature.
Secondly, the character of the Emperor, his trust in his wife and religiosity.
However, for most people Rasputin was not an "old man". This was confirmed by his way of life, which allowed him to live in the capital, visit his many acquaintances, while real elders live in monasteries, secluded in their cells. People did not know what to think about him, since many of his actions were inexplicable to them - healing the sick, mysterious predictions, influence on the illness of the Tsarevich.
That is why Petersburg at first took a middle position with respect to Rasputin, not having a complete understanding of him and preferring to treat him with confidence, so as not to "sin" before God, than to openly condemn him. Many were simply afraid of Rasputin and did not deny his influence on others, but for lack of explanation they were afraid to condemn him.
Gorokhovaya, 64
In 1914, Rasputin settled in an apartment on the street. Gorokhovaya, 64 in St. Petersburg. Various gloomy rumors quickly began to spread around St. Petersburg about this apartment, they say, Rasputin turned it into a brothel and uses it to hold his “orgies”. Some said that Rasputin keeps a permanent “harem” there, others collect it from time to time. There was a rumor that the apartment on Gorokhovaya Street was used for witchcraft, etc. The Provisional Government, which was looking for discrediting facts about the deposed Nicholas II and his entourage, conducted a special investigation into the Rasputin case. According to one of the participants in this investigation, V. M. Rudnev, seconded by order of Kerensky to the “Extraordinary Investigative Commission to Investigate the Abuses of Former Ministers, Chief Executives and Other High Officials” and who was then a Deputy Prosecutor of the Yekaterinoslav District Court:
... the richest material for elucidating his personality from this side turned out to be in the data of that very covert observation of him, which was conducted by the security department; at the same time, it turned out that Rasputin's amorous adventures did not go beyond the framework of nightly orgies with girls of easy virtue and chansonnet singers, and also sometimes with some of his petitioners.
Prophecies, writings and correspondence of Rasputin
During his lifetime, Rasputin published two books:
G. E. Rasputin. Life of an experienced wanderer May 1907.
G. E. Rasputin. My thoughts and reflections Petrograd, 1915.
The books are a literary record of his conversations, since the surviving notes of Rasputin testify to his illiteracy.
Photocopy of Rasputin's note to Interior Minister Alexei Khvostov, cited in Rene Fulop-Miller's book The Holy Demon, Rasputin and Women, published in 1927. The source of the note is not indicated in the book; Khvostov himself was killed during the Red Terror.
In total, there are 100 canonical prophecies of Rasputin. The most famous was the prediction of the death of the Imperial House:
As long as I live, the dynasty will live.
The letters of Alexandra Feodorovna to Nicholas II have also been preserved. The correspondence has been preserved in full (only one letter from Alexandra Feodorovna has been lost), all letters are numbered by the Empress herself.
№ 580 I fully believe in the wisdom of our Friend, sent down to Him by God, to advise what is needed for you and our country № 583 Listen to Him ... God sent Him to you as helpers and guides
Rasputin's name is not mentioned in the letters. Rasputin in letters is denoted by the words "Friend", and "He" is always with capital letters. The letters were published in Russia by 1927, were more complete and aimed at justifying the murder of the royal family, and were also a response to the Berlin edition of the same letters in 1922.
The telegram addressed to the royal family and rewritten by one of the counterintelligence officers, but officially published on May 24, 1917 at a meeting of the Extraordinary Commission of Inquiry of the Provisional Government, was well known to contemporaries:
Sweet dad and mom! Here the cursed demon takes power. And the Duma serves him; there are many Luciners and Jews. What about them? Rather, God's anointed down with. And Guchkov, their lord, is their henchman, he slanders, makes confusion. Requests. Dad. Your mind is, whatever you want, do it. Kakei there requests from Gregory. This is a demonic prank. Command. No requests are needed. Grigory
Assassination attempt on Khionia Guseva
On June 29, 1914, an assassination attempt was made on Rasputin in the village of Pokrovsky. He was stabbed in the stomach and seriously wounded by Khionia Guseva, who had come from Tsaritsyn. Rasputin testified that he suspected Iliodor of organizing the assassination attempt, but could not provide any evidence of this. On July 3, Rasputin was transported by ship to Tyumen for treatment. Rasputin remained in the Tyumen hospital until August 17, 1914. The investigation into the assassination attempt lasted about a year. Guseva was declared mentally ill in July 1915 and freed from criminal liability by being placed in a psychiatric hospital in Tomsk. On March 27, 1917, on the personal instructions of A.F. Kerensky, Guseva was released.
On June 21, 1915, Rasputin arrived at Pokrovskoye. He lived there until September 25, when he left for Petrograd.
Rasputin's relationship with the royal family
The decisive factor in the attitude of the Royal family towards Rasputin was that he healed the prince. As you know, the heir Tsarevich Alexei Nikolayevich suffered from hemophilia. This disease was transmitted through the maternal line and was expressed in poor blood clotting. Each bruise could lead to internal hemorrhage, each wound could become life-threatening. Naturally, like any mother, this torments the empress, she feels guilty about this and seeks to redeem her. When it turned out that Rasputin, through suggestion, coped better with the manifestations of this disease than all the specialist doctors, this created a completely special position for Elder Grigory. The Empress sees in him a person on whom, in the truest sense of the word, the life of her beloved son depends.
In addition, for Their Majesties, Rasputin was a living representative of the people, the embodiment of the peasantry, a small person. They were struck by his manner of carrying himself, which in relation to another person would be considered indecent. His rustic accent, unceremoniousness, clumsiness - all this turned in his favor. His behavior was directly opposite to the manner of court circles, imbued with the sole purpose of making a favorable impression on the Sovereign. Against the background of their pretense, his sincerity and innocence were striking in their naturalness and were undeniable. They were not "made", this is explained by Rasputin's simple ideas about the Tsar, typical of the Russian peasant. For him, He is the source of mercy and truth. Rasputin's love for the Tsar, bordering on adoration, was truly unfeigned, and there is no contradiction in recognizing this fact. The Tsar could not but feel this love, which he appreciated doubly, because it came from someone who, in His eyes, was not only the embodiment of the peasantry, but also its spiritual power. He did not deceive the trust of the emperor, and gradually "a connection arose between the Sovereign and Rasputin on purely religious grounds: the Sovereign saw in him only an "old man" and, like many sincerely religious people, was afraid to break this connection with the slightest distrust of Rasputin, so as not to anger God. This the connection grew stronger and was supported as much by the conviction of Rasputin's undoubted devotion, as, later, by bad rumors about his behavior, which the sovereign did not believe, because they came from unbelieving people. ”For Nikolai Alexandrovich, according to him, honest people existed only up to two years, because when they reached the age of three, their parents already rejoice that they know how to lie. For him, all people were liars.” one
After the first meeting with Rasputin, the Sovereign only noted that he "makes a great impression." Subsequently, he was of the opinion that Gregory was a man of "pure faith." Nevertheless, not trusting the "old man" as much as Alexandra Feodorovna, Nicholas II instructs General V.N. Dedulin, commandant of the palace, and his assistant to subject Rasputin to a biased but courteous interrogation. In their opinion, he is a cunning and false man; further reports from secret agents report an impostor, a false preacher, revealing who he is in real life. Members of the royal family are also trying to open the sovereign's eyes to what is happening. He patiently listens to everything, but at the same time does not take any action against Rasputin. As for the Empress, she did not believe the rumors that were spreading more and more around Rasputin, since she considered them slander and refused because of this to lose a person who knew how to defeat her son’s illness with a few words. Despite further revelations, for the Royal Family (i.e. for the Emperor, Empress and their children) Rasputin remained a saint forever, and nothing could force them to change this belief.
Estimates of the influence of Rasputin on the royal family
Anti-monarchy leaflet. Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna are depicted as freaks in the hands of Rasputin. circa 1917
In the last years of the reign of Nicholas II, many rumors circulated in Petersburg society about Rasputin and his influence on power. It was said that he himself absolutely subjugated the tsar and tsarina and rules the country, either Alexandra Fedorovna seized power with the help of Rasputin, or the country was ruled by a “triumvirate” of Rasputin, Anna Vyrubova and the tsarina.
The publication of reports about Rasputin in the press could be limited only partially. According to the law, articles about the imperial family were subject to preliminary censorship by the head of the office of the Ministry of the Court. Any articles in which Rasputin's name was mentioned in combination with the names of members of the royal family were banned, but it was impossible to ban articles where only Rasputin appeared.
In the last months before the February Revolution, the image of Rasputin became an important part of the speeches of opposition deputies in the State Duma. On November 1, 1916, at a meeting of the Duma, P. N. Milyukov delivered a speech critical of the government and the "court party", in which Rasputin's name was also mentioned. Milyukov took the information he gave about Rasputin from articles in the German newspapers Berliner Tageblatt of October 16, 1916 and Neue Freye Press of June 25, regarding which Milyukov himself admitted that some of the information reported there was erroneous.
On November 19, 1916, V. M. Purishkevich delivered a speech at a meeting of the Duma, in which he attached great importance Rasputin.
According to the memoirs of A. A. Golovin, during the First World War, rumors that the Empress was Rasputin's mistress were spread among the officers of the Russian army by employees of the opposition Zemstvo-City Union. After the overthrow of Nicholas II, the chairman of Zemgor, Prince Lvov, became chairman of the Provisional Government.
The image of Rasputin was also used by German propaganda. In March 1916, German zeppelins scattered over the Russian trenches a caricature depicting Wilhelm leaning on the German people, and Nikolai Romanov leaning on Rasputin's genitals.
In reality, Rasputin had no influence on the royal family and, according to the recollections of those close to the royal family, he rarely visited the palace at all. In the memoirs of the maid of honor A. A. Vyrubova, it is said that Rasputin visited royal palace no more than 2-3 times a year, and the king took it much less often. Another lady-in-waiting S.K. Buxhowden recalled that:
“I lived in the Alexander Palace from 1913 to 1917, and my room was connected by a corridor with the chambers of the Imperial children. I never saw Rasputin during all this time, although I was constantly in the company of the Grand Duchesses. Monsieur Gilliard, who also lived there for several years, also never saw him.”
Gilliard recalls the only meeting with Rasputin: “Once, when I was about to leave, I met him in the hallway. I had time to examine him while he took off his fur coat. He was a tall man with an emaciated face, with very sharp grey-blue eyes from under his tousled brows. He had long hair and a big man's beard." According to the memoirs of Kokovtsov, Nicholas II himself told him about Rasputin in 1911 that:
... personally almost does not know "this peasant" and has seen him briefly, it seems no more than two or three times and, moreover, at very long distances of time.
Rasputin's influence on politics
There are many versions regarding this controversial issue. It is probably impossible to list everything. Let us dwell only on the main and most famous.
Initially, Rasputin used his proximity to the court only to interfere in church affairs, in which he was helped by close relations with Feofan and Hermogenes. But as word of its influence spreads, various clever people decide to use it to achieve their goals. This leads to the fact that Rasputin organizes official receptions. He settles in an apartment on the street. Gorokhovaya, where it accepts both those who come with material offerings and those in need of financial assistance. Gradually, Rasputin himself, as he ascended, began to develop ambition. To play a prominent role, to be revered for an omnipotent power, to be on the same level with people who are much higher in social position - all this reinforced his pride, and he even took on such cases, the arrangement of which did not bring him personal benefit. “It often happened that the tsar telephoned Rasputin, demanding that he immediately indicate a candidate for any vacant ministerial post. In such cases, Rasputin asked the king to wait a few minutes. Returning to us, he demanded to name the necessary candidate.
We need a minister, he exclaimed excitedly. A conference was then taking place not far from the telephone set, at which even Rasputin’s nieces sometimes took part, meanwhile the tsar was waiting at the telephone receiver ... ”1 This continued until the beginning of 1915, when the “little people” began to use Rasputin for personal purposes - for promotion promising him "great blessings" for leading them to the top of power. One of the first was Prince Shakhovskoy, who achieved through Rasputin the appointment of Minister of Trade and Industry. Naturally, such activities of Rasputin could not but cause indignation in a revolutionary-minded society, given that his personality was perceived mostly negatively.
However, the question remains whether Rasputin was used by people only for personal purposes, or did he fall into the hands of agents of Russia's enemies? There is a version that he was an agent of Germany and was at one with the Empress on the issue of a separate peace. But it is unlikely that such a simple man as Rasputin was capable of any political actions - it would be too "abstruse" for him, would be contrary to his nature.
In fact, Rasputin had no direct influence on Russian policy. It was expressed, firstly, in a detrimental, in the opinion of most contemporaries, effect on the empress, and through her, on the Sovereign. Rodzianko explains the power of Rasputin's influence with his hypnotizing abilities: "By the power of his hypnotism, he inspired the tsarina with an unshakable, invincible faith in himself and that he was God's chosen one, sent down to save Russia." Other political figures adhere to the same opinion: M. Paleolog, Zhevakhov, Hieromonk Iliodor and others. Secondly, this influence was manifested in letters where he gave advice or simply supported the Tsar. His sayings and predictions are also known, later confirmed: "I will be, there will be both the Tsar and Russia, and if I don't exist, neither the Tsar nor Russia will be"; On August 29, 1911, standing in the crowd, past which Stolypin was passing, Rasputin suddenly exclaimed: "Death has come for him, here she is, here!"; he also predicted his death: "They will kill me, they will kill me, and in three months the Tsar's Throne will also collapse."
Rasputin never tried to refute the words about his strength among the kings, but on the contrary, he was proud of it and confirmed his deeds: for example, during his orgies he boasted that the queen embroidered shirts for him and thus himself gave rise to gossip. He acted naively and did not foresee the consequences of his actions. Rasputin did not need Tsarist power, but his position under the Tsar alone was enviable and became the reason for his own murder.
Most likely, the words of Professor S. S. Oldenburg are the most objective: "Rasputin himself did not claim any political influence, but for the enemies of the Emperor he turned out to be the point of application of a skillful slanderous campaign that completely distorted the true state of things." Interestingly, the opponents of the monarchy were also opponents of Rasputin. Most of the attacks came from the monarchists, who saw in him "an inextinguishable lamp in the royal chambers" and the cause of all Russia's troubles, both in foreign and domestic policy.
It would probably be fair to slightly change the well-known aphorism and say: how many people, so many judgments about Rasputin.
Murder and funeral of Rasputin
Killed by conspirators (F. F. Yusupov, V. M. Purishkevich, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich and British intelligence officer Oswald Reiner) on the night of December 17, 1916. They tried to poison Rasputin, when this did not help, they shot him, and even when after that Rasputin seemed alive, the body was drowned in the Neva. Going down to the dining room, I found Rasputin in the same place, I took his hand to feel the pulse - it seemed to me that there was no pulse, then I put my hand to my heart - it did not beat; but suddenly, you can imagine my horror, Rasputin slowly opens one of his satanic eyes to the full extent, following this, the other glares at me
indescribable tension and hatred, and with the words: “Felix! Felix! Felix!" jumps up immediately with the aim of grabbing me. I jumped back with as much haste as I could, and I don’t remember what happened next.” 1 The emperor and empress entrusted the forensic medical examination to the well-known professor of the Military Medical Academy D.P. Kosorotov. The original autopsy report has not been preserved; the cause of death can only be hypothesized.
Before the February Revolution of 1917, attempts were made to canonize Rasputin.
Rasputin was buried by Bishop Isidore (Kolokolov), who was well acquainted with him, and was subsequently killed by the Bolsheviks for this. In his memoirs, Spiridovich recalls that Bishop Isidore served the funeral mass (which he had no right to do).
It was said later that Metropolitan Pitirim, who was approached about the funeral, rejected this request. In those days, a legend was started that the Empress was present at the autopsy and the funeral service, which also reached the English Embassy. It was a typical gossip directed against the Empress.
At first they wanted to bury the murdered man in his homeland, in the village of Pokrovskoye, but because of the danger of possible unrest in connection with sending the body across half the country, they buried him in the Alexander Park of Tsarskoye Selo on the territory of the temple of Seraphim of Sarov built by Anna Vyrubova.
The investigation into the murder of Rasputin lasted more than two months, and was hastily terminated by Kerensky on March 4, 1917. Three months elapsed between Rasputin's death and the desecration of his grave.
Letter to V.K. Dmitry Pavlovich to his father V.K. Pavel Alexandrovich about the attitude to the murder of Rasputin and the revolution. Isfahan (Persia) April 29, 1917. Finally, the last act of my stay in Petr was a completely conscious and thoughtful participation in the murder of Rasputin - as the last attempt to enable the Sovereign to openly change course without taking responsibility for the removal of this person. (Alix wouldn't let him do that.)
The burial was found, and Kerensky ordered Kornilov to organize the destruction of the body. For several days the coffin with the remains stood in a special carriage. Rasputin's body was burned at night. An official act was drawn up on the burning of the corpse of Rasputin. At the place of burning, two inscriptions are inscribed on a birch, one of which is in German: “Hier ist der Hund begraben” (“A dog is buried here”) and further “Here the corpse of Rasputin Grigory was burned on the night of March 10-11, 1917” .
Investigation of the Provisional Government
After the overthrow of Nicholas II, the Provisional Government organized an emergency investigative commission, which was supposed to search for the crimes of tsarist officials, including investigating the activities of Rasputin. The commission made 88 surveys and interrogated 59 persons, prepared “verbatim reports”, the editor-in-chief of which was the poet A. A. Blok, who published his observations and notes in the form of a book called “ Last days Imperial power.” The commission did not finish its work. Some of the protocols of interrogations of senior officials were published in the USSR by 1927. From the testimony of A. D. Protopopov to the Extraordinary Commission of Inquiry on March 21, 1917
After the death of the "old man"
After the death of Rasputin, the tsar and tsarina were frightened and confused. They no longer had their Friend, adviser, protector and intercessor in the face of God. They already felt their near death. Wishing to pay last respects to Father Gregory, the royal family, contrary to their custom, did not stint on the burial of the “old man”
His embalmed body was secretly buried in one of the chapels of Tsarskoye Selo. An icon signed by each member of the royal family was placed in his coffin.
One officer, by the name of Belyaev, found out about this icon, and it was quite clear to him that it could become very valuable for collectors of rarities, and decided to steal this rarity.
During the revolution, he carried out his plan, and, leading a crowd of revolutionaries to the chapel in which the embalmed corpse of Rasputin rested, under the pretext of its destruction. He took the icon for himself, and the crowd was fully convinced that he acted in the interests of the revolution.
Rasputin's body was burned so as not to leave a place for the pilgrimage of his many admirers.
But, nevertheless, after the destruction of Rasputin's body, women in carriages came to the place of burning and collected earth in bags, so that they could then take it with them to emigration ...
Conclusion
I achieved my goal by learning how and in what way Rasputin played a role in relations with the royal family and the collapse of the Romanov dynasty.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Russian noble society was an almost completely morally decomposed group of people. They did not know what to do with themselves and went headlong into any fashionable innovation of social life.
When Rasputin came to Petersburg and was first introduced to the world in the salon of a very eccentric lady, it was already clear to Countess Lopukhina that he would attract the attention of society ladies and scandalous chronicles in the capital for a long time to come. But then no one could even imagine what heights this person would reach.
He enjoyed immense trust and patronage from the royal couple. It cannot be said that the tsar always obediently carried out everything that Rasputin said, but his influence on the tsar was great and in terms of appointments everything depended only on the decision of the “elder”, and the appointment of ministers to senior officials is not such an unimportant matter, especially that all the ministers appointed by him were subordinate to him and never carried out their own policy.
We will never know how he managed to exert such an influence on the entire royal family, because this is not spelled out in any documents, and all the memories, already contradicting each other, have been subjected to several editions and numerous attacks by writers in recent years. and publicists.
The peasants loved him because he was one of them and respected him for leaving behind the nobles and standing next to the royal throne, often solving many issues in the state. For the same reason, the enlightened nobility hated him. With such a polarity of opinions, it is extremely difficult to form an opinion about a person who died more than 80 years ago ...
I believe that the image of the insane, demonic "ruler of the fate of the empire", imposed by books, films and memories of people who barely know him, which in itself was built on newspaper articles and gossip that entangled all of St. Petersburg, and indeed all of Russia, is not real. Rasputin.
Rasputin was ordinary person, but with extraordinary abilities. If not for Rasputin, the heir to the Russian throne, Tsarevich Alexei, would have died long before July 16, 1918. He firmly believed in his involvement with God. He saw human weaknesses and used them to achieve his plan. He had his own principles, his own views on life, but, despite the enormous power concentrated in his hands, he did not use it for selfish purposes.
Bibliography
1. Kasvinov M.K. "23 steps down" / ed. Thought / Moscow / 1987
2. Simanovich A. S. "Rasputin and the Jews"
3. M. Paleolog. Rasputin - memories.-M.: 1923.
4. Purishkevich V.M. "How I killed Rasputin", diary - Moscow SP
"Interprint" 1990
5.http://www.hrono.ru/libris/lib_p/rasput15.html
6. A. Troyat. Rasputin, trans. from French lang. - Rostov n / a: Phoenix, 1997. page 45
1 M.K. Kasvinov; "Twenty-three steps down"; Moscow; ed. "Thought"; 1987; p.159
Rasputin. At court, a conspiracy took shape against ... to world domination. At the beginning of the twentieth century dynasty Romanovs was one of the strongest in the world...: you are nonentities and suffered collapse. Your role it's over, go where...
Life of Emperor Nicholas II
Abstract >> Historical figuresThe light hand of ill-wishers was attributed Rasputin. Role and meaning Rasputin, the degree of its influence ... collapse Russian statehood and collapse autocratic power. Emperor Nicholas... to the telegraph that the preservation dynasty Romanovs possible with transfer...
Rasputin's life story cannot be understood without knowing the special relationships that developed between him and the royal family. For more than ten years, Grigory Rasputin was one of the closest people to the royal family. And the king, and the queen, and the royal children, of course, loved him and believed him.
The end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century was characterized by a deep spiritual crisis due to the rejection of Russian spiritual values, traditions and ideals, the transition of a significant part of the educated society to the foundations of existence on the Western scale of coordinates. The king, who by his position was the supreme guardian of the people's foundations, traditions and ideals, felt the tragic outcome of this crisis and really needed people who would be spiritually close to him. This was what main reason rapprochement of the royal couple and Grigory Rasputin. The craving of the tsar and tsarina for Rasputin was of a deeply spiritual nature, in him they saw an old man who continued the traditions of Holy Russia, wise with spiritual experience, spiritually inclined, able to give good advice. And at the same time, they saw in him a real Russian peasant - a representative of the largest estate in Russia, with a developed sense of common sense, a people's understanding of the usefulness of his worldly intuition, who knew for sure what was good and what was bad, where his own, and where strangers.
“I love the people, the peasants. Here Rasputin is really from the people, ”the tsarina said, and the tsar believed that Grigory was“ a good, simple, religious Russian man. In moments of doubt and spiritual anxiety, I like to talk with him, and after such a conversation, my heart always feels light and calm. He repeatedly repeats this idea in correspondence and in conversations (Naumov, 1995, p. 244).
The tsar and tsarina respectfully called Rasputin “our friend” or “Grigory”, and Rasputin called them “Dad and Mom”, putting into this meaning “father and mother of the people”. They talked to each other only on "you".
In the life of the royal family, Rasputin played the same role as St. John of Kronstadt. They often asked him to pray. Rasputin had an inexplicable power over Tsarevich Alexei. At the slightest indisposition, the elder was called. Sometimes even one short telephone conversation in order to get rid of some disease.
"The heir lives as long as I live!" - He set such an ultimatum to his "August patrons", as if hedged, in case of change of immense respect and goodwill towards him, into disfavor. (Collection historical materials, v.1, p. 263).
It is quite natural that after these words, Alexandra Feodorovna, obeying her maternal instincts, literally prayed for the “old man”. Unconditionally believing that Rasputin was sent to the royal family by God in order to protect the dynasty, that the truth was spoken through his mouth, the queen did not find it difficult to convince her husband of this.
The tsarina's letters to her husband are filled with the deepest faith in Grigory Rasputin: “Yes, prayers alone and selfless faith in God's mercy,” she writes, “give a person the strength to endure everything. And our friend will help you carry your heavy cross and great responsibility” (Pokrovsky, 1923, v.4, p. 52).
Of course, the tsar listened to the advice of Grigory Rasputin. It can be seen from the royal correspondence that the tsar listened attentively to Rasputin's proposals and often accepted them. This was especially true of candidates for the posts of leaders of the Holy Synod and the movement of bishops to various dioceses, although last step of his life, Gregory also takes part in the selection of candidates for the posts of ministers and governors.
With the tsar's boundless confidence, Rasputin's opinion on various political and state issues was taken into account almost unconditionally. For example, one of his words was enough for the Cabinet of Ministers to be replenished with a hitherto unknown person.
All these appointments took place in most cases spontaneously. Aron Simanovich in his memoirs described one of them, at which he himself was present: “It often happened that the tsar telephoned Rasputin, demanding to immediately indicate a candidate for any vacant ministerial post. In such cases, Rasputin asked the king to wait a few minutes. Returning to us, he demanded to name the necessary candidate ... ”(Simanovich A.).
In the last years of the reign of Nicholas II, it was increasingly difficult to find the right person to some position, because people were simply afraid. They were afraid that, having served for some time in a high-ranking position, they would not only fall under a wave of distrust and be removed from this post, but also fall out of favor with the sovereign, and after that there could be no question of any high positions for them.
E.D. Chermensky thought otherwise. He finds the version about the significance of Rasputin's will in making government decisions untenable. Chermensky argues that Rasputin's wishes simply completely coincided with the opinion of Nicholas II, and the appointments of ministers were made only in accordance with the tsar's own decisions, which were made independently. Rasputin served as an echo of these decisions, appearing in written sources sometimes before the voice that gave birth to him. He himself could not play in politics that huge role that is assigned to him, if only because of his "phenomenal lack of education" (Chermensky, 1986, p. 91).
But here is the paradox that is observed: the tsar, who believed that Rasputin was sent to him by heaven in order to protect him and the entire royal family and help him with advice on behalf of the Lord God, would have to silently listen to his every word, accept his speech as truth , as a prophecy, for God himself speaks through his mouth, heeded his advice only in matters of appointments or in matters of a smaller scale. In serious things, he almost always did everything in his own way.
Grigory Efimovich had his own positions on almost all political issues. But they did not always coincide with the positions of the sovereign, and he, despite the fact that Rasputin in his eyes was a "man of God", was not going to change them. Contrary to the advice and even the entreaties of the "elder", contrary to the letters of the tsarina, Nicholas did it his own way. There were also cases when he simply did not initiate either his wife or the “miracle worker” into his plans, and they already learned about this or that action from the newspapers.
Rasputin was strongly opposed to the "senseless bloodshed" of the First World War. No matter how hard he tried the king to make peace with Germany, on whatever terms, the king stood his ground.
The same applies to the peasant question. All attempts by Rasputin to explain to the tsar that the peasants remained the most disenfranchised category of the population were in vain. In his opinion, after the reform carried out in 1861, the peasants began to live even worse than under the landlords, since their land became smaller and the provision, albeit meager, that they had during the days of serfdom, departed. He wanted to convince the tsar to give the state and monastic lands to the peasants, but the tsar again did not agree with him.
At the very beginning of the First World War, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich was the supreme commander of the Russian army. One day, Rasputin came to the tsar and told him that he had a dream, from which it follows that in three days Nikolai Nikolayevich would send news that there was not enough food in the army, but you should not believe him, because he was only trying to sow panic and fear and thereby force Nicholas II to abdicate in his favor.
As a result of this meeting, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich was exiled to the Caucasus, and the tsar took command of all military operations.
The lack of consensus in the scientific literature is due to the diversity of views on the same problem present in historical sources that scientists have today. These are most often testimonies of people close to the tsar who occupied state and court positions under him, as well as diaries and correspondence.
Here are some opinions about the mediation of the empress between the sovereign and Rasputin. So, Admiral Bubnov considered the influence of the Empress decisive. The same opinion was shared by Wrangel (father white general P.N. Wrangel): “The state was ruled by his (tsar’s) wife, and Rasputin ruled her. Rasputin inspired, the tsarina ordered, the tsar obeyed. The scheme proposed by Avrekh is also confirmed by the remark of the well-known liberal historian and Cadet politician A. Kizevetter: “... fully ... confirm (letters) that Alexandra played a decisive role in setting the course domestic policy and in the matter of government appointments.
The palace commandant Voeikov cannot agree with the influence of Rasputin through the empress: “One can think that the empress, under the influence of Rasputin, disposed of all appointments and resolved important state issues. In fact, this was far from being the case, judging by the results, the number of persons whose candidacies were supported by the Empress was directly negligible. The rumor that “as if Rasputin is making appointments through Tsarskoye Selo” is also groundless: “in fact, everything came down to his personal relations with the ministers, who had nothing to do with the empress.”
Others of his entourage come to the defense of the king. The adjutant wing of the Tsar Mordvinov writes: "He (the Tsar) agreed only with those opinions that did not contradict his own." True, opinions often coincided, but these were precisely coincidences, and not subordination.
There is also Gurko’s opinion: “He didn’t even allow the thought to part with her [Empress Alexandra Feodorovna - A.D.], and therefore silently, sometimes gritting his teeth, he endured her oppression, from which, however, he repeatedly sought to get out” .
Of Rasputin's direct influence, Maurice Palaiologos, the French ambassador to Russia, says the following: “Does Rasputin have the same power over the emperor as over the empress? No, and the difference is palpable,” especially when the “old man” interferes in politics. Then Nicholas II puts on silence and caution, he avoids difficult questions; he postpones decisive answers, in any case, he submits after a big internal struggle in which his innate intelligence often prevails."
In their research, historians rely not only on the testimonies of contemporaries and the analysis of known facts. The materials of the correspondence between Nicholas II and his wife play a decisive role. Here are some letters from the Empress to her husband.
"Keep this paper in front of you ... Tell him [Protopopov - A.D.] to obey our Friend more."
“My dear! .. I may not be smart enough, but I have a highly developed feeling, and it often helps more than the mind. Do not change anyone before our meeting, let's calmly discuss everything together.
In the summer of 1916, Alexandra Fedorovna wrote to her husband at Headquarters: “And now He [Rasputin - A.D.] believes that it would be advisable not to attack too aggressively on the western sector of the front ...”
Based on the materials of this correspondence, the hypothesis of Rasputin's indirect influence on state affairs, which turned out to be first on the empress, and through her on the tsar, is very well substantiated.
Some of Rasputin’s letters to Nicholas II himself have also been preserved: “The firmness of the foot of God against the Germans, do not advance, hold on to the Romanian front, glory will shine from there, the Lord will strengthen the weapon, I pray fervently Gregory” and “I spoke very briefly and affectionately with Kalinin, begging that no one interfere with him, and let counterintelligence lead their work affectionately talked about the prisoner in a Christian way ... give power to one so that Gregory works with his mind.
To say that Rasputin was in charge of absolutely all affairs in the state would be like lying. Yes, his influence on the entire royal family was enormous, yes, almost all ministers and high-ranking officials were appointed on his orders from 1902 to 1916, but he did not always listen to him, and therefore he had to resort to some other measures, in addition to a few telegrams and conversations.
By order of the royal family, Rasputin was placed under surveillance by the royal secret police. Beletsky, the director of the police department, noted in his notes that at the end of 1913, while observing the correspondence of people close to Rasputin, they noticed among them a letter from one of the Petrograd hypnotists, in which there was an absolutely clear indication that the "miracle worker" took from him hypnosis lessons.
This can also explain the attractiveness of his eyes to all those around him. All the people who knew him personally invariably singled out his eyes. They have always made a lasting impression. Elena Dzhanumova wrote about him in her diary: “Well, he has eyes! It is impossible to hold his gaze for a long time. There is something heavy in him, as if you feel material pressure, although his eyes often shine with kindness, but how cruel they can sometimes be and how terrible in anger ... "
Vladimir Mitrofanovich Purishkevich expresses his opinion about another way of his influence on the tsar in his diary: “Why are you, Felix,” Rasputin said to Yusupov, “do not visit Badmaev? He is the person you need ... He will give you a tiny glass of tincture, you will drink this tincture at an hour when your soul is vague, and immediately everything will seem like a trifle to you, and you yourself will become so kind, so stupid and it will be all the same to you, all the same "There is everything reason to believe that it was this "tincture" that he treated the emperor. Confirmations, even indirect ones, can be found in the memoirs of his personal secretary. Before telling about the deception that Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich was preparing, Rasputin poured himself and the tsar Madeira, his favorite drink, and ordered the tsar to drink from his glass, while he drank from the tsar's. After that, he mixed the rest of the wine from both glasses and ordered Nikolai to drink it. And only after all these "mystical" preparations did he tell him about his vision. A few days after that, a train was served to the Grand Duke, which was supposed to deliver him to the Caucasus.
Whatever the case, but Rasputin for a very short term gained almost unlimited power over the royal couple, but, nevertheless, at some moments the tsar eluded his influence and made decisions on his own, contrary to the instructions of the "old man" and Alexandra Feodorovna.
