The New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia: Their Significance for People in the West [Cath-Orth]

Pravmir.com ^ | Feb 24th, 2012 | Sophia Moshura

[annalex]

95 anniversary of the murder.

[annalex]

Please consider pinging this to your list. I am not sure who could ping for the Orthodox.

[annalex]

[annalex]

St. Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, Martyr

[OldCorps]

This is the appropriate icon:

Today is the fesast day of the Royal Martyrs of Russia.

[Salvation]

Thanks for the icon.

[Tax-chick]

What an interesting article, full of thoughtful commentary. I read a book about Nicholas and Alexandra recently; they’re a beautiful example of a loving and devout Christian family.

[dfwgator]

An excellent movie Russian movie from a few years ago, “Romanovs - An Imperial Family” Very well done, much better than the Hollywood version of “Nicholas and Alexandra.”

[Tax-chick]

This is the book I just read. (It was in the library.)

In one letter, Alix referred to baby Alexei as "the tiny pet," which is what I call my Kathleen as I stroke her totally bald head.

[married21]

What was so saintly about the Russian royal family? I’m not trying to be being negative. I really don’t know.

Also, wasn’t Alexandra the one who was swayed by Rasputin? Sort of like having her own personal, disturbed guru? How does that play into her sanctity?

I”ll admit I only skimmed the article, but I was hoping for a story or two about the lives of these new martyrs that would show they lived and died for the faith, not that they died merely because somebody killed them.

[FormerLib]

Pinging the Orthodox List by request.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

They were innocent. The Tzar had given up the thrown. He may have been a fool and too kind for the Job of Autocrat—to a lesser degree his wife—BUT the children were innocent, so too the servants. They didn’t deserve to be murdered. In this act, the Soviets were stained by the blood of innocents—a bloodbath that would continue for 75 years. In a way these were just the first, of millions to be sacrificed to the Moloch of Marxism. They will, sadly, not be the last.

[Tax-chick]

We need to keep in mind that “holy” doesn’t necessarily mean “never sinned,” and certainly doesn’t mean “never showed poor judgment.” The book I posted about above goes into detail about the Tsar and Tsarina’s involvement with Rasputin, and a reader can form his own opinion about it. Certainly there’s not much doubt about “poor judgment,” but one also needs to consider this episode as, perhaps, an excess of genuinely holy religious fervor, as well as taking into account their desperate anxiety over their son.

Without claiming truly to understand Orthodox spirituality - dear Kolokotronis several times called me a “****ed Augustinian” - I will venture to say that the Romanovs are to some extent a symbol of Russia itself, “Holy Mother Russia,” suffering and devastated under the Soviets. The popular devotion to the Royal Martyrs began (per the book above) immediately after their deaths, and continued throughout the Soviet period, at great personal risk to the faithful who made offerings or went to pray at the site of the murders. The Russian Orthodox Church debated over their recognition as martyrs, and made the decision in large part under the influence of the devotion of the common believers.

[stfassisi]

The only path which leads to the true bright future for mankind is Christ.[7] For as long as we chase after “the bright future,” the “American Dream,” or the same “rose” by any other name—humanity is destined to failure. It is only when we start seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness that all other things will take their rightful places in our lives.[8]

Beautifully stated, and so very true

Thanks for posting this article ,dear brother!

[Romulus]

What was so saintly about the Russian royal family?

The Church has always honored as blessed martyrs those whose blood is shed out of hatred of Christ and his Church.

[stfassisi]

Romanov Prophecies Youtube video(very well done)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O1Bc0pm9N8

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! Oh, what was her name ... she was English, and she had an affair with Sidney Reilly, “Ace of Spies” ... Caryll Houselander! She had a vision of the martyrdom of the Romanovs, and also of Reilly’s death in Russia in the Bolshevik years. Fascinating story.

[stfassisi]

;

[stfassisi]

Kontakion 1
O passion bearer chosen from birth and incarnation of the love of Christ, we sing thee praises as one who did love all the fatherland. As thou hast boldness before the Lord, enlighten our darkened minds and hearts that we may cry to thee:
Rejoice, O Nicholas, God crowned Tsar and great passion bearer.

Ikos 1
The Creator of angels did send thee to the Russian land as an angel of meekness and instructor to thy people, as He did choose thee after the example of His Only Begotten Son to be a sacrifice of redemption for the sins of the people. And we, marveling at the Providence of the Almighty towards thee, cry out with contrition:
Rejoice, O likeness of Christ.
Rejoice, sacrifice of whole burnt offering.
Rejoice, adornment of the Tsar’s of Russia.
Rejoice, thou who gavest an example of meekness and forgiveness to all.
Rejoice, true hope of the offended.
Rejoice, unshakable foundation of faith.
Rejoice, O Nicholas, God crowned Tsar and great passion bearer.

[stfassisi]

The Church has always honored as blessed martyrs those whose blood is shed out of hatred of Christ and his Church

And it very telling that the US congress congratulated the communist for the overthrow of the Romanovs in the same fashion our government congratulated the muslim brotherhood for their election victory