The national narrative of “greats” also stands at odds with academic interpretations, which take a critical perspective of both Nicholas II’s often inept governance and of the Bolsheviks’ violent excesses. But the canonization of Nicholas II and his family by the Russian Orthodox Church as Christian martyrs in 2000 diminished their identity as political actors subject to academic scrutiny. In Yekaterinburg, where the largest events marking the centennial of the Romanovs’ deaths are being held, the Romanovs are martyred saints revered by devoted pilgrims, with virtually no reference to politics, policies or ideology. - Ala Graff
The Tsar was not canonized for his politics. He (and his family) were canonized for the lives they lead and the heroic and Christian manner in which they bore the suffering of their last days.
Russia is Russia.
I think it is a hopeless endeavor for us to ever try to put them in a “western” box when the lid will never properly close.
Ivan, Perter, Catherine, Alexander, Nicolas, Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Gorbachev, or Putin.
Russians seem to be drawn to central power figures, actual temperament or benefit aside). Even to the point of making them saints.
Probably someone else has more information ... but I thought they were recognized as Passion Bearers for their steadfast faith at the end. Poor family. They have been re-buried at a cathedral in St. Petersburg. We visited at Easter several years ago and people were leaving flowers at their graves.
At least the Russian Orthodox church doesn’t condone fag marriage.