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Άγιοι Βασιλομάρτυρες Ρομάνοφ
Τον Ιούλιο του 2018 συμπληρώθηκαν εκατό χρόνια από το μαρτύριο των αγίων βασιλομαρτύρων Ρομάνοφ και αυτή είναι η πλέον ολοκληρωμένη πνευματική βιογραφία των αγίων σε διεθνές επίπεδο. Για την συγγραφή του έργου η Ι. Μονή Μέσα Ποταμού συνεργάστηκε με τους σοβαρότερους ιστορικούς ερευνητές και συγγραφείς στον χώρο των Ρομάνοφ, όπως την Helen Rappaport, την Helen Azar και τον Nicholas Nicholson, ο οποίος συνέγραψε και τον επίλογο του έργου.
Το πολυσέλιδο βιβλίο προλογίζει ο Γέροντας Εφραίμ, καθηγούμενος της Ι.Μ.Μ. Βατοπαιδίου, και περιλαμβάνει μεταξύ άλλων πλήθος αυθεντικών λημμάτων από τα ημερολόγια και την αλληλογραφία των ιδίων των Ρομάνοφ, καθώς επίσης και προσωπικές μαρτυρίες και καταθέσεις άλλων ιστορικά σημαντικών προσώπων. Συνοδεύεται, επίσης, από πλούσιο φωτογραφικό υλικό και ένα ένθετο με εντυπωσιακά επιχρωματισμένες φωτογραφίες, οι οποίες εκδίδονται για πρώτη φορά, καθώς επίσης και από ένα ψηφιακό δίσκο με οπτικοακουστικό υλικό από το Ρωσσικό Κρατικό Αρχείο, συνολικού μήκους 50 λεπτών. Τέλος, το βιβλίο συμπληρώνει ένα πλήρες παράρτημα με όλες τις βιβλιογραφικές παραπομπές και σημαντικές υποσημειώσεις.
Η πρώτη έκδοση του έργου έτυχε ενθουσιώδους υποδοχής από το αναγνωστικό κοινό και εξαντλήθηκε σε ελάχιστο χρονικό διάστημα. Χαρακτηρίστηκε δε ως «έκδοση της χρονιάς» από έγκριτους δημοσιογράφους και κριτικούς.
Η έκδοση «Άγιοι Βασιλομάρτυρες Ρομάνοφ - Όσα δεν μπόρεσε να κρύψη η σιωπή» ήρθε να ρίξει άπλετο φως στην άγνωστη, στους πολλούς, ζωή της πολυσυζητημένης οικογενείας των Ρομάνοφ η οποία κυβέρνησε τη Ρωσσία επί τριακόσια συνεχή έτη από το 1613 ως το 1917. Για την συγγραφή του έργου, η Iερά Μονή Μέσα Ποταμού συνεργάστηκε με τους πιο αξιόλογους ιστορικούς ερευνητές και συγγραφείς, ειδικούς στο θέμα των Ρομάνοφ, από όλο τον κόσμο. Το βιβλίο είναι γραμμένο με σύγχρονο τρόπο γραφής και περιλαμβάνει μεταξύ άλλων:αποσπάσματα από τα προσωπικά ημερολόγια των ίδιων των Ρομάνοφ αλλά και άλλων ιστορικών προσώπων της εποχής, αποκαλυπτικές επιστολές, καταθέσεις μαρτύρων αλλά και των ίδιων των ανθρώπων που εκτέλεσαν τους μάρτυρες.
Το πολυσέλιδο βιβλίο προλογίζει ο Γέροντας Εφραίμ, καθηγούμενος της Ι.Μ.Μ. Βατοπαιδίου, και περιλαμβάνει μεταξύ άλλων πλήθος αυθεντικών λημμάτων από τα ημερολόγια και την αλληλογραφία των ιδίων των Ρομάνοφ, καθώς επίσης και προσωπικές μαρτυρίες και καταθέσεις άλλων ιστορικά σημαντικών προσώπων. Συνοδεύεται, επίσης, από πλούσιο φωτογραφικό υλικό και ένα ένθετο με εντυπωσιακά επιχρωματισμένες φωτογραφίες, οι οποίες εκδίδονται για πρώτη φορά, καθώς επίσης και από ένα ψηφιακό δίσκο με οπτικοακουστικό υλικό από το Ρωσσικό Κρατικό Αρχείο, συνολικού μήκους 50 λεπτών. Τέλος, το βιβλίο συμπληρώνει ένα πλήρες παράρτημα με όλες τις βιβλιογραφικές παραπομπές και σημαντικές υποσημειώσεις.
Η πρώτη έκδοση του έργου έτυχε ενθουσιώδους υποδοχής από το αναγνωστικό κοινό και εξαντλήθηκε σε ελάχιστο χρονικό διάστημα. Χαρακτηρίστηκε δε ως «έκδοση της χρονιάς» από έγκριτους δημοσιογράφους και κριτικούς.
Η έκδοση «Άγιοι Βασιλομάρτυρες Ρομάνοφ - Όσα δεν μπόρεσε να κρύψη η σιωπή» ήρθε να ρίξει άπλετο φως στην άγνωστη, στους πολλούς, ζωή της πολυσυζητημένης οικογενείας των Ρομάνοφ η οποία κυβέρνησε τη Ρωσσία επί τριακόσια συνεχή έτη από το 1613 ως το 1917. Για την συγγραφή του έργου, η Iερά Μονή Μέσα Ποταμού συνεργάστηκε με τους πιο αξιόλογους ιστορικούς ερευνητές και συγγραφείς, ειδικούς στο θέμα των Ρομάνοφ, από όλο τον κόσμο. Το βιβλίο είναι γραμμένο με σύγχρονο τρόπο γραφής και περιλαμβάνει μεταξύ άλλων:αποσπάσματα από τα προσωπικά ημερολόγια των ίδιων των Ρομάνοφ αλλά και άλλων ιστορικών προσώπων της εποχής, αποκαλυπτικές επιστολές, καταθέσεις μαρτύρων αλλά και των ίδιων των ανθρώπων που εκτέλεσαν τους μάρτυρες.
664 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2018
30 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 6, 2020
When my priest recommended reading the story of a modern saint, he had no idea how resonant it would be as we went through Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha at home. Absolutely sublime, heartbreaking, beautiful story. Using newly translated letters and documents, the Royal Martyrs' story is so relevant to today.
October 7, 2023
Heartbroken. That’s all.
February 9, 2020
This book is a treasure.
July 29, 2021
I have read a lot of Romanov books and I'm sure like many others I didn't think anything new could possibly be added to their story. This book promised something new, something different and so I decided to give it a chance. It does offer a new look at things and turns a lot of what was once thought to be established narrative on its head. From the events of Bloody Sunday, to Russia's involvement in the first world war, Rasputin's involvement in politics even Alexandra and her control over Nicholas and reliance on Rasputin, all are examined. And it really shouldn't have been a big surprise but a lot of what's been long believed was the work of clever propaganda, whether from the Soviets or the Germans. So I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking for a new look and reexamining of old long established events, and also for the many photographs some not seen. The back of the book contains several colourized beautiful pictures.
August 7, 2020
What a beautiful life of faith, gentleness, and love the royal family led. I was thoroughly captivated by this story of their pious lives even though I knew the end. Heartbreaking and inspiring.
November 27, 2018
Very much looking forward to the english translation of this new book!
November 6, 2019
This book offers yet another view of the Romanovs, their personalities, decisions and influence on the Russian history (as well as guilt/innocence). Naturally one needs to take into account that this ais a book by deeply religious Orthodox Christians about other deeply religious Orthodox Christians and the faith and its importance for the last Imperial family is the underlying theme for this whole book. The writing flows very naturally, and even though at times I thought the book was way too apologetic in regards to Nicholas and his share of blame on the minefield of events between 1894-1917, it does make one consider those events from a perspective rarely explored by historians (who in general tend to be snarky and smart-ass, if not outright damning). Finally, one has to admit this publication is simply beautiful. Richly illustrated with black and white photos and a bunch of coloured ones near the very end as well.
July 1, 2020
Absolutely beautiful.
January 15, 2021
I absolutely adore this book.
May 11, 2021
Must buy to discover the myths behind the revolution.
March 14, 2022
Fascinating and melancholic.
May 3, 2021
It has "martyrs" right in the title and is written and published by a monastery, and yet somehow I managed to be surprised by the fact that this is a hagiography. Duh. And I mean downright blatant hagiography. I've been reading about the imperial family for 20+ years and somehow never realized they were flawless!
Anyway.
Some of the info here has never been published in English before, but aside from that very little of it is truly new. Amateur translations of many passages from Russian and French sources appeared on the Alexander Palace discussion forum a decade ago. It's nice to have more professional translations, but $40 plus shipping for a paperback? Ouch.
If you want to venerate the Romanovs, then by all means this is the book for you. Otherwise, pass. If I had it to do over again, I'd keep my money.
Anyway.
Some of the info here has never been published in English before, but aside from that very little of it is truly new. Amateur translations of many passages from Russian and French sources appeared on the Alexander Palace discussion forum a decade ago. It's nice to have more professional translations, but $40 plus shipping for a paperback? Ouch.
If you want to venerate the Romanovs, then by all means this is the book for you. Otherwise, pass. If I had it to do over again, I'd keep my money.
January 13, 2022
This book was fascinating. I’ve been obsessed with the Romanovs since I was young and my obsession was rekindled this past year. I received this book for Christmas per my request and I am so very glad that I did. It presented a ton of new information. The way it was written made it feel like I wasn’t even reading history. My one objection was that some parts of the book were doused in “fact” that was supposed to be a sign from “god”. How can you prove historical fact and prove that it’s from god? That’s just something I don’t get, but most of the book was simply splendid.
Want to read
August 4, 2023I haven't read the actual text of this book yet, because I've been so distracted by the colour photographs. They're so insanely beautiful every time I open the book I find myself poring over them and forgetting there's also text attached to this tome.
As soon as I read the actual book I'll review it and add this to "read", but you already know it's getting five stars. It could read like something written by a preschooler and I'd still give it five stars for the photographs.
Me with other books after this:
As soon as I read the actual book I'll review it and add this to "read", but you already know it's getting five stars. It could read like something written by a preschooler and I'd still give it five stars for the photographs.
Me with other books after this:
September 5, 2023
Dit is een prachtig en waardevol boek, ik kan niet anders zeggen.
Ten eerste is de uitgave schitterend, met mooi papier en heel veel zwart wit foto's door het hele boek heen, en een heel katern ingekleurde foto's achterin. Vele daarvan had ik nog niet eerder gezien.
Ten tweede is de stijl enorm prettig om te lezen, het verhaal vloeit, neemt je mee en houdt je vast.
Dit komt ook door het vele gebruik van dagboeken en brieven van de Keizerlijke Familie zelf, zodat je dus hun eigen woorden leest.
Er staan onnoemelijk veel nieuwe details en nieuwe feiten in dit boek, het is daarmee echt een aanwinst.
We beginnen bij de jeugd van Nicholaas en Alexandra en eindigen bij hun benoeming tot martelaren. (ik weet niet helemaal of ik hiermee de correcte Orthodoxe term gebruik, mijn excuses als dat niet zo is).
Wat je wel moet begrijpen is dat dit een boek is over het feit dat de Keizerlijke Familie martelaren in het Russische-orthodoxe geloof zijn, en dat dit de insteek is van het boek en de lens waardoor alles wordt bekeken. Het is daarmee in feite een hagiografie. Maar aangezien het Orthodoxe geloof onnoemelijk belangrijk was voor de Keizerlijke Familie, is dit wel een waardevol gezichtspunt en zeker een die toevoegt aan de vele boeken die er al over hen zijn geschreven.
Ik zou het niet aanraden als eerste boek over de Romanovs voor iemand die er nog niets of weinig vanaf weet, het is denk ik beter om eerst de historische feiten op orde te hebben en daarna een wat gekleurde versie te lezen, zodat je de context begrijpt en deze versie beter kunt inschatten.
Maar vanwege de redenen die ik hierboven al noemde, is het een zeer waardevol en prachtig boek, dat ik met mijn hele hart kan aanraden.
Ten eerste is de uitgave schitterend, met mooi papier en heel veel zwart wit foto's door het hele boek heen, en een heel katern ingekleurde foto's achterin. Vele daarvan had ik nog niet eerder gezien.
Ten tweede is de stijl enorm prettig om te lezen, het verhaal vloeit, neemt je mee en houdt je vast.
Dit komt ook door het vele gebruik van dagboeken en brieven van de Keizerlijke Familie zelf, zodat je dus hun eigen woorden leest.
Er staan onnoemelijk veel nieuwe details en nieuwe feiten in dit boek, het is daarmee echt een aanwinst.
We beginnen bij de jeugd van Nicholaas en Alexandra en eindigen bij hun benoeming tot martelaren. (ik weet niet helemaal of ik hiermee de correcte Orthodoxe term gebruik, mijn excuses als dat niet zo is).
Wat je wel moet begrijpen is dat dit een boek is over het feit dat de Keizerlijke Familie martelaren in het Russische-orthodoxe geloof zijn, en dat dit de insteek is van het boek en de lens waardoor alles wordt bekeken. Het is daarmee in feite een hagiografie. Maar aangezien het Orthodoxe geloof onnoemelijk belangrijk was voor de Keizerlijke Familie, is dit wel een waardevol gezichtspunt en zeker een die toevoegt aan de vele boeken die er al over hen zijn geschreven.
Ik zou het niet aanraden als eerste boek over de Romanovs voor iemand die er nog niets of weinig vanaf weet, het is denk ik beter om eerst de historische feiten op orde te hebben en daarna een wat gekleurde versie te lezen, zodat je de context begrijpt en deze versie beter kunt inschatten.
Maar vanwege de redenen die ik hierboven al noemde, is het een zeer waardevol en prachtig boek, dat ik met mijn hele hart kan aanraden.
July 18, 2023
How special to realize I was reading about the royal martyrs during their feast day! I’m so impressed at the love Tsar Nicholas had for his country and the godly virtues he and his family displayed, even while being betrayed by their countrymen. May their memory be eternal.
May 18, 2022
I absolutely loved the information on the court in St Petersburg before the revolution and the incredible insight into the spiritual life of the Imperial Family.
April 19, 2022
The lives and murder of the last of the Russian Tzars
January 27, 2024
This biography documents the lives of the last imperial family of the House of Romanov -- the imperil couple and their children as well as their extended family -- from the childhoods of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra (Princess Alix of Hesse) to their executions in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution from the perspective of their deep Orthodox Christian faith.
"The Royal Martyrs surrendered themselves and their whole lives to the will of God, even unto death, in the most spiritually perfect degree and thus, regardless of their human errors, unavoidable for all created beings, they reached the level of the faith that overcomes death and renders its bearers living vessels of the grace of God in eternity -- in a word: saints." (page 209)
This book will be of interest to Orthodox Christians who have a devotion to the Romanov family. As an Orthodox Christian, I appreciated that this book focuses on content usually not included in books intended for a secular audience. For readers with a general interest in the Romanov family, I recommend the biography The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming as a starting point.
This book contains a lot of beautiful colored photographs of the Romanov family.
Troparion of the Royal Martyrs -- Tone 1
Most noble and sublime was your life and death, O Sovereigns; /
Wise Nicholas and blest Alexandra, we praise you, /
Acclaiming your piety, meekness, faith, and humility, /
Whereby you attained the crowns of glory in Christ our God, /
With your five renowned and godly children of blessed fame. /
O passion-bearers decked in purple, intercede for us.
"The Royal Martyrs surrendered themselves and their whole lives to the will of God, even unto death, in the most spiritually perfect degree and thus, regardless of their human errors, unavoidable for all created beings, they reached the level of the faith that overcomes death and renders its bearers living vessels of the grace of God in eternity -- in a word: saints." (page 209)
This book will be of interest to Orthodox Christians who have a devotion to the Romanov family. As an Orthodox Christian, I appreciated that this book focuses on content usually not included in books intended for a secular audience. For readers with a general interest in the Romanov family, I recommend the biography The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming as a starting point.
This book contains a lot of beautiful colored photographs of the Romanov family.
Troparion of the Royal Martyrs -- Tone 1
Most noble and sublime was your life and death, O Sovereigns; /
Wise Nicholas and blest Alexandra, we praise you, /
Acclaiming your piety, meekness, faith, and humility, /
Whereby you attained the crowns of glory in Christ our God, /
With your five renowned and godly children of blessed fame. /
O passion-bearers decked in purple, intercede for us.
November 26, 2022
A book that just might well be all things to all people. On one hand a new substantive history of the lives of the Last Tzar of Russia and his family. It is filled with up-to-date sources, some of them new at the time of this books publishing. As a history it paints a view of the last royal family of Russia that is while favorable, not overly so, showing their human weakness. On the other hand, to the eyes on an Orthodox reader this is a pious hagiography which shows why the Royal Family are Saints and Martyrs in the Orthodox Church. It is possible the two readers will value different things from the same pages while not seeing the others prospective. While walking this tight rope the book is filled with pictures including a 56page full color insert. The book is well referenced and written with an eye for maintaining its historical sources. For history lovers and the faithful alike this a unique work you will not want to miss.
December 21, 2018
Και όμως, ο τίτλος κυριολεκτεί! Πρόκειται για την αγιογραφία του Αγίου Νικολάου Ρομανόφ και των 6 αγίων συγγενών του (οι υπόλοιποι 4 που εκτελέσθηκαν μαζί τους δεν λογίζονται άγιοι αφού δεν έχουν τα ιερά γονίδια....) που αντί να σκοτώσουν τον δράκο όπως ο Άγιος Γεώργιος, θανατώθηκαν από τον δράκο του μπολσεβικισμού.... Ειδικά το (σύντομο) κεφάλαιο που αναφέρεται στη ματωμένη Κυριακή του 1905 στην προσπάθεια του να αποσείσει τις ευθύνες από τους αγίους είναι κατάπτυστο!
Το μόνο αξιόλογο του βιβλίου η καλή εικονογράφηση και η ρέουσα γλώσσα.
Το μόνο αξιόλογο του βιβλίου η καλή εικονογράφηση και η ρέουσα γλώσσα.
July 4, 2023
What a great, but humbling account of this precious family. If you want a telling, without the lens of a politic biased to keep the truthful events a secret, of the Romanov family and their eventual demise this is a book for you. Full of firsthand entries, publications and accounts, you will learn discreet events to which paint the clear picture as to the motivations this family has been so maligned during and since their reign. Also, the quality/printing of this book is supreme. Citations, and pictures are there to glue this all together. Highly recommend.
March 13, 2023
I have been into the Romanovs for some years and I thought it was already time to pick up a book to broaden my knowledge of Russia’s last imperial family. Being the most recently published book on the subject, I could not have made a better decision. After having read this masterpiece my obsession and interest in the subject is even greater now.
This could probably be considered the final work on the Romanov family. Thanks to new sources and letters whose content has never been published before and of which the contributors of this project have been able to draw upon, this book demystifies and sheds light on all the misconceptions, distorted truths and misrepresentations that have been stated as facts over the years, many of which were product of Bolshevik propaganda and the Germans.
Regardless of the fact that Nicholas’s obliviousness to what was taking place in his country constituted one of the reasons towards the downfall of his dynasty, it would be unjust to entirely put the whole blame on him. Politically uneducated and with a complete lack of grounding in statesmanship, his father’s untimely death thrust upon him the heavy burden of reigning and so much responsibility to take on for which he was unprepared. Added to this, the role of an autocrat meant assuming ALL kind of powers, reason for which his burden was twice as heavy and all the more so in such a shaky and backward country.
However, I must say that my sympathies go out to Alexandra. Poor thing, she was not cut out for becoming an empress. Her life itself had been fraught with tragedy ever since her childhood and things did not go any easier for her in her adopted country. Undeservedly, she had to come in for a lot of criticism for simply being German (she was actually more English than anything else!) and for not fitting in with the aristocracy and Russian society. Yet things came to a head when Rasputin came into their lives, with whom she was thought to be pulling the strings of the government and leading Nicholas astray when it came to decision-making, which made her disreputable, terribly disliked and alleged to be a secret spy.
I had difficulty reading the thoroughly detailed chapter of their assassination. The inhuman way in which they died is just utterly heartbreaking, unfair and heart-trending. Those poor souls the only sin they committed was being born into a family which they did not choose to be born in. Thank God, at least they left this world together.
Historical and royal books sometimes tend to have boring chapters, however, this book’s easy, clear and engrossing writing style is bound to keep the reader hooked throughout the whole story. Yet what makes this masterpiece unique is its array of over 200 beautifully remastered photographs, some of which are colourised and bring the family back to life. One can tell the amount of effort, passion and work which has been put into this project as you go through the pages.
A must read for history lovers, especially if you want to have a wider and deeper insight into the Russian Revolution and the final years of this ill-fated family. Believe me, even if you are not full on into the Romanovs this book will not disappoint you. Highly recommended.
This could probably be considered the final work on the Romanov family. Thanks to new sources and letters whose content has never been published before and of which the contributors of this project have been able to draw upon, this book demystifies and sheds light on all the misconceptions, distorted truths and misrepresentations that have been stated as facts over the years, many of which were product of Bolshevik propaganda and the Germans.
Regardless of the fact that Nicholas’s obliviousness to what was taking place in his country constituted one of the reasons towards the downfall of his dynasty, it would be unjust to entirely put the whole blame on him. Politically uneducated and with a complete lack of grounding in statesmanship, his father’s untimely death thrust upon him the heavy burden of reigning and so much responsibility to take on for which he was unprepared. Added to this, the role of an autocrat meant assuming ALL kind of powers, reason for which his burden was twice as heavy and all the more so in such a shaky and backward country.
However, I must say that my sympathies go out to Alexandra. Poor thing, she was not cut out for becoming an empress. Her life itself had been fraught with tragedy ever since her childhood and things did not go any easier for her in her adopted country. Undeservedly, she had to come in for a lot of criticism for simply being German (she was actually more English than anything else!) and for not fitting in with the aristocracy and Russian society. Yet things came to a head when Rasputin came into their lives, with whom she was thought to be pulling the strings of the government and leading Nicholas astray when it came to decision-making, which made her disreputable, terribly disliked and alleged to be a secret spy.
I had difficulty reading the thoroughly detailed chapter of their assassination. The inhuman way in which they died is just utterly heartbreaking, unfair and heart-trending. Those poor souls the only sin they committed was being born into a family which they did not choose to be born in. Thank God, at least they left this world together.
Historical and royal books sometimes tend to have boring chapters, however, this book’s easy, clear and engrossing writing style is bound to keep the reader hooked throughout the whole story. Yet what makes this masterpiece unique is its array of over 200 beautifully remastered photographs, some of which are colourised and bring the family back to life. One can tell the amount of effort, passion and work which has been put into this project as you go through the pages.
A must read for history lovers, especially if you want to have a wider and deeper insight into the Russian Revolution and the final years of this ill-fated family. Believe me, even if you are not full on into the Romanovs this book will not disappoint you. Highly recommended.
January 20, 2025
This is likely the best Eastern Orthodox book I have read.
The authors do well at inviting the reader into the Romanov family. By reading their personal letters, diary entries, and learning about the many interesting experiences they had, one begins to feel a certain connection to the family.
The book takes the reader on a emotional rollercoaster, as the first half leads the reader to a simple appreciation of their pious lifestyle and customs, and the second half deals with their tragic end. One gets the feeling that at the brink of great success for the empire, a horrible cancer is released into their society which completely devastes the land in a surreal display of inhumanity.
It is fascinating to peek behind the curtains of these historical events, catching a glimpse into the psychology of the royal family and their reactions to the turmoil that afflicted them. This book definitely humanizes the family and fights against many negative propagandistic portrayals that were invented in their time, and continue into the modern age.
The authors do well at inviting the reader into the Romanov family. By reading their personal letters, diary entries, and learning about the many interesting experiences they had, one begins to feel a certain connection to the family.
The book takes the reader on a emotional rollercoaster, as the first half leads the reader to a simple appreciation of their pious lifestyle and customs, and the second half deals with their tragic end. One gets the feeling that at the brink of great success for the empire, a horrible cancer is released into their society which completely devastes the land in a surreal display of inhumanity.
It is fascinating to peek behind the curtains of these historical events, catching a glimpse into the psychology of the royal family and their reactions to the turmoil that afflicted them. This book definitely humanizes the family and fights against many negative propagandistic portrayals that were invented in their time, and continue into the modern age.
June 4, 2025
Such a good overview focusing on the spiritual sides of the family-very touching, especially the guards’ ambivalence about the prisoners as they got to know them, the Czarina’s faithfulness to Alexei with his ill health, and the picture of Alexei in the water. As an outsider to the Orthodox Church I didn’t understand everything but found the saint story format to be similar to Roman Catholic ones. The tenderness of the family makes you ache for their end-one (prophet? Elder?) of the Orthodox Church said Nicholas took the judgement meant for Russia on himself, I wonder if that’s true…maybe that was what our lady of Fatima was talking about. There were several instances where the family predicted their deaths, uncanny.
August 11, 2024
The most thorough look at the lives of these great saints ever published. A must read for all Orthodox Christians.
January 2, 2025
The secular world doesn't understand just how Holy the Royal Family actually was. Canonized Saints in Christ's Holy Church!
“The greatness of the Russian emperor is not in the wars and the victories, not in the fortune or the glory. It is in the service to Christ.”
-Tsar Nicholas II
“Like the love of heaven, Christianity elevates a human soul. My hopes may be fading, but my faith is growing stronger, and so I do not lose heart. Who knows what is best for us more than the Lord? I find a lasting source of strength in my constant exercise of submission. We die every day, and we become a day closer to everlasting life.”
-Alexandra Romanov
“We have a Tsar of righteous and pious life. God has sent a heavy cross of sufferings to him as to His chosen one and beloved child”
-Saint John of Kronstadt
“Why was Tsar Nicholas II persecuted, slandered and killed? Because he was Tsar, Tsar by the Grace of God. He was the bearer and incarnation of the Orthodox world view that the Tsar is the servant of God, the Anointed of God”
-Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco
“The greatness of the Russian emperor is not in the wars and the victories, not in the fortune or the glory. It is in the service to Christ.”
-Tsar Nicholas II
“Like the love of heaven, Christianity elevates a human soul. My hopes may be fading, but my faith is growing stronger, and so I do not lose heart. Who knows what is best for us more than the Lord? I find a lasting source of strength in my constant exercise of submission. We die every day, and we become a day closer to everlasting life.”
-Alexandra Romanov
“We have a Tsar of righteous and pious life. God has sent a heavy cross of sufferings to him as to His chosen one and beloved child”
-Saint John of Kronstadt
“Why was Tsar Nicholas II persecuted, slandered and killed? Because he was Tsar, Tsar by the Grace of God. He was the bearer and incarnation of the Orthodox world view that the Tsar is the servant of God, the Anointed of God”
-Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco
April 8, 2025
The illustrations are gorgeous and some of the information is new. Written from a religious perspective rather than a historical one, but this is to be expected, and upon reflection it is refreshing to see a new approach to this history. It does perpetuate the myth that OTMA were isolated, which can be dispelled by reading their diaries. Otherwise, a lovely book.
August 24, 2024
Explores a new perspective, but does gloss over the flaws of the Romanovs. Typical hagiography.
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