www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Canonization of Czar Nicholas 2 & his immediate family

I don't think I'm exactly stupid but I do think I'm rather ignorant.

I am not posting this topic to be provocotive but I am interested in learning about the reasons why Czar Nicholas II and his immediate family were canonized by the Orthodox Church.

From where I stand it looks like they were killed out of purely political motives and that they were just more pathetic victims of the Bolshevik revolution.

Obviously not everyone sees the situation from my simplistic point of view. I'm looking forward to learning more about the significance of their canonization. I admit I do not feel particularly drawn to venerate them; but there are some Catholic saints I'm indifferent to, as well. For instance, St. Josemaria Escriva, St. Padre Pio of Pietralcina and Bl. Pope Pius IX. To say the truth, I am actually a bit repelled by them.

Thanks in advance for thoughtful, informative responses.

While you are at it, ask why Joan of Arc or Louis IX were canonized. It doesn't pay to look too closely at how one makes sausage, only that it tastes good.

I believe that they were canonized due to the manner in which they lived their lives and even accepted their deaths. Are you familiar with passion bearers? If not you can google it. So back to my point from what I have heard they were rather pious people and were faithful Orthodox Christians. That all being said you are correct that their might be political undertones to it especially since they were first canonized by ROCOR which strongly identified with pre-revolution Russia with the Imperial Family being a symbol. I am sure that there a few that want the monarchy to be reinstated. I don't think that will ever happen.

Of course this is all based on very limited understanding and I am sure that other more knowledgeable members of the forum will be able to correct any inaccuracies for me.

Had they been less faithful Orthodox Christians, the Bolsheviks probably would not have risen to power. Such is frequently the case.

Curious, what repels you about St Padre Pio?

With all due respect for our last monarch and horror at his and his family's murder, I tend to believe that the reasons for their canonization were more political than anything else.

I tend to find such things as mystical phenomena, real or alleged, to be unappetising. Since St. Pio's life was characterised by apparently authentic ones, I find him to be an unattractive figure.

That he was holy and is in heaven, and intercedes for us, I readily agree.

...Christine Benagh, the author of "An Englishman In The Court Of The Tsar" has spent a great deal of time intensely researching the life of Charles Sydney Gibbes, commencing with his early years in England, and when he moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, which eventually won him a great reputation for the English language throughout the country, and when he was employed by the Royal Court, where he spent a great deal of time mostly as a personal tutor to the young Tsarevich Alexis. In a most respectful and honorable manner Christine Benagh gives the reader from the results of her outstanding research a clearer picture of not only the personality of Tsarevich Alexis, but also the rest of the Imperial household. Sydney was deeply effected by the way both the Tsar and Tsarina brought up their children in the Royal Court, he is also very much moved by the Russian Orthodox piety of the Imperial Family, which later has a deep spiritual effect on his own life.

Mrs. Benagh's well understands very well not only the historical situation in Russia, but also the spiritual teachings of the Russian Orthodox Faith, showing how all the members of the Imperial household found enormous strength in their faith. She gives the reader great insight concerning this faith, making it possible to understand the inner struggles experienced by the Imperial Royal Martyrs Tsar Nicholas II and Family, and especially how they managed their daily lives before the Revolution in 1917, the very difficult time afterwards while under house arrest, and their eventual martyrdom in Ykaterinburg on July 17, 1918. All of the members of the Imperial Royal Family of Russia were deeply religious, and this was indeed a blessing for them all, as they experienced true spiritual peace throughout their lives, and especially during the last two tragic years.

The author has great insights in reference to historical accounts of what was happening in Russia during the lives of the Imperial Romanov Family, up until their Martyrdom, and important factual historical information from the period following their deaths. The reader will become well informed of the accounts of the martyrdom of the Imperial Royal Family, before Charles Sydney Gibbes eventually left Ykaterinburg, as Sydney was determined, through his devotion and respect for all the members of the Imperial Romanov household, to find out what really happened to them at the Ipatiev house, and also to discover the facts concerning the burial of the August Martyrs. The information he received astonished him, and he recounts the horrific murder of the Imperial Romanov Family. He believed that all the members of the Royal Family were indeed martyred on that fateful night of July 17, 1918. We never hear of any information from him that he ever believed that any member of the Imperial Romanov Family escaped, even when he later became a Russian Orthodox priest in Oxford, England.

I would strongly suggest that this book: "An Englishman In The Court Of The Tsar", be a part of your research and understanding from both a historical and theological point of view about the lives of the Imperial Royal Martyrs Tsar Nicholas II and Family. It will give you greater insights concerning the August Martyred Family of Russia, as well as an honorable account of the life of Charles Sydney Gibbes himself.

You will certainly begin to appreciate the complete devotion and love that Charles Sydney Gibbes had for all of the Imperial Royal Martyrs, and how they themselves deeply affected the rest of his life, which eventually brought him on the path of his own salvation. Thanks to the author Christine Benagh, who has brought to our attention this honorable and respectful tutor and priest Father Nicholas (Gibbes).

the entire article [serfes.org]