Romanovs and Faith/Orthodox Religion

For most Russian Orthodox families, and individuals, I am sure the Imperial Family, I know their faith meant much to them, daily.
I wanted to receive from readers a measure of feed back of stories, and factual understanding of what faith meant to the parents,
but to the Imperial children.

Are there any stories shared from the Russian Orthodox Church that can be share here as well on the Imperial Family ?

If you can also offer special biblical verses they enjoyed most, this would be very kind of you to share. Thank you in advance.

Tatiana+

I don't have any specific anecdotes to share, but I've always been intrigued by the different ways in which Olga & Tatiana approached their faith. Both were devoted to Orthodoxy, but while Tatiana was very religious in an almost practical sense, Olga seems to have been far more spiritual. Tatiana read and stuided her religion (the list of books she took into exile will support that claim) and practiced its rituals dutifully, but according to many accounts it was Olga who carried the deepest feeling about her faith. Before going to work each day in the lazaret, for example, she would walk alone to chapel and pray.

I don't recall much information about the religious devotion of the Little Pair. I suspect that their faith became more significant to them in exile, though. In their letters, Anastasia in particular refers more often to God than she had previously. The IF often signed their letters to one another with some form of "God bless you" or "God keep you" but in exile, Anastasia mentions God's protection and comfort in the body of her letters to her parents more than once. (Incidentally, some first hand accounts say that the revolution arrested Anastasia's intellectual and emotional development, but I think her letters from exile disprove that notion. She did do some growing up near the end of her life, IMO.)

I agree with Sarushka. Anastasia's letters from Tobolsk don't seem to show any arrest in her emotional development. Anastasia's faith obviously meant a lot to her. I remember in one of her letters from 1918, she said, "Dear ones, in our thoughts we are with you all the time. It is terribly sad and empty; I really don't know what possesses me. The baptismal cross is with us, of course, and we got your news. So. The Lord will help and does help." Also some other quotes where she mentions the Lord are: "For now, good-bye. I wish you the best, happiness, and all good things. We con¬stantly pray for you and think, Help us Lord. Christ be with you, precious ones. I embrace all of you tightly and kiss you. A.", "For the moment, thanks be to God, we're living well". There was a letter by Maria that said the two of them went to pray in Alexei's room and Maria said that Anastasia mananged to pray right under her nose, or something along those lines. But, I don't think Anastasia's emotional developement was halted and from her letters it seems as if she was just depressed. And she did have a great faith in God, you can see it in her letters and things.

imho, faith comes from those who develop it in those who are young and need a course to carry them through life. For the IF, faith was the compass that chartered all their lives. In their darkest hours they clung to it like nothing else, and could feel that it allowed them to rise above their persecutors. Their care of one another, and even to those who professed to not like them, turned their heads to think again, of why they had to maintain that hate inside of them. The children it seems, always felt and lived their faith, and I know that it helped them transend issues even you and i would think were impossible. To read their letters, and to see their dear faces, i know inside, that these were very very brave and courageous children. It has been a priviledge to read and know about their short lives. They are heroes for eternity !

Tatiana+

Here's a link to a picture of the Ipateivsky Monastery where the Romanov Dynasty began.

http://www.fotolia.com/id/412965/partner/15225

I'm a Christian, and am a member of a Church of England church, where I go every Sunday, but I don't feel restricted to worshipping in one denomination. At the moment (at home), I perform various rituals from several different churches, and the Orthodox church is one of these. Would this be considered right? Do you have to be baptised an Orthodox Christian to worship the Orthodox way?

This can get tricky. It would be helpful to know specifically what rituals. Participating in mass is another thing. There are different ways of participating. You can join the congregation in singing the prayers, you can listen to the priest, you can join hands when saying the Our Father (if you’re in a Catholic church), etc…  What I know for a fact, though, is that in you aren’t allowed to take communion if you are not of that religion. So yes, you do have to be a baptized orthodox to take communion at an Orthodox church. Same with Catholicism. Religion is a very serious matter and has many rules. I think it’s better to be cautious and do some homework first, like maybe talking to a priest or something, to see what is allowed and what isn’t. Things that don’t seem like a big deal to us laypeople usually are a big deal.  But I’m pretty sure that “mixing religions” is frowned upon by most clergy of all denominations for the reason stated above. I know it’s not politically correct but that’s not what religion is about. Hope this helped

I'm a Christian, and am a member of a Church of England church, where I go every Sunday, but I don't feel restricted to worshipping in one denomination. At the moment (at home), I perform various rituals from several different churches, and the Orthodox church is one of these. Would this be considered right? Do you have to be baptised an Orthodox Christian to worship the Orthodox way?

I just stumbled on to this thread and started reading and the hair on my arms has been standing up for the last 20 minutes. I am an Australian of Greek decent and Orthodoxy plays  a major role in my life, and I would love to ensure that this thread continues. The separation and schisms from True Christianity have been more political and economically based rather than divine inspirations,and it gladdens me that people throughout the world can discuss and ask questions as to the differences without having screaming matches!
Please contimue!

[Never let us being parted!]

True is, IF were very religious, they believed they had to give their lives, if needs, to save their country, and I adore them because of this.
It says they were full of love to their people, and country. OK?

Having just returned from a fabulous week in St Petersburg I am currently working my way through Helen Rappaport's compelling book Ekaterinburg - which includes a photograph of an icon of the Romanov family as the 'Holy Passion Bearers'. Has anyone any idea where this icon can be acquired? For those who haven't been a visit to the Peter & Paul Cathedral is a must

I am not really in any religion, But my belief is close to those of Hinduism and Buddhism.

I hope this is the proper thread for this.

Wouldn't today (January 6 Gregorian Calendar) be Christmas Day in The Russian Orthodox Church?

My understanding is that The Russian Orthodox Church still uses the "old style" Julian Calendar which is off from the "new style" Gregorian Calendar by about 2 weeks, and certainly in Nicholas II's time they were on The old Julian Calendar. I had always heard that because of this The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas when those on The Gregorian Calendar are on January 6. Please correct me if I'm wrong but that's what I always heard and read.

If that is true then I guess today is when The Imperial Family would have celebrated Christmas.

So Merry Christmas to them and to all of you.

In the western world, Jan 6th used to be ( still technically is, but I guess people don't pay attention anymore) the last day of Christmas didn't it? Jan 6th was the last day of the 12 days of Christmas, like the old song. So it's technically the last day of Christmas for us, but it would be interesting if today was the day the Imperial family celebrated Christmas. I believe Jan 5th is 12th night.

[Never let us being parted!]

In Orthodox Religion, we celebrate Christmas on Janaury 7th.  . Russia accepted 'new style' -- Gregorian Calendar in 1918 or 1919, I am not sure, but Church still uses 'old style' -- Julian Calendar. Difference is 13 days.

Thank you Multiverse!

This site will "translate" between old and new style dates:

http://5ko.free.fr/en/jul.php?y=2009

Just make sure you've clicked on the proper year -- the difference between the calendars has changed over the centuries. (For example, in 1895 Olga was born on 3/15 November, but in the 20th and 21st centuries the date has shifted to 3/16 November.)