Exact dates of the photos of the Imperial Family

[Sarushka]

Mishaxenia, this picture was taken in Moscow 1903, for a religious ceremony I think it was for Olga first communion.

It may have been Easter 1903, rather than Olga's first communion. I don't know enough about Orthodox customs to know for sure, but if you do a search on "Olga 1903 communion" you can look up some of the old discussions.

[voyageroffreedom]

I always saw this picture labeled as Olga first communion, but I have to admit you’re right it could be Easter, because the Orthodox Church doesn’t celebrate a first communion. I belong to the Orthodox Church (Greek Orthodox) and I never nor any of my relatives had what it is called a “first communion” as Greek Orthodox we don’t celebrate it here, though other non orthodox Christians communities in my country (I’m from Lebanon) still somehow give the first communion its importance. And looking at the picture, the event seems more important than a first communion, in Orthodox faith Easter is regarded as the central day in the entire Christian calendar (religiously speaking it is more important than Christmas in Orthodox Church).

[blessOTMA]

I'm wondering if that photo was taken in Moscow and the occasion is  State related ...because Serge and Ella are behind them...it looks like the area where we have film of the family marching during the 1913 festivities . I love the little smile Olga gives  the camera. But since this was before Alexi's birth , it's  extra significant that Olga is there . Thank you for that explanation VOF =) ...It's interesting the  importance different aspects of Christianity  give  to the  holy days...both Xmas and Easter are about the coming of Christ...but at diffrent points

[matushka]

The picture was taken the 30.03.1903. The Imperial family, for the second time (first time 1900) came to the old capitale Moscow to celebrate the Holy Week and Easter. They arrived the 29.03. On sunday 30, there was the official procession of the family from the Kremlin to the cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin. The Imperial couple with members of the imperial family attented there the Holy liturgy. As wrote Nicholas II in his diary: "at 10.40 begin to march through the rooms, took Olga with us." Easter was a week later. These weeks and Easter let a great impression on both the Tsar and the Grand-Duc Serge. One of those rare moments of unity beetwen Nicholas II and people.

[matushka]

I have 2 more pictures of that moment. I will post them tomorrow morning.

[blessOTMA]

matushka, thank you very much  for that information! I believe I have seen a photo of Maria Pavlovna, the younger, in court dress during this procession.

[voyageroffreedom]

Thank you Matushka for the information. This is not a picture but represent the same event; we can see Maria Maria Pavlovna the younger with her brother Dmitry behind Ella and Sergei.

[blessOTMA]

Thanks VOF, I remembered Maria Pavlovna the younger in court dress, but clearly I'm confusing this occasion with another photo.
This painting was based on the photo ( imo) but the artist took out a number of other people to get this grouping! lol!

[blessOTMA]

While straightening up, I found something interesting among my Romanov items...a page from a French , printed in November 1915, showing photos I always thought were from late 1916 that were discussed earlier in this thread... It's the cover and on the other side two other photos .I can't begin to get the whole cover  on the scanner...the whole photos are half pages, but I scanned the date. The men in the Cossack group seems the same as the photos with the girls.... I scanned the captions for those who speak French

[voyageroffreedom]

Thank you for these photos. The date is Saturday 13 November 1915.
What is written below the second photo: Emperor Nicolas II followed by his son who is now in perfect health after causing so much worries, inspects Cossacks of the imperial escort.

What is written below the third photo: The Tsar and Tsarevich on the front of the Russian army- a religious service in plain air.

[blessOTMA]

Thanks for the translation!=)

[matushka]

3 differentes pictures of that sunday of marth 1903 in Moscow.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v695/clairecher/?action=view&current=0330Moscouprocession.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v695/clairecher/?action=view&current=0330Moscouprocessionmontant.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v695/clairecher/?action=view&current=0330processionversOuspensky.jpg
The last one is almost exactly the same MishaXenia posted, just a few details are differents.
Can not remember if "my" 3 pictures were downlowed from this forum or picked somewhere on the russian web. Sorry if they were already posted.

About these pictures of "L'Illustration". I wrote somewhere here that in my opinion they were taken the 4th October 1915, for the annual feast of the "Konvoy", the Jointed Regiment of Cosacks.

[matushka]

Diary of Nicolas II for the 4th October 1915
In russian: "В 10 час. на площадке был отслужен молебен перед фронтом 1-й Кубанской и 3-й Терской сотен. Затем они прошли два раза церем. марш. До завтрака сидел за докладом в штабе. Завтракали все офицеры Конвоя. "
What means approximatively: "At 10 o'clock on the place was celebrated a Te Deum in front of the 1st century of Kuban and the 3rd century of Ter (?). Then they marched twice. (...) All officiers of the Escort had breakfast (with us)".
So that is this very Te Deum we see on the picture.

[blessOTMA]

...About these pictures of "L'Illustration". I wrote somewhere here that in my opinion they were taken the 4th October 1915, for the annual feast of the "Konvoy", the Jointed Regiment of Cosacks. 

I had always read this event was Oct of 1916...and so I'm glad to get the right year. Thank you

[matushka]

Bless-OTMA, at any case (I am not sure I was clear), this event occurent yearly. So these pictures are 4.10.1915, but the famous one, with the 4 Grand-duchess are 4.10.1916.