Romanovs and Faith/Orthodox Religion

[Versoix]

As I recall, the House of Romanov had a particular devotion to an icon known as the Feodorovski Mother of God. This goes way back in Romanov history. I searched the archives here and found nothing about it. Can anyone tell me anything about this icon? Did it survive the Revolution? Are there any photos or renderings of it extant?

[palimpsest]

Welcome Versoix!

I see you are from New York. Isn't the famous St. Vladimir Theological School somewhere around New York?

"Versoix" and "Nihil sine Deo" reminds me of the Romanian Royal Family. Is there any connection or just a coincidence?

Thank you!
palimpsest

[Versoix]

Welcome Versoix!

I see you are from New York. Isn't the famous St. Vladimir Theological School somewhere around New York?

"Versoix" and "Nihil sine Deo" reminds me of the Romanian Royal Family. Is there any connection or just a coincidence?

Thank you!
palimpsest

Dear Palimpsest,
   Thank you for the warm greeting. Yes, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America) is in Crestwood, a town about 15 miles north of New York City. And yes, you're right about my user name and motto. I have great admiration and respect for the Romanian royal family.
Best wishes,
Alec

[palimpsest]

I know the church and the school by reputation only, I've never been to NY.

You both must have seen the grand exibition at the Metropolitan Museum on Byzantium, "Faith and Power", two years ago. I wish I could make the trip and see it! :-/

http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Byzantium/byzantium_splash.htm [cool !!!!!!!!!!!!]

http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Byzantium/byzhome.html



Some other interesting links about Orthodoxy and Byzantium:



http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/index.html

http://www.byzantium.ac.uk/index.htm

http://www.doaks.org/Byzantine.html

http://www.ec-patr.gr/




http://www.imperiobizantino.com/byzantium.htm

http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/byzantium/index2.html [cool !!!!!!!!!!!!]  


http://www2.arch.uiuc.edu/research/rgouster/

[palimpsest]

A Byzantine lamp hangs in the center of the room surrounded by other artifacts on display during a preview of a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Byzantium: Faith and Power," at the museum in New York, Monday, March 15, 2004. The exhibit, which showcases more than 350 masterpieces of Byzantine art from some 30 nations, opens March 23. The hanging lamp dates from the 13th century and normally resides in the Monestary of Xeropotamou in Mount Athos, Greece. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

[Sarushka]

Has anyone ever seen a picture showing OTMA's baptismal crosses? In so many of the formal shots of the girls, I can see the chains around their necks, but the crosses themselves always seem to be hidden in the bodice of the dress...

Any info appreciated!

[ChristineM]

I do not recall ever seeing a photograph of the children wearing their baptismal crosses.   Such a photograph would have been destroyed.   In the days of the imperial children, Orthodox practice was to wear a cross - concealed - a testament to one's faith and beliefs.  

The baptismal cross is not an item of adornment or jewellery and should not be visible.

tsaria

[Caleb]

Thanks for all the wonderful messages.  I DO think this Romanov site is a marvelous site to discuss the Orthodox faith, since it was such a very important part of the IF's daily life.

Regarding some earlier posts, thank you, and God bless you, Matushka, for all the information.  Yes, the roots of the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodoxy are the same, but the Divine Liturgy has some noticeable differences (Little Entrace, Great Entrance, etc.).  Of course, the most important part -- the Sacrament -- is the same (thank God!).

RealAnastasia - I second Matuska's statements about not giving up on your church.  She is correct in that the "people" in the churches are "corrupt," but the CHURCH (with a BIG "C") is CHRIST, and Christ is perfect.  If you are uncomfortable in your individual church, are there others in your area (of the same faith) that you could attend (I don't mean to get personal here).  I was a Roman Catholic for years and left THAT church -- not due to corruption (the priest scandal hadn't "come out" yet), but because it wasn't meeting my needs.  

Oh, and Matuska, that absolutely WONDERFUL quote from St. Seraphim of Sarov (who, of course, was a favorite of the IF's) was  "Acquire the spirit of peace, and a thousand souls around you shall be saved." (It's one of my favorites!)

BACK to the Imperial Family -- I've been reading Greg & Penny's book "The Fate of the Romanovs" (again!), and have been thinking how HARD it was for them to not have regular church services, ESP. during Holy Week and Easter (which - in my opinion - is the most magnificent of the entire church year!)  Any thoughts?  (I might this question over in that thread!)

I've been raised in an Evangelical church & while I'm happy where I'm at spiritually, I do find the Eastern Orthodox Church interesting. There actually is an Orthodox church a few blocks down, across the railroad tracks. (I think it's called St. Josephs & I'm not sure if it's Greek or Russian Orthodox) I do have to agree that there are churches that have problems. There was even an elder at my church, who resigned after admitting to an extra-marital affair. The major issue is that, we, as humans, are led into sin offered by the devil. We are not perfect, tracing back to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. But that is why Jesus Christ was sent. One should also know that HE is returning someday soon to take HIS church Home to heaven to be with him for eternity.

[Georgiy]

Behold, the Bridegroom cometh in the middle of the night.

We should always be prepared. What state will our souls be in when He returns, on the awesome day of Judgement?

[palimpsest]

Isn't it beautiful and right to hear the magnificent poetry of the holy texts of the Church?

For me this poetry has more truth than any logical argument. Such richness of possible meaning!

Indeed, we should always be ready for the Last Judgment! In a way it is already here, at this very moment... In another way it is still to come...

You even descended in hell, O Lord! Where shall we sinners escape?

[Kevin_Australia]

I thought I might attempt at starting a new thread.

On September 9, 1883 the Russian Chapel (St. Alexander Nevsky) in Copenhagen was consecrated in the presence of the Emperor Alexander III, the Empress Marie, the King and Queen of Denmark, the King and Queen of Greece, the Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Louise of Denmark, the Princess of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Waldemar of Denmark, Princess Marie of Hanover, Prince Wilhelm and Prince Hans of S-H-S-Glucksborg.  The papers also mention that the children of the Danish royal family were present too.

Baron Mohrenheim was the founder of the chapel, he had previously been Russian Ambassador in Copenhagen  but was then based in London.

The Empress's Father Confessor, assisted by chaplains from the Russian Embassy and the Imperial Yacht  Derjava, performed the ceremony.

After the consecration a luncheon was held on board the Derjava.  

Sources: Dansk Hof-og-Stats Kalendar - 1884 & the London Times September 10, 1883

[Tania]

Welcome to the Forum Kevin !

Do you or does anyone have a picture of St. Alexander Nevsky Chapel in Copenhagen ? I love so very much to view the many Russian Churches around the world.

Again, Welcome !

Tatiana+

[Georgiy]

Tania - it is a beautiful Church, with mosaiced floors and golden cupolas. There is a miraculous icon of the Theotokos Mary there. I have attended Vigil at that Church when I was in Copenhagen a few years ago, but have no digital photos of it. There is a nice mosaic of St Elizabeth Feodorovna, and a bust of Empress Maria Feodorovna (the latter being in the Church yard). It is just down the road from Queen Margrethe's palace, near the (so-called) Marble Church.

[palimpsest]

I fond this with google:

[palimpsest]

And these: