Re: Feodorovsky Cathedral

[Antonio_P.Caballer]

There´s no need to thank me , the real value of these images is in sharing all this beauty with you all.
I thank Bob and Rob for the work they take in posting them!

Antonio.

[Pravoslavnaya]

Antonio, Mr. Atchison and Mr. Moshein -- I cannot tell you how moved I was to see the Cathedral photographs.  The last one - of the desecrated building - made quite an impact on me; I almost cried.  (How could they do that?)

Thank you.

[Antonio_P.Caballer]

I ask myself the very same question, how could they do that? For me it´s not only what the german and spanyards did, but what the Soviet Government didn´t do. In Russia you will see how everything related to Nicholas and Alexandra has been neglected and left without any measure for preserving it. The Cathedral, the Palace, the Lower Palace in Peterhof...it seems as if they were ashamed of what they did and tried to erase them from the russian people memory. It cannot be a coincidence, it´s a fact, a no one in this world will change my mind on that.

[BobAtchison]

Isn't it true, Joanna? It really gives you hope to see what the people and clergy of the church have done.  Imagine how they felt when they started the project - just look at what they had to begin with!

At the first there was a Russian Romanov organization involved - they were so brave to do it when communism was still in power.  These people did a lot - they sponsored conferences, raised money, published articles and the like.

Now that the restoration is a success there are bound to be people who will try to take credit for it.  In the days of the Internet anybody can claim to be anything they want, with Photoshop you can turn an ugly duckling into a swan.  You can invent any history you want and publish it.  You can create you own phony fan club and try and turn yourself into a star.  So be careful, if anyone asks for money for the cathedral or the palace check them out completely before getting involved.  Ask them if they are a real charity in good standing (ask them for many references), see if they have a criminal record, or legal judgments against them.

Bob

[BobAtchison]

Here's a picture from the dedication ceremony for the bust of Nicholas II behind the Feodorovsky Sobor.  I am posting this picture because that is Kuchumov in the wheelchair.  Suzanne gave him the chair.  He couldn't walk and his right hand was paralyzed.  That's me in the background and you can see the cathedral in the background as well.

Bob

[BobAtchison]

Here are a few more pictures of the unveiling of the statue.  We sponsored a procession around the AP and then to the statue.  Bishop Vassili (Rodzianko) did the service at the bust.  This was in the summer of 1993.  The bust was placed in the midst of a grove of trees which Nicholas planted for his children's births.

Bob

[BobAtchison]

here's another...

Bob

[BobAtchison]

and another...

Bob

[NAAOTMA]

Dear Bob and Antonio,

Thank you for the pictures and commentary. What an emotional thing to see the pictures and read the words. Melissa K.

[BobAtchison]

Here's a picture of Kuchumov;  he was the former curator of the Alexander Palace.  He saved the treasures of the palace during WW II.  This was the last picture taken of him before he died in the fall of 93 - a few months after this ceremony.  I miss him a lot, it was great loss for the palace and for all those who loved him.

Bob

[BobAtchison]

Here's a famous picture of Anatoli Kuchumov in the Mauve Room which was taken in the late 30's.

Bob

[BobAtchison]

Here is a picture of Bishop Vassili in a religious procession we did around the cathedral in 1991 or 92.  People were amazed to see us praying in front of the AP and then the procession to the cathedral.  In those days it was still very unusual to see processions like this.

I hope someday some one like Marilyn Swezey will do a bio on Bishop Vassili.  He was her spiritual father and she worked as his assistant for many years, so she knew him well.  Bishop was the grandson of Basil Rozianko, the President of the Imperial Duma at the time of the Revolution.

Bob

[Arleen_Ristau]

Oh Bob, I am breathless with emotion after seeing these marvelous pictures of yours.  Thank you more than you will ever know for sharing with us.  To see Kuchumov is the most wonderful thing.  For those of us with no way to ever get to St. Petersburg, this is priceless.  Your pictures just make everything come to life.  I may not post much out of shyness but I read every word everyone writes and I have learned so much and it means the world to me.  I love you'all.    Arleen

[Antonio_P.Caballer]

I´m so moved. Arleen´s words are so beautiful that i can only add my own THANKS for this all. Too little a word to express my feelings.

[Louise]

Bob, I'm speechless. Those pictures that you are sharing with us are beautiful. I agree with Arleen. You are making dreams come true for those of us who may never see the AP in person.

Kuchumov is a true hero in every sense of the world and the international community owes him so much.

Again, thank you for giving so much to us Bob.

Louise