Rasputin And Empress Alexandra

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Rasputin and the Empress Alexandra

Rasputin’s power and political significance is often overshadowed by his tragedy. In the empress’s letters to her husband it is hard to realize at first their historical significance. Most of the Rasputin’s tragedy passed unnoticed by many, for the most part, behind closed doors. The only real public part of the tragedy was Rasputin’s obvious indifference toward what was going on outside of the court.
Several people have written accounts of the royal family and Rasputin. The most accurate is the account by M. Gillard who expresses in great detail the home life of the royal family. There are also accounts by Madame Vyrubov who was continually with the family and was the chosen middle man between the Empress and Rasputin. Others who wrote about the royals were Madame Lili Dehn, a friend of the empress; Beletsky, the chief of police; M. Paleologue, the French ambassador. A notable exception in this list of small accounts is that of Mr. Michael Rodzianko who prepared his account in exile.
Rasputin was born in Porrovskoe, he had no last name as he was just of common birth. When he was old enough he went to a nearby monastery. Upon his return he became a strannik, or roving preacher. During his time at the monastery he became part of a group called Khlysty, a group of men who mixed orgies with religious raptures. These men were condemned by the Orthodox Church. Even after leaving the monastery Rasputin continued his scandalous ways. An investigation of his actions began by looking into his numerous seductions. The investigation was led by Bishop Antony of Tobolsk. During the investigation Rasputin disappeared to St. Petersburg.
In St. Petersburg he gained the confidence of Bishop Theophan, head of the Petersburg Religious Academy and confessor to the empress. Rasputin also secured patronage of the daughter of King Nicholas and her husband. It was through them that Rasput...