Gregory Rasputin: The Truth and the Fable
The text that I now publishe on my Proza.ru account is by no means to be considered as a final version of my new book on Gregory Rasputin in English. It yet requires a great amount of work. Also, I only publish a portion of it now. The reason I upload such a raw and unfinished document is because many of my English speaking friends want to read this text. Also, as the new movie on Gregory Rasputin, this time with Leonardo DiCaprio as Gregory, is about to be produced, I want to do my best to inform the creators of this movie of the real Gregory Rasputin. Thus, there is a title: Gregory Rasputin: The Truth and the Fable. Hope in a year, maybe earlier, the book will be complete. Once again, I apologize for an unedited version.
"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Hebrews 11:32-40
"The love is some kind of millionaire of spiritual life - even the estimate isn't present. In general the love lives in those who are rejected, exiled, who endured everything - this is the true love, the others only have a pity".
Grigory Efimovich Rasputin, "Life of the Skilled Wanderer"
The author of these words by right can be called the billionaire of the spiritual life. Very few people know about it, because Grigory Rasputin's story had been intentiannally misrepresented by those who murdered him, and those who benefited out of it. The murder of this Russian peasant had opened a door to world's greates wars and calamities in all recorded history of humankind- World War I, Russian Revolution, Civil War, and ultimately World war II.
Those who are responsible for persecuting Gregory Rasputin, those who intentionally fed people with lies about Gregory's exemplary life, those who attributed his most obvious gifts of the Holy Spirit to 'Beelzebub', those who came to power through demonizing Rasputin and the Royal couple and through the murder of both, those people did they best - and they could afford it by all means - in keeping Gregory Rasputin's name and the memory of this man in prudent hatredness and defamed. Through this research and the devotional studies I hope to contribute into the restoration of truth about Gregory Rasputin-Novij. By doing it I want to encourage a new generation of the spiritual wanderers, those who chose a way of life. Gregory Rasputin was a very skilled wanderer.
Who are those skilled wanderers? Those are the people who look for and find the spiritual unity with God, and commit themselves to the service to God and to humanity. Unfortunately, the traditions of great spiritual wanderers have been nearly lost, and since the apostolic times, when the acts of the Holy Spirit through the hands of the apostles and evangelists, are well documented we don't find any reliable records of manifistation of the same power. Until the Russian peasant from far Siberia, a most humble and pios man, came in the year of 1905 to Sanct-Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire, at the break of the First Russian Revolution. For the next 10 years the city and Empire would prosper, as the Tsar followed simple spiritual advices of Rasputin. It is not the life, but rather the death of Rasputin that would cause the calamity of the bloody revolution, Civil war, and a series of World Wars. Those who are responsible for Rasputin's death know it very well, and their successors are far from repentence.
At time it could even seem, that the truth can be crushed. But the truth, though crushed, will again rise. For all secret things become once obvious. I esteem for myself a great honor after careful studying to give my vote in favor of restoring of a good memory of the truth billionaire of Russian spiritual life Grigory Efimovich Rasputin-Novij. As we find out what really happened to the man of God about a hundred years ago, it will help us to live our lives today, and to grow into truth spiritual millionaires. Welcome to the day by day journey.
January 1
"Jesus spoke to the crowd. He said, “You see a cloud rising in the west. Right away you say, ‘It’s going to rain.’ And it does. The south wind blows. So you say, ‘It’s going to be hot.’ And it is. You pretenders! You know how to understand the appearance of the earth and the sky. Why can’t you understand the meaning of what is happening right now? Luke 12: 54-56
"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost." J.R.R. Tolkien
The tragedy of Rasputin's story is not even in his rejection by the ruling society and the church - his rejection and death fit the biblical pattern of the holy men's been rejected. The tragedy is that the lies and the rejection are still there. The tragedy is that there are still people who intentiannaly misinform masses regarding Rasputin. The tragedy is also in the lack of discernment on behalf of the recepients of this propaganda.
I hope it would not be sacreligious to compare the situation with Rasputin with that of Jesus Christ in the Jewish community. While Gregory Rasputin is not the Messiah, not the Christ, he has been the man of God, the man full of the Holy Spirit and His power. Never did he use it for his advantage. But every time Gregory would use the healing power, or the spirit of prophecy, it would always turn agains him, and he knew it as he was helping people. His prophecy about the fall of Russian Empire and the end of the Royal dinasty if the Russia would engage in war was the main reason he was rejected by the church and the ruling society that both dreamed of war and the privileges it would bring them.
But what is a practical reason to read about Rasputin, and to read the words of this Wanderer? After Grigory Rasputin's death, to great disappointment of his enemies and newsdealers, it appeared that he didn't leave after himself any money. However he left something more valuable - the records of thoughts and reflections that are capable to make the person not simply the millionaire, but the millionaire of spiritual life. Speaking about such spiritually rich people Grigory Efimovich exclaimed:
"And why do they have an abundance? Because they give alms, thus they won't become scanty for ever.
And why are they cheerful? It is because the Angel comforts them, and the Lord teaches them wisdom, and the book of knowledge is always inside of them. And why in them found a knowledge? Because they don't speak idly, and in them there is a mind of God - God is in them."
Not each millionaire can brag of such wealth! And it is available, by God's grace, to any looking for it. I pray that the Word of God which is the light to our feet, and the Holy Spirit of God would show us a way to become millionaires of spiritual life.
These readings are called to be an addition (not replacement) to the reading of the Scriptures. Grigory Rasputin used to say: "How do some people have a spiritual unification with God? How can they hear Lord's voice? Because the Bible is always in their hearts. Thus they have a knowledge from above, so the enemies to them are priceless, because in them there lives Holy Spirit as in a shrine. And to them the mother's heart is given: mother would never show to children of the embittered heart but will demonstrate tender care for her childrens."
God bless you as you read!
January 2
"For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light." Mark 4: 22
Since 1905 to 1916 the brightest and the most astonishing figure in Russia was Grigory Efimovich Rasputin. His powerful enemies did their best in an attempt to demonize this man, turning him into the drunkard and the debauchee - in other words in the likeness of their own image. I esteem for myself a great honor after careful studying to give my vote in favor of restoring of a good memory of the truth billionaire of Russian spiritual life Grigory Efimovich Rasputin-Novij.
When I consider just how low Grigory Rasputin was "lowered," I'm prompted to respond. There is a similar story that appeares in the Bible: Jeremiah the prophet was also and quite literally lowered into the dirt. The prophet who foretold the terrible national tragedy of the ancient God's people and who did everything to avert this tragedy was put into a dirty hole, most likely serving as soldiers' toilet. Later on, however, Jeremiah was pulled out.
However, I must admit that with Grigory the situation is worse. Even the memory of this person has been constantly offended. It is possible that since the times of Jesus no country in the world was granted such amazingly kind, wise and mighty warrior of Christ, as Grigory Efimovich. Truly, he was the miracle worker with a staff in a hand, as one song goes about him.
Unfortunately, the world today doesn't know or doesn't remember of people who can be rightly called God's anointed ones. I want to remind you of one of them. As I reflected on the life of Gregory, something happened to me. I grew. In the words of Gregory Rasputin if one wants to become a millionaire of spiritual life it is necessary for him to be born again and than silently, imperceptibly grow. I haven't given up on this grow. Have you?
January 3
The high-spirited wanderer walks to God with light baggage:
Who is he? He's the Martyr by the name of Grigory Novij —
The Russian Elder with a staff in his hand,
The miracleworker with a staff in his hand.
From Jeanne Bichevskaja's song on verses and Gennady Ponomarev's music
Grigory Efimovich Rasputin's destiny is indissolubly bound with history of Russia and, in more general sense, with a world history. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that no any known tsar, the commander, the scientist, the statesman in Russia enjoyed such popularity, glory and influence what were recieved by the semiliterate peasant from Ural. His influence on an imperial family, his glory as prophet and the healer, at last, his terrible and mysterious death still remain a subject of many disputes. Who was this person? By what force did he operate? It is far not idle questions.
Reflections on Grigori Efimovich Rasputin — one of the most surprising persons who ever appeared in this world — steadily put a number of vital questions before us. I find Gregory been a great teacher of the spiritual life - the kind of teacher that are very, very few. Listen, for instance, to these words spoken by Grigory Rasputin (from Life of the Skilled Wanderer):
"Those who escape the corruption of this world and look for the Lord, and not for some selfish ambition, to those any temptation will bring about not a sin, but an experience. It is necessary after that temptations to put more effort into your holy living, and to reflect and to reason. One should not attempt jumping right away to the sky, but to go little by little, as the heart guides, and not as those who are jelous and impatient."
Same with us: if we seek after the Lord not from selfish interests, we will come nearer to Him, maybe with some small steps, but we will, as we read and reflect on the life and teaching of the skilled spiritual wandered and warrier Gregory Rasputin. Let our journey begin!
January 4
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." New Living Translation John 8:32
I was eleven or twelve years old when I heard for the first time about Grigori Rasputin. For day a borrowed from my friend a book. more truly the photographic sheets of a 'samizdat' sewed together on which the chilling history of murder of Rasputin in Felix Yusupov's description was stated. These leaflets, I remember very well, made upon me strong impression. Like the majority of my contemporaries (and those who was more senior than me) I too felt fear before image of Rasputin. But I didn't feel any hostility toward him. Despite all efforts of Prince Yusupov to represent Grigory Rasputin as terrible and ominous, Rasputin seemed to me for some reason a nice and unusual person whom neithe poisons, nor bullets or knifes could kill.
All this was very interesting, and then I wanted to learn about it more, so I began to stick to adults with inquiries. It didn't take me long to notice that adults don't know muby about Rasputin either, and even as it seemed to me, were afraid to go deep into this history. I managed to find out, however, that the body of the killed Rasputin was burned after a while. I remember I was told that at the course of this burning dead Grigory sat down in his coffin and inspected all present with a chilling look.
All this was terribly interesting, however further this information the knowledge of adults didn't stretch. I've learned, I thought, something about his death, but I didn't learn anything about his life. After a while this vacuum was somehow authomatically filled with pseudo-historical movies where Rasputin was presented as a dirty animal. I thought that was who he was. And only many years later I've discovered the truth of Rasputin that I'll be sharing with my friends this year.
Today I bring to your attention Grigory Efimovich's following words:
From Life of the Skilled Wanderer:
"Without God though you can rush on the chariot with beautiful horses, the despondency will catch up with you. How could one envy those?! All their hope are just as deceving as the ice in the spring. Their dress is magnificent, but their souls are in darkness and gloom."
Ponder upon these words. Do they remind you of the words of our Savior? The enemies called Rasputin a "Book" - because of his ever biblical manner of speaking. Unwillingly they confirmed, that the Word was alive in Rasputin, that the Book of all the Christian was manifested in his flesh, his thoughts, and his words.
January 5
"Thus says the king: "Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I come in peace.' But Micaiah said, 'If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me." 1 Kings 22aa; 27-28
For many years, maybe decades, I haven't thought much of Rasputin, being occasionally reminded of him by hearing somewhere BonyM's music or coming across another movie. My interest to G.E.Rasputin was revived rather recently, as reading one historical almanac I came across article where the fact was mentioned that Grigory Rasputin was, perhaps, a lonely voice against the introduction of Russia in the First World War. During that time when Russian Orthodox Church, the aristocracy, the government, industrialists and a wide people at large conducted by them unanimously stood up for the war allegedly promising to the country further prosperity, Rasputin alone could convince the tsar not to begin hostilities. To me, by this time the person of faith, the story of prophet Micaiah came to mind. I found and re-read this story which has been written down in the Bible, in the 22nd chapter of the First book of Kings. In order to please those in power all prophets prophesized to the monarch victories in the upcoming war. And only Micaiah, remaining true to God, said that this war would destroy both the royal house, and the country. King din't listen to the prophet and throuwn him in prison, but his words in accuracy came true. Now I learned that something similar occurred in Russia with Grigory Rasputin's life.
With the updated interest to Grigory Rasputin's identity I began to collect and investigate available materials on his life and destiny. What I discovered was hard to reconcile with the traditional picture of the events of Russian revolution. I was so stunned with the data which have opened up to me that simply couldn't store them in myself. And even more I was stunned with a blindness of those who had an access to these data, but remained indifferent. Truly, people can have eyes - but they don't see, there can be ears - but don't hear.
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January 6
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deut 6:5
As one studies life and words of Grigory Rasputin, one should be careful avoiding a spiritual blindness shared by many 'scholars.' In order to do it I suggest paying a special attention to the following words of Gregory Rasputin: ("Life of the skilled wanderer"):
"God's elect people have a perfect love, and it is worth to go and listen to them, because they teach not from the book - they paid dearly for the gift of love, they didn't get it for nothing. The enemy hates when people grasp love - it is a great disturbans, great loss for the enemy. After all the love is some kind of millionaire of spiritual life – even the estimate isn't present. In general the love lives in exiles who endured everything, all of it - while the pity everyone has. It is difficult even to talk of love, it is possible to do only with those who are skilled. The one with no experience doesn't know it and will necesserely pervert and overturn it in every possible way."
Why many people can't read and understand the Bible? Because they don't have enough love. The love found by experience, it comes with a great price. The love is necessary for finding a true wisdom. Otherwise we won't understand wisdom of exiles. If want to succeed further in spiritual increase reading these Readings - begin at least with pity to the umuchenny person - to the martyr for the Christ, to Grigory Rasputin.
My work on these Readings is dictated first of all by internal need. Researching Rasputin's life I can only compare to systematic extraction of the treasures from the ground. Grigory Rasputin's story is the real treasure for those who desires for the truths.
January 7
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19, New International Version (NIV)
Grigory Efimovich Rasputin was born on January 9 (on new style — January 21) of 1869 in the village of Pokrovskoe of the Tyumen district of the Tobolsk province, about sixty niles from Tyumen. The Tyumen regional specialist V.L.Smirnov found also registers of births of the settlement Pokrovskoe testyfying: „On January 9, 1869 at the peasant of the Settlement Pokrovskoe Efim Yakovlevich Rasputin and his wife Anna Vasilyevna of religion orthodox son Grigory was born."
In population census materials from January 1, 1887 the line was found: «... Jacob Vasilyev Rasputin second son Efim of the 44th years, daughter his Feodosiya 12 years, Efim son Grigory of 17 years...»
Grigory Efimovich's ancestors came to Siberia among the first pioneers. Long time they carried Izosimova's surname after their ancestor Izosim who moved from the Vologda region to Urals. Two sons of Nason Izosimova — Jacob and Philippe and, respectively, their descendants began to be called as Rasputins.
The author of article about a Rasputin's geneology S. Knyazev writes: «Different versions of an origin of a nickname Rasputa exist: à) ðàñïóòà — the dissolute, useless person; á) ðàñïóòà, a crossroads — a road-fork or an intersection, a crossing of roads; â) an impassability of roads — off road terrain, autumn and spring dirt, so, the child who was born during that time, could receive a name Rasputa».
Grigory Rasputin's destinty was to live at the crossroads of historical roads — to him it was fated to become more than a witness of that tragic choice that on this crossroads was made for Russia.
Actually, each of us comes from time to time to a crossroads of roads. Reading about Rasputin's life will deduce you to new crossroads, to new elections of ways. I hope that with God's help all of us will learn to choose the roads. Though not always the way will be an easy one.
January 8
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. English Standard Version (1 Cor. 11:1)
In the biographical work devoted to research of life of Rasputin, Varlamov writes about that family in which Grigory was born: «Anna and Efim's children died one by one. At first in 1863, having lived some months, daughter Eudoxia, a year later one more girl, also named Eudoxia died. The third daughter called Glikeriyey, but she lived only some months. Son Andrey who was born on August 17, 1867 soon also died. At last in the 1869th the fifth child — Grigory was born. A name gave according to the calendar in honor of prelate Grigory of Nyssa known for the sermons against adultary, and also statements about the sacral nature of the God's name... Godfathers of the newborn baby became uncle Matvei Yakovlevich Rasputin and maiden Agafya Ivanovna Alemasova».
Despite all available documents, the slander about Rasputin's birth continues to flow on public. For example, one leading movie company put the feature film about Rasputin where it is declared that Grigory was the son of the Gipsy prostitute and some villain, the runaway convict. It is only one of examples of how the lie about Grigori Rasputin takes root into consciousness of people.
In general, surprising parallels are traced between Grigory Rasputin's life and terrestrial life of Lord Jesus Christ. Even the births of these two individuals later bacame subjects of rough attacks, slander and lie. From his birth until his martyrdom Grigory Efimovich's life reflects on the life of his Redeemer, Lord Jesus Christ.
"To reflect Christ". What can be more wonderful and more painful in this life. The people brightly reflecting the life life of Christ are few. It is because the consequences of this imitation are ridicule, slander and persecutions. Very few find themselves ready for this. And Grigory Efimovich said that for this purpose "gradually, imperceptibly it is necessary grow". Let us take time to grow, gradually, imperceptible, into the full measure of Christ's character.
January 9
People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Sam 16:7
Rasputin often represent nearly as a giant, a monster possessing iron health and able to eat glasses and nails. Actually Grigory grew the weak and frail child. Later he wrote about the childhood in the autobiographical composition called by it «Life of the skilled wanderer»: «All my life was illness and diseases. <...> the medicine didn't help me, to me at the nights happened, as with small: urinated in a bed. All my life was full of diseases. Any spring I couldn't sleep for forty nights. The dream was some kind of drowsiness, and this is how I lived all the time from 15 to 28 years. Here that especially pushed me on new life».
It is written by that person who at mature age enjoyed what seemed to be incredible strong health. Such health that his enemies hardly managed to destroy him - it took them many attempts. Wher did his legendary health come from? Grigory Rasputin doesn't make a secret of it: he attributes his health to God, and also to the vegetarian diet and not drinking alcohol. It's not even funny that the enemies of Rasputin picture him as a glutton and drankard. In reality, Gregory was more than modest in his diet, and he never used alcohol - not until the last months of his life when the inflicted by knife wound in the stomack forced him to drink some red wine. Some think, however, that even this drinking was of a rather symbolic nature - by drinking the red wine Gregory was foretelling the future calamities awaiting Russia. Gregory's approach to health and to life in general is very balanced. As he trusts God, he does it with humbleness and with reason.
From Life of the Skilled Wanderer:
"Ah, the enemy is very cunning, he catches as where we least expect it. I remember what happened to me once in a fierce winter, there was a frost in thirty degrees, and the enemy had taught me: "Take off a hat and pray on a valley for horses..." I really took off a cap and prayed, and then to me began to seem in eyes, as if God very close. What turned out? The head chilled, I fell ill, there was a strong fever, 39 degrees. Here I overdone, and when I came to my senses, I had to pray and fast a lot to recover. Yes, one should pray, honor God everywher, even in the open field, or on a valley, but do it in moderation, without removing a cap when its 30 degrees below zero".
January 10
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. 1 Cor 6:19
Grigory Rasputin learned to live in a harmony with God's laws - not contrary to them. Grigory became the vegetarian during the first and longest of his wandering. However, he continued to occasionally eat fish. At the same time he refused vodka, wine, tobacco, and even all sweet things. Probably, it was due to the influence of Volga region Germans among whom Rasputin traveled and lived for a while. At those Volga regions where Rasputin traveled searching for God and for the knowledge of true there were already many settlements of the Seventh day Adventists. Unfortunately we don't have any records of those travels. Most of the archive materials on Grigory Rasputin were destroyed. But the fact is that he he wrote with admiration about some German 'Protestants' whom he met at that region. Gregory was pleased with their ways of living and worshiping, with their orderly life and prosperity. He always taught that Russians have much to learn from Germans, especially Protestants: "We should not be waging a war with Germans, but to be friends with them," he concluded. And further he even advised to Russian to marry Germans, and to give into the marriage. This was unheard of at that time - to marry a Protestant was considered a great sin. This, among other things, the Russian Orthodox Church would never forget and never forgive him.
January 11
Psalm 42:1. "As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, 0 God."
It is interesting that already at children's age the thoughts of Grigory differed from a usual train of thought of most other peasants:
«In 15 years in my village during a summer time when heat heated the sun, and birds sang paradise songs, I went on a path and not dared to go on its middle... I dreamed of God... My soul was ready to flung out of my chest... More than once, dreaming so, I cried, without even knowing, what I'm crying for. In my more senior years, with companions, I talked a lot about God, about church, about birds... I trusted in good, in the kind... and frequently I was sitting with old men, listening to their stories about life holy men, about great people, about the awful and multimerciful tsar... So there passed my youth. In some sort of a contemplation, as it was in a dream... And then, when life's concerns touched me, I ran somewhere in a corner and secretly prayed... I wasn't satisfied. On a lot of things the answer didn't find... Also I was sad... and I began to drink...».
Grigory could become one more victim of alcohol - as the personality obviously extraordinary he was inclined to that. Winter time in the village was marked by usually gloomy carousal. If still generation earlier the winter was meaningful for the peasants as they were engaged in this or that house production (spoons, fabrics, furniture), to the end of the 19th factory and plants grasped the market. Peasants needed to endure long winter in carousals. Probably, Grigory drank also. But God pulled him out of this captivity. In the previous reading I already said that during the first wandering, most likely thanks to contact with Volga region German Protestants, Grigory stopped to eat with meat products and drinking wine.
Popular films and literature represent Grigory Rasputin as a deep drunkard. Actually after 28 years he didn't drink alcohol at all. And only after an attempt on his life, when a terrible wound in an abdominal cavity was inflicted, Grigory again began to drink wine. It was within only several months of his life. It would be desirable to note that to Grigory there was no need in alcohol intoxication, since he discovered the pleasures of a prayer, spiritual delight in which wine intoxication fades.
According to one modern research made among pastors of various denominations, the most capable, sensitive and compassionate pastors more often stumble on wine. Less capable stumble over women. While the avarage, ordinary pastors stumble over the money. Probably because the most capable people especially sharply feel the spiritual poverty.
January 12
“The righteous one is caring for the soul of his domestic animal, but the mercies of the wicked ones are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10
From the childhood Grigory started to realize the force of the prayer which is showing in the relation as animals, and people. His daughter Matryona, who made a meteoric career of the tamer of wild animals in America, recalls of her father:
«From the grandfather I know about unusual ability of the father to address with pets. Standing near a restive horse, he could, having put his palm on horse's neck, whisper some words, and the animal would calmed down right away. And when he looked, how the cows get milked, the cows became very quiet.
Somehow at dinner the grandfather told that the horse, probably limped, stretched a sinew under a knee. As he heard it, the father silently rose of a table and went to a stable. The grandfather went afterwards and saw, how the son stood some seconds near a horse in concentration, then approached to a hind leg and put a palm directly on a popliteal sinew though before never at all didn't hear this word. Than he stood, having slightly cast away back the head, then, as if having decided that healing was made, receded on a step, stroked a horse and told: „Now you feel better“.
After that case the father became like the veterinarian miracle man and treated all animals in a village. Soon his "practice" extended on all animals of Pokrovskoe. Then it started to treat and people. „God helped“».
What underlay its gift? Certainly, love. Love, pity, compassion to any life, to all creation. And incessant admiration of the Creator. How we treat our smaller brothers? Whether we reflect what all creature as a group suffers and suffers hitherto? If it isn't present, whether that we are capable of big love?
January 13
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
John 17:15 NIV
He lived in the world. What does it mean? In his "Life" he wrote: «... I was with the world, that is loved the world and that in the world. I was just, and sought consolation from the wordly point of view. I traveled much, worked hard, was fishing, and an arable land plowed. Validly it everything well for the peasant! Many griefs were to me: where what the mistake, as if as I, and I was often blamed. In artels endured many hardship. Plowed diligent and slept little, and nevertheless in heart thought, as though that to find, how people get saved».
When Grigory wrote these words, he clearly saw that all those tests and humiliations that he underwent were absolutely necessary. Thus God conducted him, taught, restrained, brought up, prepared for great service. He learned to accept life from God - such to what this life to it was sent. Thus he became the disciple of Christ.
Grigory looked for God. Without this search in which he indulged entirely, there would be no God's servant Grigory Rasputin - New. He wasn't afraid to admit, that he doesn't know the full salvation. He wasn't an arrogant man from whom the knowledge flees. He was ready to study, and humble enough to take lessons from everybody - at beggars, at tramps, at policemen, at coachmen, at misters. But the Bible became his main teacher. To research of this Book he's given himself. And not only to research - he also resolved to follow to that voice, which he heard in the Word. It was God's voice, which Grigory couldn't disobey.
January 14
“If you don't work, you don't eat.” 2 Thes 3:10
Gregory worked his entire life as a peasant, and as a peasant he provided for his family. He believed that the man should work in order to live:
"Spiritually minded people like to work, remembering the words of Apostle Pavel:" who doesn't work don't eat either". They have a work to do, and it might look to all they have good luck, but they are successful because they love God are recieve His blessings. To them the work is not vanity, nor doing the work of enemy, but God guides them, because they are blessed and are filled brotherly love, and God Himself is their Assistant". (Written in Pokrovsk in September 1910. From the Notebook of Empress Aleksandra Fiodorovna with Grigory Rasputin's statements (1907-1916)).
Grigory Rasputin was a hard working person, a peasant, who literally till the last year of his life remained a plowma.
From Life of the Skilled Wanderer:
"It is necessary to be careful and to remember God when you work, especially as you fish, to think of the disciples of our Lord who also were fishermen, scattered nets. When you plow think of salvation... During the harvest think of all workers in God's field, think of all who do good. When you go alone and feel lonely, remember that all God's people experienced loneliness. If the crowd overtook you, think that the Lord was followed by thousands who listened to his words. Though all of us are sinners and individually are guilty, remember that we are created into God's image."
Gregory insists that work doesn't alienate a person from God, but, on the contrary, draws us neared to Him. As you leave for the work think - whether your experience at work draws you nearer to God? And if it doesn't, what is it possible to do to change in this regard? Pray that your work would be done not for the sake of vanity, but to draw you nearer to God.
January 15
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
«It is doubtless that in Rasputin's life, in the life of the simple peasant of the Tobolsk province, a big and deep sincere experience took place that absolutely changed his mentality and drawed him to Christ», the inspector of the 13-th Special commission at Provisional government V. M. Rudnev wrote.
In what this experience consisted, and whether there was this one experience or a number would be difficult to tell. Possibly, the meeting about which writes Maria Rasputin, is part of it experience:
«One day, coming back from a mill where he brought grain, the father gave a lift to a young man. As the two of them talked, the father learned that his fellow traveler was a seminary student by name Milety Zaborovsky. Father asked his council and told him about his visions. The student simply said: The Lord is calling you. As He calls — to disobey is a sin».
It could be that Gregory had heard God's voice in that appeal. It could also be that it was one of the episods where Gregory stored some precious thoughts in his heart. In any case, Grigory was ready to search of God. He realized his need in this search.
Inevitably, the time came when he had to make a decision, to decide on taking a serious step. Many people never take a step only because they want to be convinced they know all the road map in advance. They fear to take a step of faith, and therefore remain all life in powerlessness. Grigory took risk. Without yet knowing what is it that he has to find, he was ready to lose everything he had. God called him, and he responded to this appeal.
January 16
"Behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21
Maria Rasputin in the memoirs so wrote as she address beliefs of her father:
«Being fourteen years of age the father was astonished by the Holy Scripture. The father didn't learn to read and write, how almost all village children. It was not without an effort that he mastered literecy, already as an adult, in Petersburg. But he had an unusual memory, he could quote huge pieces from the Writing having once heard them. The father told me that the first words which have truly struck him from the Bible were "The Kingdom of Heaven is inside of you." At this point he realized something very important“.
These words that he heard from the priest during the liturgy so struck the father that he rushed to the wood, being afraid that people around would notice that something unimaginable is happening to him. He told, what exactly then felt God. He argued: „If the Kingdom of God, and so, God himself, is in each being, than even animals aren't deprived of it? And if the Kingdom of God is paradise, how could this paradise be found in us? Why father Pavel, local priest, speaks about paradise so, as if it is somewhere in the sky?»
These words meant — and couldn't mean anything other: God is in him, in Grigori Rasputin. And to find God, it is necessary to address himself. And if it is the truth that the Kingdom of God is in the person, is it really wrong to concider a man, as we think of God? And if the church doesn't speak of it — well, it is necessary to look for truth and beyond the confines of the church.
The father told that as soon as he understood it, great peace condescended on him. He saw the light. Someone would write in this place: „It seemed to him that he saw the light“. But only not I. I am firm in knowing that there was light. According to the father, he prayed that minute with such heat, more than ever in his life».
The great truth is found in these simple words, worthy reverential contemplation. Grigory couldn't trust in something only at part. If he put his trust in God, he trusted Him to the end. And if he loved, he loved to the end. And, having believed that the Kingdom of Heaven is inside of him, that he is the temple in which the Holy Spirit lives, Grigory starts to live according to that, in what he believed.
January 17
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 8:28
As to Grigory's accompanied by a horse stealing and the dissolute and sinful youth — that it no more than later fabrications of newsdealers. Varlamov writes: «Maria Rasputin in her book confirms that her father since young years was so perspicacious that several times "began to see clearly" another's thefts and consequently excluded any possibility of theft for himself: it seemed to him that others also "see" just as he sees theft. American orthodox researcher Richard Betts, the author, perhaps, the English-speaking research best today about Rasputin „Wheat and thorns“ doubt any reliability of testimony about Grigory's theft.
O.A.Platonov reports: «Later unfair journalists will write that to his pilgrimage. he was pushed by a case when allegedly he was seized in the act whether on theft of horses, whether something another. Attentive studying of archival documents testifies that this case is completely invented. We saw all indications about it which were given during investigation in the Tobolsk consistory. Any, even the most witness with hostility adjusted to Rasputin (and them was much) didn't accuse him of theft or a horse stealing. Doesn't confirm this "case" and poll carried out in June, 1991 about 40 most elderly people of the village Pokrovsk... Anybody from them couldn't remember that once parents told them about Rasputin's theft».
Nevertheless it is quite possible that already during that time Grigory tested the bitterness of injustice and cruelty. He writes that once he was unfairly accused of theft of horses and was severely beaten, but shortly it became clear, who the real thief was, and any charges were removed from Grigory.
It is known that "to those who love God all things work together for good." Those unjust treatments promoted Grigory to benefit in all injustice that he'll have to face in his future life. With this powerful tool of humility he entered the world.
January 18
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matt 5:11
Rasputin's fellow villager by name Kartavtsev showed on interrogation as, suspecting Grigory of a horse stealing, he «hit him with a stake and done it so strong that from his nose blood began to flow... At first I thought that killed him, but he began to move... And I carried it to the police station. He didn't want to go... but I punched him several times in face with my fist, and he walked... After this beating Gregory became a bit strange and silly».
«What appears — Radzinsky makes comments — is that when he received this blow and when the blood rushed out of him, Grigory tested something... The hackneyed young man felt in the soul strange pleasure, that he calls then „pleasure of humility, pleasure of suffering an abuse“... „The abuse is a pleasure for a soul“ — this is how he himself explained it years later to Zhukovsky».
It is possible that this blow by a stake was a cause for a big cone on Rasputin's head which it covered with hair. It is possible that this blow appeared providential. Similar cases are known. Something similar occurred several decades earlier on the American continent to the girl by name of Elena Harmon: one of her schoolmates thrown at her a heavy stone and inflicted heavy damage to her brain. Since then she couldn't go to school any more, but her religious feelings only became aggravated.
As to Grigory's participation in theft, already during that time the guilty ones were found and sent to Eastern Siberia. Nobody however blamed Grigory.
«It is a real lie that the newspapers were spreading that my late father was ever condemned by any court. Nothing like this ever happened. It is true, that my grandfather Efim Yakovlevich was arrested once for untimely payment of taxes as in general it became in former times with peasants. Perhaps, in this occasion also weaved newspapers a tale about the father» —Maria Rasputin testified to the Committee.
January 19
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Prov 31:10
In his youth, when Grigory was often ill, «it was very difficult to endure all, and it was necessary to do, but after all the Lord helped to work, and I never employed anobody, but worked myself, I plowed a lot, and I slept a little».
Nevertheless, as Varlamov fairly notices, Gregory had one assistant — his beloved wife: «About this woman almost all who knew her responded always very well. Rasputin married when he was some eighteen years old — on February 2, 1887. The wife was three years senior him, hardworking, patient, obedient to God, and also to the husband and the father-in-law with the mother-in-law. She gave birth to seven children from whom the three first died, three following survived, and the last girl also died — history for the time rather typical».
Here is what Maria Rasputin writes:
"The beginning of family life was a happy one. The father worked worked more zealoously than ever. The trouble then came — the first-born lived only few months. The death of the boy worked on the father even more strongly, than on mother. He apprehended loss of the son as a sign which he so long awaited. But he couldn't assume that this sign will be so terrible.
He was pursued by one thought: death of the child — punishment for him for so recklessly „amusing a flesh“ and thinking little of God. He prayed. And his prayers consoled pain. Praskoviya Fyodorovna made everything she could to soften bitterness from death of the son. In a year the second son, Dmitry, and then — with an interval in two years — a girl, Matryona, or Maria as I love to be called, and Varya was born. The father started construction of the new house, bigger in the sizes, than the house of the grandfather, on one yard. It was the two-storeyed house, the biggest in Pokrovskoe».
It is vital for those who want to serve God, and to draw nearer to Him to have the righteous and understanding spouse. About Rasputin's wife it is written very little - but already from this Readings you will see, what she was the unusually devoted Christian, a loving, caring mother, and patient and attentive wife! There would be to much to say that without Praskoviya Fiodorovna there would be Rasputin - New.
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January 20
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph 4:30
After a marriage for some time it could seem that Grigory became as all. But shortly he would feel that he is called to leave the house and the village for the sake of the Christ.
Here's what Maria Rasputin on an investigation of case of the father spoke:
«In life of my father when I was still the little girl, something occurred that changed absolutely all of his, and subsequently our lives. Prior to it the father lived, as all peasants, being engaged in an economy. Suddenly he left a family and left to wander. Something must have occurred to him: he forever stopped eating meat and left the house. I think that he was influenced so by wanderer-pilgrim Dmitry Ivanovich Pecherkin. Pecherkin comes from the village some 300 miles east from Tobolsk. At least, before leaving Pecherkin was visiting us, and they left then together with the father. I remember, when the father came back home, mother not recognized him at once.
Approximately it was in 1905».
About Dmitry Pecherkin, Rasputin's companion in his pilgrimage, the gendarme general A. I.Spiridovich who was well informed of Rasputin too, wrote that Dmitry Pecherkin left subsequently to Athos where in young years he went together with Grigory. The years of pilgrivage gave Rasputin tremendous spiritual experience. He learned in everything to rely on God. Those wanderings prepared him for his Sanct-Petersburg mission.
January 21
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Matt 19:29
Maria Rasputin writes how after the night spent in a prayer, the father declared the decision to go to wander.
«— I go.
My poor mother saw that with the father something is happening. But she didn't understand him. The first that came to mind — the father stopped loving her. The father didn't share thoughts with the wife. And it was not accepted to speak with women about something, except an economy and children. Therefore when he after all started talking to her of his intends to go to a monastery, it grew dumb with surprise. She waited for any words, only not these.
She told him:
- Hurry.
My mother told me of this in one of arrivals to Petersburg when she came to visit me and the father. I was yet a little girl, yet I'm sure that as the mother told me this story she did it with intent to demonstrate that she always shared aspirations of the father. Mother was the kind woman, very patient. She always respected the father, she patiantly beared all burdens connected both with their life together and in separation».
One should to reflect over and over on Grigory and Praskoviya's great spiritual strength. It is difficult to us even to imagine, what sacrifice brought Praskoviya as she with such readiness released the husband - the only supporter, bread winner. The family was doomed to starvation. It is difficult to us to present depth of this sacrifice. What shame she had to endure! From now on all in the village would say she's been a bad wife to Gregory, because he wouldn't run away from a good wife. But she was the best wife! And she didn't doubt a second as she encouraged Gregory to follow God's call. Probably, because she knew God, and knew the husband.
January 22
Test all things; hold fast what is good. 1 Thes 5:21
Grigory began the wanderings in the 1890th. Varlamov writes: «At first he went to the Siberian and Ural monasteries — Abalaksky and Verkhotursky, and, judging by Smitten's materials, upon his return from the first pilgrimage he seemed to fellows villager strange. One of them remembered that „he came back then home without a cap, with flowing hair and as he walked the road all the time he was singing something and swinging his hands“».
However, Rasputin was far from idealizing a life of the wanderer. Here is what he wrote:
«Pilgrimage is necessary only for a short time — for months, and not for years. I've seen many wanderers, and some of them I learned were wandering for years, for ages! Indeed, the poor things wandered so much that the enemy deceived them — they became judgmental, ready to condemn, and also they became lazy, careless. Out of hundreds of those I only found few that where following the footsteps of Christ. It is difficult for us, wanderers, to struggle with the enemy. This evel comes because of fatigue. One should not be wandering for years, and if he does, it is necessary for him to have a fortress and force of will and to be the deaf, and sometimes also mute, be able to humble himself, to be of a simple mind. If one does it all he has an access to an inexhaustible source of water of life» — he wrote in the «Life of the skilled wanderer».
Moderation in all - here's one of Grigory's vital principles. Wanderings taught him many important lessons. Really, it was not for nothing that the great heroes of the Bible were wanderers - wanderings helps to gain spiritual experience. But only to those who look for it. Grigory looked for this experience, and his wanderings years were the years of his very special seminary training. As he graduated from this school, he left with such knowledge and with such wisdom which struck the most educated people of that time.
January 23
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Ps 19:1
F.Kozyrev, characterizing years of wandering of Grigory, makes an interesting remark: «He was not only skilled, but also the fascinated wanderer wandering not only in search of the truth, but also beauty — marveling divine beauty of the nature as great poet Pushkin defined this ideal of wanderings. It is from these wanderings also that he brought out deep, skilled belief what to listen to God it is possible without rejecting the nature».
This is a very important remark. Grigory quite understood that the nature is called to reveal God. But it does it only to those who are open to it, and who are spiritually pure and sensitive. Here are some examples of his perception of the nature — fragments from Rasputin's book «My thoughts and reflections», written during its second travel to Jerusalem.
«What can I tell of the silence? As soon as went from Odessa across the Black Sea — silence downed upon the sea, and the soul with the sea exults and sleeps silence. Tiny waves are rolling their golden liquids, and nothing to look for more. Here God's example: isn't the soul of the person more precious, isn't it a pearl? Even the sea fades.
Without any effort consoles the sea. When you rise in the morning the waves speak and splash, and rejoice. And the sun on the sea shines, as it silently, silently rises, and at that time the soul of the person forgets all mankind and looks at the sunshine, and the pleasure at the person flares up, and in soul the book of life opens up — indescribable beauty is felt! The sea awakens from a dream of vanities, it makes your thoughts float by themselves, without any effort."
January 24
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1 Tim 4:2-3
Though Rasputin wandered a lot, he doesn't follow blindly to the tradition eulogizing wandering and monastic life. He tests everything, everything distinguishes, everything estimates spiritually. Listen attentively to this speech:
«Many monasteries were bypassed by me, to God be the glory, but I don't advise in general such spiritual life— to abandon the wife and to be removed in a monastery. Much I saw there people; they don't live, as monks, but live as it pleases them, and their wives also don't keep what they promised to their husbands. Here also the hell was made on them! It is necessary to first learn for a long time at place where you live, to be tested and skilled, then you can attain to a wandering business. It is important that the experience would take presidence over a letter, that it was in you the owner and that the wife was also skilled, and experienced in all, would suffer all needs and endured all griefs. Both husband and wife should be very experienced in order for the Lord Jesus to make an adobe in their house».
In Grigory's reviews of monasteries one will not find the empty enthusiasm peculiar to people superficial. His observations get into the essence of things. He writes: «If you were good in the world, go to a monastery — there they will spoil you. Not to liking to me monastic life, there violence over people».
January 25
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem. Ps 122:1-2
Grigory Rasputin visitied many places that were considered as sacred, and not only in Russia. He reached as far as Jerusalem. Here's what he wrote in "Life":
«I went on 40–50 miles a day and didn't ask neither storms, nor winds, or rain. I seldom had to eat, on the Tambov province I walked on only potatoes; I traveled without having with me any capital, and I didn't begg for money or food. Whenever it was necessary God would send me what I needed - a lodging for the night and a little food.
On several occasions I came from Tobolsk to Kiev, not changing clothes for half a year and not imposing a hand to a body — those are the secret burdens that I was caring. I did it all for experience sake and to test myself. Quite often I would walk for three days nearly with no food at all. In hot days I imposed fasting upon myself: didn't drink kvas (light alcoholic bevarage popular in Russia - OZ), and worked with time-workers on equals; I worked and than I escaped in bushes to pray. Not once plowed an arable land and escaped on rest on a prayer. <...>
Wanderings and trials tempered Grigory Rasputin, awarded him a rich knowledge of life. Reflections on God become incessant in his life, preserving him against many dangers and temptations, that come with spiritual pride and dazzle. And there was one more thing that he learned in these wanderings - he learned to love people - poor, sick, old and small. He learned to help them, to share everything that he had. In his wanderings he received many lessons of humility.
Also in his wanderings he obtained the Bible. From now on this book will never depart from him. In his mind he always repeated Bible verses. Finally he reached such a knowledge of the Bible of which the professors of seminary were surprised.
January 26
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent. Ps 91:13
From "Life of the Skilled Wanderer":
"I had to endure quite often many troubles and misfortunes; so it was necessary that murderers undertook against, and there were different pursuits, but on all is God's favor! At times they would say: "His clothes are good for nothing," something they would be confused in their own lies, and forget of me. From a lodging at the night I would leave, and the enemy, who is envious to any good deeds, will send any smutitel, he will get acquainted, something from the owner will steal something, and for me a pursuit, and all this is endured by me! But the real thief was found that very hour. Wolves not once attacked, but they ran up. Bandits not once attacked, wanted to rob me, but I would tell them: „It's not mine, and all God's. Take it from me, here, I'll assist you, with pleasure give everything.“ As they look at me, something happen in their hearts, and they think and tell:„ From where you also what is it with you?“ „I am a man — the sent brother to you and devoted to God“».
Grigory's courage, his frankness, wisdom, and integrity are striking! God prepared the servant not at the seminary, but out in the field. And even when almost whole world will raise against him, Grigory always knew who he was and simply said: „I am a man — the sent brother to you and devoted to God“.
As it will appear, court robbers were much more dangerous than the robbers in woods. But Grigory wasn't afraid of them either, because he knew who he was.
January 27
they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) Hebrews 11:37-38
Maria also writes about her father's wanderings. From her words follows that the father was strongly disappointed with that saw in the Verkhotursky monastery («The sin so common for man's monasteries didn't bypass Verkhoturye also»). There he met an aged man Makariy with whom he had intimate conversation, and who dissuaded Gregory to remain at a monastery and blessed him to go to the world.
During the wanderings Grigory became closely acquainted with a motley religious palette of Russia of that time. Throughout centuries along with official church in Russia there were suppressed many other Christian currents. Gregory most certainly communicated with those dissidents, sectarians, protestants, God seekers.
He praised a settlements of German Protestants on Volga river, and even advised to Russian to become related with Germans and to adopt at those experience of diligence, purity and aspiration to literacy. Eventually Grigory Rasputin will rise on protection of all religious minorities. Thanks to him the set of the Jewish pogroms was prevented. He stood up for conservatives, and for liberals, and for Protestants. For example, on June 24, 1915 Grigory achieved release of three hundred of baptists.
It is impossible to tell, thus, with any definiteness that any of sects or denominations played defining character in formation of religious views of Grigory. And nevertheless persevering attempts to connect Rasputin with sect of 'hlisti' were undertaken. Some modern writers, echoing Rasputin's contemporaries, argue that Rasputin's strength allegedly followed from his acquaintance to hlisti and paganism mixture with Christianity. This is an old and very vulnerable statement. Already during his lifetime Rasputin was repeatedly accused of belonging to hlists, as will be discussed below. But Rasputin does not fit at all an image of a hlist — actually, many of his statements and actions unequivocally reject any possibility of its charge of being a hlist.
Nevertheless following the road of God necessary implies unfair persecutions. Grigory knew it and to them was ready.
January 28
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17 NIV
Being considered earlier lost evidence, the materials of the 13th Commission shed much light on the story of Rasputin. These materials don't support claims that Rasputin belonged to the sect of hlists. However, Rasputin doesn't fit the traditional measures of sanctity that the Orthodox church offers. He wasn't nearly as concerned with all the rituals and traditions of the Church as other monastic minded priests. It was noticed already during lifetime of Grigory Efimovich, and therefore many churchmen hastened to turn away from him.
Russian philosopher and writer Vasily Rosanov, who knew Rasputin personally, puts it in a manner of a statement peculiar to him:
"Everybody was walking the established rails "with a prayer".
Suddenly Gregory went without rails.
All were frightened...
Not that "without rails". Such there is a lot of. But why still "with a prayer"?
"Blasphemy! Crime!"
I saw it. Oh, the eye means much. It is an eye of the one who is like 'I am.'
Suddenly from "I am" poured down a prayer. All shuddered. What's going on? For a thousand years our prayers were just formal repetitions.
With others, with all — the prayer is done as if it's coming from the book. With Gregory it was coming from his very being."
Such church ideals as a monkhood, celibacy, remoteness from the world, for Grigory meant incomparably less, than for official church. Also the church policy and church intervention in political life of the state, especially its persevering appeals to war was alien to him. Today many orthodox people believe that Grigory Rasputin was the righteous person and the martyr. But the official position of Orthodox church about Rasputin didn't change — they still consider him as a villain and a heretic.
It is easy for person to go on rails, on a track - especially if it is a religious track. But only having got out of this track the persons finds the valid freedom - freedom to be the slave of God and to listen to God's voice. Grigory understood that for the right to be the obedient servant of God it is necessary to pay dearly. But he was ready to pay any price, because he already knew Whom he believed - the Live Jesus Christ.
January 29
Woe to you, Pharisees and scribes! You who clean the outside of the cup, but leave the inside full of filthy and unclean things. Hypocrites! Matt 23:25
From the perspective of churchmen criticizing him, Grigory insufficiently reverentially treated church rituals and relics. Feofan (Bystrov) complained at Rasputin as he noticed, how Gregory carelessly clicked nuts during that time as others fasted and prayed, preparing itself for being put to icons of the Verkhotursky monastery. Also upon arrival Gregory seemed to disappear, and the company of monks had to go and worship icons without him. Grigory Rasputin showed not enough interest to all conditional traditions which to Pharisees and Sadducies of that time seemed almost essence of Christianity.
Grigory Efimovich never studied in seminary, never was a monk, or a priest. It is in his wanderings that he learned to read and somehow to write and could study the Scriptus independently. He considered the word God's as a standard defining the relation to any doctrine or action. In his wanderings he got experienced in intermediary prayer.
Wanderings allowed Grigory to understand that the formal religion gives nothing to the person. Church rituals, traditions, legends - all this substituted for the live relationship with God. Still, he doesn't break up with the Church. He does everything to remind this dead Church of the Live Christ. All his life was devoted to this purpose. His main enemies would necesserely become those very people that he loved and cared the most - church clergy. With humility Grigory Efimovich will learn to meet bitter rejection of these people.
January 30
"...to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." Luke 18:1
Gregory worked, as well as all men, on a pasture in the summer, while at autumn and the winter, when other village men traditionally were spendig in taverns, he wandered seeking God. But he never forgot about a family and was in own way the careful father and the husband, always remembered that he has a family. Same he taught also others.
Grigory was happy in the wanderings — though in a way he was trapped by many dangers and adventures — but he was also happy home where he was missed by his beloved wife Praskoviya and children. However, even in the native village Grigory didn't leave his habit of God-seeking. He studied the Bible with anyone who was willing. He opened his house for all who seeked God. But very soon the local priest would forbid those gathering. But Gregory wouldn't give up. He continued shared with people about God, continued praying long hours.
«To me, who is the most unworthy, came to mind to make myself a small place for a prayer. In the horse stable I dug in the ground a hoke, like a grave, and there I was hiding from everyone to pray, also between masses and matins. When I had some free time in the afternoon I would also go there and so to me it was tasty, that is, pleasant, that in a close place the thoughts don't run up, and I frequently spent there all nights, but the enemy tried to inflict fear upon me, sending me noises, and even beating, but I didn't cease. Thus I proceeded for about eight years...»
Already at those years Grigory was persecuted for his belief. He was different from others. Nevertheless his spiritual gifts could not be hidden, and shortly the glory about aged man Grigori from the village Pokrovsk would thunder across all Siberia and will come to the capitals, Moscow and Sanct-Petersburg. People were coming to see Gregory to get healed, to get a counil, or consolation, and he tried to help all, he met all with equal love. Later in Petersburg he'll do the same.
January 31
"Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave." Ps 31:17
"Upon You, My God, I put my hope and I will not be ashamed forever. I will praise you, even as my enemies haunt me. Day and night they are looking to catch me where I go, and they would reinterprete all my words after their own fashion. They hardened their hearts and the grace is far from us." G.E.Rasputin
Church historians can't forgive that Grigory never had his own Starets, Confessor, or a spiritual adviser. According to the Russian Orthodox tradition every man of a spiritual stature should have his Staretz. But Grigory's life hardly ever went according to tradition. Nevertheless some of Rasputin's apologists consider someone Makariy been Gregory's confessor. Hardly, however, Makariy (Mikhail Vasilyevich Polikarpov) played a serious role in Grigory's spiritual development. Maria Rasputin wrote so: «Father never had the spiritual instructor. Everything that he learned, he learned independently».
And still there was the friendship between Grigory and Makariy. Birds of a feather flock together. And they were the birds of a feather, in a way. But nevertheless seldom in whom at the same time such spiritual hight, such wisdom and enlightement were combined with such practicality as in Grigori. If many spiritually minded people who felt the upcoming evilness had a tendency of ranning away from the sinful society, preferring the company of animals to community of men, Grigory didn't avoid neither hardships of real life, nor the sinners.
February 1
"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save." 1 Cor 1: 21
Makariy, known in the Urals as Shepherd Mikhail, had a reputation of a simple one, or the foolish saint and a seer. Makarij met Rasputin possibly in 1905, when Grigory already was quite spiritually gifted. There were rumors and stories about Makariy's prophecies. Margarita Sabashnikova, the wife of poet M. Voloshin, visited Makariy in 1910. Here's her report of her encounter with Makariy:
«In an empty room with the small closed windows, surrounded by hens cackling and flying-up at each other stood a rather tall, but a little round-shouldered man. His hands with the opened palms were lifted up as though he caught with his hands some invisible streams. His face was out of time. Deep wrinkles testified of his deep seated alarm, but alarm not for himself. His eyes apparently didn't know a sleep. He was dressed as a peasant, only on his head there was a monastic hat. From time to time the man would turn diversely and looked around and upward as though wanted somewhere something better to consider. Sometimes he addressed to hens and spoke with them. He was stern and serious.
Something fascinating and captivating was in his looks, something similar to a presence, a meeting of views. Nevertheless he should be a Starets, I thought and knealed before him.
He looked at me through a shoulder and said in low tones: „You should not kneel“. Then he called up two quarreling hens and approached to me, still holding the hands, lifted up. „What do you want from me?“ — he asked. „Bless me“ — I answered, having been confused, as I wasn't ready for conversation. „We aren't priests and not the monks distributing blessings“».
Grigory and Makariy met several time. It is obvious that Gregory could see something special in this elderly man. However, Grigory was friends with many spiritual authorities of those times. Not always those were people well-cared, well-converced, well-known. But Grigory didn't avoid such people - he saw in them sincere belief and love.
February 2
Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matt 16: 12
But we will return to Pokrovsk where around a wanderer Grigory a small circle of disciples was formed. It included both men — his brother-in-law Nikolay Raspopov and other relatives, such as Nikolay Rasputin, Ilya Aronov, and women — Katya and Dunya Pecherkina, Dmitry Pecherkin's relatives. This circle gradually extended, and into it began to enter more and more villagers. Together they studied the Word of God, glorified God in singing and prayers.
It wasn't long before the local clergy got jealous and alarmed, and took all possible measures to disperse this group, "sect" as they began to call it. The main thing sectarians got blamed for was their studying of the Bible and singing some protestant-like, not orthodox hymnals. Local and district clergy were the first people who turned against Rasputing as they saw in him a live reproach to their lives and a call for a reformation. This call they refused and turned against Rasputin.
Maria Rasputin connected discontent of priests with growing popularity of her father among peasants to the detriment of authority of local clergy:
«... On the village the message that the new prophet — the healer, seer, with the understanding of all the deep things appeared.
Rasputin's glory began to extend far outside of the village Pokrovsk and the nearby villages. People would come from everywhere, bringing with them demon possessed, lame, blind, sick children.
February 3
The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus. Matt 16:1
Maria continues her story about the first organized persecution against her father:
"The priest saw in my father an enemy capable of deprivint the priest at least of parts of the income. Patients walked for a healing to the father, not to the local church. Those looking for the spiritual advice also preferred to receive the spiritual bread from hands of the father, instead of stones from hands of the priest. While the local priest was already angered by rivalry of "upstart", he flew into a rage, having learned that the father intends to build an underground chapel on the farmstead.
As far as I know, the father never openly showed the relation to the Pokrovsk pries. But that priest was rather skilled and didn't need direct explanations - what Grigory did was a challenge to him. From the official church point of view was father intended to do didn't bear in itself anything insulting. All that was required of the Pokrovsk's priest to do was to consecrate a new chapel only. Or to declare, why he doesn't intend to do it.
Knowing about fatherly character, the priest couldn't venture such step. The father wouldn't remain silent, he would call for a trial, and a trial that would involve a rural community would follow, and a lot of things could be discovered that the priest was willing to hide. Nevertheless, the priest, Father Peter decided — by hook or by crook — to wear out the objectionable."
Such is a way of the God's person. And still Rasputin with honor passed this way. And already from this first serious fight with the evil he came out as a winner.
February 4
"Meanwhile, - Maria Rasputin continues the story about misadventures of the father, - the construction work was moving ahead." Grigory built church in which people could worship God without being burdened by many ceremonies, and where the Word of God would be proclaimed.
"The father worked, without ceasing, - Maria continues. - There were also assistants. When everything was finished... the priest decided that his hour came to strike. He wrote a letter to both church authorities and police. In expectation (and even — in an anticipation) of his victory he very strictly forbade all the villagers to go to the father's chapel, treataning people with the heavenly penalties that will come on those he helps to continue to indulge „the helper of a devil“. It didn't help. Parishioners in church didn't become less. On the contrary.
The answer from the church administration everything wasn't, and the priest went to Tyumen itself. There he was accepted by the bishop. Our local priest had poured on my father not one tub of dirt, interweaving into his denunciation everything that he could remember from that he gathered about my father. The picture turned out terrible. The God-fearing bishop was horrified by it and almost immediately went together with father Peter to Pokrovsk to put an end to an outrage. They were accompanied by many scholarly monks and policemen...
February 5
The policemen who have been dressed in civil way, as the peasants, several times visited service in a chapel. Monks went to every door and invistigated ragarding what was happening at my father's meetings. After several days of careful investigation they reported to the bishop who has stopped in the house of the father — they didn't find and didn't notice anything that could though to some extent confirm the charges. The bishop appeared to be a soberminded person. Besides, after spending several days under one roof with the father he got to know him closer and understood, with whom deals.
The priest who was sure that the bishop would clean the hated rival from his road, was struck. Everything turned against him. There was nothing that he could do but to recognize that stipulated the father. The priest tried to justify himself as he started to say that he was mislead by the rumors. But the bishop didn't hide displeasure. That was a victory. But my father understood that he will not be allowed by the local priest to finish the construction work. And he left for another journey».
Thus, for the first time the church authorities became interested in Rasputin even before his wandering to Petersburg. The skilled wanderer from the Pokrovsk village too strongly differed from clergy and involved into his orbit many people — in other words, he did something that the church authorities considered it duty to fight with. But the whole diocese of priests couldn't stop a simple peasant!
February 6
M. Rodzyanko in his memoirs writes:
«The first denunciation accusing Rasputin of sectarianism was made by the Tobolsk district ispravnik to the Tobolsk governor in 1902 on the basis of the official statement of the local priest of the village Pokrovsk. The governor forwarded all business on the order of the local bishop Antonij who charged to make inquiry to one of missionaries of a diocese. The missionary vigorously got down to business. He presented the extensive report abounding with documentary data, made a search in Rasputin's apartment».
However, nothing was found to accuse neither for Grigory, nor for his adherents. But persecutions proceeded. At all this Grigory urged all to treat clergy with some respect.
«When the priest is in the temple, it is necessary to esteem him — Gregory writes in his "Life" — if with young ladies the priest is dancing, remind yourself that it is not what you think, it is demon's work, but the priest should be serving at the Throne. And if you see that the priest loves sweet dinners and parties, and hangs with the scandal-mongers, don't accuse him, but tell yourself that those are his relatives that he invites, his wife's relatives, his sister-in-law is the young lady and the brother-in-law is that gentleman, and the priests and his wife simply pity them. The priest nevertheless belongs to Christ, and not to himself. This is what you have to think, and to represent in your eyes a picture. It would be better for such a priest, of course, to go and work for the police, but he became a priest».
Such speeches couldn't remain unpunished, and Rasputin compel to leave the native village and the house. Rasputin writes about it so: «... And here the enemy villain nevertheless guided people as if there was a place superfluous and I had to move in other place...» However, resettlement was short and Grigory could return to the native village — charges against him were removed.
February 7
Even before his arrival to Petersburg Grigory was generally recognized by the leading spiritual authorities of Orthodoxy of that time — the Siberian Elders. His activity, his insights, his gift of a miracleworker and a foresight couldn't remain long time unnoticed. Richard Betts, referring to memoirs of archbishop of San-Francisco Tikhon (Troitskij), who in his youth was studying in the Kazan theological seminary and Elder Gabriel (Zyryanov) who was the spiritual son, writes about that time:
«On one occasion the group of students visited Elder Gabriel who, as it was his custom, invited students for a 4 o'clock tea. There was also archbishop Tikhon, and among guests was also Rasputin. At that time he was considered as "allright" and was held in high esteem, visited Elder Gabriel and obviously was favored by him. Elder Gabriel told later on to Tikhon that when Rasputin said to him that he goes to Petersburg, the Elder thought to himself: „If you will be gone in Petersburg, you will deteriorate in Petersburg“ — on what Rasputin, having read his thought, aloud told:„ And God? And God?“».
It is necessary to tell that later Gabriel becomes in rigid opposition to Rasputin's anti-war belief. His love and adoration will be replaced by bitter hatredness. He even will tell about Rasputin: «To kill him is like killing a spider: forty sins will be forgiven...» But it will be several years after — for the present Grigory was "all right."
February 8
Grigory's good reputation prior to his arrival to the capital of Russia is also confirmed by monk Iliodor (in the world, secular name Sergey Trufanov) who has played one of the lowest and dirtiest roles in the history of Rasputin. His book «Holy devil» as a whole causes not much trust, but that he knew Rasputin is doubtless and about his first steps in the capital there was no special need for Iliodor to lie:
«At the end of 1902, in November or December, among students of the St. Petersburg theological academy there were rumors that somewhere in Siberia, in Tomsk and Tobolsk provinces, the great prophet, the perspicacious husband, the miracle man and the devotee by name of Grigory appeared. The religious circles of student's youth grouped round the true ascetic, the inspector of academy of that time — archimandrite Feofan, who was reasonings on the newly appeared prophet.
— And now great God erects such man for Russia from far Siberia. Recently from there was one respectable archbishop and said that there are in Tobolsk province, in the village of Pokrovsk, three pious brothers: Ilya, Nikolay and Grigory. The senior of them — Grigory, and the two others are his pupils who yet haven't reached a high step of moral improvement. These three brothers in one log hut sat somehow, and were very sudden because the Lord didn't send a blessed rain to people on the earth; then Grigory rose of a table, prayed and firmly said: „Three months, to the cover, won't be a rain...“ And so it happened. There was no rain, and people cried from a crop failure... This man is like Ilya prophet who has concluded the sky for three years with months! My God! My God! — having deeply sighed, concluded the lake Feofan.
— Instead of whether there will arrive here that Elder?
— Will arrive, will arrive! One archbishop promised to bring him. We are waiting for him to come...»
And slightly farther: «At the end of 1903 I accepted a monkhood — from Sergey I was turned into Iliodor. On December 16 I went on a dark academic corridor, with a look lowered from top to bottom, according to the doctrine of Holy Fathers. Suddenly someone delicately frayed me for a shoulder. I lifted my eyes and saw father Feofan and another smiling man. „Here is father Grigory, from Siberia“ — timidly told Feofan, pointing to the man who while standing was akwardly moving his feet as though was going to go to dance to gallop. In confusion I stretched my hand to the man and kissed him».
February 9
"God's presentiments not such clear, but fertile, and His voice is small, but sounds long. As you pray God ask Him, it it is His voice, then believe, - go to the church, pray, - and continue to trust a small voice." G.E.Rasputin
Feofan told to the 13th Commission, as Rasputin «... to students of Academy whom he saw for the first time, truly told — to one that that will be a writer, to another... pointed to its illness, and to the third explained:„ You are simple soul, but this your friends abuse...“» Already Feofan believed in that time that Grigory — the man of God.
From where Rasputin has such deep insight? Such understanding of men? Years of keenness to a still, small voice of God taught him to see and to hear what remained is hidden from others.
And nevertheless in the native village to Rasputin there was no freedom to speak to people about God. To teach people the Word of God in his house he was not allowed, and Rasputin didn't apply for parishional church. He makes a decision to construct at the village one more church — in which the Word of God would be preached. And to achieve it, Grigory decides to go directly to Petersburg and to talk about this business either to the tsar, or with someone from the highest clergy.
February 10
Metropolitan Veniamin writes how Rasputin reached Kazan, received the letter of recommendation to the rector of Theological Seminary Sergy. Veniamin saw Rasputin first at the apartment of Sergy. He writes of that first meeting:
«Rasputin made at once upon me strong impression, first of all due to an extraordinary intensity of his personality (he was as tense as a warriors bow, or like a pressed spring), and sharp understanding of soul. For example, seeing me for the first time he strictly asked me a question:„ What are you? The official or the monk you will be?“ No one, except Feofan, yet knew about this secret intention of mine. Father Feofan entirely was fond of the newcomer, having seen in him a concrete image of „God's slave“, „the holy man“. And Rasputin was also inclined to Feofan.
Their frequent appointments began. I, as one of close admirers of the father Feofan, too believed that this man was a true "Elder" and was the constant listener of his conversations with my inspector. And he spoke always with great wisdom. And in general, Rasputin was the person absolutely uncommon both on mind, and on a religious orientation. It was necessary to see him as he prayed in the temple: there is precisely tense string, his face turned up to height, and then he would christen himself and bow very quickly.
Also I think, this enormous energy of his religiousness was the main condition of influence on believing people. <...> somehow everybody, according to the Savior, lost his saltiness, the salt lost its force in us, we ceased to be the salt and the light to the world. <...> there was the general cooling in us... And suddenly there came a burning torch».
And this burning torch was now burning in St. Petersburg.
February 11
Maria Rasputin writes, remembering that time when the father appeared for the first time in Petersburg: «Later on too many of participants of events of time in Petersburg would say that the father brought misfortune to a royal court and Russia. But it is visible to any unbiassed person that it is not so. He aspired to help, but the bog appeared too fenny. „By our sins we recieve our penalty“».
So, the poor man arrives to the capital with the letter of recommendation which he hardly once used, and with one ruble (about one dollar) of money. He comes to obtain permit to construction of church and to find money for construction. Here is how he writes about it:
«I am a simple little man when in search for benefactors went from the Tobolsk province with one ruble, looking on the road across Kama as misters were throwing cakes to the water, and I didn't even have a cup of tea for a long time. That was hard to endure. Well, I come to Petersburg... I leave Aleksandrovo-Nevsky monastery, I ask for a certain bishop of Theological seminary named Sergy. The police approached, „what you are to the bishop? You are not his friend, you are the hooligan“. On God's favor I ran to the back gate, found for the door-keeper. The door-keeper rendered me favor, having given be a blow in a neck; I got before him on my knees, and he somehow understood something in me and reported on the bishop; the bishop recognized me, we had a meeting, and here we began to talk then. He told me about Petersburg, acquainted me with streets and everything, and then with High-ranking people, and there we reached out to the Father-Tsar who rendered me favor, understood me and gave money for the temple».
That could seem to be for someone impossible, was carried out in Grigory's life. Grigory not only received money and the temple construction license, but also at once entered, rushed into the highest Petersburg society — not to merge with it, but to teach it. In exactly the same way as he was teaching his small circle of followers in Pokrovsk.
February 12
Apparently, Sergy introduced Rasputin to archbishop Feofan who was the confessor of an imperial family. Feofan at first sight fell in love with Rasputin and recognized in him God's spark, even a flame. Radzinsky reports on Feofan's words, referring to the documents of the 13th Committee he received from Rostropovich:
«One day he (Sergy) invited us to (himself) to have some tea and introduced for the first time to me and to several monks and students a person whom he refered to as God's man, who has recently arrived to Petersburt, or "brother Grigory" as we then called Rasputin... He struck all of us with his deep psychological understanding of us all. He was a pale person, his eyes unusually acute, and he represented a type of ascethic. He made a very strong impression upon us...
At that time everybody was talking about the squadron of the admiral Rozhdestvensky that was to meet enemies soon. Therefore we asked Rasputin: „Whether its fight with Japanese will be successful?“ Rasputin answered: „I feel at my heart it will drown...“ And this prediction came true subsequently in fight at Tsushima».
Feofan persuaded Rasputin to move with him and showed Gregory as sight, or a wonder to the high society in which Feofan was naturally accepted. Some years later Feofan's relation to Rasputin will sharply change. It happen when Feofan in great jealousy noticed that the tsar with the tsarina more listen to Grigory, than to him, Feofan. Moreover, there was a great conflict between them on the issues of a paramount importance — war and peace.
February 13
Feofan who was long looking narrowly at Rasputin, took out a deep belief that he sees at the very least the uncommon representative of Russian peasantry worthy to be shown. He also knew of the empress' interest in simple people, so he didn't mind Rasputin to be introduced to the empress - for as long as Rasputin comes with him and remains on the secondary roles. Metropolitan Evlogy remembered:
"To archbishop Feofan, the person of high selfless life, Rasputin seemed as a religiously considerable, spiritually adjusted personality, and Feofan involved the Saratov bishop Germogen who also got to like Rasputin a lot. Archbishop Feofan was the confessor of grand duchesses of Militsa Nikolaevna and Anastasia Nikolaevna — "Montenegrins"; he also took Rasputin to them, and they introduced him to the imperial family".
"Rasputin entered into the sphere of private life of the Empress. She didn't look for him. He was introduced to her by archimandrite Feofan who has recommended him a "true spiritual Elder" on whom God's grace rests" — the Saratov governor P. P. Stremoukhov remembered. "The Elder on whom God's grace recides," — such was Feofan's verdict, a verdict of one of the most important spiritual leaders of Russia. It was the right verdict. And if later Feofan changes the opinion, at happens not because something will change in Grigory - but because Feofan was tortured with jealousy and envy.
From now on Grigory should increase constantly in eyes of an imperial family, and Feofan - to be belittled. But, unlike John the Baptist, Feofan didn't wish to be belittled at all. His proud heart thirsted for different things. And therefore he would set as the purpose of the life to humiliate Grigory.
February 14
Feofan, while being interrogated by the 13th Commission, denied that it he acquainted the Family with Rasputin. Most likely, he was telling them the truth — he was too clever to introduce Rasputin to the Royal Family. After all, he himself once was brought to the palace by Montenegro princesses with whom he was close and who presented him to the queen nearly as the Russian miracle worker. Feofan, thus, couldn't but understand that if he will present Grigory to the queen, his own role at court will grow dull. This is what occurred subsequently. Then the jealousy and envy arose in Feofan. But they still had to grow into a murderous hatred.
The same Montenegro princesses that presented to the empress in due time Feofan presented her with Rasputin. Those were daughters of the Montenegro prince (is later, in 1910, proclaimed Montenegro the kingdom, and — the king) Nikola Negosh — Militsa Nikolaevna and Anastasia Nikolaevna. Militsa was during that time of 37 years, and she was married for grand duke Peter Nikolaevich. Year younger Anastasia was the wife of the duke Leykhtenbergsky, and had from him children. It is interesting that subsequently princesses and their husbands become Rasputin's convinced enemies — it will be especially manifest when Rasputin will dissuade the Sovereign to support the mad military initiative of their father, the ambitious king of Montenegro. It was in Montenegro that fire which covered half of Europe started inflaming.
It is interesting to notice that those people who accepted Rasputin in the beginning as the God's person become Rasputin's worst enemies over time. They couldn't take the world of the truth which he brought with him.
February 15
Through Feofan Rasputin, probably, was reintroduced to the fatal princesses. But it is impossible to tell that Feofan presented Rasputin to princesses. The matter is that the destiny had already brought them together with Rasputin earlier, even before acquaintance to Feofan and even before Rasputin's arrival in Petersburg.
"Milits Nikolaevna and Anastasia Nikolaevna for the first time met Rasputin earlier, in Kiev, in Kiev Pechersk Lavra. He first talked to them there and struck them with the speech, the mind and piety. They invited him to arrive with them to Petersburg. He came... They were close with the Tsarina.
Tsarina was deeply concerned that her son, the Successor of the Throne is sick with hemophilia with which the modern medicine was powerless, but Tsarina trusted the word of one simple woman who said, that the help for Tsarina's son will come not from the science, but from the simple, uneducated person. It was told Tsarina before anybody knew about an illness of the Successor. And Tsarina looked for such " simple person". When Milits Nikolaevna told her about the Siberian peasant Rasputin, heart-broken Tsarina with great hope wished to see Grigory Efimovich".
Rasputin's secretary Aron Simanovich in his book "Rasputin and Jews" also confirms that Rasputin's first meeting with princesses occurred in Kiev:
"Rasputin first appeared some nine years prior to great war, and I will give further events according to Rasputin's stories. Grand duchess Anastasia, spouse Nikolay Nikolaevich, and her sister of Milits went on pilgrimage to Kiev. They stopped in a farmstead of the Mikhaylovsky monastery. Once in the morning they noticed outside a monastery an ordinary wanderer occupied with a splitting of firewood. He worked for getting to himself his livelihoods. It was Rasputin. He already visited many holy sites and monasteries and was on the way back from his second travel to Jerusalem. Rasputin fixedly looked at ladies and respectfully to them bowed. They asked him some questions, and thus conversation was struck up. The unfamiliar wanderer seemed to ladies very interesting. <...>
February 16
Simanovich continues his story: "Rasputin told the ladies that he possesses ability to cure all diseses, is afraid of nobody, can predict the future and take away the forthcoming misfortune. In his stories there was a lot of fire and persuasiveness, and his gray penetrating eyes shone so powerfully that the ladies were filled with admiration to him. They felt a mystical experience in his presence. Easily exposed to superstition, they were convinced that before them was the miracle man who was looking right into their hearts. One of them asked him one evening, whether he can cure hemophilia. Rasputin's answer was affirmative, and he explained that this illness to him is well-known, and described its symptoms with an amazing accuracy. The drawn picture of an illness quite corresponded to sufferings of the cesarevitch. The bigger said that he already cured some persons of this illness. He also mentioned some herbs which were for this purpose applied. Ladies were happy that opportunity to render to an imperial couple enormous service by curing their son.
They wished to use Rasputin as the dummy, and their desire to help Aleksey wasn't a sincere one. They wanted Tsarina to be obliged to them, they wanted to be generously rewarded for it - with new lands, new power, new honors. But their plans were shattered as they hit the simple wisdom of the peasant, who did everything not for profit, but out of the desire to help. When Rasputin refused to play their games, the princesses turned against him.
February 17
Let's have some words about an illness of the young Russian tsarevitch. Here is what the highly opinionated grand duke Alexander Mikhaylovich wrote in his memoirs:
"Three years old, playing in park, the Cesarevitch Alexey fell and got the wound which has caused bleeding. The court surgeon was called who applied all means known to medicine to stop bleeding, but it didn't yield result. The queen fainted. She didn't need to hear opinions of experts to know the meaning of this bleeding: it was awful hemophilia — a hereditary illness transmitted through the male line of her family for three centuries. Romanov's healthy blood couldn't win against sick blood Hesse-Darmstadt, and the innocent child had to suffer from that negligence which was shown by the Russian yard in a choice of the bride of Nikolay II.
In one night the Sovereign grew ten years older. He couldn't digest the thought that his only son, his favourite Alexey was doomed to premature death or to an existance of the disabled person.
— Could it be that in the whole Europe there is no expert who can cure my son? Let he will demand anything, let him even remain for the rest of his life in the palace. But Alexey has to be rescued!
Doctors were silent. They could answer only in the negative. They couldn't mislead the Emperor. They had to answer, that even the most known world experts aren't able to fight against the hemophilia that was undermining strength of the Successor.
— Your Majesty have to be informed — one of palace surgeons said — that the Successor the Cesarevitch never will recover from the illness. Attacks of hemophilia will repeat from time to time. It is necessary to take the most strict measures to protect his Highness from falling, cuts and even scratches because each insignificant bleeding can for the people having hemophilia to be fatal.
The enormous Navy sailor received an order to watch Alexey Nikolaevich's safety and to carry him on hands in all cases when the boy should remain long time standing."
But everything will change when Rasputin will come to the palace. The new strenght, new hope entered the brokenhearted family.
February 18
Grand duke Alexander Mikhaylovich continues:
"For his regal parents life lost any meaning. We were afraid to smile at their presence. Visiting their Majesties, we behaved in the palace, as in the house in which someone died. The emperor tried to find oblivion in continued work, but the Empress didn't want to surrender to fate. She incessantly spoke about ignorance of doctors, giving obvious preference to charlatans. All the thoughts were turned by her towards religion, and her religiousness received hysterical character.
Thus the soil for appearance of the miracle man was prepared, and here both "Montenegro princesses" without special work convinced the Empress to accept Rasputin.
— He is the surprising person. Holy man. He cures all diseases. This is the simple Siberian man, but you after all know, Alik that God never allocates with abilities to work wonders children of a civilization".
Although this is a very biased report, it reflects on some of the issues. This story reminds me the story of the prophet Daniel, when no wise man, no seer, no chaldean could help the King. Daniel took up the challenge and he gave the King what the King needed. Ever since Daniel became an enemy of many people who conspired against him seeking to take his life. Similar thing would happen to Rasputin.
February 19
From the Diary of Nicholas II in 1905, "November 1 ... At 4:00 we left for Sergeevka. We had some tea with Militza and Stana. We met with the man of God Gregory of Tobolsk ... Later in the evening I was packing, worked a lot, spent the rest of the evening with Alix. "
It was the first meeting of Rasputin with the royal family. It is unlikely that during this meeting, the conversation turned on to the health of the prince. But Rasputin, of course, made a strong impression on the royal couple. From now on they will be thinking about him, and soon he will come back to the palace.
Why did it happen? Was the disease of the heir the only cause why the royal family got close to Rasputin? To answer this question we must have a better understanding of the Russian royal family, and above Tsar and Tsarina - or "tsars" as Rasputin would call them.
Prince Zhevakhov writes: "What can I say of the Emperor? He was, above all, God-seeker, a man who committed himself completely to the will of God, deep Christian man of a high spiritual mood, standing immeasurably higher than those around him, and with whome the emperor was in communication. Only the boundless humility and touching delicacy, which is unanimously testified even by his enemies, did not allow the emperor to emphasize his moral advantage over others ... Only ignorance and spiritual blindness or malice could attribute to the emperor all that later resulted in the form of a malicious slander, which had intended to discredit his, indeed, sacred name. And the fact that his name was really sacred, evidenced, among other things, by the way one of the Socialist-Revolutionaries, a Jew, who was charged with a survey of the Tsar, after the February Revolution, in perplexity and anxiety in his voice, said a member of the Extraordinary Commission of Inquiry A . F. Romanov, "What do I do? I'm falling in love with the Tsar. "
Generations of Russian people were raised to hate the very memory of the last Tsar. As for Gregory, he loved Tsar sincerely, and he urged others to do the same. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that the rebellion against the Tsar is just as a terrible sin as rebellion against God. And the murder of Tsar by the people is not much different from the parricide. It is of this terrible sin, and of those curses that would followe it, that Gregory was trying to protect his people.
February 20
I have noticed very few people today have more or less an informed view about who were the last Russian emperor and empress. I wish that at least fraction of those good qualities that were in Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna, would be found at the brightest of today's politicians. The scale of the tragedy of 1917 are not known until the present day.
Simonovich recalled, as he tried to please the new regime: "In fact, I always pitied Nicholas II. Without a doubt, he was a deeply unhappy person. He could not impress anyone, and his personality did not cause fear or reverence. He was an ordinary man. But justice still needs to confirm that at the first meeting, he left a deep glamorous impression.
He was simple and easily available, and in his presence one would totally forget that he's a tsar. In his private life he was very simple and undemanding. But his character was contradictory. He suffered from two flaws that eventually killed him: too weak will and volatility. He did not believe anyone, but suspected everyone. Rasputin one day passed me the following expression of the tsar, "For me, there are honest people only up to two years old. Once they reach the three-year age, their parents are happy that they are able to lie. All people are liars. " Nicholas lived in the belief that all are trying to cheat him, trying to outwit him, and no one comes to him with the truth. It was the tragedy of his life. It was his understanding that he was hated by his own mother and family, he lived in constant fear from the court of the Empress-mother, that is, the so-called old court. He even thought his life was in danger. The ghost of the palace coup was ever before his eyes. He often expressed the fear that he will share the fate of the Serbian King Alexander, was killed along with his wife and the corpses thrown through the window into the street. It was clear that the murder of the Serbian king made a special impression on him and filled his soul with a shudder. "
Before us is not just deeply decent, highly educated man, who was immensely in love with his country and his people - the real God-seeker. Against the backdrop of universal disbelief, covered by 'scientific' arguments and the indifference of the church, the king stood out - especially since the time Gregory came into his life.
February 21
He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will. Luke 17:6
Here's how he Gregory wrote about the first years of his stay in Petersburg:
"I have been to many, many places, I came to see the dignitaries and officers, and even the princes, the Romanov's generation, and even to the chambers of the Father Tsar. Everywhere one needs training and humility, and love. So I appreciate that Christ abides in love, that is, there is a constant grace upon you - just do not to eradicate love, and it would never be uprooted if we esteem ourselves low, but to love more. All scientists and nobles and princes would listen to the word of the true of love, because if you have love - the lie does not come close."
The circle of St. Petersburg aqueintances of Rasputin was expanding rapidly. Just two days after the first meeting with the Family Gregory received an invitation from a fashionable salon hostess Olga Lokhtina. Subsequently, she will become the first one to begin collecting and recording the statements of the Elder. During the interrogation she testified that she saw Rasputin for the first time on November 3, 1905. She says that at the time she was seriously ill, but with the appearance in the house of Gregory she immediately felt well and has since got rid of the disease.
This is an example of the influence that Rasputin produced on people who were able to respond to God's grace. That's exactly how Olga Lokhtina has seen the situation. Since then, she has not only recovered of his illness - now her whole life became devoted to selfless service to others.
February 22
Lokhtina husband offered Gregory to move into their house, and Gregory did. Living with Theophanes severely limited Gregory: Theophane could not accept the fact that his house was filled with streams of people who came to the assistance of Gregory.
Crowds of people were flocking to see Grigory. Theophanes was especially bothered that Gregory is received all - both men and women. The monk Theophanes could not tolerate women in his house. In the house of Vladimir Lokhtin Rasputin had more freedom.
Today nobody dares to accuse Olga Lokhtina in a sexual relationship with Rasputin. In fact, there never was any cause for suspicion. "It was a lovely family home. Lokhtina was a beautiful woman of the world and had a charming daughter, "- showed the investigation, Colonel Loman, a friend of Lokhtins.
The emergence of Rasputin forever and dramatically changed the live of Olga Lokhtina. Now her secular fervor would be channeled to the compassionate love for underpriveleged ones. Lokhtina followed the precepts of Christ, " "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matt 19: 21)." As much as she could she was doing the works of charity, until her relatives would deprive her of her rights of inheretance - even his own daughter disowned her. Her extravagance, they were saying, was caused by her madness, and that she was waisting her money. It is interesting, however, taht in a very short time all the rich people of Russia would lose all their possessions, and many of them would lose their lives, too. Years after the revolution Lokhtina had been seen living the same pilgrim life, eating alms. Her bread and water came back to her after many days. Is it possible, knowing this, to consider Lokhtina crazy?
February 23
In the election of Rasputin Lokhtina believed at once. "He was telling very interesting stories about his life of wanderer, and in conversation he prompted the sins of listeners and made to speak their conscience," - showed Lokhtins at the investigation. A few days after meeting with Gregory Olga Lokhtina goes with her sister to his village of Pokrovskoe. This was not a spontaneous decision of the ecstatic fans - it was a healthy curiosity and a desire to learn more about God as well as the life of the man of God.
"At his invitation, I went to visit him in the Pokrovskoe, where I stayed from November 15 to December 8, 1905 ... To travel with Rasputin was a great fun, because he gave life to the spirit ... As we traveled, he predicted the strike and kept saying, "Just to get there." Once we arrived, the strike really started."
In Pokrovskoe Lokhtina got acquainted with the life of a simple sincerely Christian peasant family of Gregory:
"We slept wherever we can find a place, often in the same room, but slept very little, as we were listening a lot to spiritual talks of Father Gregory, who taught us how to be a night vigil. In the morning if I get up early, we prayed together with Father Gregory ... Prayer with him lifts you off the ground ... At home we were spending singing psalms and hymns ... "
Naturally investigators of the 13th Commission attempted to obtain from the Lokhtina any admissions of sexual relationship with Rasputin. Here is her response: "Yes, he used to kiss people and even embrace them, but only corrupt minds full of dirty thoughts could attribute something bad to it... Quite frankly too, on one of my visits to the village of Pokrovsky I was washing in the banja (village sauna) with Rasputin and his family - his wife and two daughters. In the absence of bad thoughts to none of us it seemed neither obscene nor odd ... That Rasputin was a really Elder (Staretz) I was already convinced at my healing, and it's been confirmed by those predictions that I had heard and that came true."
February 24
"A few days ago I took a peasant from the province of Tobolsk ... He made a strong impression ùò Her Majesty and I myself..." From a letter of the Emperor, October 16, 1906
In October 1906 Rasputin comes to Peter again. He sent a telegram to the Tsar requesting a meeting. Tsar was pleased to accept. Apparently it is at that time tht Rasputin first saw the boy - the heir to the throne. Rasputin came and the healing came with him to the Romanov's palace. He came, he saw, he healed! This can be assumed from the letter that the Emperor sent on October 16 to Peter Stolypin, who survived the attempt on the day.
Terrorists threw the bomb to the Stolypin's house. As it exploded, Stolipin's daughter received severe injuries and burns. Stolypin carried her in his arms out of the burning house. Now she lay dying in the hospital. Here is the text of the letter that the Emperor sent to Stolipin on that day:
"October 16, 1906 ... A few days ago I receaved a peasant from the province of Tobolsk ... He made a strong impression ùò Her Majesty and I myself... and instead of the planed five minutes our conversation with him lasted more than an hour. He will be leaving home soon. He has a strong desire to see you and bless your sick daughter ... "
Stolypin did not dare to disobey the Emperor and called Rasputin to see his daughter. He did it not because he believed Rasputin - Stolipin didn't even believe God. As Gregory prayed over the sick girl, she started speedily recover, and soon was completely healed.
Stolypin however never came to believe that Rasputin was God's man: there was neither God, nor God's people, in Stolipin's view. He defied the Elder's urgent exhortations not to go to Kiev for celebrations. Gregory said plaintext to Stolypin that he would be killed if he goes. But the proud Prime minister despised an advice of an uneducated peasant. He sought to remove Rasputin from sovereign. To his own death, as well as the following country's destruction.
February 25
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, who have repeatedly witnessed the prayers of Rasputin, vividly describes in in her Diary. Although she was not in the room of the prince during his first meeting with Rasputin (she was introduced to Gregory in the autumn of 1907), from her descriptions one could easily imagine what was happening:
"I myself have repeatedly watched the wonderful results that he achieved. - I also know that the most famous doctors of the time were forced to admit it. Professor Fedorov, the most famous surgeon, who treated Alex, repeatedly told me about it. <...>
What thoughts must had Aliki had in the head - and in fact it was the first crisis of many that took place then. Poor child suffered so much. There were were dark circles around the eyes, his body somehow shrunken, the leg was swollen beyond recognition. From doctors was not quite no use. Terrified more than us, they were whispering something to each other. Apparently, they just could not do anything. It's been a lot of hours, and they left all hope. It was late, and they persuaded me to go to his chambers. Aliki then sent a telegram to Rasputin to St. Petersburg. He came to the palace at midnight, if not later. By that time I was already in my apartment, and in the morning Aliki called me into the Alexis' room.
I could not believe my eyes. The boy was not only alive but healthy. He was sitting on the bed, the fever had left him as if by magic, the tumor on the leg was gone, his eyes were clear and bright. Horrors of the last night seemed incredible distant nightmare. Later I learned from Aliki that Rasputin did not even touch a child, he was just standing at the foot of the bed and praying. Of course, there are people who immediately began to assert that the prayers of Rasputin simply coincided with the recovery of my nephew.
First, any doctor can confirm that at this stage of disease one can not be cured in some few hours.
Second, such a coincidence can happen once or twice, but I can not even remember how many times this has happened! "
February 26
From The Life of the Experienced Wanderer:
"All Russia is in confusion and the flock does not recognize its shephard, I mean the people of the homeland should love their homeland and its installed Father - the Tsar, God's Annointed one."
After the first meetings, the Tsar and the Tsarina wanted to see Rasputin again and again. But they were hostages in their own home: they knew that the evil tongues will certainly notice the unequal friendship and begin to sting - although at that time they could not even imagine how cruel this sting could be. However Rasputin again and again is invited to the palace - but usually with Theophanes, in the humble role of his pupil.
The royal family fell kindly to this peasant, who was so interesting to talk about God, who brought into their home peace and joy and medicine. The family was truly revived. Grigory Rasputin brought a new and fresh love for God into the royal family just as he also did to hundreds of other people with whom crossed in St. Petersburg. He had little interest to the tastes and talks of Petersburg society. For the first time in many years in the highest circles the new kind of talk was introduced: not a talk about the fashionable French novels, not of the new, denying God German school of theology, not an English occult talk- but an inspiring conversation about God and His Word. Celebritys' gossip in the presence of Rasputin were vanishing. From distant Siberia Gregory brought the spirit of God-seeking into the heart of Russia.
February 27
Despite the hospitality of Lokhtins, Gregory did not want to burden the family by his long residence in their apartment. He was very restless lodger: daily tens or even hundreds of people came to him with all kinds of requests. Rasputin was a sensitive man and did not want to cause inconvenience for a long time to any family. Because of this for a long time he wanders from one to the other friends. But most of his time he spends in his Siberian village, where he continued his country work. He was responsible for his field, and for the house and the family. To Sanct-Petersburg he comes again and again, at the request of the Family. Empress paid Gregory road expenses, but no money or gifts (other than her hand embroidered shirts) Gregory did not accept. Probably, Tsarina did not even offer anything, because she had no idea about Rasputin's powerty. Rasputin in a meantime had to borrow from one of his friends a few pennies to take a cab and go to the palace.
Generally, Rasputin is considered to be arrogant and presumptuous. He always spoke up his mind, was advocating for those who were poor, or oppressed. But for himself, he could not ask. He could not even save his only son, who was drafted into the army.
February 28
One of Rasputin's new friends became Alexey Filippov - the banker and the publisher of his own newspaper. Filippov at the time of acquaintance with Rasputin already heard a lot about him - mostly negative things, for the newspapers were already turning against Rasputin. Answering the questions of the Extraordinary Commission in 1917, Filippov said:
"In 1912 I went to visit the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. When ... I sat in the train, I saw some guy in a peasant's dress who was of... startling appearance - with the mystical eyes lie deep in their sockets, with orbits, surrounded by brown spots. He was accompanied by... stout woman in black (it turned out later, his secretary Aquilina Laptinskaya). In the car ... he considered with the childish love a huge new leather purse, obviously just presented to him by someone.
I asked, "Where did you get that purse?" This question was a starting point of my acquaintance with Rasputin ... By some instinct it seemed to me that my friend - sectarian ... belongs to the hlist sect... He was speaking figuratively, as with parables, on various topics ... in particular I was struck with his deep faith in the Russian people and reasonable, not servile attitude toward autocratic rule ... and he stood for unity of the people with their Tsar, without the help of the bureaucracy ... I particularly sensitively reacted to it, because just recently I was ... sentenced to a year in the fortress for daring to point to the representative of the supreme power that he does not understand the nature of autocracy ...
I could not help but blurted out, "Now, if a man like you, came to the Tsar ..." Then he went out into the corridor, beckoned me mysteriously at him and said, "You do not tell them ... I'm Rasputin, who was criticized in the newspapers ... '"
There was, as we see, a huge difference between what was written in the newspapers about Rasputin, and what is the truth about it. And Filippov could not help but noticed it. From now on, he becomes a friend and assistant of Rasputin.
March 1
Here's how that memorable conversation went on in the train between the banker and the peasant:
"His interest in painting led me to invite him to go to Moscow. To this he agreed with youthful enthusiasm, not peculiar to his age ... In Moscow Rasputin met with no one, but went to Nikolai Ivanovich Reshetnikov, a former notary, and then his secretary. But on the same day he appeared, at the appointed time, to Kremlin courtyard ... With unusual attention was he listening to my lectures that lasted for hours...
We spent two days in Moscow, filling our time by visiting churches. It is at this time that I made friends with Rasputin, and on his return to Petrograd, where I edited the newspaper "Smoke of the Fatherland", I began to visit him ... Then we saw each other every day, and I was amazed ... that Rasputin took a small, very miserable little room that did not fit the position of... almighty favorite of the royal family ... Rasputin did not drink wine, and kept others from doing it...
As he got delighted with my conversations on the subject of government, he once said: "Do you want to be governor? I can do this ..." He lived simple, and even poor life, regarding his relationship to the court he spoke sparingly and very little. At my question on whether her Majesty is helping him financially, he replied: "She's tightfisted... "
Whether Rasputin spoke those words or not - no one can no longer check. But the fact is that the Tsarina had lived on a very tight budget. She herself was altering clothes for the children, darning socks husband. What a contrast to what happens in the political elite of the world today.
March 2
Let's go back to the memories Filippov:
"Soon, at the headquarters of the "Smoke of the Fatherland" I heard the conversation between the publisher of this newspaper Aleksandar Garyazina ... with the Legal Department of the Maritime Ivan Bazhenov, who spoke of the rumors of Rasputin's sexual outrages at the court, about his sexual relationship with Tsarina, and said that one need to conspire to kill "a dog." I protested that I had just met him, and I was quite fascinated by and shared his impressions ... I suggested to Garyazinu to invite Rasputin for a car ride."
Garyazin enthusiastically agreed, and Filippov told about this trip:
"From a visit to the museum ... Rasputin refused ... finding that pictures - nonsense ... life is much better ... Garyazin offered taking him to the Orphanage, and Rasputin, to our great surprise, agreed ... In the House, he got transformed ... he took each child on his hands, weighed, asked, what they feed them ... In the car he said he would have to bring village girls here from all over Russia, that they would have learned how to bear and keep the baby ... Impressions ... he transferred to the empress, who unexpectedly came to the Orphanage, examined it briefly and began thinking about the structure of the institute of protection of motherhood ... "
Filippov at the same time published the first article in defense of the good name of Rasputin, but it was drowned in a sea of humorous anecdotes and erotic libel, which began to revel newspapermen.
March 3
Years later, after the attempt of Rasputin's assassination, his friends would rent for him an apartment of Gorohovaja (Pea) street. Another move added little change into Gregory's life. Maria Rasputina, his daughter, writes:
"Our apartment consisted of 5 rooms. There was no luxury at all. All this is a lie, then what was written in the newspapers about us. Our rooms and their furnishings were very simple. We had a table in a dining room, the ordinary bentwood chairs and ottoman (sofa), which was the most splendid thing in the entire apartment, the gift of someone by the name Volynsky, who was released from prison at the request of my father. In my father's room there was an iron bed, an American table, where his father kept under lock and key numerous petitions of various persons. There were wardrobe and wash basin, in the office of the father - a desk, with nothing on it, chair and sofa, in the waiting room were some chairs. "
Surprising is modesty and simplicity of Rasputin. He had an access to unlimited amounts of money, as people were ready to give him everything. But he did not take from them. And only prompted them to help those, who are in greater need. After all, there was always someone who was in greater need than Gregory.
March 4
Philippians 4:12-13, " I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
Here is an article by someone Alexeyev called "An Hour with Grigori Rasputin," published in the "St. Petersburg Courier":
"We sat down at the table. The secretary of Rasputin Akulina Nikitichna noticed at that:
- Here, she said, - everybody talk about some fine gourmet dishes served at father Gregory's. You see, that's not true. Whitefish caviar - it's for guests, and he eats brown bread! But the newspapers are all lying about him in every way that he lives in a big way. A few days ago they published that he is going to become a priest.
- And I did not even think - picked up Rasputin. - Why should I? I love my wife and I will not divorce her. You never know what they write about me. "
Gregory lived simply, but he was not going to become a monk. Here is the secret of his blessing:
From the Diary of the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna with statements of Grigori Rasputin (1907-1916):
"The one who helps the poor is the one who experienced many hardship, and have learned, that giving hand does not become scanty. Those people receive great award. Marvelous are phenomena of miracles for alms. See, poor riding on your horse, with joy and with a radiant light. Well, what's more? Joy and peace are in helping your neighbor. " (Written in the Intercession in September 1910)
Saying these words Gregory Efimovech certainly referred to the Scriptures, which he knew well. But he was also a man with the full experience of this wisdom.
March 5
Maria honestly and in detail describes the daily life of her father: "He weared a Russian shirt, jacket, trousers, tucking them into boots. He did not eat meat until his death. His lunch always consisted of a fish soup. In addition, he ate radishes, cucumbers and onions. Other than these dishes he did not eat at home nothing. He always got up early and walked carefully to the early mass. After that, he came home and drank tea with black pretzels or crackers. Immediately after tea, petitioners were accepted, and father's day was spent with them.
There was no formal schedule. Actually, the whole day was spent with the petitioners, and the father never refused those... People came to him with a great many diverse requests: some asked for some positions, some for a pardon for different people in prisons. Those were the most typical requests. Different people gave him money, but many more asked for money, and the father never refused anyone in cash. He really took with the one hand, and with the other one he distributed. People also turned to him for spiritual help and asked for advice, complaining about the hardships of life and the pains of the soul. He gave advice, sincerely trying to help as best as he could. "
Rasputin made himself available to all.
March 6
E. Dzhanumova recalled:
"The apartment is all day long pounded by representatives of all segments of the population. Peasants, walkers in the boots and tulups (winter coat made of the tanned sheepskins) are asking to help them in their feud with the landlord. A lady in deep mourning, with tearful eyes, grabs the hand of "father" and, sobbing, asking about something. A military officer in the brilliant uniform of one of the Guards regiments is modestly waiting for his turn. Here is a man with a flabby face enters the waiting room, accompanied by a footman in a fur cape. It is a banker with some hastily case. He is taken right away. Some Polish refugees, students, nuns with travel bags, and the maidens from the Palace. Street vendors, and ladies in dresses from Paken and Doucet. A woman is crying hysterically somewhere in the corner, the phone rings. Here and there appears a tall figure in soft boots and a silk blouse. His deep seeted eyes pierce you at once.
Silk, dark cloth, expensive furs, the diamonds of the purest water are splashing, sparkle and subtle swaying expensive jewelry in the hair, and then next to them there sits a poor old woman with a worn out, old-fashioned suitcase and in a shabby dress, and next to her there sits headdress fashioned petty bourgeois, and than is seen white kerchief of the nurse uniform. Simply decorated table with a mixed tea set is buried in flowers. "
Gregory Rasputin was one of those rare figures who are not tempted under a delusion of power and money. He was not captured by wealth and fame. He just wanted to help people - and wished they would, in return, helped someone else. He lit the fire of love in Russia at a time when others were pooring oil into the fire of hatredness.
March 7
"Who came to see him? - Said at the investigation Vera Barkova, the daughter of Manasevich-Manuylov. - I saw the generals in full uniform with medals who came to bow before him. There were students, who asked financial assistance. Officers's wifes came, the wifes of some bureaucrats asking on behalf of their husbands. There were all the metropolitan, not provincials. He admitted thm all and promised help to all. In the money he never refused: he would take out of his pocket and freely give. "
Contrary to false rumors Gregory never stole any horses. But few know that he gave away many horses to the peasants, and it made Gregory happy. As the peasants were not coming to see him, he would go to them. He freely gave away many horses and wagons and plows to the poor peasants. With one hand he received money, and with other was secretly distributed them. And the more he got, the more he distributed, and the more he distributed, the more he got. There were rumors of Rasputin's unprecedented wealth - and indeed, countless money were flowing through his humble apartment. But to his clean hands, they would not stick. To the last year of his life he lived of his country field and he worked it. He was modest in everything: he ate nothing but vegetables, and was wearing simple peasant clothes. And he always gave alms. His enemies also knew about this, and they send an assasin dressed as a begger who would strike after askin Rasputin for alms. And, sure enough, Rasputin got into his pocket and got three ruble bill - a lot of money for that time. At this moment 'the begger' stabbed him with a knife.
Gregory would said: "When you feel like giving - just give, don't hide your treasures; and you should also give when you don't want to give. Force yourself, and learn that you don't have to have large amounts of capital to give alms. Give from whatever little you have. Hear the Gospel, but look since when have you been living by the gospel? " (Written in Pokrovskoe, September 1910)
"The one who gives will understand all the human needs, because he cares for the case of poverty. The one who doesn't understand poverty, he is far from people's grief ... No words would convince him, and alien is the Gospel to him, because he doesn't care of someone else's misfortune. The Kingdom of God is. not for nothing is given, and the crosses are of various kinds, but the charity is above all good works. " (Written in Pokrovskoe, September 1910)
"Oh, mercies and bounties of God are many - there is no end to them. And all this we are experiencing by ourselves - we see wonders, but we do not take a note of them."
March 8
" Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:2-3.
The enemies of Rasputin's have called the Book - they were extremely annoyed by the fact, that his speach so resembled the words of the Gospel, the words of Christ. But to me it is a great pleasure to hear his simple and at the same time amazingly beautiful and rich Russian language. "The most outstanding quality of Gregory Rasputin is his speech: a simple but imaginative Peasant's speech." Thus spoke about the beauty of Rasputin syllable Vera Barkova who knew him well and was not accustomed to flatter. Rasputin's words echo in the heart of the Russian people. I did my best translating those words to English, but reading them in its original is an experience of its own kind. As you read Rasputin's words, pay attention to both their spiritual and artistic value, to the harmonious, comely sound of the speach. Over the next few days we will look at some examples of his amazing words. Here are some excerpts from his book "My thoughts and reflections" which he wrote during his second voyage to Jerusalem.
"The sea is spacious, but the mind is even more voluminous. Human wisdom has no end. All philosophers together cannot accomodate it.
Another great beauty to contemplate when the sun falls on the sea, and rolls down, and its rays shine. Who can estimate the value of the radiant beams? They warm up and caress the soul and bring the healing comfort. Minute after minute the sun is hiding away behind the mountains, and the human soul is a little sorrowful for its marvelous radiant beams ...
March 9
Some excerpts from Rasputin's book "My thoughts and reflections" which he wrote during his second voyage to Jerusalem:
"Twilight... Oh, what a silence befalls... There isn't even the sound of a bird heard, and the one wants to wander on the deck, involuntarily recalling his childhood and all the fuss and compares this sudden silence with the vain world, and quietly talks to himself, and wants to shake off the burdens from his souls, the burdens that his enemies put on him...
A quiet night at sea, and we are falling to sleep quietly after those thoughtful reflections, from the deep impressions... The sea belongs to Christ - it's His. There are wondrous miracles on you. God Himself visited and wonders were created.
One can see the shore and trees sparkle. How can one help but not to rejoice? Where there was no sign of any bush, not a leaf, then suddenly one can see the coast and as we come closer, and look at the nature of God and praise the Lord for His creation and the beauty of nature that can not be described by the human mind and philosophy.
Scored the waves of the sea - and the soul is filled with distress. The person loses his peace, walks as in a daze ... God, give peace to our souls!
At sea, this is a temporary illness, but on the shore there is always such a wave.
At sea the disease is visible to all, but at the shore it is hidden, unknown - but demons torment souls.
Conscience - is like a wave, but whatever the sea waves, they fade away, and conscience could be only calmed by the good deed.
The conscience without language says about its flaw, all need to look at it, there is no sin that we can hide, and not bury in the ground. And every sin is like a gun shot - everyone will know ... "
To understand what has attracted the royal family Rasputin, enough at least to listen to his words. As I mentioned above, the enemies of Rasputin gave him a nickname - Book. That was the invention of the insightful Zinaida Yusupova who mastered a plot against Rasputin on behalf of the "Old Court," the Moscow nobles. Perhaps Zinaida Yusupova was right by calling him Book. Not only he taught just as the Book teaches, he also lived as the Book requires. That was the source of Rasputin's immense power. The secret of this power was sought after by many, including Zinaida's son, Felix, and later poet Alexander Blok, and the anxious overpriveleged members of the 13-th Committee. Scripture was all foreign to those secular or formal Orthodox Christians. Neither they understood, nor accepted its teaching. Gregory came as a living rebuke to those people, as a living manifestation of the power of the Word of God. Is it surprising, than, that he was so bitterly rejected by his people?
But let us take a look at some more words of Gregory. He spoke as a peasant, yet the greatest poets of his time envied him. He spoke simple words, but only the wise could hear the meaning. Although hours after many of his writings were destroyed, there are many writings still preserved, and among them two of his books, dictated letters, and numerous notes taken by the Empress or people from the inner circle of Rasputin. The authenticity of these records is not in doubt.
March 10
In February 1911, the Empress started a special notebook in a dark blue cover, in which she recorded with her elegant script the words that Gregory uttered during their meetings. Thus, the Empress continued the tradition of Olga Lokhtina. Most of the sayings of Rasputin are about the persecutions and harassments, and of the benefits those bring to the righteous souls. This book the Empress would keep at her side to the moment of execution. Here are some excerpts from this notebook. For today - those are excerpts about love. As you read, remember, those words are spoken by a man who knew how to love:
- "Love is a big number. Both prophecies and knowledge will cease, but love never ";
- "But to seek love to the extreme you should not! And what God has given, let it be so! ";
- "We talk about love, but we only heard about it, but themselves are far removed from the love";
- "About Love it is hard to talk - you need to talk to an experienced person. The one who doesn't know from the experience will not understand, he will turn it in every possible way ";
- "Love is living in those who are persecuted, who have lived through everything, all kinds of things. Others don't have love, while they may still know pity";
- "Love - is a millionaire of the spiritual life, there are no even estimates to love";
- "We need only humiliation and love - and that is a joy."
Speaking of spiritually rich people, full of love, Gregory exclaimed:
"And why they have an abundance of everything? Because they give alms, and a giving hand will not become scanty ever.
And why are they joyful? It is because of the consoles they get from angels, and the wisdom, that comes from God. They always have the book of wisdom inside them.
And why does the wisdom abide in them? Because they do not speak idly, and their mind is immersed in God, and God is in them."
Below are some more quotes from the Empress' Nobebook with recorded words of Grigori Rasputin (1907-1916):
March 11
On Spiritual Unity
"Spiritual Unity - why the voice of the Lord? .. They always have the Bible in their hearts, and the New Testament. And there are peace and wisdom: even the enemies are priceless to them, because they have the spirit of holiness. And they have mother's hearts: the mother never shows a child an embittered heart, but instead show affection and nursery. "
Rasputin wrote in modesty talking about highly spiritual people in the third person. But his words were strong not only because they are correct and beautifully articulated. Their strength is due to the fact that they are spoken by the man who lived in close union with God. These words were written by the man who knew the voice of the Lord. The man in whose heart was the Bible and the New Testament. Rasputin was precisely the kind of person in whom peace and wisdom abide. He truly loved people, even his enemies, as you will further see.
March 12
About the Self-Assessment
"Truly spiritual people have little appreciation for themselves, and the holier they become, the more they see themselves as sinners. And the more they pray, the more sinful they appear to be, because they see everything, in every detail, and because of it there is a fear in the soul, and they pray more, - this is how people unwittingly receive salvation.
They care little either to praise, or to humiliate themselves, because they live in a prayer. The prayer becomes their habit. Why is it that they do not judge? Because they are busy prayer - they have no time to judge. And why are they always all right? It is because they are in meditation with God. "(Written in Pokrovskoje, September 1910)
Again, these words are spoken by the man who have experienced, endured their confidence. These readings are deliberately designed as the short ones, so that you can focus and reflect on the depth of these words. How do we attain a habit of constant prayer or reflection? How can we at the same time be living in the world and praying to God? This is precisely what Gregory Rasputin was teaching both with his words, and with his life.
March 13
About the rest
"They (the spiritual minded people) have no time for many things - maybe they wish to have those things, but in all places there is His dominion. Therefore, they entered rest, and peace abides in them. But if there is no peace - it is all vanity of vanities, and there is no blessing upon such a man. Even as one prays a lot, and even loves God, and an ascetic, but have no peace... there is a feature of rebellion and defiance - the head of the sin - the charm of sorts. Or the spirit of power possesses man with his madness - and the man is haunted, losing his peace ... As for the man of God - even in a crib he will find a paradise. " (Written in Pokrovskoje, September 1910)
And here are some more words of Rasputin on worry and rest:
"All the wisdom of salvation is this - to be careful and simple, and to have love without end - quiet and calm kind of love. But if there is no peace, it is an enticement, it's worse than drunkards, those who drink are in sight, but the charm, the enticement will be only seen by an experienced man, who is walking on the paths of the Lord." December 1910 St. Petersburg
Gregory gave many practical advices on how to find and keep the peace. Here's one of them.
"The wanderers' piety - he writes, for example, in" The Life of an experienced wanderer "- is manifest in their acceptance of the weather, be it good or bad, as if coming from the throne of God." Having learned not to grumble at the weather, and to accept it with gratitude, Gregory learned finding peace and satisfaction in all everyday circumstances - fortunate and unfortunate. "
March 14
I would also like to share with you some stories about Rasputin's family life. Here is one of them, told to the investigating committee by Olga Lokhtina. She is talking of the time when she just met Rasputin, and together with her sister she came to see him and his family at Pokrovskoe. There she carefully observed the live of a husband and wife, simple Russian peasants, Rasputins. Here is one of her observations:
"I really liked the way the family lives. Gregory's wife, as she saw him returning, met her husband as she fell at his feet ... The humility of his wife surprised me. When I am right, I will not make concessions. One day I observed Rasputin and his wife having an argument. As it appeared to me, the wife was right, and she could easily prove it by argumentation. But she didn't do it. As I expressed my ... surprise, Mrs. Rasputina said to me: "The husband and wife should live with one heart - somewhere you give a way, somewhere a way be given to you" ...
Maybe it is precisely what is missing in most of the contemporary families. Once again, listen to these words of simple Russia woman, the wife of Gregory Rasputin: "The husband and wife should live with one heart - somewhere you give a way, somewhere a way be given to you" ...
March 15
In one of a previous readings I mentioned about a dialog between Rasputin and the journalist, who asked Gregory about the rumors that he is going to become a priest, a monk:
- And I did not even think of it, - replied Rasputin. - Why should I? I love my wife and I am not going to divorce her. You never know what they write about me. "
He really loved his wife. They met at the village dances, which both of them enjoyed so much. "She was tall and statuesque, she loved to dance as much as he did - recalls Matrona (Maria) Rasputina. - Those watching them observed a beautiful couple. She was almost as tall as Gregory, her blond hair contrasted sharply with his unruly auburn locks. Her name was Praskovja Fedorovna Dubrovina, or simply Paracha, my mother... "
Rasputin married soon after he turned eighteen, on February 2, 1887. His wife proved to be hard working, patient, obedient to God, to her husband and father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Maria recalls: "My mother was kind, thorough, or, as they now would say - balanced. She was three years older than my father."
Varlamov writes: "All who knew this woman always highly of her ... She gave birth to seven children, the three first ones died, the following three have survived, and the last girl also died - the story typical for that time. "
From the previous readings you might remember that the wife did not hold Gregory's departure as he decided to go God-seeking, to study. How much hardship and ridicule she endured during those three years - God only knows! But she withstood, and she waited for her husband - to be his reliable support even until the day of his murder.
March 16
Here are some excerpts from Rasputin letters home (1909):
- "Sweet Babes! In the evening go for a walk, and in the afternoon behave good and obey. Obedience is a sky, and the naughtiness is a land ";
- "Lovely are the poor and their joy is immeasurable. We are all poor, and who does not consider himself a poor, he is a torturer and he purchased himself an earthly hell. Not dead yet, and bought a hell on earth ";
- "Kindness is upon us, keep it. As you should always keep the joy of God and humility ";
- "Love is the light, and there is no end to it, and the light will not sink, and the love of the Gospel does not get tired";
- "Dear God is with us and in us, but we do not see Him, but as we are happy, our dear God makes Himself manifest, and when we do not behave, when we fall into depression, our dear Lord hides Himself.
Love to consider wisdom, because this is what God loves. Unknown language people do not understand first, but later they can gain understanding. Pray, wherever you're going or coming, always think of God. That is the prayer ";
- "Sweet children, here comes spring, and the flowers are blooming, and at the same time our souls grow. It is so nice to go for a walk and to know, that our dear Lord is watching us with a merry eye from the heights. And you do not see our dear God, but He is with you at your walk, and therefore it is nice and pleasant, and the small angels accompany you."
March 17
"Golden children, I miss you so much. How are you, how are you walking on the beautiful mountains? Yeah, our Lord had also been walking the mountains with His disciples. I will bring for you from the Lord many interesting, funny things. And I will tell you stories. How we've been to the cave, and prayed there...
My dear little children, rejoice in the Lord, as He makes you happy... Remember all the value of nature. This is your peace.";
... "Little children, my affectionate! Will we see you soon? Let the paradise of spring come, and will be learning at the school of God. Wherever we go, we can have a joy of experiencing the sweetness of the Spirit of God. When the soul is happy, the Spirit is with us. The Spirit of God is present in every sincere talk about God, and He teaches us, and the Angels are certainly pleased with you, as I am. "
March 18
Martyr's crown
Gregory knew that his time is short - he knew that the martyr's crown has been prepared for him. Here's what he wrote about this crown:
"In thee, O LORD, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed forever. I will praise thee, even as my enemies haunt me. Day and night they are looking to catch me wherever I go, and to pour a lie on me, to pervert my words, to deprive me from rest. They have the beastly hearts, and the grace is far from them. I will say in my heart, O God, be thou my Creator and Protector. My enemies are watching my every step, and they are shooting arrows into my soul, and penetrate it with their sly look and want to take away the truth, but it is not given to them, they will not take, and only hurt my young men. All will be burned by the persecutions. While gossipers slander, the righteous people die of sorrow: but it is a martyr's crown.
Christ also suffered, and heavy was upon him the cross. And the cross remains on those who love Him, those who suffer for Christ. And even now the enemies are catching and crucifying the true Christians. Lord, thousands are waging war against me. (Psalm 94:3): How long, O Lord, shall the wicked triumph? How long your precious chicks, oh, God, will be a prey for wicked? The wicked will intimidate us, but they cannot take the Spirit away from us. Remember, young men, the lesson from the temple: we will not fear the rumors of evil, deliver me, O Lord , from the evil man, preserve me from the violent oppressor. Ooh, how many are my enemies! .. "
Gregory carried his cross, or rather the cross that he received from the Savior, to the end. There are few crowns in heaven that could be compared to the brightness of the Rasputin's crown. Mark my words, until, by the grace of God, you will see it for yourself.
March 19
Psalm 88: 51
Gregory's language is thoroughly imbued with the Bible - like all of his consciousness, nature. These are the words he wrote in times of trouble:
"Oh, Lord, the reproach of thy servants I carry in my bosom, the taunts of all the mighty people. Oh, Lord, you see how much they reproach the tears of Thy anointed. Woe! Tell us, we killed the righteous one: he didn't curse us, let's go quick and repent - but, alas, too late, the sun was darkened, and the light is no more! Too late .. The righteous flourishes from the persecution, and his God teaches him and glorifies him with the beauty of wisdom. Do not grief, oh, my soul, as they vilify you - be strong! .. Now they exchanged their sharp spears to the words - and those hurt more than an arrow. All the arrows of their words are more painful than sword. Oh, God bless Thy own! " 4th of December, 1910 St. Petersburg
March 20
On a Quiet Growth
One of the reasons the Orthodox Church did not canonize Rasputin as a saint is his attitude to the monastic life and the church hierarchy. In his own words:
"There is no peace in the monastery, but there is a battle: with one's own body, then with the worldly spirit. Do you think if the put on the monastic clothes they are righteous people? Just look at those fighting for the Patriarchal Throne? .. Anthony of Volyn, Sergius of Finland! .. Is it what they should seek? Is theirs a good example? It is necessary that people would imbue themselves with the Holy Spirit, and they will see for themselves, who is God's appointed man and say: Behold the Patriarch. But there isn't one, and you can't invent him. You can pick up a Patriarch by the tall figure, by the eloquence of his speech, by his stately manners, but to find the Patriarch who would be like the father, who covers with his spirit the entire nation, so that both Orthodox and of other denominations believed and followed him - for this sake one has to be born again, and to quietly, calmly grow up. "
"To quietly, calmly grow up " - as Rasputin himself grew up quietly and calmly, as his disciples were quietly growing around him. Maybe we still have a chance - " to quietly, calmly grow up"?
March 21
On Teaching Others
In one of the conversations Rasputin outlined his program:
"Think of your own salvation. And when you feel that you are in yourself, as the river in its banks, up to the edges - that's when everything will seem unnecessary: the fame, money and careers. I advise you don't look at others. Don't instruct nobody, but also don't judge people for their mistakes - and think about peace of mind. And then everything around you will become calm and clear, and you will comprehend everything. They cursed me, they wrote all kind of lies about me, and yet, I do not have any enemies: those who don't know me consider me their enemy. But I'm not doing anything bad to anybody, nor do I cherish anger - one can see through me. With the clouds of anger they surrounded me, but I'm not afraid. Do likewise, you, and another, and a third. This is your salvation in the midst of the world ...
They talk nonsense about me, and they write in vain, and nobody knows what they write, and they write evil. But I can't help them, I cannot. The blind cannot see the light, and the kingdom of God is revealed only to those who approach each other as children. Another commandment I do not have and do not teach. And to make it clear to you who I am, I say I - Rasputin. "
March 22
On Forgiveness
"As a sack full of holes will not retain millet, so with us - unless we don't forgive each other, but will keep noticing errors in the other, and remain in enmity to the brother, as we judge. One has with humility and humbleness to notice an error in a brother, and then treat him as the mother treats the an angry child: she will try this and that, and with her caresses will not let him cry.
It would be nice and we learn from this mother. Find and caress those who are fallen, but also be careful yourself. Only having passed all the tests of the obedience to God one can teach others: by showing an example, and not just from the letter. Do not pretend being God's man - be it. (From the Life of the Experienced Wanderer).
That's how he treated all people. He could be very direct with people, but could also be startlingly tactful, especially in the presence of others. They said that Rasputin could so gently show man his sin, that none of the participants (except the one being reproved) could not hear and understand the matter. This probably happened because Gregory taught what he lived, and lived what he taught.
March 23
On Spiritual Strength and Clear Mind
"A bright mind is a gift to those who are able to love God. His love is pure and steady, as the scales. Oh! The worldly scales change often, and it is an enticement to some. Enticement is very subtle, hard to express with words - thus, it is worse than the fall, than the temptation, that is visible to all, so you can also see and repent. But an enticement you don't feel, as you don't see poppy's seed in a litter. Enticement comes as you've eaten two spoons, and a third one my be an enticement to you. I mean, as the person feels full, and satisfied, and still wants more, it is an enticement of a small format. There are other enticements as well: as one looks at the woman with a lustful intent, there's already an adultery in it. It is an enticement when you ignore your brother - it is a big deal. It is an enticement when you want to pray, but you don't do it; it is also an enticement as you don't want to pray, and don't do nothing about it. Just make yourself pray! When you don't recieve what you've been praying for - this is also an enticement of its kind. It is an enticement to consider people sinful. Human soul is hidden from the wicked, and the righteous ones can read it, and as they do they might be falling into temptation, if they do it without love. Both knowledge and prophecy will vanish, but the true love will never disappear... "
"There is an enticement in passing on the judgment: once you do it, you repeated the sinners sin with pleasure - this is a huge enticement, and it becomes a habit for some, so they don't know anymore what they are doing. Enticement is so deceitful that it always presents itself as something new." December 1910 St. Petersburg
These words are the great treasure. They open up the internal processes in the consecrated mind, in the mind of the man of God. The man of God is always on the alert - he doesn't slander spiritually. By the way, the name Gregory means - the one who does not slander. He achieved it by immersing himself always in prayer and in love. Such people not only abstain from sin - they are able to have a victory over temptation in its early form of enticement. Gregory learned that doing this is in fact easier that to the temptation that have been cherished.
March 24
Gregory Rasputin The Truth and the Fable
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