Alapayevsk martyrs: are killed and forgotten. Part I

Memory on July, 5/18

Under Alapaevskimi martyrs mean:

Grand duke Sergija Mihajlovicha (25.9.1869 † 5/18.7.1918) – the grandson of Emperor Nikolay I, the fifth son Conducted. Kn. Michael Nikolaevicha. General-aide-de-camp, the general from artillery on the Guards case; the inspector (1904), and after (1905) generals-inspectors of artillery. Within Great war — the field general-inspector of artillery at Supreme commander in chief.

The sister of the Tsarina-martyress Great Princess Elisavetu Feodorovnu (20.10.1864 † 5/18.7.1918), nastojatelnitsu based by her in Moscow the Marfo-Mariinsky monastery, in secret postrige shimonahinju to Alex.

Krestovuju the sister of the Marfo-Mariinsky monastery to the Barbarian (to Barbarian Alekseevnu Jakovlevu, † 5/18.7.1918).

Prince of Imperial Blood John Konstantinovicha (23.6.1886 † 5/18.7.1918) – the son Conducted. Kn. Konstantin Konstantinovicha, wing-aide-de-camp (1908), the shtabs-captain of Lejb-guards of Its Horse Majesty a shelf married (1911) on daughter of king Serbian princess Elena Petrovne, in 1917 devoted in ipodiakona.

Prince of Imperial Blood Konstantin Konstantinovicha (20.12.1890 † 5/18.7.1918) – the son Conducted. Kn. Konstantin Konstantinovicha, wing-aide-de-camp, the shtabs-captain of Lejb-guards Izmajlovskogo a shelf, saving during Great war polkovoe a banner, awarded for it St.. George's award of IV degree.

Prince of Imperial Blood Igor Konstantinovicha (29.5.1894 † 5/18.7.1918) – the son Conducted. Kn. Konstantin Konstantinovicha, wing-aide-de-camp (1915), shtabs-captain of Lejb-guards of Its Hussar Majesty a shelf.

Prince Vladimir Pavlovicha Paleja (28.12.1896 † 5/18.7.1918) – the son Conducted. Kn. Paul Aleksandrovicha from its left-handed marriage from O.V.Pistolkors (urozhd. Karnovich); column Gogenfelzen (1904), prince (1915); the lieutenant of Lejb-guards Hussar a shelf; the poet.

Feodora Mihajlovicha Remeza (1878 † 5/18.7.1918) – the manager of the Court yard Conducted. Kn. Sergey Mihajlovicha whom it has voluntary followed in the reference.

Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has glorified in a face of sacred everything, except for F.M.Remeza. Russian Orthodox Church (the Moscow Patriarchy) has glorified Only great Princess Elisavetu Feodorovnu and inokinju to the Barbarian.

Arrest and the conclusion

Right at the beginning of April, 1918 from Petrograd to Vyatka with the right of free residing John, Konstantin and Igor Konstantinovichi and prince Vladimir Pavlovich Palej has been sent to Grand duke Sergey Mihajlovich, Knjazja to Imperial Blood. On services they went to a cathedral over blagovernogo Grand duke Alexander Nevskogo. Here Prince John Konstantinovich, having accepted dedication in ipodiakona, participated in divine services. It is less than in a month of stay in Vyatka prisoners have moved to Ekaterinburg and have placed in hotel. It is known, for example, that Easter zautrenju (22.4/5.5.1918) prince V. P.Palej (by its own words in the letter) has defended in Ekaterininskom a cathedral though the Ekaterinburg newspapers informed about its arrival only on May, 4/17. The same newspapers gave the information on arrival of Grand duke Sergey Mihajlovicha and Princes Konstantinovichej on April, 26 May. The first has lodged in an apartment of former manager Verhne-Kamskim of bank of Century. Item. Anichkova (the second floor of a house at a corner of street Uspenskoj and the Main prospectus). The second – opposite, in numbers Atamanova (hotel " Eldorado ", subsequently a building of People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs).

On Tuesday Light sedmitsy (when icon Bozhiej of Mother is celebrated Iverskaja), on April, 24 / on May, 7 (memory prp. Elisavety chudotvoritsy) in Moscow Great Princess Elisaveta Feodorovna and in support kelejnitsy Barbarians Alekseevny JAkovlevoj has been arrested and sisters Ekaterina Petrovny Janyshevoj are sent by train to Perm. Here short time « the Most august Molitvennitsa » stayed with sisters in Uspenskom a female monastery (where she has visited even before war, summer of 1914), being consoled in daily monastic divine service. Soon them have moved to Ekaterinburg where one of sisters managed to be approached close to Ipatevskomu to the house and through a crack in a fence to see even the Sovereign. The short shelter has given the Moscow exiles the New-Tikhvin monastery, whence soon began to carry eatable to Regal Martyrs in Ipatevsky the house.

On Tuesday Fominoj of week on May, 1/14 all taking place in Ekaterinburg belonging to the Imperial House (except for Regal Martyrs) have received the instruction to move in unimportant town Alapaevsk of district Verhoturskogo of the Perm province. Alapayevsk martyrs arrived there on May, 7/20 when the Church recollects the phenomenon in the sky of Cross Gospodnja in Jerusalem (351). Them have lodged at Floor school at which there was a chapel. The conclusion of prisoners of the House of Romanovs divided the office manager Conducted. Kn. Sergey Mihajlovicha of F.M.Remez, the footman kn. Paleja — T.Krukovsky, the doctor Conducted. Kn. Sergey Mihajlovicha Gelmersen and footman Kn. John Konstantinovicha — Ivan Kalinin.

First time a mode was more free: visiting church was authorized accompanied by the Red Army man. On June, 8/21, under the instruction from Ekaterinburg, the prison mode has been entered. Sister Ekaterina, the doctor and both footmen have been removed. Murder and investigation

5 July, 1918 (to day when the Church celebrates finding in 1422 of fair relics Saint Sergija, hegumen Radonezhskogo) Alapaevskih prisoners have taken out from city. And there, in 18-òè kilometers from Alapaevsk have killed, having cast into one of the deserted mines of iron mine Bottom Selimskaja. Before death Conducted. Princess Elisaveta Feodorovna prayed loudly and christened, speaking: « My God, forgive to them for do not know, that do ».

15/28 September Alapaevsk has been released from bolsheviks by army of admiral A. V.Kolchaka.

8/21 October of their mine Bottom Selimskaja have taken F.M.Remeza's body; on October, 9/22 — inokini Barbarians and prince V. P.Paleja; on October, 10/23 — Princes of Imperial Blood of Konstantin Konstantinovicha and Igor Konstantinovicha, Grand duke Sergey Mihajlovicha; on October, 11/24 — Great Princess Elisavety Feodorovny and Prince of Imperial Blood John Konstantinovicha. Fingers of the right hands prepodobnomuchenitsy Great Princess Elisavety and inokini Barbarians, and also Prince John Konstantinovicha have been combined for a sign of the cross [1]. On a breast of Great Princess the gold plate with an inscription has been found out « wrapped up in a wax paper and meshochek with a tape through a neck, a massive medium-sized image of the Savior, usypannyj gemstones, on which underside on velvet, cherry color to a framework: “ Verbnaja Saturday on April, 13, 1891 ” » » [2] (date of connection to Orthodoxy Prepodobnomuchenitsy). Under one data this icon — a gift to it of Emperor Alexander III; on another — it is presented by the Tsar-martyr shortly before renunciation. In a pocket of a coat of Prince John there was « a wooden medium-sized icon which image is erased, and on a underside an inscription: “ Sija the sacred icon is consecrated ” . And: “ For prayful memory to father John Kronshtadtskomu from monk Parfenija. (Afonskogo Andreevskogo a monastery) Odessa on July, 14, 1903 ” » [3].

Investigation on murder in Alapaevsk was opened on October, 11, 1918 with a member of the Ekaterinburg district court of I.A.Sergeev. On February, 7, 1919 it has passed to N.A.Sokolovu. Results it it has stated in the book [4.] « And Ekaterinburg and alapaevskoe murders, – there has come to a conclusion N.A.Sokolov, – a product of one will of one persons » [5].

Distinguished special spiritual keenness general-lieutenant M.K.Diterihs supervising, as is known, business on tsareubijstvu marked: « … and Members of the House of Romanovs the Soviet authorities gave to Murder of the Most august Family extremely great value in business of preparation for themselves the future victory … » [6]

Characterizing threefold murder by summer of 1918 within the limits of the Perm ground (Imperial Family, the brother of Sovereign Conducted. Kn. Michael Aleksandrovicha and Alapaevskih Prisoners), it named them « especially exclusive on an atrocity and izuverstvu, full of great value, character and sense for the future history of Russian people » [7].

Special value was given by it to murder together with the Most august Martyrs of people which have stayed true by them: « Together with the mentioned Members of the House of Romanovs the nearest persons of the Retinue who has stayed up to the end to a true duty elected by bolsheviks Him » [8] have been killed.

And the general result expressed by the general in chekannoj to the form: « It was the systematic, premeditated and prepared destruction of Members of the House of Romanovs and extremely close to them on spirit and belief of persons » [9].

« Alapaevskoe murder, — modern researchers write, — differed from the Ekaterinburg execution […] Some questions put to inspectors of circumstance of concealment of corpses. Someone saw in their arrangement at different levels of mine attributes of a ritual burial place and good knowledge murderers of a degree of relationship of victims. […] Not become torn "bombs" and bodies killed alternated. Closer to a surface there were corpses of less well-born Paleja, JAkovlevoj and Remeza, is deeper in mine — than grown-ups from prisoners » [10].

Documents of investigation of murder in Alapaevsk for the first time have been promulgated rather recently [11].

Below we result certificates which to us managed to be found out in an emigre press, inaccessible to the majority of readers.

Conducted. Kn. Andrey Vladimirovichu managed to collect some certificates: « As there was a murder, – the office manager of Grand duke using them, lawyer Alexey Sergeevich Matveev wrote, – to establish in accuracy difficultly. Remained the official and checked up documents and a testimony too little. They could be collected much more if white counterspionage operated with the greater care and has not shot without interrogation of many former members of protection of Grand dukes. However official investigatory authorities and militia, on arrival kolchakovskih armies, has collected some indications and has made police reports.

The mine from which corpses have been taken, had 28 sazhen depths. All mine has been filled up with different stuff: fire wood, columns, boards and the ground.

The order of a presence militia of corpses is very characteristic. […]

Under the certificate of hegumen Serafima, it the unknown peasant told, that at night with 17 for July, 18 near this mine church church chanting which ostensibly proceeded in mine and all next day was heard.

It is possible to assume, that when prisoners have learned the true purpose of their supply to this mine they could start singing any pray as Prince John Konstantinovich very much loved church singing and itself were regent not only in church of the Pavlovsk palace, but even during first time in Perm during the reference. Then Great Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna, being the nun, could take part in this prayful singing. Murderers to get rid of the most shumlivyh the victims, the first have thrown in K.John's Konstantinovicha mine, and then Elizabeth Feodorovnu. Partly it it is possible to explain a presence of these two corpses on the biggest depth of mine.

Then V.K.Sergey's Mihajlovicha corpse follows. About it there is a following official police report: “ Eyes are closed and covered with sand. The mouth is closed. All person and a head are covered with the sand mixed with coniferous needles. Hands are extended along a trunk and polusognuty in an elbow part. Fingers of the right hand are strongly compressed in a fist. Nails have stuck into a palm … the Bullet wound on a head ” .

He/she is the unique shot prisoner. The compressed right hand and the nails which have stuck in a palm testify to those heavy flours which preceded death of Grand duke.

All other victims have been thrown in mine alive with the fastened eyes. As bandages have remained with some victims not touched it is possible to assume, that the death has come or is instant, or deafened by bruises, not coming in consciousness, they were zasypany the ground and stuff half-dead.

Murderers, apparently, operated as follows. Having dumped all over again in mine alive two victims, they threw there manual pomegranates as at excavation of mine found splinters and not become torn pomegranates, then threw different, got under a hand, stuff.

Prince V. Palej has been found in a sitting position and it is possible to assume, that after falling it had enough forces to sit down, i.e. it was still alive.

As between depth in 6 sazhen where corpses of prince V. Paleja and nun V.Jakovlevoj have been found, and depth in two sazhens where F.Remeza's corpse has been found, was available flight in 4 sazh., filled with different stuff and the ground which filling needed a lot of time and works, it is possible to assume, that between murderers and the footman Conducted. Prince F. Remezom any negotiations have gone, and only at the last minute murderers have decided to finish off unfortunate. It has been thrown in mine alive. Its corpse has been found out with the bandage broken from eyes.

The presence of corpses on different depth has caused on a place many senses. Assumed, that all victims have been thrown simultaneously and them then have started to fall asleep and desert different stuff, and unfortunate on a measure nabrasyvanija there boards, columns and the ground, clambered up, and stronger have reached even dvuhsazhennoj depth. But this version needs to be considered improbable. First, the victim with a bullet wound in a head could not rise on height even in half-sazhens, and, secondly, medical survey kolchakovskih authorities has established death “ followed in many cases instantly ” » [12].

« According to the persons participating in extraction of bodies from mine, – told being in 1918-1919 the assistant by a civil part of the Supreme authorized Russian government on the Far East (a gene. D.L.Horvata) V.A.Gluharev, – only on a body of Grand duke Sergija Mihajlovicha was a bullet wound in a back part of a head in the bottom of a nape; all other tortured have been thrown in mine alive and have died of damages received at falling and for famine. The body of Great Princess Elizabeth Feodorovny in spite of the fact that all bodies were in mine within several months, has been found completely imperishable; on the person of Great Princess expression of a smile was kept, the right hand has been combined by a cross, as though blessing. The body of Prince John Konstantinovicha too has given in only partial and rather insignificant (in the field of a breast) to decay, all other bodies have undergone to a greater or lesser extent to decomposition » [13].

« Corpses were not spread out, – is readable in the historical information of 1931, – and consequently have been easily identified by people close knowing them. Pochivshie have been found in the clothes in which were in an imprisonment and had on itself personal papers, diaries and posthumous orders.

The physical examination made there and then on a place, and then and the medicolegal opening made on a cemetery, have established martyr death of victims. It was found out, that they continued to live in mine some more days and have died from bruises at falling and famine. In a throat of many of them the ground has been found out.

After opening a body pochivshih have been washed, dressed in pure white clothes and are put in the wooden coffins supplied inside with cases from roofing thin iron » [14].

Coffins have put in kladbishchenskuju church. There the clergy constantly made requiems, was read not covering psaltir.

18/31 October soborne (there were 13 archpriests and priests) have served a doleful night service. To people has come so many that the temple has not contained all come to say goodbye to the Most august strastoterptsami. The next morning, on October, 19 November, from Piously - Troitskogo cathedral of Alapaevsk populous religious procession (clergy, civil authorities, ìiðÿíå, soldiers of an educational battalion) has left. In kladbishchenskoj churches have served requiem. Having lifted coffins on ramena, with singing « Svjatyj My God » have incurred them all over again to Floor school (where contained the Most august prisoners); there have served to lithium, then – in a cathedral. Having served a doleful Liturgy, there have made burial service [15]. To people was even more, than on the eve: there has come set bogomoltsev from the next villages. « Many sobred violently, — hegumen Serafim recollected, and adds: — Here there was also one person from close to Great Princess [16], secretly watched all vital stages loved Great Strastoterpitsy » [17]. Under public singing « Svjatyj My God », sad perezvon bells and sounds of wind military music « Kohl is nice our Lord in Zion » coffins were are transferred in a crypt arranged in the southern party of an altar Piously - Troitskogo of a cathedral, an input in which have there and then immured a brick. The order about a place of burial was made by admiral A. V.Kolchak [18].

« With a regret I inform, – the English commissioner in Ekaterinburg sir Elliot cabled on November, 4, 1918 to Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Great Britain A.D.Balfuru, – about the notice received by me from Russian Joint Staff: after a capture on September, 29 Alapaevsk Russian armies have found bodies still so kept, that they could be learned. It were bodies of Great Princess Elizabeth Feodorovny and three Princes of the Imperial Surname of John, Konstantin and Igor Konstantinovichej, also bodies of Grand duke Sergija Mihajlovicha and one court lady [19] which name remained to unknown persons. They have been found at the bottom of mine in which they have been thrown undoubtedly alive. On them bombs which, however, have not become torn have been thrown.

The found bodies were pogrebeny with church ceremonies, at the presence of the big gathering of people. Believe, that Princess Serbian Elena is in Perm where she together with Serbskoju missieju has been taken out by bolsheviks at evacuation of Ekaterinburg » [20].

The train has gone on the east …

But also on death the enemy of a sort of human rest did not give bodies of Regal sufferers. To Alapaevsk again came nearer red. In June, 1919 there was a question on export of remains ubiennyh. It as emphasizes about has come to pass. Serafim (Smiths, 1873 †1959), « under special instruction Bozhiju » [1]. The hegumen together with brotherhood evacuated Serafimo-Alekseevskogo monastery Belogorskogo of the Piously-Nikolaev monastery was in Ekaterinburg. Here there was a residence at that time the commissions on investigation Ekaterinburg, Perm and Alapaevskogo murders of Regal Martyrs (general M.K.Diterihs, N.A.Sokolov and A.P.Kulikov [2]). General M.K.Diterihs promoted reception by hegumen Serafimom from the Supreme governor of admiral A. V.Kolchaka of the sanction to transportation of coffins [3].

Having plunged into the commodity car, from Alapaevsk about. Serafim has gone on July, 1/14, 1919. The way laid to Chita. The heat of civil war was.

« From Alapaevsk up to Tyumen, – it is readable in the special report of hegumen Serafima, – one went in the car with coffins of 10 days, keeping the inkognito, and nobody knew in an echelon, that I carry 8 coffins. It was the most difficult for I went without any documents on the right of travel, and to show the authorization it was impossible, for then I would be detained by local bolsheviks, which as worms, teemed by the railway. When I have arrived to Ishim where there was a Rate of the Commander-in-chief it has not believed me that it was possible to rescue bodies while the eyes has not made sure, looking in the car on coffins. It has glorified the God and was glad, for it was personally a pity to it to leave them on desecration impious. Here it has given me on the car an open sheet, as on a cargo of military purpose with which it was already easier to me to go and keep the inkognito. Danger in Omsk where examined all cars was coming still. But the God has here again carried by us for our car, contrary to rules, has passed without survey. Much was also other different dangers in a way, but everywhere for prays of Great Princess the God stored and has helped to reach Chita where has arrived on August, 16/29, 1919 safely. Here too malefactors had been arranged wreck, but our car was rescued on favour Bozhiej. […] From Alapaevsk up to Chita went 47 days. In spite of the fact that coffins were wooden and proceeded, the special putrid smell was not, and anybody, any person has not learned for this time that I carry in the car in which I went with two novices [4] whom has taken from Tyumen » [5].

Memoirs of the person going in the same train to which the car of hegumen Serafima has been fastened were kept. The officer of Imperial army A.J.Romanovsky, in 1930-1940-õ the teacher of mathematics in Liceum of prelate Nikolay in Harbin, has written down per 1972: « During my trip in teplushke to our freight train one more car has been fastened. At stations where there were stops, from it left behind boiled water monashki. All passengers have been intrigued – whom these monashki carry? But in the car accompanied started up nobody. But then appeared, – on hearings it was found out, that in this car carried bodies of killed Members of the Imperial Surname » [6].

There was a terrible heat. The iron roof of the car was strongly heated. Inokinja Serafima [7], from words of hegumen Serafima, has written down: « its Car moved together with front: will pass forward versts twenty five, and it will then be rolled away versts on fifteen, etc. Owing to the miss […] It constantly unhooked and fastened to different trains, in general promoting its promotion to a ultimate goal. Travel was prolonged three weeks, and it is impossible to imagine, that have had for this time about. Serafim and its two satellites which are seeing off the terrible cargo. From cracks of five coffins the liquid, rasprostranjavshaja an awful stench constantly exuded. The train frequently stopped among a field then they collected a grass and wiped her coffins. The liquid following from a coffin of Great Princess, smelt sweet, and they carefully collected her as a relic in butylochki » [8.] much later about. Serafim told igumenii Gefsimanskoj monasteries in Jerusalem to the mother the Barbarian, that during all way Great Princess Elisaveta Feodorovna not time was and directed it [9].

Further inokinja Serafima recollected: « Shortly before the death it (hegumen Serafim — With. Ô.) Has presented me puzyrek with ashes of Great Princess. Contents puzyrka represent itself dried up weight of the dark brown color settled approximately up to half butylochki. The fuse which has become impregnated with a liquid, ssohlas and any more does not close densely butylochku. A neck obvjazano trjapochkoj the same dark brown color, and all butylochka is wound another trjapochkoj, covered same pjatnami. All this issues very pleasant, sharp-spicy fragrance not similar on any smell which to me ever should be smelt. Despite of the tenderness and a subtlety, it is a smell very much penetrating as passes through nylon meshochek in which I butylochku with trjapochkami have turned. She costs at me on a shelf before images where the icon lamp always burns. From time till time the smell varies a little, is exact in structure prevail alternately that, other aromatic substances. Certainly, I do not allow itself to touch frequently to butylochke but only I am put to it in day of anniversary ubienija Great Princess as to relics or I blow off from it a dust » [10].

In Chita

17/30 August of a body of martyrs arrived to Chita. Russian and Japanese officers have delivered them in a female monastery. « In Chita, – hegumen Serafim wrote, – with assistance of ataman Semenova of [1] and Japanese military authorities coffins in deep secret are transported in Pokrovsky female a monastery, where 6 months in kellii under a floor, in which I this time of veins » [2.] rested (Most likely the question was about Chita Bogoroditskom a female monastery. This monastery was in the city, one temple there was. It is founded in 1893 from the female community based in 1886. Naselnitsy it were engaged in education of girls-orphans, mainly from a ministry, and prizreniem sick and crippled. At a monastery there was tserkovno-prihodskaja a school.)

Sister Prepodobnomuchenitsy princess Victoria wrote to brother Ernest on January, 27, 1921 from Port Saida, referring on told to it hegumen Serafimom: « the Monk has told to me, that when coffins should be hidden for some months before they could leave Siberia, they have been hidden in a female monastery where them have opened as it was necessary; and our Ella's body has not been subjected to decay, only has dried up. Nuns have washed it and have changed funeral clothes on a monastic attire. And thus, she now is dressed how she wanted to be, as she always gathered, as she spoke me earlier, completely to leave from ìiðà and to finish the days as the nun, — after its House (the Marfo-Mariinsky monastery — With. Ô.) would be finally arranged » [3].

Later, when in 1981, before glorification, tombs Prepodobnomuchenits opened in Jerusalem « their power appeared oblachennymi in black monastic clothes, and on a breast at over the martyress of Great Princess have been found out paramannyj a cross » [4]. That paramannyj the cross was on relics of one Great Princess, — not accident. As it became known recently from memoirs shimonahini Annas (Tepljakovoj), Great Princess Elisaveta Feodorovna has been secretly cut in shimu with Alex's name in honour of prelate Moscow Alex [5].

Times were restless. Around there were many spies of bolsheviks. Having removed boards of a floor given to it kellii, hegumen Serafim together with novices have dug a superficial tomb, having made in a number all eight coffins, prisypav them from above a small layer of the ground. In this kellii as the vigilant guard, stayed also itself about. Serafim. « Here, — as he said, — the pray was made, jets kadilnogo fragrances proceeded and the unextinguishable icon lamp » [6] flickered.

The assistant to inspector N.A.Sokolova captain P.P.Bulygin who has arrived together with investigatory group to Chita in the autumn of 1919, recollected: « Day two later after our arrival the Sokolov, Gramotin and I have paid a visit to a monastery where as we knew, have found the time haven of a body of victims of Alapaevsk. Us has accepted igumenija which informed us politely, but it is firm, that without the permission of ataman Semenova she is not ready to discuss this theme. […] Then we have asked about the hegumen of the Perm monastery, father Serafime who as it was known, has received a shelter in a monastery after its own monastery has come into the hands of bolsheviks. The nun has again refused to answer. […]

Some days after the Ataman have returned to Chita […] Simeons has accepted me very politely, has seen my credentials, promised to render the Sokolov any help and has given the order igumenii obezpechit us all necessary information. […]

Having received the sanction of ataman Semenova, we already have without effort found out a site of father Serafima. I have lead many hours per it kellii and at all time spent the night there. Those nights in monastic walls distances completely unusual experiences ìiðñêîìó to the inhabitant. I never shall forget those old, as ìið, wooden structures opposite to a pine wood and those blue ostrovkov the snows, filled with a moonlight on a monastic cemetery, with sharp shadows of crosses and pines. Father Serafim has very in detail told that itself knew about destiny of captives, about funeral, about eksgumatsii and perezahoronenii their ph. Coffins, it has told, have been transported in a monastery by Russian and Japanese officers. Father Serafim and two its novices have dug out a crypt under its floor kellii, have put in a number coffins, having covered them all on one quarter the ground. Thus, spending the night on razostlannoj on a floor kellii father Serafima of an overcoat, I laid all on a quarter above coffins of martyrs.

Once at night I have woken up and have found out the monk, sitting on edge of the bed … it looked thin and emaciated in the long white shirt and muffledly whispered: “ Yes, yes, your Highnes, you are completely right … ” Father Serafim obviously talked in dream to Great Princess Elizabeth. It was the horrible picture in dim light of a unique icon lamp, flickering in a corner before an icon …

Falling asleep, I still heard its whisper: “ Yes, yes, your Highnes, you are completely right … ” » [7]

By the way speaking, it was not unique phenomenon Prepodobnomuchenitsy in the given monastery. Staying in Chita in the autumn of 1919 or right at the beginning of 1920 bishop (subsequently metropolitan) Nestor Kamchatka has told about one of such phenomena to the grand daughter of the martyr of metropolitan Serafima (CHichagova) – to nun Pjuhtitskogo of monastery Serafime (the Reason, 1883†1963). The story of last about it, written down by nun Sergiej (Klimenko, 1905†1994) was kept: « … Metropolitan Nestor has arrived to Chita, city on border with China therefrom to emigrate. It served on the native land last Liturgy in a cathedral where secretly, under spudom, were pogrebeny bodies Alapaevskih of martyrs. But about it anybody, except for the prior, did not know. During fulfilment of a small input all of the cleric leave an altar on the middle of a temple with the Gospel, candles, dikiriem, trikiriem, ripidami. Metropolitan Nestor costs in the middle a temple on prepared for it amvone. At this time the Lord sees, how from left pridela, alive, Elizabeth Feodorovna leaves. Prays pred an altar and to last approaches to it. It blesss her. Everyone exchange glances. Whom does it bless? An empty place? Anybody sees nothing. “ The lord, a small input! ” But lord Nestor hears nobody. Joyful, shining, it enters into an altar. In the end impoverish speaks the prior: “ That you hide? Elizabeth Fedorovna is alive! All a lie! ” Then the prior has begun to cry. “ What there is alive! She lays under spudom. There eight coffins ” . But the Lord does not trust: “ I saw its alive!.. ” » [8]

In the meantime under a pressure red white receded. Soon in Chita there was a court of inquiry. General M.K.Diterihs has disposed to take out bodies of martyrs further, to China. But it was easy to specify. The matter is that the authority of admiral A. V.Kolchaka came to an end behind borders of Russian empire. Were necessary money, and they were not.

Hegumen Serafim does not mention this problem in the report. However its presence is abundantly clear if to take into account duration of its stay in Chita – the whole half-year.

Thus deciding help for transportation Alapaevskih of the Most august martyrs rendered Maria Mihajlovna Semenova-Glebov – on one data dissolved the spouse, and on another – the thrown mistress of ataman G.M.Semenova. Authoritativeness her was tested on itself by inspector N.A.Sokolov when atamansha has undertaken a role zashchitnitsy daughter G.E.Rasputina – Matreny [9].

To an arrival time to Chita of remains Alapaevskih of martyrs G.M.Semenov has left Maria Mihajlovnoj, having given a compensation as gold ingots. (the Theme atamanskogo gold recently also has found reflection in historical researches [10].)

Her named "Masha - tsygankoj", "Mashkoj-SHaraban". Its maiden surname was, by an inscription on a sepulchral monument, Votcher (Vatchare), she was born on May, 11, 1897 in Temir-Han-SHura, on Caucasus. Spoke and wrote about it differently. Converged that she possessed a uncommon exterior. New wife Semenova who has replaced Maria Mihajlovnu (the typist from its personal office) has allowed people close to the ataman to notice in "Masha - tsyganke" rejected by him already « the kind person » [11].

This last quality has found expression in Maria Mihajlovny's participation in the further speed up Alapaevskih martyrs. This history was told by archimandrite Spiridon (Yefimov, 1902†1984) which father taught at school at the House of diligence in Kronstadt. St. just about. John Kronshtadtsky was the friend of family of Yefimovs.

So, by words about Spiridona, in reply to the request of hegumen Serafima « chitintsy sympathized, but could not help. To imitate nizhegorodtsam “ zakladyvavshim wives and children ” it would not be desirable. Someone has advised to address to "Mashke-SHaraban", – she, say, nice. […] Here to it the brought relics also were directed. Have told about a met obstacle. "Mashka-SHaraban" has brought come to a case, has opened it and speaks: "Look". Podoshedshie have seen in a case gold bricks. "Mashka-SHaraban" has explained, that she has received it from the ataman when that got divorced from it. […] Having shown them, them vladelitsa has told, that by means of them she undertakes to finance perevoz sacred remains on the foreign railway. It is possible to pay off with gold everywhere » [12].

With hegumen Serafimom Maria Mihajlovna has reached all over again Beijing, and then has gone and to the Sacred Earth. In Beirut she has got acquainted with the son of Khan Gusejna Nakhichevan (1863-1919 [13], become famous for the fidelity to Sovereign to Emperor in tragical days of March, 1917, the lieutenant of Horse guards Khan George Nahichevanskim. Maria Mihajlovna began to be called since then hanuma Maria Nahichevanskaja. « For all she accomplished renumerates she Predivnym by the Lord! » [14] – its knowing archimandrite Spiridon wrote personally.

The god has blessed marriage by two boys becoming subsequently officers of the Egyptian royal army. Khan peacefully pochil in Beirut where was pogreben on an orthodox cemetery. Hanuma Maria has died on January, 16, 1974 in Cairo. Was pogrebena in Old city on a cemetery of the Greek orthodox monastery of St.. George [15].

Across China

Support to hegumen Serafimu on a way from Chita to Beijing rendered also ataman G.M.Semenov.

« In a kind of forthcoming danger, – it is spoken in the report of hegumen Serafima, – with assistance of the Commander-in-chief by all armed forces of Russian East Surburb of the general-lieutenant of ataman Grigory Mihajlovicha Semenova, all 8 coffins from Chita are taken out by me on February, 20 March, 1920 General Diterihs has allowed me the new official authorization to store coffins, to find him a place of time rest and, under a favorable condition, in due time to return with them to Russia.

Up to an item. Hajlar I have reached without any protection, inkognito, safely. Here the authority passed to some days to bolsheviks who have grasped my car, have opened John Konstantinovicha's coffin and wanted to make above all nadruganie. But I managed to ask quickly the Chinese commander armies which has immediately sent the armies which have selected the car during that moment when they opened the first coffin. Since this moment I with coffins was under protection of the Chinese and Japanese military authorities which have was kind rather, protected me on a place and during a way up to Beijing … » [1]

« Arrival of a train on an item. Hajlar, – specified Belgrad “ the Imperial bulletin ” , – has coincided with strikes in a right-of-way East-Chinese zhel. Roads. Rising have grasped the car with coffins, have illegally opened it and have started opening coffins. The blasphemy was limited to one coffin of Prince John Konstantinovicha as the Chinese armies had time to beat off the car which from that time was under ohranoju the Japanese armies » [2].

Last days February – coffins with bodies of Martyrs stayed at station Manchuria and in Hajlare. In the beginning of March they arrived to Harbin. Here they were met by bishop Kamchatka Nestor (Anisimov), that later to it has been put in fault by bodies of the Soviet state security [3]. Here there has arrived last Imperial envoy in China prince Nikolay Aleksandrovich Kudashev (mind. 1925), telling later: « As to the official, me it was necessary to go to Harbin that them to identify and make the report. Difficultly to itself to present horror which to me should be tested: bodies killed have lain the whole year in mine. […] After the arrival to Harbin bodies are able to full decomposition – everything, except for Great Princess who was completely imperishable. Coffins have opened and have put in Russian church. When I have come in it, it be not become feel unwell with me nearly, and then there was a strong vomitting. Great Princess laid as alive and has not changed at all since that day as I before departure to Beijing said goodbye to it in Moscow, only on one party of the person was big krovopodtek from impact at falling in mine » [4]. About krovopodteke on person Prepodobnomuchenitsy hegumen Serafim, having heard the story of prince Kudasheva transferred to it, has noticed: « At it has been broken nosik, but I have set it to arrival of the envoy » [5].

The train has left Harbin on April, 8. The following stop has been made in Mukden which have left on April, 13.

Beijing

« On April, 8, 1920, – metropolitan Chinese and Beijing Innokenty [1] (Figurovsky) recollected, – I had been unexpectedly received from the Orenburg archbishop Mefodija [2] of Harbin the telegram of the following maintenance: “ On Saturday in the evening from Harbin we leave for time burial in Mission of bodies of eight tortured Grand dukes: hegumen Serafim accompanies. Have a kind feeling to dispose to meet at station and to resolve burial in Mission ” .

This telegram has been immediately informed to the Russian envoy in Beijing kn. Kudashevu which have been indignant of that without any relations with it Conducted remains. Princes have been directed to Beijing. The envoy then has expressed against perevezenija remains to Beijing and has given the order to detain the car with them in Mukden where there is fine a monument-chapel and whence it is easier to transport coffins to Europe or in other safe place. But on April, 13, for the third day of St.. Easter, the telegram from a way from hegumen Serafima in which it informed has been received, that together with remains this day leaves Mukden to Beijing. I have again addressed in embassy with inquiry, but have received therefrom flat refusal to accept any participation in a meeting and the device of remains of Regal martyrs. I of anything else did not need as to notify the commandant of the Beijing fortress on expected arrival of coffins with bodies of Grand dukes and their burial in misijskom a crypt which is taking place in the center of an arrangement of Mission. But next day the commandant of a fortress by phone informed me, that the Russian embassy not only against a meeting, but even against remains Conducted. Princes have been brought in capital.

It was necessary to obey strange counteraction of embassy and to arrange burial on misijskom a cemetery in 2 versts from Beijing » [3].

Such reaction of the envoy still Imperial time was, probably, is caused by an accessory of prince N. A.Kudasheva to Masonic lodge [4].

As if to grave Alapaevskih of martyrs (outside of city walls) in those days the interdiction of the Chinese authorities to bring dead bodies to Beijing [5] still operated.

At last on April, 3/16, 1920, on Light Friday in two o'clock in the morning coffins with bodies Alapaevskih of martyrs arrived to the Chinese capital.

It is exactly in eight o'clock in the morning this day the car with 8 coffins Alapaevskih of martyrs has been sent to Andinmenskim to a gate. There they were expected already by archbishop Innokenty (Figurovsky) with the religious procession which has left early in the morning from territory of Mission is direct from a temple of All Sacred Martyrs. From the diplomats in advance warned, anybody has not come …

Here is how all this was described subsequently by metropolitan Innokenty: « on April, 16, on Easter Friday, in 2 o'clock in the morning the car with coffins has arrived on the main station of of Beijing; and at 8 o'clock has been transferred on a platform at Andinmynskih a gate. Here arrival of the car with remains of Grand dukes was waited with religious procession from Spiritual Mission led by me. Anybody from representatives of the Russian embassy on a meeting was not. Absence of Russian residents, living in Beijing rushed [to eyes] also. Even some ecclesiastics, living within the precincts of Mission, tried to evade from a meeting, but under threat of eviction from Mission have been compelled to take part. But was Chinese much.

Day was gave out silent and solar. The train has slowly approached to a platform and has stopped. We have come in the car and have been struck. The car with remains of Regal martyrs appeared the simple commodity car, dirty, not removed even inside. Coffins were simple wooden and dirty. It was not visible any display of respect for remains of martyrs. In the car there was no analoja, an icon. All this made depressing impression. It became a shame to all with those who has admitted such negligence.

Depressed with all seen, we have tried to bear somewhat quicker coffins from the car and accompanied by religious procession to transfer them to church prep. Serafima Sarovsky on misijskom a cemetery.

But when coffins with remains of Regal martyrs have been brought in church and when singing troparja “ Yes was distributed will revive the God ” , our mood has sharply changed and on soul it became joyful. It was trusted, that the Lord will not admit final destruction of Russia, and Russia again vosstanet in former greatness and power, slavja Revived of Dead » [6].

After a requiem of a body of martyrs temporarily have placed in one of crypts on a cemetery of Spiritual mission.

One of the first communiques about this event in Russian emigre press (the truth, not absolutely exact: in it the desire obelit embassy is completely obvious) has been placed in magazine « Two-headed Orel » in section "Chronicle":

« Agency Union informs from Vladivostok from September, 15, that from Harbin to the profit seven coffins which were predany to the ground on the Russian cemetery located outside of feature of mountains. Beijing. Burial has been accomplished in full secret, and even Russian mission has not been notified on it. In four coffins bodies rasstreljannyh Sergey Mihajlovicha, Ivan and Igor Konstantinovichej's Grand dukes and Great Princess Elizabeth Feodorovny have been placed. In three other coffins remains of Their confidants. These coffins on an order of admiral Kolchaka have been transported from Siberia. During the last bolshevitskogo their approaches had time to take away and deliver to the Chinese territory » [7].

« Under my request, – hegumen Serafim wrote, – ataman Semenov has given means suit in church under amvonom a crypt, just as in Vilne in Piously - Duhovskom monastery, – with iron doors where all have been put 8 coffins; keys from a crypt were stored at me and the crypt behind my press » [8].

Monument of cares of ataman G.M.Semenova about rest Alapaevskih of martyrs is the document published in due time – Grigory Mihajlovicha's answer to the letter of thanks about. Serafima:

« The commander-in-chief

All armed forces

Russian East surburb

May 13 days 1920.

Chita

Dear father Serafim.

Your letter has received and with velikoju pleasure and sincere simplification has learned, that, at last, the Lord the God has helped you to finish your great business if not with the end, up to safe item.

The general-major who has arrived from Beijing prince Tumbair-Malinovsky [9] about all in detail has informed me, though I for a minute and before did not doubt, that Preosvjashchennyj Innokenty, on a duty of faithful fidelity and Christian love, accords worthy welcome and great honour to remains of the Most august Martyrs; reception in Beijing to all former true Imperial servants let exemplifies.

For assistance on all necessary questions and for prisutstvovanija from my name, in the further support, to Russia, remains of the Most august Martyrs I komandiruju together with sim to Beijing the general-major of prince Tumbair-Malinovsky.

I ask you to remember me in the sacred prays

Respecting Vas SIMEONS » [10].

« … Coffins, – the contemporary wrote, – have been tied up a cross on a cross provolokoju with the appendix of press of the Russian Spiritual Mission, enclosed in new zinc coffins and put in church in the name of Saint Serafima Sarovsky […]. On covers of coffins metal plates with names pochivshih are attached: "Elizabeth", "Sergy", "John", "Konstantin", "Igor", "Vladimir", "Barbarian", "Feodor" » [11].

In 1920 in Beijing in Russian printing house at Spiritual mission two books have left about. Serafima: « the Orthodox Tsar-martyr » and « Martyrs of the Christian debt » (about Alapaevskih martyrs). The same year in Harbin the book telling about TSareubijstve in Ekaterinburg and members At home of Romanovs near Alapaevsk [12] was issued.

The first, under the certificate of metropolitan Beijing Innokentija, interest to Alapaevskim to martyrs was shown by foreign diplomats: « After burial of remains of martyrs nobody showed long time of any signs on attention. Only a few months later on a cemetery have arrived the first secretary of English embassy accompanied by the Russian envoy kn. Kudasheva. Arrival of the specified persons has been caused by the order received from London about perevezenii bodies of Great Princess Elizabeth Feodorovny to Jerusalem where it subsequently with its body poslushnitsy Barbarians and has been transported.

Much later the inquiry from Belgrade has been received through the French embassy about in what position there are remains of Regal martyrs and whether it will be more safe to transport them on the French cemetery. The idea on transferring coffins on the French cemetery however has been left, as the French cemetery was in the same position, as Russian misijskoe » [13].

To read further: Alapayevsk martyrs. A part II