The name of Emperor Alexander III, one of the greatest statesmen Russia, for many years it was desecrated and forgotten. And only in recent decades, when it became possible to speak unbiasedly and freely about the past, evaluate the present and think about the future, the public service of the emperor Alexander III is of great interest to all who are interested in the history of their country.

Emperor Alexander III was not intended to reign by birth. As the second son of Alexander II, he became heir to the Russian throne only after the untimely death of his elder brother Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich in 1865. Then, on April 12, 1865, the Supreme Manifesto announced to Russia the proclamation of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich as the heir-Tsesarevich, and a year later the Tsarevich married the Danish princess Dagmar, who was married to Maria Fedorovna.

On the anniversary of his brother’s death on April 12, 1866, he wrote in his diary: “I will never forget this day ... the first funeral service over the body of a dear friend ... I thought in those moments that I would not survive my brother, that I would constantly cry just at the mere thought that I no longer have a brother and friend. But God strengthened me and gave me the strength to take on my new assignment. Maybe I often forgot in the eyes of others my purpose, but in my soul there was always this feeling that I should not live for myself, but for others; heavy and difficult duty. But: "Thy will be done, O God". I repeat these words all the time, and they always console and support me, because everything that happens to us is all the will of God, and therefore I am calm and trust in the Lord! Awareness of the gravity of obligations and responsibility for the future of the state, entrusted to him from above, did not leave the new emperor throughout his short life.

The educators of the Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich were Adjutant General, Count V.A. Perovsky, a man of strict moral rules, appointed by his grandfather Emperor Nicholas I. The education of the future emperor was in charge of the well-known economist, professor of Moscow University A.I. Chivilev. Academician Ya.K. Grotto taught Alexander history, geography, Russian and German languages; prominent military theorist M.I. Dragomirov - tactics and military history, CM. Solovyov - Russian history. The future emperor studied political and legal sciences, as well as Russian legislation, under K.P. Pobedonostsev, who had a particularly great influence on Alexander. After graduation, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich repeatedly traveled around Russia. It was these trips that laid in him not only love and the foundations of a deep interest in the fate of the Motherland, but formed an understanding of the problems facing Russia.

As heir to the throne, the Tsarevich participated in meetings of the State Council and the Committee of Ministers, was chancellor of the University of Helsingfors, ataman Cossack troops, commander of the guards in St. Petersburg. In 1868, when Russia suffered a severe famine, he stood at the head of a commission formed to provide assistance to the victims. During Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 he commanded the Ruschuk detachment, which played an important and difficult tactical role: he held back the Turks from the east, facilitating the actions of the Russian army, which besieged Plevna. Understanding the need to strengthen the Russian fleet, the Tsesarevich addressed an ardent appeal to the people for donations to the Russian fleet. In a short time the money was raised. Vessels of the Volunteer Fleet were built on them. It was then that the heir to the throne became convinced that Russia had only two friends: its army and navy.

He was interested in music, fine arts and history, was one of the initiators of the creation of the Russian Historical Society and its chairman, was engaged in collecting collections of antiquities and restoring historical monuments.

The government formed with the participation of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod K.P. Pobedonostsev, focused on strengthening the "traditionalist" principles in politics, economics and culture Russian Empire. In the 80s - mid 90s. a series of legislative acts appeared that limited the nature and actions of those reforms of the 60-70s, which, according to the emperor, did not correspond to the historical destiny of Russia. Trying to prevent the destructive power of the opposition movement, the emperor imposed restrictions on zemstvo and city self-government. The elective beginning in the magistrate's court was reduced, in the districts the execution of judicial duties was transferred to the newly established zemstvo chiefs.

At the same time, steps were taken to develop the state's economy, strengthen finances and carry out military reforms, and resolve agrarian-peasant and national-religious issues. The young emperor also paid attention to the development of the material well-being of his subjects: he founded the Ministry of Agriculture to improve Agriculture, established noble and peasant land banks, with the assistance of which nobles and peasants could acquire land property, patronized domestic industry (by raising customs duties on foreign goods), and by building new canals and railways, including through Belarus, contributed to the revival of the economy and trade.

Public policy in Belarus it was dictated, first of all, by the unwillingness of the “violent breaking of the historically established order of life” of the local population, the “violent eradication of languages” and the desire to ensure that “foreigners become modern sons, and not remain the eternal adoptives of the country”. It was at this time that the general imperial legislation, the administrative-political administration and the education system finally established themselves in the Belarusian lands. At the same time, the authority of the Orthodox Church rose.

In foreign policy affairs, Alexander III tried to avoid military conflicts, so he went down in history as the "Tsar-Peacemaker". The main direction of the new political course was to ensure Russian interests through the search for reliance on "themselves." Having approached France, with which Russia had no controversial interests, he concluded a peace treaty with her, thus establishing an important balance between the European states. Another extremely important policy direction for Russia was the preservation of stability in Central Asia, shortly before the reign of Alexander III, which became part of the Russian Empire. The borders of the Russian Empire pr him advanced to Afghanistan. In this vast space was laid Railway, connecting the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea with the center of Russian Central Asian possessions - Samarkand and the river. Amu Darya. In general, Alexander III persistently strove for the complete unification of all the outskirts with native Russia. To this end, he abolished the Caucasian governorship, destroyed the privileges of the Baltic Germans and forbade foreigners, including Poles, to acquire land in Western Russia, including Belarus.

The emperor also worked hard to improve military affairs: the Russian army was significantly enlarged and armed with new weapons; several fortresses were built on the western border. The navy under him became one of the strongest in Europe.

Parochial schools were extremely important in the era of Alexander III. The emperor saw in the parish school one of the forms of cooperation between the State and the Church. The Orthodox Church, in his opinion, from time immemorial has been the educator and teacher of the people. For centuries, schools at churches were the first and only schools in Russia, including Belaya. Until the half of the 60s. XIX century, almost exclusively priests and other members of the clergy were mentors in rural schools. On June 13, 1884, the "Rules on parish schools" were approved by the emperor. Approving them, the emperor wrote in his report about them: “I hope that the parish clergy will prove worthy of their high calling in this important matter.” Parish schools began to open in many places in Russia, often in the most remote and remote villages. Often they were the only source of education for the people. At the accession to the throne of Emperor Alexander III, there were only about 4,000 parish schools in the Russian Empire. In the year of his death, there were 31,000 of them and over a million boys and girls were studying in them.

Along with the number of schools, their position also strengthened. Initially, these schools were based on church funds, on the funds of church brotherhoods and trustees and individual benefactors. Later, the state treasury came to their aid. To manage all parochial schools, a special school council was formed under the Holy Synod, publishing textbooks and literature necessary for education. Taking care of the parochial school, the emperor realized the importance of combining the foundations of education and upbringing in the public school. This upbringing, protecting the people from the harmful influences of the West, the emperor saw in Orthodoxy. Therefore, Alexander III was especially attentive to the parish clergy. Before him, the parish clergy of only a few dioceses received support from the treasury. Under Alexander III, a vacation was started from the treasury of sums to provide for the clergy. This order laid the foundation for improving the life of the Russian parish priest. When the clergy expressed gratitude for this undertaking, he said: "I will be quite glad when I manage to provide for all the rural clergy."

Emperor Alexander III treated the development of higher and secondary education in Russia with the same care. During his short reign, Tomsk University and a number of industrial schools.

The king's family life was distinguished by impeccability. According to his diary, which he kept daily when he was his heir, one can study the daily life of an Orthodox person no worse than according to Ivan Shmelev's well-known book "The Summer of the Lord." True pleasure was given to Alexander III by church hymns and sacred music, which he put much higher than secular.

Emperor Alexander reigned thirteen years and seven months. Constant worries and intense studies broke his strong nature early: he became more and more unwell. Before the death of Alexander III, he confessed and communed St. John of Kronstadt. Not for a moment did the consciousness leave the king; saying goodbye to his family, he said to his wife: “I feel the end. Be calm. I am completely calm… “About half past 3 he took communion,” the new emperor Nicholas II wrote in his diary on the evening of October 20, 1894, “soon, slight convulsions began, ... and the end came quickly! Father John stood at the head of the bed for more than an hour, holding his head. It was the death of a saint!” Alexander III died in his Livadia Palace (in the Crimea), before reaching his fiftieth birthday.

The personality of the emperor and his significance for the history of Russia are rightly expressed in the following verses:

In the hour of turmoil and struggle, having ascended under the shadow of the throne,
He extended a mighty hand.
And the noisy sedition froze around.
Like a dying fire.

He understood Russia's spirit and believed in its strength,
Loved her space and expanse,
He lived like a Russian Tsar and he went down to the grave
Like a true Russian hero.

During the reign of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, the Russian Empire did not wage a single war. For maintaining the peace, the sovereign began to be called a PEACEKEEPER. He was a truly Russian, simple, honest and witty man, who captured a lot of popular expressions in history.

Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich in the uniform of the Ataman Life Guards Regiment.1867, Painter S. Zaryanko.

The sovereign had amazing strength, he was 193 cm tall and weighed almost 120 kg. He easily bent horseshoes and silver coins, lifted a large horse on his shoulders. At one of the gala dinners, which took place in the northern capital, the Austrian ambassador began to talk about the fact that the Austrian state was ready to form 3 corps of its soldiers against the Russian Empire. The emperor took a fork from the table and, tying it in a knot, threw it in his direction, with the words: “This is how I will do with your cases.” The story with the hulls ended there.

To prevent a new Balkan war from breaking out due to the ill-conceived policy of Bulgaria, which had just been liberated by Russia, Alexander III went for rapprochement with Turkey and calmed the situation in the Balkans. And the conclusion of an alliance between Russia and France prevented a new German-French military clash. First World War, in fact, was pushed back by more than twenty years. The grateful French built the Alexander III bridge in Paris, which is still a landmark of the French capital.

When the Russian Tsar fishes Europe is waiting. Artist P.V. Ryzhenko.

Alexander III had a strong dislike for liberalism. His words are known: "Our ministers ... would not have wondered about unrealizable fantasies and lousy liberalism." Many more episodes are known when Alexander gave birth to popular expressions. For example, when the minister who headed the foreign policy department of the state came running to the king during his fishing trip. He asked the king to receive an ambassador from one of Western states on a serious political issue. In response to a request, the emperor blurted out: "When the Russian Tsar is fishing, Europe can wait."

Alexander tried not to get involved in the affairs of foreign powers, but he didn’t allow to climb into his own lands either. A year after he began to rule, the Afghans succumbed to the false words of the British and decided to take away part of the lands that belonged to the empire. The sovereign immediately ordered: “Drive out and teach a lesson properly!”, This was done immediately. There was another historical moment when the British tried to harm Russia's interests in Afghanistan. Having learned about these intentions, Alexander went up to the table, which was made of solid stone, and hit it with such force that it scattered around. Then he said: “The whole treasury for the war!”.

Alexander III had no reverence for Europe. Firm and resolute, he was always ready to take on a challenge, and on every occasion made it clear that he was only interested in the well-being of Russia's 150 million people. European politicians have always given in to the firmness of the Emperor of Russia.

Reception of volost foremen by Alexander III in the courtyard of the Petrovsky Palace, I. Repin

During his reign, decisive steps were also taken to develop the state's economy, strengthen finances and resolve agrarian-peasant and national-religious issues. The process of unstoppable development of Russia began, which caused horror and wild hysteria of the enemies of our country, who directed all possible efforts to stop it and destroy Russia (the fifth column of liberal and socialist agents became their tool).

The emperor directed his efforts to ensure the material well-being of the people. The Ministry of Agriculture was founded to improve agriculture, the noble and peasant land banks were established, with the assistance of which it was possible to acquire landed property. Domestic industry received support, the domestic market was protected by a well-thought-out system of customs duties on foreign goods, and the construction of new water channels and railways ensured the most active development of the economy and trade.

Alexander III was a deeply believing Orthodox man and tried to do everything he considered necessary and useful for the Orthodox Church. Under him, church life noticeably revived: church brotherhoods began to operate more actively, societies for spiritual and moral readings and discussions arose, as well as for the fight against drunkenness. To strengthen Orthodoxy in the reign of Emperor Alexander III, monasteries were founded again or restored, churches were built, including with numerous and generous imperial donations.

Church in the name of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg, popularly called "The Savior on Spilled Blood" - the cathedral stands over the site of the mortal wound of the SovereignAlexander II.

During the 13-year reign, 5,000 churches were built with state funds and donated money. Of the churches erected at that time, they are remarkable for their beauty and inner splendor: the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg on the site of the mortal wound of Emperor Alexander II - the Tsar Martyr, the majestic church in the name of St. Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles in Kyiv, the cathedral in Riga. On the day of the coronation of the emperor, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, who guarded Holy Russia from the impudent conqueror, was solemnly consecrated in Moscow.

Iconostasis of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg.

Alexander III did not allow any modernization in Orthodox architecture and personally approved the projects of churches under construction. He zealously made sure that the Orthodox churches in Russia looked Russian, so the architecture of his time has pronounced features of a peculiar Russian style. He left this Russian style in churches and buildings as a legacy to the entire Orthodox world.

As S. Yu. Witte wrote,"Emperor Alexander III, having received Russia, at the confluence of the most unfavorable political conditions, deeply raised the international prestige of Russia without shedding a drop of Russian blood."

Even the Marquis of Salisbury, hostile to Russia, admitted:“Alexander III saved Europe many times from the horrors of war. According to his deeds, the sovereigns of Europe should learn how to manage their peoples.

French Foreign Minister Flourance said:“Alexander III was a true Russian Tsar, which Russia had not seen for a long time before him ... Emperor Alexander III wished that Russia was Russia, that it, first of all, be Russian, and he himself set the best examples of this. He showed himself the ideal type of a truly Russian person.

The personality of the emperor and his significance for the history of Russia are rightly expressed in the following verses:

In the hour of turmoil and struggle, having ascended under the shadow of the throne,
He extended a mighty hand.
And the noisy sedition froze around.
Like a dying fire.

He understood the spiritRussiaand believed in her strength,
Loved her space and expanse,
He lived like a Russian Tsar and he went down to the grave
Like a true Russian hero.

Information Service of the Ministry of Natural Resources

Based on the materials of the Internet channel
History of the Russian Empire.

On November 1, 1894, a man named Alexander died in the Crimea. He was called the Third. But in his deeds he was worthy to be called the First. Or maybe even the only one.

Reception of volost elders by Alexander III in the courtyard of the Petrovsky Palace in Moscow. Painting by I. Repin (1885-1886)

He was on the throne for thirteen and a half years and died 49 years old, having earned the title of "Tsar-Peacemaker" during his lifetime, since during his reign not a drop of Russian blood was shed on the battlefields ... It is about such kings that the current sighs monarchists. Perhaps they are right. Alexander III was truly great. Both human and emperor.

While the Russian Tsar is fishing, Europe can wait

However, some dissidents of that time, including Vladimir Lenin, quite evil joked on the emperor. In particular, they nicknamed him "Pineapple". True, Alexander himself gave a reason for this. In the manifesto "On Our Ascension to the Throne" dated April 29, 1881, it was clearly stated: "And on Us to impose a Sacred Duty." So when the document was read out, the king inevitably turned into an exotic fruit.

In fact, this is unfair and dishonest. Alexander was remarkable for his amazing strength. He could easily break a horseshoe. He could easily bend silver coins in the palm of his hand. I could lift a horse on my shoulders. And even make him sit like a dog - this is recorded in the memoirs of his contemporaries. At a dinner in the Winter Palace, when the Austrian ambassador started a conversation that his country was ready to form three corps of soldiers against Russia, he bent and tied a fork. Threw it towards the ambassador. And he said, "That's what I'll do with your hulls."

Heir Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich with his wife Tsarevich and Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, St. Petersburg, late 1860s

Height - 193 cm. Weight - more than 120 kg. It is not surprising that a peasant who accidentally saw the emperor on railway station, exclaimed: “This is the king, so the king, damn me!” The wicked peasant was immediately seized for "uttering indecent words in the presence of the sovereign." However, Alexander ordered the foul language to be released. Moreover, he rewarded him with a ruble with his own image: “Here is my portrait for you!”

What about his look? Beard? Crown? Remember the cartoon "Magic Ring"? “Ampirator drink tea. Motherly samovar! Each appliance of sieve bread has three pounds! It's all about him. He really could eat 3 pounds of sieve bread with tea, that is, about 1.5 kg.
At home, he liked to wear a simple Russian shirt. But always with sewing on the sleeves. He tucked his pants into boots, like a soldier. Even at official receptions, he allowed himself to go out in worn trousers, a jacket or a sheepskin coat.

His phrase is often repeated: "While the Russian Tsar is fishing, Europe can wait." In reality, it was like that. Alexander was very correct. But he loved fishing and hunting. Therefore, when the German ambassador demanded an immediate meeting, Alexander said: “Pecking! It pecks at me! Germany can wait. I'll take it tomorrow at noon."

Right in soul

During his reign, conflicts with Great Britain began.

Doctor Watson, the hero of the famous Sherlock Holmes novel, was wounded in Afghanistan. And, apparently, in battle with the Russians. There is a documented episode. The Cossack patrol detained a group of Afghan smugglers. With them were two Englishmen - instructors. The commander of the patrol, Yesaul Pankratov, shot the Afghans. And he ordered the British to be sent outside the Russian Empire. True, he had previously flogged them with whips.

At an audience with the British ambassador, Alexander said:
- I will not allow encroachment on our people and our territory.
The ambassador replied:
- This can cause an armed clash with England!
The king calmly remarked:
- Well, well ... Probably, we can do it.

And mobilized the Baltic Fleet. It was 5 times smaller than the forces that the British had at sea. And yet there was no war. The British calmed down and surrendered their positions in Central Asia.

After that, English Interior Minister Disraeli called Russia "a huge, monstrous, scary bear that hangs over Afghanistan, India. And our interests in the world."

Death of Alexander III in Livadia. Hood. M. Zichy, 1895

In order to list the affairs of Alexander III, we need not a newspaper page, but a scroll 25 meters long. Pacific Ocean gave a real way out - the Trans-Siberian Railway. He gave civil liberties to the Old Believers. He gave real freedom to the peasants - the former serfs under him got the opportunity to take solid loans, redeem their lands and farms. He made it clear that everyone is equal before the supreme power - he deprived some of the grand dukes of their privileges, reduced their payments from the treasury. By the way, each of them was entitled to a "allowance" in the amount of 250 thousand rubles. gold.

Indeed, one can yearn for such a sovereign. Alexander's older brother Nikolay(he died without ascending the throne) said about the future emperor: “Pure, truthful, crystal soul. There's something wrong with the rest of us, fox. Alexander alone is truthful and correct in soul.

In Europe, they spoke about his death in much the same way: "We are losing an arbitrator who has always been guided by the idea of ​​​​justice."

Acts of Alexander III

The emperor is credited, and, apparently, not without reason, with the invention of a flat flask. And not just flat, but bent, the so-called "boot". Alexander liked to drink, but did not want others to know about his addictions. A flask of this shape is ideal for secret use.

It is he who owns the slogan, for which now you can seriously pay: "Russia is for the Russians." Nevertheless, his nationalism was not aimed at the treatment of national minorities. In any case, the Jew-s-kai deputation, headed by Baron Gunzburg expressed to the emperor "boundless gratitude for the measures taken to protect the Jewish population at this difficult time."

The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway has begun - until now it is almost the only transport artery that somehow connects all of Russia. The Emperor also instituted the Railwayman's Day. The Soviet authorities did not cancel it either, despite the fact that Alexander set the date of the holiday for the birthday of his grandfather Nicholas I, under which we began to build railways.

Actively fought against corruption. Not in words, but in deeds. The Minister of Railways Krivoshein and the Minister of Finance Abaza were sent to a shameful resignation for bribes. He did not bypass his relatives either - they were deprived of their posts due to corruption Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich and Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich.
http://www.aif.ru/society/history/car-mirotvorec_aleksandr_iii_stal_obrazcom_pravilnogo_gosudarya

Let's expand on this short list a bit.

The tsar repeatedly told his associates and ministers that "officialdom is a force in the state, if it is kept in strict discipline." And indeed, under Alexander III, the administrative apparatus of the empire worked in a strict regime: the decisions of the authorities were strictly implemented, and the tsar personally monitored this. Inefficiency, neglect of official duties, he could not stand.

The emperor introduced an innovation unprecedented in Russia: he demanded that he be presented with a statement of all outstanding orders and decisions, indicating the persons responsible for them. This news greatly increased the "labor enthusiasm" of the bureaucracy, and red tape became much less. He was especially implacable towards those who used their official position for personal gain. There was no leniency towards such...

A little about the myth about "reaction"

In the era of the reign of Alexander III in Russia, strict administrative regulation of social life was maintained. Open opponents of state power were persecuted, arrested, and deported. Such facts existed both before and after Alexander III, however, in order to justify the immutable thesis about a certain "course of reaction", it is precisely the period of his reign that is often characterized as a particularly gloomy and hopeless period of history. Nothing of the sort has actually been observed.

Total for political crimes (for criminal acts in Russia death penalty did not exist) in the "reaction period" 17 people were executed. All of them either participated in the regicide, or prepared for it, and not one of them repented. In total, less than 4 thousand people were interrogated and detained for anti-state acts (almost fourteen years). Considering that the population of Russia then exceeded 120 million people, these data convincingly refute the stereotyped thesis about the "terror regime" that was allegedly established in Russia during the reign of Alexander III...
http://ruskline.ru/monitoring_smi/2007/04/13/aleksandr_iii_car_-mirotvorec

Parish schools began to open in many places in Russia, often in the most remote and remote villages. Often they were the only source of education for the people. At the accession to the throne of Emperor Alexander III, there were only about 4,000 parish schools in the Russian Empire. In the year of his death, there were 31,000 of them and more than a million boys and girls studied in them ... Emperor Alexander III treated the development of higher and secondary education in Russia with the same care. During his short reign, Tomsk University and a number of industrial schools were opened ...

Under him, church life noticeably revived: church brotherhoods began to operate more actively, societies for spiritual and moral readings and discussions arose, as well as for the fight against drunkenness. To strengthen Orthodoxy in the reign of Emperor Alexander III, monasteries were founded again or restored, churches were built, including with numerous and generous imperial donations. During his 13-year reign, 5,000 churches were built with state funds and donated money ...

Foreign policy

In foreign policy affairs, Alexander III tried to avoid military conflicts, so he went down in history as the "Tsar-Peacemaker". The main direction of the new political course was to ensure Russian interests through the search for reliance on "themselves." Having approached France, with which Russia had no controversial interests, he concluded a peace treaty with her, thus establishing an important balance between the European states. Another extremely important policy direction for Russia was the preservation of stability in Central Asia, which became part of the Russian Empire shortly before the reign of Alexander III. The borders of the Russian Empire advanced to Afghanistan. On this vast expanse, a railway was laid connecting the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea with the center of Russian Central Asian possessions - Samarkand and the river. Amu Darya.

In general, Alexander III persistently strove for the complete unification of all the outskirts with native Russia. To this end, he abolished the Caucasian governorship, destroyed the privileges of the Baltic Germans and forbade foreigners, including Poles, to acquire land in Western Russia, including Belarus ...

On March 10 (February 26, old style), 1845 - exactly 165 years ago - the following message was printed in the Vedomosti of the St. Petersburg City Police: " On February 26, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Tsesarevna and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna was successfully relieved of her burden by the Grand Duke, named Alexander. This happy event was announced to the inhabitants of the capital at three o'clock in the afternoon by three hundred and one cannon shots from the bastions. Peter and Paul Fortress, and in the evening the capital was illuminated". So the second son of Emperor Alexander II entered into life - Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich, who, by the will of fate, was destined to become Emperor of Russia Alexander III.

"In the whole world we have only two faithful allies - our army and navy. All the rest, at the first opportunity, will take up arms against us."

"Russia - for Russians and in Russian"

Alexander III

By God's hastening mercy, Alexander the Third, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Vladimir, Novgorod, Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Poland, Tsar of Siberia, Tsar of Tauric Chersonis, Tsar of Georgia; Sovereign of Pskov and Grand Duke of Smolensk, Lithuanian, Volyn, Podolsk and Finland; Prince of Estonia, Livonia, Courland and Semigalsky, Samogitsky, Belostoksky, Korelsky, Tversky, Yugorsky, Permsky, Vyatsky, Bulgarian and others; Sovereign and Grand Duke of Novgorod Nizovsky lands, Chernigov, Ryazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Beloozersky, Udora, Obdorsky, Kondia, Vitebsk, Mstislav and all Northern countries Princes and other hereditary Sovereign and Possessor, Sovereign of Turkestan, Heir of Norway, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn, Ditmarsen and Oldenburg and others, and others, and others

Later, contemporaries and descendants will call Alexander III the Tsar the Peacemaker: this is due to the fact that during his reign, Russia did not wage a single war. But not only this is his merit, for 13 years of his reign he managed to do a lot for Russia, for which the Russian people were grateful to him and considered him truly theirs. Enemies of Russia are still afraid and hate this Russian Tsar.

Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich in childhood

Zaryanko S.K. Portrait of Grand Duke Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich 1867
(State Russian Museum)

The family... the family from early childhood to the end of his life was the basis for Emperor Alexander III. " If there is something good, good and honest in Me, then I owe it only to our dear dear Mother ... Thanks to Mother, we, all brothers and Marie, became and remained true Christians and fell in love with both faith and the Church ... "(from a letter of Emperor Alexander III to his wife Maria Feodorovna). Empress Maria Alexandrovna raised Alexander as a deeply religious and decent person with strong moral principles. He also owes her love for art, Russian nature, history. Alexander's education began at the age of eight and lasted twelve years. The obligatory list of lessons was as follows: the Law of God, world history, Russian history, mathematics, geography, Russian language, gymnastics, fencing, languages, etc. The teachers were the best people of Russia: historian Professor S. M. Solovyov, philologist - Slavic professor F. I. Buslaev, academician Ya. K. Grot, the creator of Russian classical orthography, General M. I. Dragomirov., Professor K. P. Pobedonostsev. Alexander considered M. Yu. Lermontov his favorite poet, knew German, French and English languages, but in communication he used only Russian.

Jokers... the famous Romanov pyramid

In the photo: Prince Albert of Altenburg, Grand Duke Alexander, his brother Vladimir and Prince Nicholas of Leuchtenberg

But still the boy was mainly prepared for military career and it was not supposed that he would rule the state. On the day of his birth, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich, by the Highest Order, was enrolled in the Life Guards Hussars, Preobrazhensky and Pavlovsky regiments and was appointed chief of the Astrakhan Carabinieri His Imperial Highness Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich Regiment. But ... in April 1865 in Nice, the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich, dies from a serious illness and the century-old Prince Alexander Alexandrovich, according to the will of Emperor Alexander II, becomes heir to the throne.

Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna and Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich

Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich Photo 1873

Khudoyarov V.P. Portrait of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich

Unknown artist Portrait of Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna 1880

Mihai Zichy Wedding of Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich and Maria Feodorovna

On October 28, 1865, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich entered into marriage with the fiancée of his elder brother Nikolai Alexandrovich, the daughter of the Danish king Christian IX, Dagmar, who adopted the name Maria Feodorovna in Orthodoxy. This marriage was happy, six children were born in love, although the fate of some was very tragic.

Sverchkov N. Alexander III 1881

(State Palace-Museum of Tsarskoye Selo)

Communion of the Holy Mysteries by Sovereign Emperor Alexander III during the coronation 1883

Alexander Alexandrovich ascended the throne on March 14 (March 1, according to the old style), 1881, 36 years old, after the villainous murder of Alexander II by Narodnaya Volya. The coronation took place on May 28 (May 15, old style), 1883, after the end of mourning for his father. And immediately it was necessary to solve important state affairs, and one of them was the one that his father did not have time to complete. Dane Beshorn, author of "Allexandre III et Nicolas II" says: "... Not a single monarch ascended the throne under such circumstances as Emperor Alexander III. Before he had time to recover from the first horror, he immediately had to resolve the most important, most urgent matter - the project presented by Count Loris-Melikov constitution, allegedly approved already in principle by Emperor Alexander II.At first glance, Emperor Alexander III wanted to fulfill the last will of his parent, but his inherent prudence stopped him".

Kramskoy I. N. Portrait of Alexander III 1886

The reign of Alexander III was tough, but tough on those who wanted to destroy Russia. At the very beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander III, it was announced: " The voice of God commands us to stand up cheerfully for the cause of government in the hope of the Divine Thought, with faith in the strength and truth of autocratic power, which we are called upon to establish and protect for the good of the people from any encroachments on it."By the mid-1880s, the government succeeded in suppressing the revolutionary movement, primarily the People's Will, through repressions. At the same time, a number of measures were taken to alleviate the financial situation of the people and alleviate social tension in society (the introduction of mandatory redemption and a reduction in redemption payments , the establishment of the Peasant Land Bank, the introduction of factory inspection, the gradual abolition of the poll tax, etc.) Under Alexander III, Russia received the right to keep a fleet on the Black Sea, but the fleet did not exist, it appeared there only after the death of Emperor Alexander III.

Dmitriev-Orenburgsky N. Portrait of Emperor Alexander III 1896

Family of Emperor Alexander III

Alexander III was a connoisseur of art, very well versed in painting and had a good collection of Russian and foreign art. On the initiative of the Sovereign, the Russian Museum was opened in St. Petersburg. Officially it was called "The Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander III". The sovereign donated his collection, as well as the collection of Russian paintings of the Imperial Hermitage, to the new museum. The Museum of Fine Arts (now the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow) was also named in honor of Emperor Alexander III. Alexander III loved music, played the French horn, patronized P. I. Tchaikovsky, he himself participated in home concerts. Under him, the first university in Siberia was opened - in Tomsk, a project was prepared for the creation of the Russian Archaeological Institute in Constantinople, and the famous Historical Museum in Moscow was founded.

Serov V.A. Emperor Alexander III in the form of the Royal Danish Life Guards Regiment against the background of the northern facade of Fredensborg Castle 1899

(Collection of the officer corps of the Royal Danish Life Guards)

As a person, Alexander III was simple, modest and unpretentious in everyday life, he did not like secular conversations and receptions. He was distinguished by frugality. The emperor was distinguished by his enormous physical strength. Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, daughter of the emperor, recalled: " The father had the power of Hercules, but he never showed it in the presence of strangers. He said that he could bend a horseshoe and tie a spoon into a knot, but he did not dare to do this, so as not to arouse the wrath of his mother. Once, in his office, he bent and then straightened an iron poker. I remember how he glanced at the door, fearing that someone would come in..

Makarov I.K. Sermon on the Mount 1889

(the picture depicts the family of Alexander III and was painted after the tragedy in Borki)

During the tragic events at the Borki station of the Zmievsky district of the Kharkov province on October 30 (17 old style) October 1888, the Emperor held the roof of the car on his shoulders while his whole family and other victims got out from under the rubble.

The family of Emperor Alexander III and the court retinue after the hunt 1886

Alexander III with his family on the hunt

Alexander III on the hunt

But the disease did not spare him. Emperor Alexander III did not like to be treated or talk about his illness. In the summer of 1894, hunting in Spala, among the swamps, further weakened the Emperor. On the advice of doctors, he immediately left from there for Livadia, and here he began to fade rapidly, surrounded by the cares of the best Russian foreign doctors and closest relatives. Emperor Alexander III died on October 20, 1894, at the age of 50, having reigned for 13 years, 7 months and 19 days ... remaining in memory as the most Russian Tsar of Russia.

Mihai Zichy Memorial service for Alexander III in his bedroom in the Small Palace in Livadia 1895

(State Hermitage, St. Petersburg)

Emperor Alexander III on his deathbed Photo 1894

Brozh K.O. The funeral of Alexander III in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg 1894

(State Hermitage, St. Petersburg)

On the grave of Emperor Alexander III

With a soul imbued with love and humility,
With the seal of goodness and peace on the forehead,
He was God-sent incarnation
Greatness, goodness and truth on earth.
In the days of trouble, in the dark, bleak time
Rebellious plans, disbelief and threats
He lifted the burden of royal power
And with faith to the end he carried the burden of God.
But not pride and the strength of formidable power,
Not with vain brilliance, not with blood and a sword -
He is a lie, and hostility, and flattery, and evil passions
Humbled and won only truth and kindness.
He glorified Russia, his feat is not a single
Not overshadowed by enmity, not demanding praise;
And - a quiet righteous man - before a righteous death,
Like the sun in the sky, shone over the world!
Human glory is smoke, and earthly life is mortal.
Greatness, noise and brilliance - everything will be silent, everything will pass!
But the glory of God is immortal and incorruptible:
The righteous king in native legends will not die.
He is alive and will live! And to the mountain abode
Exalted from the throne, before the King of kings
He prays - our King, our bright patron -
For the Son, for the Family, for Russia... for all people.

A. L. Golenishchev-Kutuzov

P.S. Most of paintings and photographs are clickable and enlarge to a large size.

Facts from articles used

"In everything, always, everywhere, He was a Christian..." A. Rozhintsev

"Emperor Alexander III. Tsar-Peacemaker" V.A. Teplov

Reprint of the book by Dmitry Nikolaevich Loman “Tsar-Peacemaker. Alexander III. Emperor of All Russia" we dedicate blessed memory Sovereign Emperor Alexander Alexandrovich, founder of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society, as well as the celebrations of the 130th anniversary of the founding of the IOPS (1882-2012).

The book tells about Emperor Alexander III. The outstanding scientist Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev was able to appreciate its significance in the history of Russia: “Peacemaker Alexander III foresaw the essence of Russian and world destinies more and further than his contemporaries. The people who lived through his reign were clearly aware that then a certain degree of restrained concentration and gathering of forces had set in, directed from the brilliant, even bright transformations and innovations of the previous glorious reign - to a simple everyday life. internal activities. Peace throughout the world, created by the late emperor as the highest common good, and really strengthened by his good will among the peoples participating in progress. The universal recognition of this will form an unfading wreath on his grave and, we dare to think, will bear good fruit everywhere.”
During the reign of Alexander III, the prestige of Russia in the world rose to a previously unattainable height, and peace and order reigned in the country itself. The most important merit of Alexander III to the Fatherland is that for all the years of his reign, Russia did not wage wars. The historian V.O. Klyuchevsky wrote: “Science will give the Emperor a proper place not only in the history of Russia and all of Europe, but also in Russian historiography, will say that He won in the area where it is most difficult to achieve victory, defeated the prejudice of peoples and thereby contributed to their rapprochement, subjugated the public conscience in the name of peace and truth, increased the amount of goodness in the moral circulation of mankind, sharpened and raised Russian historical thought, Russian national consciousness, and did all this so quietly and silently ... ".

CONTENT

1. Introduction. Dmitry Nikolaevich Loman.

2. Tsar-peacemaker Alexander III. Emperor of All Russia.

http://idrp.ru/buy/show_item.php?cat=4069

WEDDING TO THE KINGDOM. HOW IT WAS

Exhibition of one exhibit "Coronation Album of Emperor Alexander III"

The exhibition of one exhibit in the Gatchina Palace presents a ceremonial album “Description of the Sacred Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties Sovereign Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna of All Russia. 1883".

The year of publication of the album is 1885, it is constantly kept in the collection of the rare book of the Gatchina Museum-Reserve.
The history of publishing coronation albums in Russia covers a period of more than a dozen and a half centuries.
The first of them was dedicated to the enthronement of Empress Anna Ioannovna. And the last description of the coronation of Russian tsars appeared in 1899. The "Coronation Collection" told about the wedding ceremony for the kingdom of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna, about the history and traditions of Russian coronations in general.
Ceremonial albums were created by the highest will of the monarch, had a special status and were called upon to serve the lofty goal of glorifying the imperial power. They were published government agencies in a large format and contained both a description of the solemn ceremonies and luxurious illustrations made by the best artists and engravers of their time. Books were published in small editions in expensive bindings and did not go on sale, remaining commemorative gift editions for members of the royal family and high-ranking officials.
“A Description of the Sacred Crowning…” is a book bound in crimson leather with rich gold embossing on the covers, triple gilded trimmings, and white moire endpapers. The album, which consists of eight chapters, provides a thorough, sometimes minute-by-minute description of the enthronement of a new monarch. 26 chromolithographs on separate sheets and drawings in the text illustrate all stages of the coronation, historical places, objects and persons associated with it.
Writer Dmitry Grigorovich supervised the creation of the album. The best painters of their time were invited to Moscow: Alexander Sokolov, Vasily Polenov, Ivan Kramskoy, Vasily Vereshchagin, Nikolai Karamzin, Evgeny Makarov, Vasily Surikov, Konstantin Savitsky, brothers Nikolai and Konstantin Makovsky and others.
The artists made sketches from life of all kinds of coronation events, and the watercolors they created became the basis of the book. Fragments of the design of the menu of ceremonial lunches or dinners, made according to the drawings of Viktor Vasnetsov and Vasily Polenov, were also used to decorate the pages.
The album is presented in the central showcase, and the exposition is complemented by stands with information about the history of the ceremony of crowning the kingdom, about the tradition of publishing coronation albums, about how the coronation of Alexander III took place: how they prepared for this event, how the ceremony looked, what festive events were this dedicated. Here you can also see copies of the menu, concert programs, posters, images with views of Moscow on the days of the coronation, etc.
The exhibition runs until June 5, 2016.
And on the third floor of the Central building there is an exposition “In the favorite royal residences. Gatchina, Tsarskoye Selo, Peterhof. This exhibition is organized by the Museum-Reserve in collaboration with the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Reserve and the Peterhof State Museum Reserve. In 13 halls, items from the funds of the Alexander, Great Peterhof and Gatchina palaces are presented: painting, furniture, porcelain, clothing, samples of decorative and applied art.
From the middle of the 18th century, the imperial families preferred to spend part of their time away from the hustle and bustle of the capital Petersburg. Favorite residences for a quiet pastime were Gatchina, Tsarskoye Selo and Peterhof. In the vast palaces, rebuilt by famous architects and surrounded by shady parks, emperors and members of their families felt free and at ease.
The exhibition acquaints visitors with the environment in which private life took place. imperial family while staying in country palaces. The main types of interiors are reproduced in the halls (living room, study, reception room, billiard room, children's room, dining room), and an attempt is made to recreate the image of the everyday atmosphere of comfort and peace in which the representatives of the upper class lived and worked.
In the introductory hall, paintings with views of the Gatchina park by the artist S.F. Shchedrin, as well as portraits of Paul I, Catherine II, Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich and other members of the imperial family, those who lived or often visited country residences.
The main part of the exposition consists of two blocks. The first one is samples of the situation of the so-called male half. This included the main reception room, in which the emperor received deputations from the nobility, foreign ambassadors, ministers, and dignitaries. For visitors of a narrower circle there was a reception room. The place of work of the emperor is an office, and a billiard room, in which one could take a break from public affairs and have fun.
The second part of the exhibition is the "female" half. The main difference between these interiors is the fullness of things common for the late nineteenth century, but creating an atmosphere of special isolation and comfort. This is a living room, where paintings, porcelain and glass of well-known European workshops and numerous inexpensive souvenirs are presented, a porcelain cabinet and a service room, a musical living room, a living room-study, the interior of which exhibits elegant furniture in the Art Nouveau style.
Also on display is a children's room with games, educational and household items. The last hall, decorated with paintings by European artists from the collection of the State Museum Reserve "Gatchina", is a grand dining room, which could host ceremonial receptions. The table here is set with the famous Hunting Service, one of the masterpieces of the Gatchina Palace collection.

Tatiana MIRONOVA