Romanov Daily Life and Artefacts – Page 4

December 31, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR MEALS

The Romanov family celebrated New Year relatively intimately and quietly, without any major fanfare. January 1st was a regular work day for Nicholas II, but a festive table was set up for the visitors. Those who came in to see the Tsar with reports on New Year’s Day were offered zakuski (cold meat snacks or pickled vegetables) but did not normally linger at the table for too long nor overindulged in vodka.

The imperial couple preferred to dine with a circle of close friends, but it was always a first class meal. At court there were three dining classes: the first was for the members of the imperial family, the second – for the imperial suite and dignitaries invited to court, and the third was for the servants. Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: NEW YEAR MEALS

December 18, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

ROMANOV FAMILY: LAST IMPERIAL CHRISTMAS BEFORE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

ROMANOV FAMILY: LAST IMPERIAL CHRISTMAS BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

1916 was the last full year for the Romanovs as the reigning family of Russia. Tsar Nicholas II would abdicate his throne in March of 1917 and the Russian revolution would end life as the Romanov family knew it.

December 11, 2015Helen Azar No Comments

OLGA ROMANOV: ACCIDENT ON “THE STANDART”

“Accident on our yacht”: From lesson book of Olga Romanov.

December 9, 2015Helen Azar 2 Comments

ANASTASIA ROMANOV: HER REGIMENT, INFIRMARY AND MEDICAL TRAIN

It was a Romanov family tradition for the Tsar to create each of the imperial daughters honorary commander of one of Russian regiments on her fourteenth birthday.

In 1901, after the birth of Nicholas II’s youngest daughter Anastasia, the Kaspiysky 148th Infantry Regiment received the name of St. Anastasia – in honor of the baby grand duchess. Since then their regimental holidays were celebrated on December 22 – the day of the saint.

December 9, 2015Helen Azar 3 Comments

TATIANA ROMANOV: TYPHOID FEVER, 1913.

TATIANA ROMANOV: TYPHOID FEVER, 1913

Tsarevich Alexei with Grand Duchess Tatiana in bed with typhoid fever.

On 24 February, 1913, Grand Duchess Tatiana contracted typhoid fever in the period of the Great Lent before Orthodox Easter. Her condition was very serious for the rest of February and the entire month of March, when the Tercentenary Celebrations actually began.

From the 1913 diary of Tatiana Romanov:

“24th February. Sunday. In the morning temp. 39.2”

December 9, 2015Helen Azar 1 Comment

ROMANOV FAMILY: CELEBRATING ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS

Along with millions of their Russian Orthodox subjects, this is how the Romanov family celebrated this holiday each year.

CELEBRATING ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS

by George Hawkins

Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia in front of the Romanov family Christmas tree

In the Orthodox Faith, Christmas is one of our most important celebrations. The Feast of the Nativity is one of the twelve Great Feasts of the Church. Over and above the twelve Great Feasts is the Feast of Feasts – Pascha (Easter). In the Orthodox Church, Christmas is sometimes known as the Winter Pascha, showing its importance to the Christian Faith.