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He became, for a time, the most powerful man in all of Russia, appointing and deposing cabinet ministers at will. Yet, at his death, there was public rejoicing and his murderers were received as heroes. Who was this strange man – this mad monk – who rose from obscurity to wield overwhelming power in the Russian Royal Court?
Gregory Yefimovich was born about 1871 in the province of Tobolsk in Siberia. His early life was one of poverty amid the harsh climactic conditions of Siberia. Gregory first stood out as different at the age of 12 when he was delirious with a fever. It was then that he spoke his first ‘prophecy’, accusing a prominent local of stealing a horse. When this was proven true the boy was elevated to the position of ‘seer.’
As he grew into manhood, Gregory gave way to a lifestyle of debauchery and licentious living. It was around this time that he acquired the nick name ‘Rasputin’, meaning ‘dissolute.’ In his 20’s Gregory spent time in various monasteries, had a vision of the Virgin Mary and declared that God had some special purpose for his life. Forsaking his former way of life he gained a reputation as a holy man. Some, however, saw him as a the anti-Christ and before long Rasputin found himself wandering the provinces of Russia as an itinerant preacher.
Arriving in St. Petersburg in 1904, Rasputin soon developed a reputation for holiness. Before long he was introduced to the Grand Duchess Militsa and on 1 November, 1905 Duchess Militsa introduced him to Tsar Nicholas 11 and Tsarina Alexandra. From then on he became a frequent visitor to the Royal Palace. His directness and lack of formality appealed to the Romanovs. They felt they could confide in him. When Rasputin showed himself able to heal their haemophiliac son, Alexis, the bond was truly cemented. Alexandra especially was convinced that the future of the heir – and, therefore, all of Russia – depended on Rasputin.
As Rasputin’s influence grew his personal behaviour became more outrageous, involving exaggeratedly bad personal habits and increasingly immoral sexual conquests. In 1911 he forced the appointment of an illiterate peasant friend to the position of Bishop of Tobolsk, thus enraging the public. Soon, all of the new appointments in both Government and Church were passed through his hands.
“Between these fingers,” he boasted, “I hold the Russian Empire.”
His power now absolute and leading the nation towards disaster, certain nobles were aroused to conspire to get rid of Rasputin. On the night of December 16, 1916, he was invited to the Palace of Prince Felix Yusupov, who served him poisoned cake and wine. When these failed to have any effect, Rasputin was shot 3 times in the back and head. His body was then dumped in the Neve River. Russia was finally free of the sinister influence of the Mad Monk. Yet, his words proved prophetic, even from beyond the grave. In early December he had written a letter to the Czar stating:
"If I die, the Emperor will soon lose his crown."
And so it proved to be.
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