How do you dance to northern soul

— Difficult to answer unambiguously. My students are people who do not shy away from difficulties, with a sense of humor, open and kind. Many come for physiological and emotional relaxation. And, of course, for aesthetics.

Flamenco is an aesthetic of the highest level. No one will say that this is a stupid dance. It is beautiful, graceful and very powerful and smart! And they go for truth and depth. A Russian person feels sincerity very well. That's why he goes to flamenco.

Text: Yulia Osipova

“Give me your blessing…”

For two decades, hundreds of women, old and young, noble and not so, were drawn to Rasputin. Some for treatment, others out of curiosity. The third is for consolation. Those who came to him for consolation fell in love. And how was it not to fall in love with a subtle connoisseur of the female soul? “Men have all sorts of activities that take a lot of time,” said Rasputin. “Women are more introverted. Here, their soul hurts, and I will talk to them, you look - and it will become easier. And I tell them that God will tell. He was an excellent psychotherapist. And now his eyes are striking, looking from old photographs, whose gaze seems to penetrate into the very soul. nine0003

Many, when he became a member of the royal family, applied for transfers, appointments of pardons, which were drawn up in the name of the Highest. Some asked for financial help. “I have a bunch of petitions brought by “our Friend” for you,” writes, for example, the tsarina to the tsar in January 1915. But only with some of his admirers Grigory Efimovich was in close relations. Three of them are pointed out: Olga Lakhtina, Khionia Berladskaya and Akilina Laptinsky.

Olga Lakhtina, who was ill with neurasthenia, was cured by "Father Grigory." Lakhtina was delighted, shocked, fascinated and infinitely grateful to him for healing. Chionia ("Amazed" in Latin) suffered grief. After she left her unfaithful husband, he committed suicide. In her memoirs, the exalted admirer talks about an intimate relationship with her spiritual father. Kilina (as the king's friend called her), a former nun, left the monastery for him. She met Rasputin in the spring of 19'07 at the "general" Lokhtina. She was amazed by the "simplicity of communication, kindness and love for people, which I did not meet with others." Over time, she became not only the closest supporter, but also the most irreconcilable opponent of the "enemies and ill-wishers of Father Gregory."

These three women visited Pokrovsky, lived there for several weeks and were among the ladies with whom, it was alleged, Rasputin went to the bathhouse. You shouldn't be surprised by this. Joint (general) washing in the bath of men and women in Siberia was common and was not considered shameful. And to Stolypin's report on the joint ablution of Rasputin with women, the sovereign replied: "I know that he preaches the Holy Scripture there too." Lakhtina, Berladskaya, Laptinskaya subsequently figured in the "debauchery case." Excellent material for sensation-hungry reporters! nine0003

Any story about Rasputin and the “weaker sex” around him inevitably raises the question of his influence on the queen. Alexandra Fedorovna believed that the elder's prayer had special power, and believed in him as a miracle worker. One of the reasons for Rasputin's influence was his ability to inspire the tsar and tsarina with self-confidence ... and to explain their actions in the name of God.

The “cream” of the imperial aristocracy, among whom there were many who could outdo the queen of the bloodline, disliked her, as they say, at first sight. The correct birth of only girls led to the fact that the world went to ridicule over the young queen, "giving birth with groaning girl after girl. " Finally, 30 July 1904 years, after ten years of married life, Victoria Alisa Elena Louise Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt (after baptism according to the Orthodox rite - Alexandra Fedorovna) gave birth to a son. “An unforgettable, great day for us, on which the grace of God visited us,” Nikolai wrote in his diary that day. “Alyx had a son, whom they called Alexei during prayer.” But great joy was replaced by great grief: the Tsarevich turned out to be prone to bouts of hereditary hemophilia. Hemophilia (literally "love of bleeding" in ancient Greek), was then considered an incurable disease, especially dangerous in the first 15-20 years of life. This disease affects only men, but it is transmitted through the female line. In a person suffering from the "disease of kings" (Alexandra Fedorovna is the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. - V.N.), any bruise, scratch, removal of a diseased tooth and other situations associated with bleeding could lead to death. The first time an attack of hemophilia, which caused severe suffering to the heir, happened at 1907 year. And here the inexplicable happened: a self-taught psychic saved the life of the Tsarevich, while the best doctors, holders of high knowledge and titles, showed their complete helplessness. They extremely disliked Rasputin. Why would they love him? The source of Rasputin's striking influence on the health of the heir, the Empress considered the highest heavenly powers. Having cured Alexei of hereditary hemophilia, the healer said that he would "grow" out of the disease. And so it happened. Thus, Rasputin won the gratitude, faith and love of his parents, who infinitely loved their only, so long-awaited son. The tsarina saw in Rasputin a deeply religious person and communicated with him not as "rootless" and "uneducated", but as a brother in Christ. She believed that "nothing is impossible for God" and that God would be heard by a "pure soul". And she believed that she had found this “pure soul” in Rasputin. Already during the first meeting, the empress reacted extremely favorably to Rasputin. Very soon, "friend Gregory" became his own for the royal children, for whom the monotony of the Tsarskoye Selo Palace was especially difficult. Rasputin generally, as they say, knew how to approach them. He arranged funny games, told fairy tales. Who did not get acquainted in childhood with the world of fairy tales? He spoke vividly and expressively about God, about his wanderings, about the beauty of the world, the nature of Russia. The children liked the Siberian wanderer, they felt at ease with him. The isolation of the crowned couple in Tsarskoye Selo, caused in part by the characters of Nicholas and Alexandra, constantly made it necessary to receive information in an unofficial way, from people from a different environment. This is where a niche appeared, which in the royal environment was occupied by a person from another world. Rasputin did not ask for anything, did not want to receive anything, did not insist on anything ... Mutual altruism arose between Alexandra Fedorovna and Rasputin. She gave him gifts: shirts, belts, amulets, icons, even a cross with a gold monogram "H", on a gold chain, a clasp with the letter of the Sovereign. Moreover, all silk shirts were embroidered by her. Rasputin always entered the royal house with prayer, with peace in his soul, with joy in his heart. When meeting with the empress, he “christened”, that is, he kissed. Didn't hesitate! For her, he was not a favorite, but a friend: original, unique, unlike others. In conversation, she called him "Gregory", behind his eyes "Father Gregory." He is the king and queen "dad" and "mother" - unassumingly, naturally and with great meaning. nine0003

The historian Alexander Bokhanov, in his book The Truth About Grigory Rasputin, speaks of the unwillingness of the high-society beau monde to believe in a pure relationship between the tsarina and Rasputin as follows: “If dirty slander was put into circulation about the tsarina, she did not react. She considered the "friend" a "man of God", endowed with a wonderful gift. This gift is given only to those whom the Lord, by his inexplicable will, chooses among the rest. He saves his son, consoles him with hope. More than once I observed how deeply he believes, how fervently he prays. Deeply devoted to them. The latter also serves as a pretext for slander. Again, the same thing: a lecher, a hypocrite, a charlatan, and there is even worse: a sectarian, a "whip." Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna: “When rumors began to reach me that Rasputin was not what he seemed to be, that in private life he behaved differently than in the royal family, I warned my sister. But she answered me that she did not believe these rumors, she considered this a slander that usually persecutes people of a holy life. Rumor attributed to Rasputin that he "did and slept" in the royal house. However, such a lucky man was there less often than a white crow. There are testimonies of domestic servants of the royal family who saw the life of the monarch from the inside. nine0003

“Rasputin did not visit the palace as often as they shouted about it. His appearance was explained by the illness of Alexei Nikolaevich. I myself saw him once, ”wrote the Englishman Gibbs, an English teacher. “I saw Rasputin here two or three times. Each time near the sick Alexei Nikolaevich. On this basis, he appeared with us. The empress considered him a righteous man and believed in the power of his prayers,” recalled Ereberg, the nanny of the royal children. “I saw Rasputin twice in the palace all the time. He was received by the sovereign and empress. He was with them for about twenty minutes, both the first and the second time. I have never seen even drinking tea with them, ”admitted the valet of the sovereign Volkov. nine0003

In fairness, let's say that in the last two years, Rasputin, in modern terms, has a "star" illness. Some temptations he could not overcome. Not wanting to change, he still changed. The test of power and flattery was difficult to endure. He felt dizzy from the consciousness of his strength, from the subservience of those around him, from the unusual amount of money and luxury never seen before. With all his natural mind, he turned out to be not protected from the indispensable norms of a stiff high-society society - hypocrisy, intrigue, hypocrisy, self-interest. Having become a Russian celebrity, he loved to be in the spotlight, he began to be flattered by popularity. And the more popularity, the more those who are ready to pour a bucket of dirt on you. nine0003

Rasputin fell in love with the feast, began to drink alcohol. Although he drank Madeira most often, sometimes red, after taking large doses he entered a state of alcoholic fun, even danced Russian. This was also facilitated by businessmen who wanted to “break through” profitable contracts and supplies to the army through him. After all, no business is done in Russia without drinking: first you need to “revive” the conversation, then “wash” the deal, then “treat” in connection with its successful completion. On March 26-27, 1916, there was a scandal in the Moscow restaurant "Yar". According to the report of the head of the Moscow security department, Rasputin arrived at the restaurant, accompanied by five of his admirers. The whole company was allegedly "drunk" before coming to the restaurant. One must think that 79-year-old grandmother Reshetnikova! A choir was invited and several songs were performed. Rasputin, as they claimed, "unbelted", supplementing the report with tasty details to please the authorities.

The legend spread... Human fantasy painted Rasputin as best it could. The "unwinding" of the fascinating Rasputin series has begun in countless publications. The Moscow mayor, General Adrianov, said and even wrote later that Rasputin did not do “any indecency” in Yar. Faithful Munya Golovina described how in January 1915 years was celebrated the 46th birthday of Grigory Efimovich. “There were a lot of people, a lot of gifts ... I gave a beautiful white silk shirt. They add wine to him, they push him, they beg him, they beg him: “You dance a Russian dance like no other. It's a tremendous pleasure to watch you dance. Do not deprive us of this great joy. Let's! And laughing, they pushed him into the middle of the room, accompanied by Russian songs. The last meeting of the crowned with the "spiritual sage" took place two weeks before his assassination - on December 2. Already on December 18, 19On the 16th, rumors arose in Tsarskoye Selo about the disappearance of Rasputin, but no one knew anything. A friend of the Empress Lily Den, close to the royal family, recalled: “The Empress was in the purple boudoir of the Alexander Palace. Never before had Her Majesty's living room felt so homely. The Empress was very pale, and there was anxiety in her eyes. Their Highnesses remained silent. Anna (Vyrubova) seemed to be crying before my arrival. I heard what I already knew: Grigory Efimovich disappeared...” A few days before the murder, those close to the “old man” suggested that he carry a revolver just in case. "God's man" laughed: "Something I'm a policeman." Finally, on the morning of 19December, the queen was told that he had been killed. For her, the death of a "friend" was a heavy blow. But at the same time, there were no “hysterics” and “faints”, which were then talked about in the Petrograd salons and which the “yellow” press later wrote about. There was anxiety, a sad, concentrated mood. And yet - faith in the providence of God.

The entire Romanov family did not immediately find out about this. However, the news of Rasputin's death split the dynasty. All petty displeasures and antipathies splashed out. The Grand Duke's Fronde moved into the public arena. The Grand Dukes and Duchesses unequivocally sided with the killers. A letter was written in defense of Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, suspected of participating in a conspiracy, under which sixteen signatures were collected. It was "edited" by Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. Early in the morning, when Rasputin's body had not yet been found, the sister of the Empress Elizaveta Feodorovna sent two telegrams: one to Dmitry Pavlovich, the other to Zinaida Yusupova, the mother of Felix Yusupov, who, as it became known, also took part in the murder. A virtuous, noble, warm-hearted woman, a nun, approved of the murder. When Alexandra Fedorovna was given copies of these telegrams, she burst into tears. According to Vyrubova, “this shameful message completely killed the Empress. She wept bitterly and inconsolably, and there was nothing I could do to comfort her.” A pencil note from Alexandra Fedorovna addressed to Yusupov the father has been preserved, perhaps not sent: “No one has been given the right to engage in murder. I know that the conscience of many haunts, since not only Dmitry Pavlovich is involved in this. I am surprised at your appeal to me ... " nine0003

According to Marianne von Derfelden, Dmitry Pavlovich fell victim to “the evil will of the Empress. On the night of December 23, the adjutant wing, Count Kutaisov, arrived at Dmitry Pavlovich. He informed him that the sovereign ordered that he go to Persia today at the disposal of the commander of the Russian expeditionary corps, General Baratov. Kutaisov was also ordered that Dmitry Pavlovich not communicate with anyone, to withdraw all letters and dispatches addressed to him. The Empress ordered that no one see him off. Only Grand Dukes Nikolai and Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna Jr. were able to get through and see him off. Dmitry was brought to a freight station, where a simple wagon was hitched to a freight train. It was ordered to carry in a roundabout way, bypassing Moscow and large cities. There was no kitchen in the car, no provisions were issued, so the Grand Duke was starving for a day. nine0003

Alexandra Feodorovna demanded that "a stranger among her own" be tried by a court-martial. But she met opposition from the tsar's cousin, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich. He softened the fury of the empress, and the demand was rejected.

On December 20, the Empress arrived at the Chesme Church, dressed as a sister of mercy, where she was present at the funeral service. After the departure of Empress Akilina, Laptinskaya and the hospital attendant began pre-funeral chores. They washed Rasputin's body, filled the wounds with incense, dressed him in new clothes and laid him in a richly decorated oak coffin. A cross rested on Rasputin’s chest, and in his hands was a letter from the Empress: “My dear martyr, give me your blessing so that it is always with me on the mournful path that remains for me to go on earth. And remember us in heaven in your holy prayers." The funeral procedure was held in great secrecy. The body of the deceased was taken to Tsarskoye Selo, where Vyrubova was building the Serafimovsky infirmary for crippled soldiers. The emperor, empress, heir, three daughters (Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia) were present at the funeral of the "old man". The eldest, Olga, refused to go to the funeral. The entire royal family helped with the transfer of the coffin to the crypt, even little Alexei held on to the black silk ribbon attached to the coffin. The icon of the Sign of the Fedorovskaya Mother of God was also placed in the coffin, on the back of which the tsarina, the grand duchesses and Vyrubova signed. nine0003

After the funeral, an entry appeared in the imperial diary, which was stingy on the record: “My family and I were present at a sad ceremony: the coffin with the body of the unforgettable Grigory, who was killed by monsters in Yusupov’s house on the night of December 16-17, was lowered into the grave. Father Vasily served lithium, after which we returned home.”

The state of the “Crowned Martyr” was depressed, sad, desperately anxious. Here are the testimonies of those who were nearby, who knew and saw what was happening. The palace commandant Voeikov wrote: “The Empress simultaneously experienced two great sorrows: on the one hand, the death of Grigory Efimovich Rasputin, whom she honored, and on the other, a blow inflicted by Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, whom Their Majesties loved from childhood, spoiled and with whom they were in the most close relationship." The mentor of the royal children, the Swiss Gilliard, recalled: “I will never forget the deep excitement that I experienced when I saw the Empress again. Her agitated face betrayed, against her will, the intensity of her suffering. They destroyed her faith, killed the man of God, who alone could save her child, without him all misfortunes, all sorts of catastrophes became possible. And the expectation began, the painful expectation of misfortune, which can no longer be avoided! nine0003

Chamberlain Naryshkina told in her diary about a prophetic dream that the Empress saw on January 15, 1917: the heavens were open, and in the heavens Gregory with raised hands blesses Russia. This mysticism resulted in words of confidence on the eve of the abdication of the king: “The sun shines so brightly ... I feel such calm and peace on his dear grave. He died to save us."

How did the tsar himself react to the drama that Alexandra Feodorovna was going through? In the imperial diary, which was sparing in writing, there was no reaction to the wife's first telegraph message about the disappearance of "our Friend." Maybe the king simply did not attach any importance to this news. He reacted more sharply the next day, having received a detailed letter from the empress: “Outraged and shocked,” he telegraphed. “In prayers and thoughts with you.” On December 21, he arrived at Tsarskoye Selo and saw his daughters, son and wife on the platform. nine0003

From the memoirs of Marianne von Derfelden: “When the train arrived, Alexandra Fedorovna entered the car and stayed there for 15–20 minutes. When the Sovereign got out of the carriage, there was no face on him. He, not paying attention to the guard lined up for the meeting, nor to those who were meeting, literally ran past them. He came to his senses only when he took hold of the handle of the car that was waiting for him. Here he seemed to pull himself together, found his face and did everything that was necessary. At 11 p.m., an audience was scheduled for Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich, who arrived at the palace 10 minutes before the meeting. It was accepted only after 40 minutes, since the Minister of the Interior Protopopov was sitting with the Tsar. When the Grand Duke came out, the Tsar could not be recognized. He was stern, condemned the murder and announced that from now on Dmitry Pavlovich was "persona non grata" for him. Alexandra Fedorovna insisted on bringing the participants in the murder to trial, was dissatisfied with the opposition from Protopopov. But still, he convinced her to agree to the expulsion of Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich. Felix Yusupov, the organizer of the crime and the murderer of the "Tsar's Friend" 19December I was going to go to my sick wife in the Crimea. But at the Nikolayevsky railway station he was detained. And soon "Felyusha" was exiled to his estate Rakitino, Kursk province, to a peaceful, safe rear.

And where was another defendant in the murder, Purishkevich? Nobody dared to touch him. The leader of the extreme right enjoyed immunity in the Duma and plays an active role there. On November 19, 1916, the Duma "Chrysostom" delivered his famous speech: "In former years, in former centuries, Grishka Otrepiev was resurrected in Grishka Rasputin, but this Grishka, who lives under different conditions, is more dangerous than Grishka Otrepiev." Purishkevich, the head of the army medical train, left for the front immediately after the murder. Two more accomplices - lieutenant Sukhotin and a military doctor, a Pole Lazovert - escaped with a slight fright. nine0003

In addition to the gift of healing, another amazing ability of Rasputin was his prophetic gift, recognized by both friends and enemies. The crowned martyr felt that the prophecies of the “Russian Pythia” were indeed coming true: “I will not exist, there will be no tsars, there will be no Russia!” The queen was destined to see the embodiment of this terrible prediction.

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