End of empire began in Crimea – BBC

120 years ago, died in the Crimea, Alexander III – on the throne Nicholas II, who was destined to become the last Emperor of the Russian Empire.

By 1894, the health of the Emperor Alexander III finally shaken. Because of this, in September of the same year from England returned home heir to the throne Nicholas. Emperor of the same doctors were sent to the Crimea, where he, along with yard located in the Livadia Palace. First, Alexander noted an acute inflammation of the kidneys, and some time later was diagnosed with serious complications.

«In Dear Dad view like better, but feeling bad still – it stirs up, and swelling in the legs prevents movement feet! » – wrote in his diary on October 10 Tsarevich Nicholas. By the time the health of Alexander III follows five doctors, including renowned throughout Europe for the Berlin Professor Ernst Leyden.

But they were unable to break the jade, which was the consequence of the imperial train disaster in 1888. For six passed since this incident years emperor fading.

On October 19 at the insistence of the Crimea Grand Duchess Alexandra arrived Iosifovny John of Kronstadt. 80 years later canonized him, but at that time he was already famous as a healer and successfully preached. Apparently, the ambience of Alexander III did not believe that the emperor can help doctors.

Meanwhile, the crown prince was busy with other things, on the peninsula came his bride Alix, the future Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Despite the fact that Alexander III was getting worse, the young heir to the throne for days on end spent in the company of his future wife.

«You – the favorite son of the Father, and you have to ask and you talk about everything. Reveal your personal will and do not let others forget who you are “- Alix wrote his betrothed.

Alexander III was so bad that on October 28 John of Kronstadt held rites of communion and absolution of the emperor. It was on this day came the sixth anniversary of the ill-fated train wreck. Tsarevich Nicholas had to fully take over the affairs of state, he was looking through the imperial correspondence, met with ministers and took decisions of national importance.

After three days, November 1, 1894, Alexander III died. In the dying to the last was John of Kronstadt, and members of the imperial family.

«My God, my God, what a day! Lord withdrew to his adored our dear beloved Pope. Head spin, do not want to believe – it seems unlikely before the horrible reality … Father John for over an hour standing at his bedside and held his head. It was the death of a saint! Lord, help us in these difficult days! » – wrote in his diary future monarch.

The body of Alexander III was in the Livadia Palace for five days. According to the Crown Prince Nicholas, the body “quickly began to decompose.” November 7 tomb of Emperor loaded on the funeral train that went to Moscow.

In the capital of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg Alexander III’s body was taken only by November 12.

However, the funeral took place only on 18 November because in St. Petersburg did not have time to come all the relatives . Yet another 12 November to the city carried the coffin to the Emperor – Alexander III burial waiting in Peter and Paul Cathedral. With the completion of the last in the history of the Russian Empire began the era of imperial burial reign of Nicholas II, who became the latest in a series of Russian tsars.