Saturday January 8th, 1905 - Novikov Household - Saint Petersburg, Russia

Mikhail Alexandrovich Novikov sat on the corner of his daughter’s bed. The dim glow from the kerosene lamp provided enough light to make the icon of Boris and Gleb visible but it was still difficult to see. His daughter Svetlana analyzed the features of the two brothers in the icon through squinted eyes and asked “Why did you buy this one Papa?”

Referring to his daughter by the shortened version of her name Mikhail answered. “Svetka this was a gift from Metropolitan Vadkovskii as thanks for a project I completed for the Theological Academy.”

“Oh, I don’t think it is my favorite.” Svetlana said matter of factly, after she analyzed it in great detail.

Against a yellow background stood Boris and Gleb. They were each holding a sheathed sword just below the handle in their right hand just above waist height. The pointed end of the sword ending around shin height. Both held a cross in their left hand against their chest, with the left elbow bent at a 45 degree angle. They stood on a brown floor. Svetlana couldn’t decide if it was carpet or dirt. Boris had short brown hair and a bearded face. Gleb had long brown hair flowing down past his shoulders and a clean shaven face. As Svetlana looked at their feet she could only describe what she saw as red stockings that went halfway up their legs. Each wore a long sleeve tunic that ended just before the stockings began, Boris in red and Gleb in black. Both wore a gold belt and they both wore a cape or a cloak, Svetlana couldn’t decide which it was in the dim light. It wrapped around the right shoulder of each man covering the right half of the front of their bodies along with their entire backs. Gleb wore his in red and Boris in black on the exterior while the interior color matched the background of the icon. Each also wore a curved hat on his head. Svetlana was now certain it was not her favorite icon.

Behind his thick greying beard her father formed a half smile. “Maybe if I told you more about them.”

“Maybe,” Svetlana said unconvinced, “I don’t think so though.”

Rising to his feet Mikhail said “but first we pray. Stand up and say the words with me.”

Once Svetlana stood she did her best to recite the words her father had been teaching her.

“O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst receive the children who came unto Thee, receive also from the lips of me, Thy child, this evening prayer. Shelter me under the shadow of Thy wings, that in peace I may lie down and sleep, and awaken me in due time, that I may glorify Thee, for Thou alone art righteous and merciful. Amen.”

Both crossed themselves and the Mikhail tucked Svetlana back into her bed.

“Very good Svetka, you will be saying this on your own in no time. Now let me tell you more about Boris and Gleb.”

The seven year old Svetlana crinkled her nose and made half a frown before confidently saying “I know all about them.”

“Tell me.”

“Only if you tell me a story.”

Mikhail gave her a stern look and said “Svetka that’s not how this works.”

“Oh please Papa I just want to hear a story about the Empress.”

Mikhail saw the earnest look on his daughter’s face and smiled. “Tell me what you know about Boris and Gleb and I will tell you about the time I saw the Tsar and his wife.”

Svetlana squealed with delight. “Yes, yes, yes,” she said while clapping her hands.

“Boris and Gleb.” Mikhail said in an authoritative voice.

Speaking very rapidly and with an enthusiasm best known in children Svetlana replied “Boris and Gleb were born a long long time ago. Like 1,000 years ago or something. And their Papa was the one who invented the church.”

“Slow down Svetka, Saint Vladimir the Great did not invent the church. He was baptized into Christ’s Church. Then he led his people to discover Christ and turn away from their pagan ways. In 988 he became the first Russian ruler to devote himself to Christianity.”

“Okay, okay, okay and Boris and Gleb were his sons. So when Saint Vladimir died he left his sons to rule over different parts of his kingdom but their older brother Sviatopolk wanted to take their lands so he killed them and that is why they have their own icon. Now tell me your story.” Svetlana said eagerly.

“Not so fast my dear. I want you to understand that these two men were willing to die so that the country would not suffer. They cared more about their people than they did about power. To save innocent lives they allowed themselves to die.” Mikhail continued “They were Passionate Bearers for Christ. Boris could have struck first against Sviatopolk but refused to do so because it was against God’s will. Boris annd Gleb are the protectors of Russia.”

“That’s a nice story Papa but it’s still not my favorite icon.”

“That’s ok Svetka, just remember to grow up and be devoted to Christ and strive to be a defender and protector of Russia.”

“Yes, Papa.” Svetlana said obediently.” Now can you tell me about the Empress?” She said with much more enthusiasm.

“Yes, I can see why you would want to hear about our magnificent Empress Alexandra Feodorovna much more than our venerable saints. But our saints are just as important.”

“Yes, Papa, just maybe not as much at bedtime.”

“Oh Svetka, let me get you to sleep, so I willl tell you a short story this time.”

“Does it have to be short?”

“Tonight yes, we have an important day tomorrow.”

“We will get to see the Tzar tomorrow right?”

“Yes, Father Gapon will lead the procession and we will march to the Winter Palace where the Tzar will greet us.”

“Oh, I am so excited, it will be hard to sleep tonight. I can’t wait to see him. Do you think the Empress will be there as well?” Svetlana asked eagerly.

“No, I don’t think she will be there,” Mikhail said and noting the disappointment on his daughter’s face added “but it is such a big day and the Tzar and his wife love all of us so much that she might decide to make an appearance.”

“Oh that would be so delightful. I could just dream of being invited to a royal ball and dancing on the same floor as them. It would be so magical.”

“It would be magnificent. Now good night Svetka.”

“But what about my story?”

“Oh yes, how could I forget. As you know two days ago was the Day of Epiphany. Every year on January 6 we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. Well last year I had business near the Winter Palace. Yes, January 6, 1904 is a day I will never forget. As luck would have it I concluded my work just as the Blessing of the Waters ceremony began. A spectacular pavilion was built next to the Neva River for the Tzar and the Metropolitan and other very important people. I watched them throughout the ceremony, but I also looked to the windows of the Winter Palace where Alexandra stood watching. She was truly majestic in her appearance.

The Metropolitan dipped his cross into the Neva to symbolize the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and brought it back to the Tzar. The military ended the ceremony with a gun salute or by firing off their guns in celebration.”

“Oh I wish I could have been there to see the Empresss Alexandra in her finest clothing watching such an important event.”

“Perhaps we will be able to go one year in the future so you can watch the ceremony.”

“I would love that soooo much Papa.”

“But now you need your sleep, we will have a lot of walking to do tomorrow and then you will get to see the Tzar for the first time in your life.”

“Papa I am so excited.”

“So am I Svetka,” Mikhail said as he kissed his daughter on the forehead. “Good night my darling.” Mikhail stood and pulled the curtain down that separated Svetlana’s bed from the rest of the room. He then walked over to the small kitchen table where he noticed his son, Ivan, sitting with a scowl on his face.

The coolness in their relationship matched the frigid weather outside where the snow had just begun to fall.

“Vanya, I didn’t hear you come in.” Mikhail stated in a hushed tone to allow Svetlana the chance to sleep.

“My name is Ivan.”

“So it is Ivan. I know it well. I gave it to you. If it was up to your mother you would have been Artem.”

“Don’t speak to me about my mother. You have no right. And why are you filling your daughter’s mind with such drivel?”

“Your anger consumes you and it is not becoming. Don’t forget that your mother was my wife.”

“And you and your pitiful Tzar killed her.”

“Son, I love you but you don’t know what you are saying.”

“It wasn’t that long ago I was almost 20 years old. I was there, you can’t tell me what I saw with my own eyes wasn’t true.”

“There was a famine. I did everything I could and we have discussed this enough.”

“You are wrong, and you are instilling the same false beliefs into your daughter’s mind. Boris and Gleb are no saints. They got caught off guard and were killed by a more cunning adversary.”

“Ivan, your heart is stone and I don’t necessarily blame you for it.”

“At least I don’t blindly believe in the false traditions of a miserable past.”

“A world without Christ would be full of apocalyptic suffering.”

“Your world is already filled with apocalyptic suffering. Your wife is dead, your only son despises your beliefs, but is so poor that he must remain under your roof, and your Tzar is worthy of nothing but loathing and contempt.”

“No, my world is filled with hope. The future can be bright. The Tzar can lead us to glory. Christ has already redeemed our souls. The Tzar is our benevolent leader. Sure we have a few bad ministers that can be replaced but everything will turn out great if we follow the Tzar.”

“The Tzar is a brutal bloodthirsty man who cares nothing about his people. The only road to progress is through Revolution. It is like Karl Marx said “we have nothing to lose but our chains.” Why do you hold to the old ways that are failing Father?”

“Our traditions have served us well. The Tzar is the father of our people and he will lead us to prosperity.”

Ivan seethed with rage. “I denounce your traditions. I spit on your tradition and I spit on your Tzar.”

“It is an awful thing to hear my son filled with contempt and that he fancies himself a revolutionary. We are not bound by chains. Serfdom ended many years ago. Karl Marx I have never heard of but I am surprised his writings would be allowed here.” Raising his hand to stop Ivan from interrupting Mikhail continued “And before you interrupt me, let me tell you what your revolution would bring. Chaos, bloodshed in the streets, a complete failure of society. If you plan to overthrow the government and you openly mock God your revolution can only serve the fallen angel. Yes, you would be placing the Devil at the head of your new empire. How do you think he would rule?”

“There is no devil and there is no God.” Ivan said contemptuously.

“Let’s talk of this no further, nothing good can come from it.” Mikhail said as he slumped down into the chair.

“And what would you have us speak of Father?” Ivan said staring challengingly at his father.

Mikhail smiled sadly and in a whisper said “happier times.”

Despite hearing his father perfectly Ivan replied. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Were you saying you wished me to live in a fantasy world that does not exist. Were you inviting me to sit at your table and drink with you? While your wife and my mother brought us food? Would we discuss the gospels and our ranks in heaven? Or perhaps you would prefer to talk about this year’s Festival of the Waters? Or Epiphany day or whatever it is called. That world doesn’t exist. My mother is dead and we can never break bread and find common ground as long as you worship Nicky the second.” The words flowed quickly and angrily from Ivan.

“I implore you not to push this conversation any further.” Mikhail said forlornly.

“Or else what.” Ivan hissed at him.

“You will cross a line and will no longer be my son.”

“Finally something we can agree on. When the revolution comes I will never acknowledge that you were my father.”