Tsar Martyr Nicholas II

One of the things which interests me with the typical presentation of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II in so-called democratic nations (like the United States) is how much of the description comes from, and supports, the accusations of the Soviets. The meme always discusses how he was a “weak man,” and “not fit to rule anything.” However, how are the judgments being made? Through the lens of Prometheus? In this way, Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II, a man who loved God and whose life was about that love for God, must be and is rejected in the West. He represents everything the modern West cannot stand: he is the refutation of the call to power. The words of the Akathist to Tsar Martyr Nicholas II beautifully portray this. Let me recite some of the words which move me the most.

The Creator of angels did send thee to the Russian land as an angel of meekness and instructor to thy people, as He did choose thee after the example of His Only Begotten Son to be a sacrifice of redemption for the sins of the people.

What beautiful sentiments. The glory of the Tsar was in his meekness, in his humility. He did not want power, he did not seek it out. This, as C.S. Lewis points out in several places in The Chronicles of Narnia, is what best represents those who are worthy of leadership. Those who seek to be in a position of authority are unworthy – power is not something to take for oneself. This is the problem of the modern humanistic state: it looks at everything in purely materialistic terms. It cannot understand the power of meekness, the glory of the lowly – but as Christ says, blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

And we, marveling at the Providence of the Almighty towards thee, cry out with contrition:

Rejoice, O likeness of Christ.
Rejoice, sacrifice of whole burnt offering.
Rejoice, adornment of the Tsar’s of Russia.
Rejoice, thou who gavest an example of meekness and forgiveness to all.
Rejoice, true hope of the offended.
Rejoice, unshakable foundation of faith.
Rejoice, O Nicholas, God crowned Tsar and great passion bearer.

Tsar-Martyr Nicholas willingly endured the passion for the sake of his people; he was born on the feast of Job, and Job remained the mantle under which his life was to be lived. He provides to us the example of Christ’s royalty: someone who loved his people so much, he would die for them. Which leaders who seek after their own power would do that?

The power of the Most High did overshadow thee, O God crowned Nicholas, who didst fight back to enlighten the West in its false wisdom, that the world might cry out to God: Alleluia.