Monument to last Russian tsar consecrated

Monument to last Russian tsar consecrated

A whole series of important monuments commemorating the Russian troops who fought alongside Serbian soldiers in both world wars will now include the monument to Nicholas II Romanov, a gift from the Russian historical society, a gift from the Russian Federation to Serbia, which will become part of their stories of gratitude and honor, the Serbian president stated.

"Emperor Nicholas II Romanov was killed ritually; Christianity and support for Slavic ideals was being killed," Nikolić said, adding that the crime "made the civil war in Russia even more fierce," and that Nicholas II had already been viewed as a saint by the Serbian people by that time.

The monument was created by the most famous Russian sculptors Andrei Kovachuk and Genady Pravotvorov and Belgrade architect Janko Krstić, who designed the park where the monument is placed. Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and his Serbian counterpart Irinej blessed the monument, which was followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

The unveiling and blessing of the monument is an important and historic event, Kirill said.

Nicholas did a lot to save the Serbs in World War One and sacrificed his crown, empire and life to save Serbia, the Russian patriarch pointed out.

Irinej stressed that this was a great day for Belgrade, Serbia and the Serbian people in the country and abroad.

Many citizens, bishops, Russian government officials, Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin attended the unveiling.

Kirill and Irinej held a joint service at the St. Sava Cathedral earlier. The ceremony marked the end of Kirill's visit to Serbia.