Григорий Распутин

1. Григорий Распутин By, Gina Sensale [Люба]

2. Background • Born: January 10, 1869 • Originating of a peasant status in the small village, Покровское • Russian Orthodox – quite religious • Was always known as one to have “visions” and healing abilities, some under the impression of him being possessed by the devil, or something of a higher power • Often called, “The Mad Monk” • Claimed to have been able to point out the thief of his father’s horse with no evidential support needed

3. Early Life • Surprisingly, married at age 20 in 1889, and had three children with his wife, Прасковья Федоровна, Дубровина • With the inspiration of Макария, he became very devout in the Russian Orthodox religion and traveled for two years on his religious journey • Believed in “Driving out sin with sin” • After moving to St Petersburg in 1903, he started to earn his reputation as a holy man

4. Influence on Russian Royalty • Among his arrival back to Russia, he was said to carry a holy essence, and was quickly introduced to princesses, Милица and Анастасия • The sisters then, after falling under his spell, introduced him to Nicholas II and Aleksandra • The leaders of Russia adored him and trusted him, for he and Aleksandra grew very close and talked for hours about religion and other topics • In these talks, he was said to tell Aleksandra and Nicholas II that they needed to be closer to their people, telling them to trust him because he will never betray them • He also grew close with Nicholas II and became his advisor, so to speak, and Nicholas II put his one word above court ministers • Keep in mind, he advised him to make peace with Germany, but instead Nicholas II chose to take Russia to war, resulting in an obvious mistake

5. Influence on Russian Royalty (continued) • Rasputin was said to have healed Aleksandra’s son, who doctors later discovered suffered from hemophilia, but under a religious treatment, said similar to hypnosis, was said to nullify the symptoms when he started to bleed • Peasants in the city would come and worship Rasputin, while others did quite the opposite

6. Controversy • Some people saw Rasputin to appear as nothing but a dirty drunk, who manipulated his way into the royal family • Most evidently perceived this way by the family of Nicholas II and most nobles • Most of the people seeing Rasputin through these hateful eyes wanted him dead, and there was more than just a handful of royal suspects

7. Fun Facts • Died: December 30, 1916 • Cause of death: homicide • He was said to be poisoned by three nobles, one being Nicholas II’s cousin, surviving the poisoning, then shot by Yusupov and again by Vladimir Purishkevich as he made it out the palace doors, and then thrown in the Neva River • Ironically, he was said to have written a letter to Nicholas II previous to his death, knowing he shall part soon, keeping in mind the possibility for it being one of his ‘haters’ • The 70’s pop group, Boney M, made a hit single after Rasputin, simple called, “Rasputin” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiSdTQ9DW9g • Happens to be a song on the Wii game, Just Dance 2 • He was featured in the film, Anastasia, in the perceived as a traitor monk, significantly different than as he was to Nicholas II and his majesty

8. Sources • http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/history-and-mythology/grigory-rasputin/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigory_Rasputin#Early_life

9. Спасибо;)