Elizaveta Romanova: little princess. The tragic fate of Elizabeth Feodorovna: from the most beautiful princess of Europe to the sister of mercy who suffered martyrdom Ella of Hesse

For everyone who wants to stage this performance

about the life of a remarkable woman who became a saint,

about Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna,

For which we are very grateful to her.

WHITE ANGEL OF MOSCOW

(story about the life of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna in 3 parts)

“The Venerable Martyr Elizabeth in her life was able to unite the holiness of the blessed princess, the venerable righteous woman and martyr for Christ and left us an example of life according to the Gospel. Her sacrificial service to the poor, sick, orphans, her sincere love for God and for the Orthodox Church are capable today of awakening the souls of many of our compatriots from sinful oblivion, reminding the rich of the need to serve the poor and disadvantaged, and those in power - of the special responsibility before God and their by the people. A believing heart cannot be indifferent to the glory of the Church of Christ, and therefore suffering for it cannot be forgotten..."

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II

On the stage are the areas where the action will take place. On the left is England, on the right is Darmstadt, in the center is Russia. In the background – Marfo-Mariinskaya Convent

and three portraits of Elizabeth: ELLA (as a child), GRAND DUCHESS (in her youth)

and MOTHER ELIZABETH (in monastic robes). Depending on the time of what is happening on the stage, the corresponding portrait is illuminated.

LEADING. Our story is dedicated to an extraordinary personality, who has no equal in Russia in the twentieth century, who left the brightest mark on the history of our Motherland and Russian culture. We will talk about Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, the founder of the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent, the sister of the last Empress and the wife of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov, the governor of Moscow. Possessing extraordinary beauty, having wealth and nobility, she early realized how short and fickle our earthly life is. Fame, riches, clothes, jewelry - all this is vanity of vanities, everything dissipates like smoke. The main thing in life is good deeds and exploits in the name of the Almighty and for the sake of your neighbor. Only purity of heart and love - only this wealth will go THERE with our soul. Without having a drop of Russian blood, she loved Russia with all her heart and walked across the Russian land as a bright ray of goodness and mercy, fervently serving the new Fatherland until her death, until her last breath, until her tragic death. Contemporaries called her “Skyman”, “White Angel of Moscow”.

The Russian Orthodox Church canonized the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.

Part one. ELLA

Characters:

ALICE, Grand Duchess of Hesse

LUDWIG, Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, husband of Alice

VICTORIA (Wiki)

ELIZABETH (Ella)

IRENA (Irene)

ERNST (Ernie)

ALEXANDRA (Alix)

MARIA (May)

COMPOSER

SISTER OF MERCY

WOUNDED SOLDIER

ORPHAN GIRL

SICK OLD WOMAN

HOST (there can be two of them - a girl and a boy)

SCENE 1

Darmstadt. Music room in the palace. ALICE and ERNIE are sitting on the sofa. On the other side, in a chair, hugging, are ELLA and VICTORIA. At the piano is the COMPOSER, a large, red-bearded man, this is Brahms, a friend of the house.

BRAHMS (strumming a few chords). Well, what should you play, dear ladies?

ELLA. Lunar, if possible.

VICTORIA. Chopin! His waltzes are amazing!.. Or Strauss!

ERNIE (to his sisters). Here we come up with it! Every evening it’s the same thing, I’m tired of listening to you!

ALICE. Children, don't argue! Sorry, dear maestro. Maybe we’ll ask you to perform something of your own for us?.. I heard that you too have taken up dancing...

BRAHMS. Oh, how quickly news from Vienna reaches Darmstadt!.. Yes, dear Alice, I have just finished a small piece, “Hungarian Dances.” (Girls). This, of course, is not Strauss or Chopin, but... However, I have not played in public yet.

ERNIE. Dear Mr. Brahms, play for us! Please! We are a good audience!..

BRAHMS (laughs). Why, perhaps? If a young man will keep me company. (Takes out the sheet music and puts it on the music stand. Ernie). Ask!..

VICTORIA (to brother). So, what, Ernie? Did you jump? (Brahms). Yes, he’s still torturing Cherny’s sketches, he just can’t master them.

ELLA (reproachfully). Vicky!..

ALICE (comes to Ernie's aid). Dear Johannes, perhaps I can replace my son?

BRAHMS. I wish you luck! You are an amazing pianist, Alice!

Alice takes a seat next to the composer.

BRAHMS. Accompany, and if it’s too difficult, just improvise. (Start playing)

Two girls MAY and ALIX run in laughing, followed by an angry IRENA

with a very shabby bouquet of flowers.

IRENA. Mom!.. These girls are unbearable!.. They pick off the heads of the flowers that we prepared for the sick. Tell them!..

Ella quickly stood up and took the kids to the far corner of the room, quietly telling them something. But the atmosphere was broken, and Brahms, having completed the musical phrase, stopped.

ALICE. Ask us, for God's sake. Children…

BRAHMS. Don't worry, dear Alice. On the contrary, you will excuse me for unwittingly disrupting your plans. It seems you were planning to go somewhere with your children? And here I am with my unexpected visit.

ERNIE. Today is Saturday. And my mother takes us to the hospital so that we give flowers and gifts to the sick. And he also demands that we talk to them kindly.

BRAHMS. Talked? Affectionately? Every Saturday?

ERNIE. That's it!

IRENA. And everything, without exception. And Alix goes there, and May, and she’s only three years old!

VICTORIA (obviously quoting her mother). Mom believes that in this way we understand the culture of communication with people of different social strata.

ELLA (to her sister). And what's wrong with that?

BRAHMS. I am amazed. Duchess, is there really no one else to take the flowers to the hospital?..

ALICE (smiling). Children should know what compassion and mercy are. And not in words, but in deeds. As the Apostle James said, faith without works is dead, like a body without spirit.

BRAHMS. Does your husband, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, know about your peacekeeping activities?

ALICE. Of course, he approves and supports it in every possible way.

ELLA. And when he is free, he walks with us.

ALICE. My father used to say that “rulers are given for the good of their people,” and not vice versa. I try not to forget about this.

BRAHMS. But, Alice, this is... after all, dangerous! Sick, infection...

ALICE. It’s all God’s will, dear Johannes.

BRAHMS (kissing Alice's hand). You are an extraordinary woman. Is there anything I can do to help you?

ELLA (slyly). Come with us. And there you will perform “Hungarian Dances”.

ERNIE (persuading). There are a lot of people there.

ALICE. And the piano is excellent. Ludwig took care of this. And I will be happy to accompany you.

BRAHMS. What?.. Great idea, madam. (Ella). Thank you my angel. (Collects notes). Forward!..

The children are inspired, laughing loudly and rejoicing, and take the composer to the hospital.

SCENE 2

Hospital. Music is playing, the composer is playing in the hall (behind the scenes), all the sick people are there, applause can be heard. The only people left in the ward were completely infirm: a GIRL (with a dark bandage over her eyes) and an OLD WOMAN, both lying on beds separated by a nightstand. Enter the NURSE with clean linen, ELLA with flowers, ALIX with a doll

and MAY with a bag of sweets tied with a ribbon.

ELLA. Alix, put the flowers in the vase and change the water. And I need to do something.

ALIX (gives Maria the doll). May, hold it!

Alix, taking a vase from the nightstand, runs away. Maria, clutching the doll to her chest, timidly approaches

to the girl lying motionless. At first he stands silently, then carefully touches her hand, which lies limply along her body. From time to time the girl coughs violently.

ELLA. May, sit down. Don't bother, don't bother the girl.

NURSE. This orphan was found barely alive under a bridge. Apparently they beat her hard, the poor thing lost her sight.

ELLA (heads to the Old Lady). Hello Frau Anna.

OLD WOMAN (peers closely). Who is this?.. Who else is after my heart?..

NURSE. Your angel. Ella, princess.

OLD WOMAN. God bless her.

ELLA. How are you feeling?

OLD WOMAN (moans). Oh, I wish the Lord would take me to himself soon. I can’t wait to die, and where did I get lost?

NURSE (to Ella). She feels bad, refuses to eat, and is completely weak.

ELLA. Frau Anna, how can this be?.. We agreed last time. You promised to behave.

OLD WOMAN. Why smoke the sky?.. No one in this world needs me.

ELLA. But that's not true. (Takes an envelope out of his pocket.) Letter for you. A response has arrived to the request that we sent to you. Apparently, from your son Karl.

OLD WOMAN (joyfully). Found?.. (Be baptized). The Lord heard my prayers! (Reaches for the letter).

NURSE. Don't give it away, princess. Let our granny eat first. I haven’t touched breakfast, and lunch is coming soon.

ELLA (cheerfully). Fair. Come on, Frau Anna, let’s sit down and eat, and gain some strength. And then I will read the letter to you. (Helps the old lady get up and sit down at the table).

The old woman tries to eat, but sees poorly and misses the plate. Seeing this, Ella takes a spoon and feeds her like a baby. As the next scene continues, he quietly reads the letter to the old woman.

NURSE. That’s nice, but in the meantime I’ll change the sheets (rearranges the bed).

ALIX runs in with a vase and flowers. He puts it on the nightstand and shakes the lying girl.

ALIX. Hello Gretchen. It's me, Alix. Wake up!..

MARIA. She coughs and sneezes. Is the girl sick?..

ALIX. And we will cure her now. (Takes the doll from Maria.) Gretchen, guess what I brought you. Well?..

GIRL. Flowers. Daisies.

ALIX. It doesn’t count, you recognized them by their smell. And what else?..

GIRL (uncertain). Hotels?

ALIX. They brought gifts for everyone, now Vicky and Ernie will distribute them to the sick when the concert is over. Guess quickly!

GIRL. I don't know.

ALIX (impatiently). Well, what do you want most? What are you dreaming about?.. What did you see in your dream? Do you remember what you told me last time?

GIRL. A doll?

ALIX. Finally!.. I was really scared: I might have to carry it back home. Hold it!

GIRL (feels the doll). I don’t see anything!.. Is she beautiful?

ALIX. Gretchen! Can a princess have Not beautiful dolls?..

GIRL. So are you giving me yours?

ALIX. Of course, yours! (Sighs). My favorite one. Almost.

GIRL. What is she like?.. What kind of hair, eyes, dress does she have?

ALIX. Blue eyes, shoulder-length curls, a scarlet ribbon around her head. And the dress... is like mine, which I wore for Easter. Mommy says that Lisa—that’s the doll’s name—is very similar to me.

The girl suddenly began to sob.

(Frightened). What are you doing?.. Why are you crying?.. I just came up with another idea!.. Come on, stop it!

MARIA (starts rubbing her eyes with her fist). Don't cry, girl, don't cry. Here, take it (gives the bag). There are sweets and gingerbreads.

GIRL. I'm overjoyed. But there is no way out for the tears, the bandages are in the way.

ALIX. Ugh, I scared you, I thought I didn’t like my Lisa.

GIRL. What are you saying, princess!.. She is so beautiful!.. I will never part with her. Thank you, thank you! May God bless you for your kindness!..

ERNIE enters and a SOLDIER with a crippled leg. He leans on the crutch and Ernie's shoulder.

SOLDIER. So they limped. Thanks, buddy.

ERNIE. How do you like your new crutch? Comfortable? Dad asked me to ask.

SOLDIER. Simply beautiful! At least for the dances - all the ladies-in-waiting are now ours!

ERNIE. Is it really convenient for you?.. Otherwise, dad said, we can order others, if necessary.

SOLDIER. Everything is fine, excellent, thank you, Your Highness.

ERNIE. I’m not “highness” yet, just Ernie.

SOLDIER. You will, you certainly will, since you are starting so well!

ALICE looks in.

ALICE. Children!.. Say goodbye, it's time to go home. We still have a lot of things to do.

Alix, Ella, Ernie say goodbye.

MARIA (hugs the girl). Goodbye girl. (Runs to mother, cuddles). We'll be back! Really, mommy?

ALICE (smiles). Necessarily. May the Lord bless you all! (They leave).

NURSE. What wonderful children, it just makes my heart happy. And Duchess Alice is a true mother, she does not spare her heart for all of us.

The girl waves her hand, the old woman makes the sign of the cross, the soldier salutes.

SCENE 3

Darmstadt. Children's room. The sick VICTORIA and ALIX are lying on the beds.

ALICE walks around the room with MARIA in her arms. A NURSE takes the girls' temperature and changes cold compresses.

ALICE (touching Mary's forehead). Good God, she’s all on fire!.. (To the nurse). What's up with the girls?

NURSE. Everyone is above thirty-eight and the temperature is creeping, especially Alix.

ALICE. Dear God, help us!.. I wish the doctor would come soon! (To the nurse). Mom sent her personal doctor.

NURSE. Queen Victoria?

ALICE. Yes, from London, and he's already on his way to Darmstadt.

NURSE. How are His Highness the Duke and your son?

ALICE. I'm afraid they got sick too. In the morning they complained of malaise and sore throat. Ella is next to them. What would I do without her, such an assistant!..

ELLA runs in

ELLA. Mommy! The doctor has arrived! From grandma. I immediately took him to dad and Ernie.

ALICE. Glory to you, Lord! (Hands Maria over to the Nurse). Try giving May something to drink, her lips are all chapped. (Ella). Let's go. (They leave).

NURSE. What a disaster!.. The whole family at once, only Princess Ella is on her feet. Truly an angel from heaven. (He tries to feed the girl with a spoon, but she only moans pitifully.)

On the front stage - DOCTOR and ALICE

ALICE. Well, doctor?.. What do you say?..

DOCTOR. Duchess... I don't want to scare you...

ALICE. Speak up!..

DOCTOR. You've probably heard that a diphtheria epidemic has broken out in Europe. All symptoms indicate that, unfortunately, it did not bypass Darmstadt either.

ALICE. Are you right, doctor? Maybe it's a cold? Influenza?.. Sore throat?.. High temperature, cough, sore throat... We were on a boat trip, a very sharp cold wind was blowing, it was stormy...

DOCTOR. Alas, duchess. Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease accompanied by general intoxication. And besides the symptoms you listed, there is one more that leaves no doubt. A characteristic film in the throat. Swelling and suffocation.

ALICE (covers her face with crayfish). God, my God!.. But why - all at once? We were so careful. Children have their own beds, dishes, toiletries...

DOCTOR. The causative agent is diphtheria bacillus, infection occurs both by airborne droplets and through objects. And your children are too... sociable. I heard that they visit hospitals, orphanages, charity markets for the poor with you...

ELLA enters with the doctor's bag.

ALICE (hopefully). But Ella and I are healthy!

DOCTOR. The incubation period is from two to ten days. Hopefully your body is strong enough to fight off the infection. What worries me most is your youngest daughter. Diphtheria is very dangerous for such babies.

ALICE. But will you save her? You will save her, doctor!.. I can’t lose another child!.. You know, my son Fritti died, fell from the window, before my eyes! I reached for the bird. It’s terrible, doctor, to bury children!.. He was three years old, May was four, I just won’t survive if...

DOCTOR. I'll do my best, Alice. (Takes the bag from Ella’s hands.) Thank you, young lady. Take care of your mother, give her a sedative, and I will take care of the sick. (Leaves).

ELLA (hug her mother). Calm down, mommy. We can handle it. You'll see, everything will be fine. The doctor will cure dad, Ernie, and the girls. Grandma sent it! Understand? The best in all of England. Don't worry. The Lord will not leave us. Come on, you need some food. And dry your tears. Who told us: “Tears cannot help your grief!” You will still need strength. Let's go, my love. (Takes mother away).

LEADING. Alice managed to get out all the family members except Maria. While trying to save her daughter, she became infected herself by sucking out the diphtheria film from her daughter's throat. The Grand Duchess died at the age of 35, having bequeathed to cover her coffin with only one English flag. The joyful ringing of the bells of Darmstadt gave way to a mournful chime. For Elizabeth and Victoria, childhood is over. Both felt full responsibility for their orphaned younger sisters and brother, who still really needed maternal care and affection. And they also tried with all their might to alleviate the inconsolable grief of their father, Grand Duke Ludwig IV.

SCENE 4

Darmstadt. 3 years have passed since those tragic days. The Grand Duke's office.

On the table there is a portrait of Alice and a candle. LUDWIG sits in a chair, his legs are covered with a blanket,

on my knees is a book. ELLA puts white lilies in a vase and sits down on a bench nearby.

LUDWIG. Every day for three years you change flowers.

ELLA. That's what mom always did. You know, these are her favorites, and mine too.

LUDWIG. What are the children doing?

ELLA. Vicky is rehearsing The Snow Queen with them. Ernie - Kai, Alix - Gerda, well

and Irena, of course, is a robber. Only this is a secret. We are preparing a surprise for Christmas.

LUDWIG. Well, you got the role of mother.

ELLA. You guessed wrong, dad. I am the snow queen!.. (Takes a book). Shakespeare? Would you like me to read it to you?

LUDWIG. Perhaps. Alice adored him, especially the sonnets, and knew many of them by heart. Read the twenty-second.

ELLA (reading):

Mirrors lie - what an old man I am!

I share your youth with you.

But if the days furrow your face,

I will know that I am defeated by fate.

Like in a mirror, looking at your features,

I seem younger to myself

You give me a young heart,

And I give you mine too.

Try to protect yourself -

Not for yourself: you keep the heart of a friend.

And I am ready, like a loving mother,

Protect yours from grief and illness.

Our two hearts have the same destiny:

Mine will die and yours will die!

ELLA (hugs her father). Mommy is now where she is free from worries and worries. She's very happy there, I'm sure. We should not torment her with our complaints and sorrows. We must live as she commanded, and then mommy will be happy.

LUDWIG. You are so similar to her, Ella, more than other children. I feel that her soul lives in you!.. And, I admit, I can’t bear the thought that I could soon lose you. No, no, don't be scared! I mean something completely different. You and Victoria are already brides, they say, the most beautiful of all the German courts, and I would add - of all Europe.

ELLA (hotly). I don't want to talk about it! Sorry.

LUDWIG (softly). But we will have to talk about this. So Prince Wilhelm of Prussia began to visit us often. How do you think why?

ELLA. I can't stand him! Rude, stubborn egoist! Limited, ill-mannered martinet!

LUDWIG. Ella! How harsh and categorical you are, I don’t recognize you.

ELLA. Sorry, dad. But I will never marry him! I won't get married at all!

LUDWIG. My girl, you are mistaken. Life will take its toll. You are beautiful, seductive, you are a real princess from a fairy tale. And all princesses get married sooner or later. And they live happily ever after, surrounded by children and grandchildren.

ELLA (very excitedly). I won't have children. Never.

LUDWIG. What are you saying?.. Don't scare me. You are sick?

ELLA. I am healthy.

LUDWIG. So why?!

ELLA (quietly). I made... a vow.

LUDWIG (completely confused). What vow? To whom? When?

ELLA. To our pastor. When May and Mom died. Even then I decided that never I won't bury my children. It's too... painful. Unbearable.

LUDWIG. You were only fourteen years old then. You were still a child! An impulsive, easily vulnerable child! Is this vow secret?..

LUDWIG. I'll talk to the pastor, he needs to cancel it!

ELLA. No, dad. I don't want.

LUDWIG. Ella, my beloved girl... You don’t understand what you are condemning yourself to!.. The time will come, you will meet a person whom you will love with all your soul, you will want to be with him, as the shepherd says, until death do you part. And for the sake of some childish stupidity you will give it up?..

ELLA. I will refuse unless he wants to understand how serious my vow is.

LUDWIG. But a family is not only loving spouses, but also children - they are the meaning of a marriage. They are your continuation. So that at the end of your days, following Shakespeare, you could repeat: “Look at my children. My former freshness is alive in them. They are the justification for my old age.”

ELLA. Dad, this is a pointless conversation. I'm sorry that I upset you, but I can't do otherwise.

LUDWIG. Do the girls know?

ELLA. No, no one. Except for the pastor and now... you.

LUDWIG. Mom wouldn't approve of your decision.

ELLA. Mommy would understand me. (Smiling). And I really hope the Grand Duke will also support his fairy princess. What about children…

At this time, ALIX and ERNIE burst into the office, rushed to Ella, pulling her by the arms.

ERNIE. Hurry, let's go quickly! Your exit!

ALIX. The Snow Queen must kiss Kai!

ERNIE (pushes his sister). Chatterbox!

ELLA (to father). And you say – children... Here they are, and I love them very much!.. (Hugs his brother and sister, they leave together).

LEADING. The princess met her prince. Elizabeth's chosen one was Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov, the fifth son of the Russian Tsar Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna, who also came from the Darmstadt family. As relatives, they had known each other since childhood. Sergei first saw Ella as an eight-year-old child, when she was not even a year old. Two kindred spirits met. The Grand Duke, like his betrothed, was slender, handsome and noble, spoke several European languages, had an excellent understanding of painting and music, knew and loved literature, and adored the theater. But the main thing is that the princess’s chosen one was deeply religious, and, like the princess, he put the spiritual world of a person and his wealth in first place.

The newlyweds got married in the church of the Great Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. But the couple decided to spend their honeymoon not at a fashionable foreign resort, but at the quiet estate of the Grand Duke near Moscow, which he inherited from his mother. Ilyinskoye became Elizabeth’s favorite place, and at every opportunity she tried to spend time there.

Part two. GRAND DUCHESS

Characters:

ELIZABETH

QUEEN VICTORIA, grandmother of Elizabeth

Queen's Valet

LUDWIG, Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt, Elizabeth's father

ERNST, Elizabeth's brother

ALIX, Elizabeth's sister

ARTIST

SCENE 1

The action takes place in Russia. To a greater extent, this is an illustration of Elizabeth’s letters sent to relatives - grandmother, father, brother, sister. These characters will appear on stage when the letters addressed to them are read.

In the foreground is an ARTIST at an easel and ELIZABETH, she is sitting on a banquette, on her head is a white straw hat decorated with flowers, and in her hand is an umbrella. On the right is SERGEY at the coffee table, reading, occasionally glancing at his wife.

ARTIST (makes a sketch and talks). Your Highness, please turn your head slightly towards the light. Yes, great.

ELIZAVETA (speaks Russian with an accent, choosing and often confusing words). Perhaps I should open an umbrella?..

ARTIST. Perhaps.

ELIZABETH. Sorry, I don't speak Russian well. I have only had lessons for one year. Your language is so difficult!..

ARTIST. You speak beautifully. And the hat... it’s better to take off. Take it in your right hand, it’s more spectacular, and the flowers... Do you like white lilies?

ELIZABETH. Yes, these are very favorite.

ARTIST. Shouldn't we replace them? To the field? Chamomiles, poppies, cornflowers?.. As if you had just returned from a walk...

ELIZABETH. Oh, great!.. Please, how many sessions do I require?

ARTIST. Are you in a hurry, Your Highness?

ELIZABETH (turns to her husband). Sergey!.. Help, please.

SERGEY (to the artist). I would like to receive the portrait by Christmas in time to deliver it to Windsor. Queen Victoria, Elizabeth's beloved grandmother, wished to have her portrait after her marriage.

ARTIST. I think I won't let you down. (To Elizabeth). Have you already been painted?.. Other masters?..

ELIZABETH. Many times. At home, in Darmstadt, in London.

ARTIST. I'm sure they are incomparable.

ELIZABETH. Alas. No luck, ever.

SERGEY (explains). Not a single successful one. And Herr Kaulbach, a famous German painter, destroyed seven sketches. And in despair he exclaimed that perfect beauty is not subject to the artist’s brush.

ARTIST. I completely share his opinion. But let's hope, Your Highness, that we will have better luck and Queen Victoria will be pleased. ( Draws. Sergei, standing behind him, watches).

The left side of the stage is illuminated. Queen VICTORIA sits in a chair at the tea table. Nearby is a portrait of Ella. The Queen drinks traditional tea. The VALOT enters, on a tray - a letter, a paper knife and the Queen's glasses.

VALET. Excuse me, Your Royal Majesty, I have a letter for you.

VICTORIA. Have you forgotten your daily routine?.. When do I read my mail?

VALET. Letter from Russia.

VICTORIA (impatiently). Give it immediately!.. (Sends the Valet away with a gesture, puts on glasses). God, from Ella!.. (Opens the envelope and reads eagerly).

Elizabeth to Queen Victoria (letter):

“My dear grandmother, my portrait has begun to be painted, and I think it will be very successful. Sergey and I hope you like it and we will send it to you as a Christmas and birthday gift. It might be interesting for you to know how they write me - a dress made of pale pink gauze, a lot of lace, a little open - so that the neck is visible, and the sleeves are not very long. I hold an open umbrella in one hand and in the other a large white straw hat with flowers tied with a pink ribbon. Everything looks as if I was walking in the garden... I begin to speak a little Russian. The lady who gives me lessons tells others what the last words I learned are, and they use them in conversation, and thus I understand what they are talking about. With great love to you, dear grandmother. Your loving granddaughter Ella."

ELIZABETH (takes off her glasses). God bless her! Encourage us to choose the right path as a Christian. Give her the strength to serve the new Fatherland with dignity in her high rank - Grand Duchess. And... to the people. (He makes a cross over Ella’s portrait and starts drinking his interrupted tea.)

The light moves again to what is happening in the artist's studio.

SERGEY (examines the sketch to the artist). Not bad, really, very good. (To Elizabeth). I think you'll like it this time. Aren't you tired, my dear?

ELIZABETH. A little. I can do a little more.

SERGEY. Your Highness, have you forgotten that you have a Russian language lesson? ELIZABETH (to the artist). End of session. God bless you. I have to hurry.

SERGEY (to the artist). Ella thanks you. Thank you. You will be notified about the next session.

ELIZABETH (put on her hat, closed her umbrella, stood up). We are going?..

SERGEY (admiring). Freeze!..

ELIZABETH. What? I do not understand.

SERGEY. Stay like that. I have something for you. (Takes a scroll tied with a ribbon from the table and reads):

I look at you, admiring you every hour:

You are so inexpressibly beautiful!

Oh, true, under such a beautiful appearance

Such a beautiful soul!

Some kind of meekness and innermost sadness

There is depth in your eyes;

Like an angel, you are quiet, pure and perfect;

Like a woman, shy and tender.

May there be nothing on earth among the evils and much sorrow

Your purity will not be tarnished.

And everyone who sees you will glorify God,

Who created such beauty!

ELIZABETH. I'm amazed!.. Did you write poetry?.. For me?..

SERGEY. Unfortunately, I am not the author. Konstantin, cousin, asked me to give them to you (hands the scroll to Elizabeth). Frankly, I was jealous and wanted to hide it. But, watching now how you posed for the artist, I realized the sinfulness of this intention. You are perfection, Ella. You are a heavenly angel in the flesh. (Kisses her hands).

ELIZABETH (embarrassed). The sin is truly grave, and you, prince, will be severely punished: the polonaise and mazurka promised to you will be given to the author of these delightful poems. And now, let’s go: Mrs. Kedrova, while waiting for her student, is probably seeing her tenth dream.

Sergei offers his hand to Elizabeth, and they leave.

SCENE 2

Morning, park. ELIZABETH enters, sits on a bench near the fountain, reading a book. Nearby is an open easel.

ELIZABETH (looks around the garden, speaks to herself). What grace, what harmony! What perfection! And all this was created by You, Lord!.. What can I, sinful and weak, do for You so that my soul can calm down? I always feel that I am not doing Your will, but that I must know what pleases You. Tell me, teach me!.. (Leaves the book open and begins to draw).

SERGEY finds her doing this.

SERGEY. There you are!.. I walked around the whole garden, I really wanted to go to the fields, I thought that I was going for cornflowers. And then I decided to look here, in your favorite corner.

ELIZABETH. Yes, it is especially quiet and cozy here. I think it's good.

SERGEY. What are you talking about, Ella?

ELIZABETH. Serge, what are we living for? In the name of what?

SERGEY (obviously surprised, sat down on the bench). Here you go!.. Just yesterday at the ball you were cheerful and delightful. She laughed, joked, and charmed literally everyone with her performances of Russian romances - both ladies and gentlemen.

ELIZABETH (excitedly). But it’s all tinsel and dust. All this splendor of palaces, magnificent receptions, dazzling toilets is a blowjob, and very quickly. Everything will be carried away by the river of time. What will remain after us? What?..

SERGEY (not wanting to develop such a serious topic). Such a blissful environment: centuries-old trees, the murmuring of a stream, the singing of birds, your adored flowers... What’s your mood, my angel?

ELIZABETH. Sergey, leave the joking tone. Answer, what is the meaning of life, mine, yours?.. Think about what our days are filled with? We walk, go boating, play music, read or draw. In the evening - guests, dinner party, theater or opera.

ELIZABETH. You do not understand! To be touched by the rescued chicks that have fallen out of the nest, or to suffer because the lapdog’s tummy is swollen from overeating, when such hopeless poverty reigns all around. When a family sips some kind of drink from a common bowl...

SERGEY. This is called "slurp".

ELIZABETH. When babies die because there is no midwife. When there is one pair of shoes for everyone...

SERGEY. Running barefoot is good for your health.

ELIZABETH (continuing). ...and the trousers...

SERGEY (corrects). Trousers. Peasants do not wear trousers.

ELIZABETH. Don't knock me down. It doesn’t matter what this piece of clothing is called, but boys receive it only after 10 years. Almost all children are illiterate. Instead of school, they are sent to hard work - plowing, mowing, cutting wood. You know, they don't know what "candy" is. When I gave the little beggar girl some English toffee yesterday in church, she thought it was putty and started crying. I had to explain to her and show her how delicious it was.

SERGEY. It would be better if you gave it to me, I love your toffees and know what to do with them!

ELIZABETH (angrily). Sergei!.. It’s immoral to live like we do.

SERGEY (twists in his hands a book that was lying on the bench). "Humiliated and insulted." Dostoevsky. It's clear which way the wind is blowing. I'll have to make a list of what you should read and which authors Bye best avoided.

SERGEY (pulling him towards him). Come on, calm down, my steadfast tin soldier. Fyodor Mikhailovich is an excellent writer. Perhaps the greatest of Russian writers. And I love him very much. But you are not yet ready to fully understand and appreciate all his depth and fearlessness. His pain, his suffering and mercy. Let's wait a little.

ELIZABETH But I must know what country I live in and what my people breathe! And how can I, personally, ease his difficult lot.

SERGEY. Of course you're right. The life of peasants is very difficult. But their main problem is alcohol. They drink a lot, immoderately. Hence the beatings, fights, and appalling poverty. It's not as simple as you imagine, Ella. Russia is not Darmstadt, it is huge, clumsy and... unpredictable. And I am not an emperor.

ELIZABETH. We have to do something!

SERGEY. Of course, what is in our power is mandatory.

SERGEY. Nobody. Now let's go into the house. We'll have morning coffee and apple pie, what do you call it?

ELIZABETH. Strudel. (Looked up). Our favorite family dessert, and the biggest punishment was losing it.

SERGEY. And who got it the most? Ernie?

ELIZABETH (laughs). Me!.. They punished Ernie, and I, seeing how he was suffering, secretly gave him mine.

SERGEY (folds the easel). And this is all you are, my angel. And as for the questions you threw at me... They were answered perfectly by your compatriot by blood and Russian by spirit, the wonderful poet Afanasy Fet. (Is reading):

A whole world of beauty

From big to small,

And you search in vain

Find its beginning.

What is a day or an age?

Before what is infinite?

Although man is not eternal,

That which is eternal is endless...

LEADING. The young, nineteen-year-old Grand Duchess, as soon as she found herself in Russia, her new homeland, began to do works of mercy. Sergei Alexandrovich supported his wife in everything. A maternity hospital was built in Ilyinsky, a medical center was opened, where a doctor treated local residents, and a school where children were taught not only literacy, but also various crafts. The couple organized charity concerts and bazaars, the proceeds from them went to especially needy families. Every year, Elizabeth's name day and the day of remembrance of St. Sergius of Radonezh, in whose honor the Grand Duke was named, were solemnly celebrated. In addition, on the day of the Holy Prophet Elijah, a fair was opened in the village of Ilinskoye, where peasants from the surrounding villages and hamlets, artisans and merchants gathered, exhibiting their wares and products for sale. In the central square, swings and carousels were built for children, and booths were erected for visiting artists and photographers.

The Grand Duke solemnly opened the fair, and then he and his wife walked around the rows, buying and talking with each seller. Next they carried baskets, which were quickly filled with purchased products, souvenirs and gifts for household members.

In the evening, by the light of candles and lamps, festivities began: performances, comic competitions and folk games were organized. Until dawn, the sounds of harmonica and balalaika, singing and dancing were heard from the square.

(At the director’s request, the Presenter’s story can be illustrated with live pictures).

SCENE 3

LEADING. Four years have passed since Elizabeth lived in Russia. She has already understood a lot that previously seemed strange or unusual to her. But what attracted the Grand Duchess most of all was Orthodoxy. Protestantism no longer satisfied the spiritual needs of her nature. In the Orthodox churches where she went, accompanying her husband, Elizabeth felt that she passionately wanted to stand next to her in prayer, approach the holy chalice and take communion, sharing his joy with her loved one. Since childhood, Sergei Alexandrovich was a very pious person and strictly observed all church canons and orders and, of course, suffered greatly that Elizabeth could not join him. But, despite this, the Grand Duke never showed his grief either by word or gesture. This tense situation was resolved in the Holy Land, in Jerusalem, where the couple made a pilgrimage. The trip made such a huge impression on Elizaveta Feodorovna that she firmly decided to convert to Orthodoxy. But all her relatives, with the exception of her older sister Victoria and her grandmother, Queen Victoria of England, did not understand and did not accept this choice of the Grand Duchess.

On stage there is a sharp, painful discussion between Elizabeth's relatives' decision to change her faith. She tries to explain to her father, brother, sisters, and grandmother the reason for her step. As Elizabeth addresses any of them, these characters appear on stage. ELIZABETH is at her desk, writing a letter.

Elizabeth to her father Ludwig IV, Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt:

“My dear Dad!

The most loving and tender thank you for your affectionate cards and such a dear letter that I received on the eve of the New Year... How often do I remember the happy days this fall in Ilyinsky and our joint conversations!..”

SERGEY enters

SERGEY (hugs his husband by the shoulders). Are you busy?.. And I wanted to read aloud to you.

ELIZABETH (reluctantly looking up from her studies). What exactly, dear?

SERGEY. A new piece by Count Tolstoy - “The Kreutzer Sonata”.

ELIZABETH. Lev Nikolaevich?.. You don’t particularly like him.

SERGEY. Yes, but it's a very strong thing. Just delivered to me.

ELIZABETH. Maybe we can put it off until evening?.. I would like to finish my letter to Dad.

SERGEY. Already missing? You saw each other recently, didn’t you talk enough?..

ELIZABETH. They talked about anything, but I didn’t dare tell him about the most important thing.

SERGEY. I wonder what it's about?..

ELIZABETH (after a long pause). Sergey, I decided to convert to Orthodoxy. And I want to ask my father for his blessing.

SERGEY (very excitedly). What?!.. Ella, my dear, beloved, have you finally made up your mind?!.. When?..

ELIZABETH. Still there, in the Holy Land. I can no longer lie to myself or my former faith, remaining outwardly a Protestant, but with all my soul belonging to the Orthodox Church.

SERGEY. But why…

ELIZABETH (continuing the question) ...haven't I done this before? I was afraid of hurting my family. I'm afraid that many will not understand me, will judge me, and will raise a cry. But I have no strength to endure this torment any longer.

SERGEY (touched, shed tears). My poor, my angel, how you suffer!.. But how incredibly glad I am! How long I waited for this, sometimes losing all hope. Thank you, my dear! Having the same faith with you is such happiness!..

ELIZABETH. I decided to write to them, my dear ones, to explain. They have to find out from me, you know?

SERGEY. Understand. You take the cross of Christ onto your shoulders. But you’ll have to go through this, Ella, be prepared for people’s gossip, gossip, and slander. But how happy the Emperor and Empress will be when they find out!

ELIZABETH. Yes, please inform Sasha and Minnie.

SERGEY (kissing his wife’s hand). May the Lord be with you, dear. (Leaves).

ELIZABETH (picks up the pen again):

“...And now, dear Dad, I want to tell you something and I beg you to give Your blessing".

Lights up on LUDWIG reading a letter to his daughter. He gets worried, often interrupts reading, drinks medicine, rubs his heart).

“You must have noticed what deep reverence I have for the local religion since you were last here... I kept thinking, reading and praying to God to show me the right path, and came to the conclusion that only in this religion I can find all the real and strong faith in God that a person must have to be a good Christian. It would be a sin to remain as I am now - to belong to the same Church according to form and for outside world, A inside yourself pray and believe like my husband.”

LUDWIG. How arrogant I was!.. After all, I noticed how Ella revered her husband when he started talking about Orthodoxy. With what tenderness he looks at the icons hung in all corners of the estate. Why didn't you talk? Why didn’t you warn me!..

ELIZAVETA (continues writing):

“...I thought deeply about all this, being in this country for more than six years and knowing that religion had been found. I so strongly wish to commune the Holy Mysteries with my husband on Easter... and I cannot put it off any longer. My conscience tells me this doesn't allow".

LUDWIG. Good God, on Easter!.. What to do? How to reason with her, how to keep her from this fatal step?.. (Calls). Ernie!.. Ernie!..

ERNST enters with a letter in his hands.

Read what your sister is up to!.. Madness!..

ERNIE. I also received a letter. Ella was seduced by the external splendor of the Orthodox Church. But this is not serious, some kind of frivolity! And so unlike Ella!.. Dad, you must use all your power so that she does not step into this abyss.

LUDWIG. Irena demands the same; today I received a telegram from her. But, unfortunately, if Ella has decided, then no amount of persuasion, let alone prohibitions, will stop your sister. Since childhood, she was firm and purposeful beyond her age. In this she is a copy of Alice, your mother.

ERNIE. Dad, but she doesn’t have to change her faith at all! Sergei is a prince, not an emperor, and it is unlikely that he will ever be one. Now, if Alix marries Nikolai...

ALIX enters with a letter in her hands and hears her brother’s last words.

ALIX. Yes, I will be forced to accept my husband's faith. And I will accept it! I love Niki! And I will do everything for him! And in this sense, I completely understand Ella. She adores her Sergei and sees no one but him.

ERNIE (sarcastically). She calls him “the angel of kindness,” and swears that he did not force her to such a decision.

ALIX (shows the letter). Yes, Ella writes that she made this choice of her own free will and deep reflection.

ERNIE. But I do not believe! Sergei is an egoist and has enormous influence on his sister.

ALIX. He is eight years older than Ella! And so talented and... handsome!

LUDWIG (reads Ella's letter). “I ask, I ask, upon receipt of these lines, to forgive your daughter if she causes you pain. But isn’t faith in God and religion one of the most important consolations of this world? Please cable only one line when you receive this letter. God bless you. This will be such a comfort for me, because I know that there will be many unpleasant moments, since no one will understand this step. Your very dearly loving daughter Ella.”

ERNIE and ALIX. And will you send her such a telegram?

LUDWIG. Don't know. But no rash step by a child can deprive parents of their love for their child.

LEADING. But Elizabeth did not wait for the desired telegram; instead, her father sent her a letter that ended with the words: “May God protect you and forgive you if you do wrong.”. There was something to despair about, but the Grand Duchess, despite the moral suffering, did not flinch. The ceremony took place on Palm Sunday, April 25, 1891. Converting to Orthodoxy, Ella did not want to give up her name Elizabeth, which she was named in honor of Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia. She just chose a new heavenly patroness - holy righteous Elizabeth, mother of Saint John the Baptist, whose memory is celebrated on September 18. During the Sacrament, after Confirmation, Emperor Alexander III blessed his daughter-in-law with a precious icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which Elizabeth Feodorovna sacredly revered all her life. The first person with whom Elizabeth shared her joy was her grandmother, Queen Victoria.

QUEEN VICTORIA reads Ella's letter.

ELIZABETH'S VOICE: “My dear grandmother, you cannot imagine how strongly and deeply I was touched by everything you wrote. I was so afraid that maybe you wouldn’t understand this step, and I will never forget the consoling joy that your dear lines gave me. ...The ceremony went so well and was so beautiful!.. I feel so infinitely happy in my new faith. I have always had earthly happiness - when I was a child in my old country, and as a wife - in my new country. ...With all my heart I thank you again and again. May the Lord bless you for everything you have always been to me, for your great kindness and motherly love... With tender love from Sergei and from your most devoted and loving granddaughter. Ella"

VICTORIA. May the Lord protect you, my girl. Everything is in the hands of our Lord. Amen.

Part three. MOTHER ELIZABETH

Characters:

ELIZABETH, Grand Duchess

SERGEY ALEXANDROVICH, Grand Duke, her husband

ADJUTANT to the Prince

PRINCE GOLITSYN, mayor

PRIEST

KALYAEV, terrorist

GUARD

MARIA PAVLOVNA, niece of the Grand Duke

O. MITROFAN, confessor of the Convent of Mercy

VARVARA, sister of the monastery

EKATERINA, sister of the monastery

ILYA, shoemaker

Inhabitants of the Khitrov market:

CITYMAN

Lady with a dog

Inhabitants of the shelter:

TRAMP FIRST

TRAMP SECOND

VANYA (10-12 years old)

DASHA (5-6 years old)

VASILY, their father

NATALIA, their mother

FIRST ANARCHIST

SECOND ANARCHIST

COMMISSIONER

SCENE 1

LEADING. Emperor Alexander III in 1891 appointed his brother, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, governor-general of Moscow, at that time the most restless and alarming city. Knowing his brother’s strong character, the emperor was confident that Sergei would cope with this responsible position with honor and restore order in the throne. But Elizabeth greeted this news with alarm. The first seven years of marriage are over - idyll, happiness and peace. For the grand ducal couple, the countdown began, which determined the meaning of Elizabeth Feodorovna’s earthly service. But there were still 14 long years ahead until the fateful moment, the point of “no return”. And the countdown began with the ceremonial entry of the grand ducal couple into Moscow.

Moscow. Nikolaevsky station, where the train from St. Petersburg should arrive

with the grand ducal couple: Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, at the behest of Emperor Alexander III, assumed a new position - governor-general of Moscow. Townspeople

and noble citizens are preparing to welcome distinguished guests. There are flowers and flags everywhere. Here is the mayor of the city, Prince GOLITSYN, with a silver tray in his hands, on which is a loaf and a salt shaker. Next to him is a PRIEST with a list of the icon of the Vladimir Mother of God. Finally, a thick, drawn-out whistle announces the arrival of the train. Grand Duke SERGEY ALEXANDROVICH and ELIZABETH enter, a little behind is the prince's ADC. The orchestra struck up a march. Muscovites noisily and joyfully greet the arrivals: “Long live the Grand Duke and Princess!”, “Glory to Governor General Sergei Alexandrovich!”, “Long live the Grand Duchess Elizabeth!” etc.

GOLITSYN (signals for the orchestra to fall silent), Welcome, Grand Duke and Grand Duchess! We greet you with joy and love. Keep, Grand Duke, the legacy of antiquity and love the mother-throne of Moscow as sincerely, as ardently as we love our Tsar and our Motherland” (with a bow he hands over “bread and salt” to Sergei and Elizabeth).

The Grand Duke and Princess accept the offering and, breaking off a piece,

hand the tray over to the Adjutant.

PRIEST. You are welcome, Your Imperial Highness. We greet with joy the Blessed Grand Duchess, who, out of Her sovereign desire, desired to unite with us in the Orthodox faith. May the Mother of God of Vladimir illuminate your path, may she help you in righteous labors, mercifully done in the name of goodness and justice (she hands Elizabeth an icon and signs the princess with a cross).

Elizabeth accepts the icon with a bow, venerates it and hands it to the Adjutant. Girls in Russian costumes present the princess with bouquets of white and scarlet roses and sing “Many Years.” Then, to the sound of bells, the distinguished guests, accompanied by Muscovites, leave.

SCENE 2

SERGEY and ELIZAVETA are in the palace, returning after the celebrations, it is clear that both are very tired. Elizabeth reclines in a chair, legs stretched out, covering her eyes with her hand.

SERGEY (with a glass of water approaches his wife). Drink, my angel.

ELIZABETH. My head hurts a lot. And I can’t feel my legs at all.

SERGEY. Well, Your Highness, is Monomakh’s hat heavy? Get used to it, Madam Governor.

ELIZABETH. I'm very afraid, Serge. Very.

SERGEY. What, honey?.. What's bothering you?..

ELIZABETH. Moscow is so huge, diverse, unpredictable. There are riots at the university, workers are on strike in the factories, even in high society there is no unity - some kind of disputes, quarrels, gossip... Old Believers, merchants, Jews are claiming leadership, how to unite the incompatible?..

SERGEY. Do you doubt whether I can handle this cart?

ELIZABETH. God forbid! Sasha could not trust anyone but you to restore order in Moscow. But... it makes your hair stand on end when you think about the responsibility entrusted to you!

SERGEY. Yes, you will have to forget about rest. Our quiet and calm life is over. The role of the ruling prince, I agree, is difficult and difficult, and your support, Ella, is more important to me than ever.

ELIZABETH. I will try to perform perfectly everything that falls to my lot. I promise.

SERGEY. Well, fine. (In front of the icon). Lord, give us strength, guide us to put everything in order - with firmness, according to law and tolerance.

LEADING. A lot can be said about the charitable activities of the grand ducal couple. The initiator and main organizer was invariably Elizaveta Fedorovna, and Sergei Alexandrovich supported all her projects. Effective assistance was provided to museums, art galleries and monasteries. Architects, scientists, archaeologists, artists, actors and musicians felt the constant support and attention of the Grand Duchess. Choral sacred music occupied a special place in the life of the couple. They regularly organized charity concerts of spiritual singing choirs in the best halls of Moscow and patronized them in every possible way. But Elizaveta Fedorovna’s closest attention was paid to the poor, elderly and street children. She tried to do something concrete to alleviate the suffering of these people.

But gradually clouds began to gather over Russia. Revolutionary sentiments permeated society from top to bottom. Strikes, walkouts, and May marches swept the country. Revolutionary terrorism grew, exploding with arson and murders of government officials, governors, mayors, police officers, and even minor civil servants and policemen. The year 1905 was approaching...

SCENE 3

Governor's office. The Grand Duke's ADC is sorting out the mail. He puts some letters aside. ELIZABETH enters.

ADJUTANT. Good morning, Your Highness.

ELIZABETH. God is merciful, Vladimir Fedorovich. Got new mail? Is there something for me?

ADJUTANT (in an apologetic tone). Several anonymous letters.

ELIZABETH (opens one envelope, reads). Again this abomination!.. A certain well-wisher warns me not to accompany my husband if I do not want to share his fate with him. Sergei was sentenced and blacklisted!.. Vladimir Fedorovich, do you know where the Grand Duke is?..

ADJUTANT. Left for the Kremlin.

ELIZABETH. Shouldn't you, Mr. Adjutant, accompany him?

ADJUTANT (reluctantly). For some time now, Sergei Alexandrovich prefers to travel alone.

ELIZABETH (having guessed). Does he also receive these anonymous letters?

ADJUTANT. Several pieces a day. But after reading it, it immediately burns. The Grand Duke forbade us to tell you about this. Please don't give me away.

SERGEY ALEXANDROVICH enters.

SERGEY (having assessed the situation). Everything secret, sooner or later, as I see it, becomes clear. All the better. Ella, we are immediately moving to the Kremlin, to the Nicholas Palace.

And we will remain there until the unrest subsides.

SERGEY. Yes, definitely. I'm no longer governor. I resigned, and the Emperor accepted my resignation.

ELIZABETH. What?.. But why?!

SERGEY. We have different points of view on methods of stabilizing the situation in the country. The Emperor considers my measures towards the revolutionaries to be too harsh. He is a supporter of liberal-passive steps and is inclined to publish a Manifesto granting democratic freedoms to society.

ELIZABETH (suddenly overjoyed). How good! Now, since you are not the governor, nothing threatens you! Now They leave us alone! Maybe we'll go to Darmstadt? We haven't been there for so long!

SERGEY. This is impossible. I am still the commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District. And to leave the city when Moscow is engulfed in revolutionary fire is cowardice and dishonor. (To the adjutant). Order the crew to be prepared.

The adjutant leaves. Sergei sorts out the mail and throws anonymous letters into the fireplace.

ELIZABETH. But please be careful! Don’t leave unaccompanied, without security, I beg you! At least change your daily routine, the killers have probably studied all your routes.

SERGEY. Don't worry, honey. Everything will be fine. I promise.

ELIZABETH. There were eight assassination attempts on Alexander II, your father! And yet they killed him...

SERGEY. You see what a huge resource of time I have!.. Go, get ready. And don’t forget, tonight we are going to the opera to listen to Chaliapin.

Elizaveta leaves, Sergei continues to burn papers.

LEADING. But the hands were already counting down the last day. The fateful day arrived, February 18, 1905, grey, windy and snowy. The Grand Duke, alone as always, went to a meeting at the governor's palace. Elizaveta Fedorovna was getting ready for her workshop, which she organized right in the Kremlin Palace, where they sewed warm clothes and underwear for soldiers who participated in the Russo-Japanese War. Suddenly there was a terrible explosion! And then there was an ominous silence. Everyone was confused, and only the Grand Duchess felt in her heart that something irreparable had happened. As she was, in only a dress, she rushed to the exit and rushed to the scene of the explosion. The sight that met her eyes was terrible. The Grand Duke, like his father Alexander II the Liberator, was torn to pieces by a terrorist bomb.

The killer Ivan Kalyaev was captured right away, fighting back, he shouted: “Down with the Tsar! Long live the revolution!"

Silently, without screaming or tears, Elizabeth on her knees collected what was left of the one she loved so much. The soldiers brought a stretcher, placed the remains of the Grand Duke on it and covered it with an overcoat. The stretcher was taken to the church of the Chudov Monastery and placed in front of the pulpit of the temple. Elizaveta Fedorovna knelt down next to him, and, falling on her face, stood there throughout the funeral service. The bells were ringing, the dirge singing of the worshipers rushed up...

SCENE 4

LEADING. Ella’s sister Victoria and brother Ernst and his wife came to the prince’s funeral. The imperial couple Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna remained in St. Petersburg for safety reasons. Funeral services continued in churches throughout the following days, and Elizabeth invariably attended them. While praying at her husband’s coffin, she suddenly felt that Sergei was directing her to his killer. She wants her to visit the lost man and convey to him the forgiveness of the murdered man.

ELIZABETH quickly emerges from the doors of the temple in a mourning dress.

Brother ERNST hurries next.

ERNST. Ella, what happened?..Where are you going?..

ELIZABETH. I must see him!

ERNST. Who?.. Who are you talking about?

ELIZABETH. Kalyaeva. Sergei ordered me. I was praying and suddenly I clearly heard Sergei’s voice: “I forgive him. Go and tell me."

ERNST. Ella, sister, you are excited, exhausted... This horror, your state... these are hallucinations. You need to rest, sleep at least a little...

ELIZABETH. My dear boy, calm down. I am not crazy. But I must try to save this lost soul. You are going?

ERNST. Where?

ELIZABETH. To prison, to prison. (Leaves).

ERNST. This is madness!.. (Hurries after his sister).

The prison where IVAN KALYAEV was awaiting sentencing. He is without shackles, writing something at a tiny table. The cell contains only a bed, a table and a chair attached

to the floor. ELIZAVETA enters, accompanied by ERNST and a GUARD.

She silently looks at the prisoner for some time.

KALYAEV. Who you are?..

ELIZABETH. I'm his widow.

KALYAEV. What you need?

ELIZABETH. I have to talk to you.

KALYAEV. If I agree to listen to you.

Ernst rushed forward, shouting something in German.

GUARD (holds the Duke, Kalyaeva). Well, you murderer, take it easy! Get up, non-human! Before you is Her Highness, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna.

Kalyaev, grinning, defiantly continues to sit.

ELIZABETH (to Ernst and the Guard). Leave us.

ERNST. Es ist gefahrlich! (Is it dangerous! - German)

GUARD. But, Your Highness, it is not ordered...

ELIZABETH. I insist.

Ernst and the Guard reluctantly leave. After some time, the Guard brings a chair for Elizabeth. After thanking him, she sits down opposite Kalyaev.

KALYAEV. Well?.. Ask. My main occupation now is listening to stupid questions (grins).

ELIZABETH. Why did you kill him? What did he do to you?

KALYAEV. Nothing personal (yawns). This is what the organization of which I have the honor to be a member decided. Individual terror is our main method of struggle against autocracy. And the Grand Duke is his bright and very decisive representative. No match for this henpecked Nikolashka.

KALYAEV (laughed). What?.. Save?.. Who authorized you?!.. Isn’t it the Lord God himself?..

ELIZABETH. The sin of murder is the most serious. And the worldly court, I’m afraid, will be harsh. Soon you will appear before the Creator. Think how scary it is to go into another world with a hardened heart, with a black sediment in your soul. When you find yourself before His Bright Face, it will be too late to repent. This should be done here, to prepare yourself for the Heavenly Judgment.

KALYAEV (irritated). Spare me from your sermons! My choice is quite conscious. I knew what I was getting into.

ELIZABETH. But if you repent, I will ask the Emperor to have mercy on you, and I will pray to the Lord to forgive you. And Sergei Alexandrovich and I have already forgiven you. I brought the Holy Gospel, read it, it will ease your soul.

KALYAEV. I don't want pardon! How many times do I have to tell you?.. We, atheists, believe that every person must bear his own burden, no matter how heavy it may be. And don’t hide behind someone else’s back, don’t whine: “Forgive me, Lord, I didn’t know what I was doing!” Do not cowardly beg for mercy from those who turned out to be stronger this time.

ELIZABETH. I respect your beliefs, but... don't you admit that they are wrong? That after some time you will change them? You are so young…

KALYAEV. Do you feel sorry for me?!.. I killed your husband! Took away the most precious thing! Come to your senses!.. You must hate me with fierce hatred!.. Or is this a pose? Panache? And you came here to a prison cell to demonstrate Christian morality? Do you want to “call for mercy for the fallen”? So that tomorrow all of Moscow will say how immeasurable your mercy is?.. Go away.

ELIZABETH. My visit is secret. No one except those you have seen knows about it. I give you my word that our conversation will not become public knowledge.

KALYAEV (after a pause). I could have killed the Grand Duke earlier. But every time you were with him. And I didn’t dare touch him.

ELIZABETH (with trembling). Did it ever occur to you that you killed me along with him?

KALYAEV. I feel sorry for you in your grief. And it's all. Farewell.

Elizabeth, putting the Gospel and a small icon on the table, headed towards the door.

ELIZABETH. Do you have relatives, father, mother, loved ones?.. If you want, I will order that the letter that is on your table be given to them.

KALYAEV. This is not a letter. Play. I decided to leave a parting message for posterity. “Manuscripts don’t burn,” right?..

ELIZABETH (crossing the prisoner). Merciful God, forgive him!..

Elizabeth comes out. Kalyaev examines the icon, then puts it under the pillow

and lies down on his back.

ERNST. Ella! What?... He didn't offend you? Didn't you offend?..

ELIZABETH. My attempt was unsuccessful. But who knows, perhaps at the last minute he will realize his sin and repent of it. (To the guard). Please, if you notice any change in the prisoner's behavior, please let me know.

GUARD. Definitely, Your Highness. Don't worry. I won't take my eyes off it.

Elizaveta and Ernst leave, the Guard sees them off.

LEADING. The Grand Duchess wrote a petition addressed to the Tsar asking him to pardon Ivan Kalyaev. At the trial he behaved defiantly. And when he was given the last word, Kalyaev warned: “Be careful in passing a sentence on me. If I am acquitted, I will again take up arms to destroy tsarism and liberate the Russian people. I demand a public execution!” The killer was sentenced to death. Nicholas II, after some hesitation, decided to respect the request of the Grand Duchess. The condition of pardon was the same - repentance of the criminal. But Kalyaev was firm: “I want to die. My death will be even more useful for the purpose of the revolution than the death of Grand Duke Sergei. We need to wake up the people so that they finally begin to fight for their rights and freedom.” There was no public execution. The fanatic killer was hanged in the Shlisselburg fortress. They say that on the last night before his execution, the Holy Gospel and an icon of Elizabeth lay next to him.

SCENE 5

LEADING. Having put on mourning for her tragically deceased husband, the Grand Duchess went even deeper into prayer. An expression of hopeless melancholy seemed to be frozen on her face, and this continued until she finally realized the vanity of the secular world and moved into the world of spirituality. Elizaveta Fedorovna did not stop her previous social activities, but devoted herself to charitable causes with even greater zeal. And, each time starting a new business, she mentally consulted with the deceased: “What would Sergei do in this case?”

When and under what circumstances the idea of ​​creating the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent first appeared to her is unknown. We can only say with confidence that without the blessing of spiritual mentors and elders, without the support and help of close friends, this grandiose plan would hardly have taken real shape.

Elizabeth's room in the palace, more like a monastic cell. There is a wooden cross in the corner. On the walls there are only icons and paintings of spiritual content. The room is dimly lit by a kerosene lamp. A young girl is sitting at the table on which there is a modest dinner. This is MARIA PAVLOVNA, the niece of Sergei Alexandrovich, who was raised by the grand ducal couple from infancy. The clock is striking.

MARIA (shudders, gets up, nervously walks around the room). It’s already ten o’clock!.. Where is Aunt Ella?! I went on foot to my hospital again! The streets are so restless, so scary! It seems that she is looking for her death.

ELIZABETH enters, she is in a mourning dress. Crosses himself on the icon.

Hugs his niece.

ELIZABETH. Sorry, Mashenka.

MARIA. Aunt Ella! Darling, you can’t do that! I worried so much! What are you doing?.. Walking around Moscow, without security, at night! If Uncle Seryozha were alive, he would now reprimand you for the heat! (Trying to soften the tone, jokingly). I would put it in the corner!..

ELIZABETH (lowered her head and began to cry). I'm sorry, my dear, I'm sorry. In each of these unfortunate people I see Sergei. Easing their suffering is one consolation. And the grief somehow dulls a little, it seems less acute and hopeless...

MARIA. Everyone, calm down. (Wipes Elizabeth's tears). Forgive me for attacking like a tigress. But I love you very, very much! You replaced my mother when she died, and for me there is no one dearer than you.

ELIZABETH (smiles, kisses Mary). I won’t worry you like that again, I promise. I know what to do.

MARIA. I also know: have dinner first. True, everything has cooled down, but a glass of wine will warm up my chilled, beloved aunt a little. (He is busy at the table.)

ELIZABETH. No, dear, don’t bother. Bring me those boxes that are in the closet.

MARIA (joking). Your personal jewelry store?.. With pleasure!.. (Brings boxes, open them together, take out jewelry). How lovely! How I loved, little one, to look at them!.. Here is a pearl necklace, I remember, Uncle Seryozha gave you. And this brooch with emeralds is a gift from Queen Victoria, right?.. But these diamond earrings are from grandfather Sasha and grandmother Minnie. Looks like you got them for Christmas. It's a miracle, how good they are!..

MARIA. In what sense? What else are you up to, Aunt Ella?

ELIZABETH (divides the jewelry into three parts). I will transfer all gifts from the Imperial Family to the state treasury. I return personal jewelry to relatives. And I decided to use the third part of this goodness for a God-pleasing cause - the establishment of the Abode of prayer, labor and mercy.

MARIA. Abode?.. Which?.. Where?..

ELIZABETH. In Moscow. And dedicate it to Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, whom the Lord raised after his death.

MARIA. I do not understand anything! Do you voluntarily leave the light, society? Do you want to go to a monastery?

ELIZABETH. I am really parting with high society because of my widowhood. Glitter, holidays, receptions, parties are a thing of the past. But I don’t even think about “leaving worldly life.” On the contrary, I want to enter it. People suffering from poverty, experiencing moral and physical suffering, should receive at least a little Christian love. This has always worried me, since early childhood. And now it has become the goal of my life.

MARIA. Is it impossible to do good while living in a palace? You have been doing charity all your life, as long as I have known you. Are hospitals, orphanages and shelters, and all sorts of charitable societies that you patronize not enough for you? Why such extremes?.. You give away property, dooming yourself to a miserable existence. Why, dear Aunt Ella?! No one will understand, appreciate your sacrifice, and even laugh.

ELIZABETH. Maybe I'm wrong. But I believe that sometimes someone will look in my direction and come to help, leaving empty entertainment for a while. And then he will see what boundless joy a kind word, support or consolation brings in suffering. And the Abode is precisely the place where two virtues can be combined: active service to the Lord through one’s neighbor, like Martha; and serving God through prayer and contemplative delving into the Divine Mysteries, as Mary preferred.

MARIA. I'm impressed. Aunt Ella, but what you have in mind... Will you have enough strength to carry out such a grandiose plan? Is he capable of a woman, even one as strong as you?..

ELIZABETH. I know: I have neither intelligence nor talent except love for Christ. But I do nothing without the instructions of elders experienced in spiritual life. One nun told me: “Place your hand in the hand of the Lord and walk without hesitation.” It is my choice. Pray for me, my good friend, my girl.

LEADING. Disdaining the tears of her friends, the gossip, and the ridicule of the world, the Grand Duchess courageously went her own way. And as always, having outlined a plan, she set about implementing it with admirable tenacity, demonstrating an amazing talent as an organizer. Elizabeth bought land for construction, invited the best architects and artists, attracted influential clergy, enlisted the support of the Emperor and the Holy Synod, and already in 1909 the Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy opened its doors to the suffering. At the Monastery, the following were built: a Church in the name of the Holy Women Martha and Mary, a model hospital, a pharmacy and an outpatient clinic, where reception and free treatment of the most disadvantaged were constantly carried out. On the territory of the Monastery there were: a shelter for orphan girls, a Sunday school, a library, a sewing workshop, a free canteen and a dormitory for sisters of mercy, as well as the chambers of the Mother Superior and the priest-confessor. But the decoration of the Monastery was the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built according to the design of the famous architect A.V. Shchusev, and painted by the great painter M.V. Nesterov. And this entire architectural complex, amazingly beautiful, was surrounded by a luxurious garden, lovingly cultivated by the hands of Mother Elizabeth and her crusading sisters.

SCENE 6

On the front stage. ELIZAVETA appears and takes off her nurse's apron.

and rubber gloves. It is obvious that she is very tired and sits down on the bench.

Enter Fr. MITROFAN.

O. MITROFAN. Good health, Mother. I see you just came out of the operating room. Assisted the doctor again?..

ELIZABETH. Yes, we did everything possible, however, stomach cancer leaves few illusions. I think, father, now the unfortunate man needs your consolation.

O. MITROFAN. I'll definitely visit him.

ELIZABETH. I keep wondering if we are taking a sin on our souls when, out of false humanity, we try to lull such sufferers to sleep with the unrealizable hope of an imaginary recovery? Isn’t it more merciful to prepare them in advance for the Christian transition into eternity?..

O. MITROFAN. You work very hard, Mother, beyond human limits. Sleep for three hours... There’s no point in doing that. My sisters whispered to me that last night you again read psalms over the deceased, and in the morning, without sleeping a wink, you stood up at the operating table. And now, I suppose, you’ll go to the office to sort out petitions and receive visitors. Take care of yourself, our dear.

VARVARA and EKATERINA enter and greet.

ELIZABETH. What’s there, Varya?.. (To O. Mitrofan). The sisters, on my instructions, went to Khitrovka, where a woman was in desperate straits and asked for help.

VARVARA (sits next to him). Yes, Mother, the situation is terrible. A young mother, tuberculosis in the last stage, and two children, a little less.

CATHERINE. And my drunkard husband. I wanted to take the kids with me right away, but – where! He attacked with his fists, used foul language, and barely got away with his legs.

ELIZABETH (stands up decisively). Katya, go to the hospital and tell them to prepare a place in the ward. As a last resort, let them put an extra bed. And you and I, Varya, are immediately going to Khitrovka.

VARVARA. Mother, you need to change your shoes. The mud there is impassable.

ELIZABETH (looks at Catherine’s feet). We seem to be the same size. Take off your shoes, Katya. (Change shoes).

O. MITROFAN (trying to stop). Mother…

ELIZABETH (interrupts gently). Bless me, father.

O. MITROFAN (blesses). Go in peace!..

Everyone leaves.

Khitrov market. There is a brisk trade in everything - edibles, moonshine, stolen goods, all kinds of rags... There are a lot of beggars and beggars here, and from time to time, fights break out among vagabonds at different ends of the square. A couple is wandering around the market - a boy of about twelve and a girl of about five, they are brother and sister -

They pester passers-by, beg for alms, and if they succeed, they pick their pockets. A FAT MAN is walking, decently dressed.

DASHA (extends her hand to Fat Man). Father-master, give it to me, for Christ’s sake!..

VANYA (stepping in his way). Our mother died. Give it to the wretched children!..

The fat man tries to get around the little beggars, but they do not allow him to pass. Finally, he gives up: he takes out a voluminous wallet and, putting a coin in his outstretched hand,

hastily retreats.

VANIA. How much did he give you? Show me.

DASHA. Dime. Vanya, let's go home, I'm tired.

VANIA. Look, she's tired! Do you want to eat?.. Look, there’s a barge floating, see?.. Come on, Dasha, blow towards her, shed a tear, make her feel sorry. Otherwise it hits you in the neck.

An oversized LADY is moving across the square, leading a dog on a leash.

DASHA. Lady, madam, show mercy, give a penny to the orphan. Mommy died, the crippled father lies without memory.

LADY. Get out of here, you disgusting beggar. How many of you are divorced, it’s impossible to go outside!

DASHA. For Christ's sake!.. (Pulls the pen). I really want to eat.

LADY. Shoot!.. Otherwise I’ll set the dog on fire!

Vanya rushes to help his sister. He shoots the dog with a slingshot, and it squeals.

The lady bends down to take him in her arms, her legs part in the mud, and the lady flops into a puddle. He begins to lament: “They killed you, Herods!.. Help!..”

VANYA (helps the Lady get up). Let me, madam, hold your dog. Get up.

LADY (gets up with difficulty, curses). Wherever the authorities look! Dirt, stench, stench! It’s high time to eliminate this hotbed of crime!.. (Takes the dog from Vanya’s hands and reaches into his pocket). Here's to you for your troubles. (Leaves, angry).

VANYA (looks at the coin). That damn doll, she just threw away a nickel.

DASHA. Go home! I want to eat, my stomach is cramping.

VANIA. She whined!.. What didn’t you see there? The father is completely drunk, the mother is spitting blood, and the boy is playing cards. They'll also pump you up with vodka and make you dance. Dare then with you. And now I’ll feed you. Look what I pulled out of the hold of this barge while it was floating in the puddle. (Shows watch on chain). Oops!.. Silver!.. Now let's go to the shop, to the old Jew, push the watch - and order. We'll buy you some shoes and a nicer dress. Well, for the mother - medicine. I feel sorry for her, she’s completely exhausted.

DASHA. Vanechka, what have you done! The policeman will grab us.

VANIA. If he catches up. And now we’re going to the tavern to have some fun, and really, it’s time.

A sharp whistle. A POLICEMAN and a LADY are running, shouting: “Stop the thief!” Vanya, quickly realizing, grabs her sister’s hand, and the children run away. And... they stumble upon

on the VARVARA and GRAND DUCHESS that have just appeared on the market.

LADY. Here he is! Scoundrel, thief, repeat offender! (To the policeman). Grab him! Why are you standing there like a rotten stump?

VANYA (to Varvara). Auntie, hide us, for God's sake! They want to hide us in prison! They say we are homeless! And we are not homeless at all, we have both a dad and a mom. You know, you were with us this morning.

VARVARA. Mother, these are the children for whom we came here.

ELIZABETH. What's the matter, Mr. Policeman?

CITYMAN. I wish you good health, Mother Elizabeth. This lady claims her watch was stolen.

LADY. I went to the market with a watch, but now it’s gone! He stole it, you little bastard!

ELIZABETH. Do you have any reason to say this?

LADY. No one else! I fell and this brat helped me up. And that’s it – no clock!

ELIZABETH. Mister policeman, these children are my wards. Now I intend to visit their parents and obtain consent for the children to live in our shelter. I hope we will resolve all misunderstandings. You know the address of the Abode.

CITYMAN (salutes). That's right, Your Highness!

Elizabeth and Varvara, holding the children’s hands, leave.

LADY (indignantly). What kind of arbitrariness?.. Some nun is covering up for thieves!.. I won’t leave it like that! I will complain!

CITYMAN. Stupid, excuse me, you are stuffed, lady-madam. This is not “some nun,” but the Abbess of the Martha and Mary Convent, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, the sister of our Empress. Do you understand?.. (Leaves, the Lady trotts after).

SCENE 7

A shelter where homeless and degenerate people live. The two-tier bunks are curtained with shabby matting. A motley group of shelter dwellers are eating at the table

into cards. One of them does not take part in the game, sits hugging a bottle, hanging his head, this is VASILY. An annoying cough can be heard from behind the curtain; Vanya and Dasha’s sick mother, NATALIA, is lying there.

WOMAN. Well, shall we buy another party?.. For a “dummy”?.. How much are we betting? One hundred square meters?.. Sword! I'll do all of you, gentlemen, don't even flutter.

FIRST TRAMP (towards the patient). Will you finally shut up?.. It thumps and thumps, there is no rest day or night.

SECOND VAG. Come on, don’t get involved, she’s already not sweet enough.

NATALIA (through a cough). Do something with me, for Christ's sake. Strangle, poison. There is no urine, everything in my chest is bursting.

WOMAN. Hey, soaring! Vaska, I'm telling you. Sits, hugging a bottle. You should give your wife a sip. Vodka is the first cure for all sorts of ailments. Share with half of yours. After all, he will die soon.

Enter VARVARA, VANYA, DASHA and MOTHER ELIZAVETA. The children immediately rushed

to their mother, whispering to her about something.

FIRST TRAMP. Bah, what kind of people came to us!..

ELIZABETH. Peace to this house.

WOMAN (sarcastically). If only through your prayers, Mother. We have long forgotten about it, about the world. As indeed, he is also about us.

ELIZABETH. Where is the patient?

SECOND VAG. Vaska, why are you frozen? Take me to Natalya.

BASIL. Get off me, all of you!

SECOND VAG. But, but, brother, take it easy on the turns. Do you know, fool, who came here to your stinking den?.. Mother Elizabeth herself! Fall on your feet and thank the Lord for despising you - he sent an angel.

NATALYA appears, children support her on both sides.

NATALIA. Hello, Mother. Thank you for hearing my cry for help. God bless you. You are my last hope. My heart aches for these children of mine. It was only because of them, my little blood, that I dared to beg you, Mother, for mercy. (Coughing attack). Your sisters came this morning and wanted to take the children away, but... Herod didn’t allow it. Vzashey kicked me out. Please forgive me...

VARVARA. Sit down, Natasha, sit down, calm down. Now everything will be fine.

VASILY (raised his heavy head). Back to old times, creature?! Where - “take it”?.. (Hits the table with his fist). They have a father! Legitimate!.. I, Vasily, son of Petrov!..

ELIZABETH (addressing the company at the table). Dear, could you please leave us? I must talk to this kind man, the head of this family.

WOMAN (laughs). A kind man?.. Have you heard, gentlemen tramps?.. Yes, this is a thief! And a bitter drunkard!

BASIL. Come on, you little bastard, shut your filthy mouth!

Vasily and the woman are ready to grapple, but her two comrades do not allow

a fight breaks out.

FIRST TRAMP (to the woman). Calm down, woman. Don't throw brushwood, it's too hot.

SECOND VAG. Let's go, Mother. But beware of Vaska, he really is spoiled.

WOMAN (feeling safe). He forces the kids to beg and drinks everything away. And if they don’t bring it in the beak, it hits mercilessly. How many times were they taken from him, half dead? They soldered it with vodka.

The tramps and the Woman leave. Elizabeth sits down at the table. Varvara put Natalya on the bunk and gave her some kind of broth. The children are sitting near their mother, intently watching what is happening.

ELIZABETH. Vasily Petrovich, let's talk, let's discuss everything calmly

VASILY (gloomily). Nothing to talk about. I won't give up my children. If we die, we will die together. So, it’s written in my family. I am a great sinner. Find someone better and help him.

ELIZABETH. There are no bad people, there are people for whom you especially need to pray. This is what our shepherd, Father Mitrofan, the confessor of the Monastery, thinks. But I make you a very specific offer. Now we will all leave here - your wife, you. Children. Natalya needs treatment; a place in the hospital has already been prepared for her. Dasha will live in the Abode, in a shelter. Her friends are waiting for her there, more than twenty of the same girls. (Dasha squeals joyfully). Vanya... How old is he?

VANYA (shouting). Twelve! I'm an adult!

ELIZABETH. If a young man considers himself an adult, then there will be a job for him. Do you want to be a messenger?

VANIA. Deliver letters?

ELIZABETH. Not only. Perform various responsible tasks.

VANIA. Will you pay money?

ELIZABETH. Of course, all good work must be paid.

VASILY (gloomily). I won't let go.

ELIZABETH. You didn’t listen to the end, Vasily Petrovich. I said: we are leaving this... inhospitable house all together. There is a pretty decent activity for you too.

VASILY (grinning). You have been warned: I am a thief and a drunkard.

ELIZABETH (ignoring what was said). Would you agree to help our gardener? The Monastery has a very large garden, and it is difficult for one person to keep it in order. This is my proposal. The decision, of course, is yours.

NATALYA (pleadingly). Vasya, my dear, golden!..

VANYA and DASHA. Dad, let's go!..

BASIL. OK. If you're not kidding. Let's see what kind of paradise you have there. (Children). Get ready, riffraff!..

Natalya crosses herself, the children rejoice, Varvara smiles.

ELIZABETH. I already told them that I did not leave the Kremlin in order to be driven there again. And if it is difficult for the current government to protect me here, let them abandon any attempt to do so. And Father Mitrofan, how will I - there, and you, my dears, - Here?

O. MITROFAN (cheerfully). Did you notice how this infidel venerated the cross after you?..

ELIZABETH. The Lord created man in His Image and Likeness, but this image is not manifested in everyone. And this is our hope and duty – to help the light of God shine in lost souls.

VARVARA enters.

VARVARA. Mother, there is an important gentleman asking you. And he doesn’t speak our language. I only understood that he had arrived from afar. Looks like it's from abroad. I took him to your office.

ELIZABETH. God, is it really Ernie?!.. It can’t be! I haven’t seen them, my dear ones, for three years since the war began.

O. MITROFAN. Should I accompany you, Mother?

ELIZABETH. Do me a favor.

Everyone leaves.

LEADING. The Swedish minister was waiting for Elizaveta Fedorovna in the office. He persuaded the Grand Duchess to leave Russia and go abroad. The minister acted on behalf of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, who wanted to save Ella, whom he passionately loved in his youth. It was a very strong temptation to be back in my homeland, among loved ones, in safety. But Mother Elizabeth turned out to be stronger - she refused to leave her new homeland and those people for whose fate she was responsible. And having made this choice, she signed her death warrant.

SCENE 9

Marfo-Mariinskaya Convent. ELIZABETH in her room, more like a cell: a hard bed, a table and the only “luxury” - a wicker chair. She is sick, lying with her eyes closed on the trestle bed. Stepping carefully, Sister EKATERINA enters with a tray on which is a simple breakfast for Mother.

ELIZABETH. Katya, my dear, could you knock before you come in?

CATHERINE. Mother, forgive me, for God's sake. I thought you had finally fallen asleep after a sleepless night. Everyone was coughing and rushing about in delirium. We were very scared.

ELIZABETH. Who made my bed? Where did the mattress come from?

CATHERINE. So the doctor ordered to put it down. How about on bare boards! When he saw it, he was very angry. He also said that the crisis is over, and now you need to gain strength. So I brought you eggs, milk, and fresh vegetables. It was the peasants from your Ilyinsky who, when they learned about your illness, brought it. And they asked me to tell you that they love you and remember you, and are praying for your health. So eat, don’t offend the kind-hearted.

ELIZABETH. Thank you. My dear people. Help me, Katyusha, move into a chair.

Ekaterina helps Mother sit in a wicker chair and covers her feet with a blanket.

VARVARA. They brought black bread, dried fish, vegetables and some fat and sugar. And also iodine, quinine, cotton wool, bandages. Otherwise, they were afraid that they would have to cut the sheets in order to bandage the patients.

ELIZABETH. I ask, what is happening behind the gates of the monastery?

VARVVARA (hesitates). Worried, Mother. Parishioners say the new government does not stand on ceremony - on simple suspicion, slander, innocent people are seized, property is taken away, and even entire families are completely exterminated. Yesterday I wanted to go to Iverskaya and light a candle at the shrine - the Mother of God, where there!.. Impossible! There are red flags over the Kremlin. On the streets there are soldiers with red five-pointed stars on their foreheads. At night they shoot, everyone catches someone. It’s scary, Mother, to go out the gate. The bony one is watching around every corner.

ELIZABETH. There is no need, Varya, to be afraid of death. You must be afraid to live if you betray your duty in a critical situation.

VARVARA. What are you saying, Mother, everything is going on in the monastery as before! Father Mitrofan serves the Divine Liturgy every day, the sisters stand for common prayer. Our old people and orphans are well-groomed. We feed the orphans and homeless people lunches. We offer appointments at the outpatient clinic from early morning until late evening. We help everyone, no matter who comes.

ELIZABETH. Okay, Varya. Thank you. We must slowly prepare for Easter. Think about what we will give to our wards, first of all, to the children. So that everyone receives gifts, let people rejoice. Now it is especially important to support in grief, so that hope in the soul does not fade away.

VARVARA. We will try, Mother. But we only have few helpers left. Those who left, those who hid, and those who defected are in a hurry to please the new government. Trouble, general turmoil...

ELIZABETH. It’s a great sin to fall into despair, you know. He notices everything, sees through everyone and leads by the hand. You just need to do something yourself.

ELIZABETH. God bless you, Ilya. But what is this secret conversation you have with me?

ILYA (lowering his voice and looking around). Mother, you need to run!.. This is happening, God forbid! It's dangerous for you to stay here. They'll get there, bloodsuckers, their arms are long. I have a relative who keeps good horses and a sleigh with a canopy. A fresh snowfall and we'll whisk you away. Let's hide it, not a single dog will sniff it out.

ELIZABETH. Dear man, do you understand what you are offering? What danger are you exposing yourself and your family to?.. Do you remember that you have four children?

ILYA (embarrassed). Five. To celebrate that she had recovered, Agasha gave me a boyfriend.

ELIZABETH. You see, the heir has appeared. He still needs to be raised and educated. What was the name?

ILYA. They christened him Sergius. In honor of Sergius of Radonezh and your late husband.

ELIZABETH (touched). Good luck to you, my dears. (Takes a knitted blanket out of the basket.) Here, take it, a gift for the baby. It will come in handy, I think.

ELIZABETH. I bow to your hostess, thank you for the gifts. God bless you.

Ilya leaves.

O. MITROFAN. How glad I am to see you in good health, Mother Elizabeth!..

ELIZABETH. So inopportunely this disease became attached. I wish I could get back on my feet quickly, there are so many things to do. And Easter is just around the corner. You know, father, for me this is also a very personal and dear holiday. Nineteen years ago, on Palm Sunday, my conversion to Orthodoxy took place. When I could rightfully repeat to every Russian person the words of the Moabite Ruth: “Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” And I can confess to you, my dear father, that I have never, not even for a moment, regretted my choice. And I pray to the Lord for only one thing - to grant me the strength to drink the cup of suffering that befell him.

O. MITROFAN. All is in God's hands. The new government is not oppressing us yet. He even provides some assistance - food, medicine. Services in the temple are not interfered with.

ELIZABETH. Is there any news... about my dear sufferers?

O. MITROFAN. Unfortunately, nothing definite. Everything is at the level of rumors and assumptions. As if the royal family is still in Tobolsk. And the conditions of detention are not too harsh.

ELIZABETH (crosses herself). Father, please remind me of the dream you told me about in February of the seventeenth. Have you forgotten him?

O. MITROFAN. How can one forget such passion!.. I saw four pictures then, one followed another, like in cinema. The first one shows a burning church. On the second there is a portrait of Empress Alexandra, excuse me, in a mourning frame, from which white lilies suddenly began to grow, and soon completely covered the beautiful face of your sister. The third picture showed Archangel Michael with a fiery sword in his hands. And on the fourth I saw St. Seraphim praying on a stone.

ELIZABETH. And then I tried to interpret the meaning of the dream.

O. MITROFAN. And I remember this. You said that in the near future there will be events from which the Russian Church will suffer greatly in the first place.

ELIZABETH. Yes. Alix's portrait, strewn with white lilies, is a sign of her martyrdom. Archangel Michael with a fiery sword warns us of great disasters that will overwhelm Russia. I'm afraid this dream is already coming true.

O. MITROFAN. But the praying Venerable Seraphim of Sarov?.. Doesn’t this mean that the Almighty will hear his prayer and protect Russia and will not allow it to perish in the fiery hyena?

ELIZABETH. This is the only thing we can hope for.

O. MITROFAN. Mother, remember what Isaiah said: “Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, will mount up with wings like eagles, will run and not grow weary, will walk and not be weary.”

ELIZABETH. Father, of course, my dear friend and mentor. Forgive my cowardice. But with whom, besides you, can I allow myself to be weak?..

O. MITROFAN. Don’t be sad, Mother, don’t punish yourself. Everyone has moments of weakness. We are people, and in moments of sorrow it is difficult not to repeat the words of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, not to exclaim: “Lord, take this cup past me!” But He sets us, sinners, an example of how to act in such cases.

ELIZABETH. Yes, and I repeat His words every hour: “Not as I want, but as You want.” Father, I want to partake of the Holy Mysteries.

O. MITROFAN. Mother, you know that I cannot be a strict confessor. But if your soul asks, let's go to church.

Elizabeth rose with difficulty, straightened up and, stepping firmly, accompanied by her confessor, Fr. Mitrofana headed towards the exit.

SCENE 10

Easter, the last in the life of the Grand Duchess, Mother Elizabeth. Marfo-Mariinskaya Convent. The bells are ringing. ELIZAVETA, O. MITROFAN, sisters of the monastery, among whom VARVARA and EKATERINA, children-pupils of the monastery and parishioners. Everyone is dressed smartly, congratulating each other on the holiday, saying Christ, and exchanging gifts.

ELIZABETH. But I must make the necessary orders, say goodbye to the sick, children, sisters...

COMMISSIONER. Don't you dare object!..

ELIZABETH (to the audience). Let's say goodbye, dear guests. Forgive us, and may God help you!.. Katya, take the children away. Varya, go around the chambers, ask everyone who can walk to gather in the Church of Saints Martha and Mary. (To the Commissioner). Will you allow it?

COMMISSIONER (irritated). You have thirty minutes and not a second more!..

On the front stage ELIZABETH is surrounded by her closest, like-minded people.

ELIZABETH. The hour has come for us to part ways, my family, my loved ones. Thank you for being there all these years, doing mercy, without thinking about self-interest or worldly glory. Thank you too, Father Mitrofan, our dear shepherd, without your sensitive, affectionate, but strict leadership, our monastery could not have become a reliable, warm and hospitable home for tens, hundreds of sufferers. I ask you to continue not to leave the holy monastery and serve in it as long as possible. My dear ones, unite and be like one soul all for God and say, like John Chrysostom: “Glory to God for everything.”

O. MITROFAN (intentionally loud). “I hear You, and I will fulfill Your words with all my heart.” May the Lord be with you!..

The commissioner and the security officers rudely force Elizaveta and the sisters to go to the car.

ELIZABETH (to the Commissioner). Why are you imprisoning these holy souls? They are sisters of mercy, and are not guilty of anything!

VARVARA and EKATERINA. We will not leave you, Mother!..

COMMISSIONER (grins). Voluntary escort. They asked for it themselves, let them take a sip.

Elizabeth signs the cross over everyone and bows low to the Monastery. Everyone leaves.

LEADING. The Grand Duchess was taken away by Latvian security officers. Obviously, the Bolsheviks were afraid to entrust such a scandalous and brutal task to the Russians, Muscovites, among whom Elizabeth’s authority was so high, and the love of the common people was immeasurable. Fearing unrest in Moscow, Elizabeth was sent as far as possible into the interior of Russia.

On July 18, 1918, in the dead of night, not far from the Ural city of Alapaevsk, the Grand Duchess and nine of her companions and relatives were thrown alive into an old mine; Elizabeth was the first to be pushed into a black hole with a butt. She prayed, repeating: “Lord, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing!” The mine was bombarded with grenades and set on fire. The sufferers died in terrible agony from thirst, torture and wounds. But for another day the sounds of Cherubic songs and prayers were heard from underground. When the bodies of the martyrs were removed from the mine, Elizaveta Feodorovna was found with the icon of the Savior on her chest, the one with which the Emperor blessed her during the princess’s conversion to Orthodoxy. And the fingers of the right hand of the holy ascetic were folded for the sign of the cross.

Elizaveta to her old friend, Countess Olsufieva:

“Dear Alix, Christ is Risen!

How often my thoughts fly to you, and I remember my dear Countess sitting in her living room... We talk over a cup of tea, and the years flash through our memories... If we delve deeply into the life of each person, we will see that it is full of miracles. You will say that life is full of horror and death. Yes it is. But we do not clearly see why the blood of these victims should be shed. There, in heaven, they understand everything and, of course, have found peace and a real homeland - the Heavenly Fatherland.

We on this earth must direct our thoughts to the Heavenly Kingdom, so that with enlightened eyes we can see everything and say with humility: “Thy will be done.” Great Russia, fearless and impeccable, has been completely destroyed. But “Holy Russia” and the Orthodox Church, which the “gates of hell” cannot overcome, exist, and exist more than ever. And those who believe and do not doubt for a moment will see the “inner sun” that illuminates the darkness during the thundering storm. I'm not exalted, my friend. I am only sure that the Lord who punishes is the same Lord who loves... who illuminates our path. And then joy becomes eternal even when our poor human hearts and our little earthly minds experience moments that seem very scary.

Think about a thunderstorm. What a majestic and terrible experience! Some are afraid, others hide, some die, and others see the greatness of God in this. Doesn't this look like a picture of the present time?..

We work, pray, hope and feel God's mercy every day. Every day we experience a constant miracle. And others begin to feel this and come to our church to rest their souls.

Pray for me, darling.

Sincerely your constant devoted friend"

For the director: the ending of the story may be different. The words of Patriarch Alexy, which are given at the very beginning, may also be heard; may end with a Prayer to the holy venerable martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and nun Varvara...

Original taken from echo_2013 in Mother Elizabeth. Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna. Part 1

In 1884, the Russian Tsar's brother, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, married Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Louise Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt, or simply Ella of Hesse. Princess Ella, as her family called her, was the second daughter of the German Duke Ludwig of Hesse-Darmstadt and Duchess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria.
By the time of Ella and Sergei’s wedding, the bride’s mother, Duchess Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt, had long been dead.
Life forced Princess Elizabeth to grow up early. Ella was a teenager when a diphtheria epidemic broke out in Darmstadt in 1878, completely affecting the Duke's family.

Ella in childhood

Ella's older sister Victoria was the first to feel symptoms of illness. E I felt chills, my throat and head ached... The girls received a strict upbringing and did not have the habit of complaining about trifles. Having decided that her illness was just that little thing - a slight cold, Victoria continued to fulfill her duties as an older sister - in the evenings she had to read fairy tales out loud to the kids. Having seated her brother and sisters in a circle next to her, the princess opened the book.
When Duchess Alice realized that her daughter was sick and called the doctor, the most terrible diagnosis was confirmed - Victoria had diphtheria, a disease that was difficult to cure in those years and claimed many children's lives... The doctor insisted on the immediate isolation of the sick princess, but his recommendations were few It was too late - other children managed to get infected from their older sister. Everyone except Ella, whom her mother, in a panic, sent to relatives. Then the Duke himself fell ill.
Mad with horror, the duchess rushed between the children's rooms and her husband's bedroom, trying to do everything to pull her loved ones out of the embrace of death.
Four-year-old May, Princess Mary, was the first to die. Little Ernie, having learned that his beloved sister was no longer there, cried and rushed to his mother’s neck and began to kiss her. Perhaps the mother understood that the sick child was passing on his illness to her at that moment, but she did not find the strength to push him away... The Duchess, who had been on her feet for a long time, also fell ill after direct contact with her son. The disease was difficult. On her last day, Alice was delirious; it seemed to her that all her dead loved ones, led by tiny May, were calling her to them...
The famous politician Disraeli, having learned about the tragedy in the family of Duke Ludwig, called Ernie's fatal kiss "the kiss of death." And the young prince himself soon recovered, as if he had given his illness to his mother. The inconsolable Duke erected a monument on his wife's grave depicting Alice clutching the dead May...

Duchess Alice with little Ella

And for Ella, childhood ended on the day of her mother’s death. Doctors were afraid that the girl would develop a nervous illness from the shock. She could fall silent in the middle of a conversation, mid-sentence, and, staring at her interlocutor with eyes full of tears, plunge into her own thoughts for a long time. She began to develop a stutter.
But fourteen-year-old Ella managed to pull herself together. It was necessary to support the father and the kids, to do everything to at least partially replace their mother. The elder sister Victoria, who claimed leadership in the house, was sarcastic and harsh.
Ernie, the future Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse, recalled: " She's a girl(Princess Victoria) she considered it unworthy to show kindness and therefore often remained misunderstood, to which she easily reacted with harshness, since her sharpness helped her give biting answers..."
Ella had much more kindness, affection and self-denial, surprising for a teenager.
Even if she was offered something very valuable in the eyes of children - a toy, sweets, new paints for painting, she usually answered: “I don’t need anything, it’s better to give it to the kids”...
Ernie spoke about her very differently from the other sisters: “Of all the sisters, Ella was the closest to me. We almost always understood each other in everything; she felt me ​​so subtly, as is rarely the case with sisters. She was one of those rare beauties, just perfection. Once in Venice, I saw in the market how many people abandoned their goods and followed her in admiration. She was musical and had a pleasant voice. But she especially loved to draw. And she loved to dress beautifully. Not at all out of vanity, no, out of love for beauty in everything. She had a strong sense of humor and could talk about various incidents with inimitable comedy. How often we laughed with her, forgetting about everything in the world. Her stories were a true delight.» .

Ella in her youth

Queen Victoria was devastated by the death of her daughter, Duchess Alice. This is probably why Alice’s orphaned children were closer to the queen than her other grandchildren...
« I will try, together with your other grandmother, to become your mother by the will of God,- Queen Victoria wrote to them after the tragedy in the ducal family. - Your loving and unhappy grandmother"...
Ella, like her sisters and brother, grew up in Windsor Castle and considered Britain her native country and English as her natural language, and until the death of the Queen of the British Empire she maintained a tender and trusting relationship with her grandmother.

Queen Victoria with her orphaned granddaughters; Ella stands on the right, next to her is little Alix, the future Russian empress

Even in her family, among the pretty young princesses, Ella stood out for her beauty and grace. But she was not just unusually pretty, but also smart and tactful; She behaved with dignity, but without unnecessary pretensions. She had many fans and very eligible suitors. The German Prince Willi, heir to the Prussian crown, the future Kaiser Wilhelm II, was passionately in love with Ella.
He often visited Darmstadt, tried to clumsily court the beautiful princess and finally dared to propose marriage, heart and the imperial crown awaiting him. But Ella remained cold and wrote to her grandmother in Windsor: " Willie is obnoxious"Victoria, who in her dreams saw her beloved granddaughter as the empress of the Berlin court, tried to reason with her: the princess must remember her state and its interests, and passionate love is not always the basis for a successful marriage. Ella replied that in addition to human calculations, there is also God and it is better to rely at his will.
“He may have many other important things to do besides arranging your destiny,” the grandmother smiled.
“Nothing, I’ll wait until he’s free,” answered the picky princess, realizing that the formidable queen-grandmother was not angry.
Friedrich of Baden and other European princes also wooed Ella. But she needed only one person - Grand Duke Sergei, brother of the Russian Tsar...
Sergei often visited Darmstadt during his mother’s lifetime - Empress Maria Alexandrovna was from the Hesse-Darmstadt family (Grand Duke Ludwig, Ella’s father, was the nephew of the late empress) and, of course, could not help but fall in love with the beautiful Ella, who reciprocated his feelings completely.

Sergey and Ella

Ludwig of Hesse-Darmstadt did not find any objections to Grand Duke Sergei. The Romanov family also welcomed this union. Duchess Mary of Edinburgh, as a sister, wrote to Alexander III about Ella: “ Sergei would be simply a fool if he did not marry her. He will never find a more beautiful and sweeter princess».
But the bride’s grandmother, Queen Victoria, whose opinion carried special weight when concluding dynastic alliances, did not immediately decide to give her consent to Ella’s marriage to the brother of the Russian emperor. (The grandmother herself was involved in arranging the fate of the orphaned princesses, for marriage is a serious matter, and the Duke of Hesse, like all men, showed complete frivolity here).
The Queen did not particularly favor the Russian imperial family, although her children and grandchildren forced her to become related to the ruling house of the Romanovs. Ella’s marriage to the Grand Duke doomed the young beauty, raised in European traditions, to life in distant, cold and, according to the queen’s conviction, completely wild Russia.
But Ella, in love with Sergei, managed to insist on her own. Victoria thought and thought, collected information about the groom... and agreed. After all, she had a weakness for love marriages - her own long and happy marriage was just like that!

Ella and Sergey

Not all contemporaries left favorable memories of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. A man with restrained manners, dry (which in the eyes of Ella, who received an English “Victorian” upbringing, was rather a virtue), deeply religious. Many were irritated by Sergei’s manner of holding his back “forcibly straight”, looking somewhat down and turning his whole body towards the interlocutor. Such manners were seen as arrogance and defiance.
Few people realized that since childhood, Sergei suffered from back pain due to a spinal disease and was forced to wear a rigid corset, which deprived him of flexibility. At the same time, he tried to lead the life not of a disabled person, but of an ordinary person - he preferred a military career, went in for horse riding, sports, and danced (all this - overcoming constant pain and not wanting to admit it to anyone). And the reserved manners were explained simply by shyness caused by a physical disability...
Nowadays they rarely remember that Sergei Alexandrovich, like his older brother Alexander III, was a hero of the Turkish War. As well as about the scientific activities of the Grand Duke. But he defended his doctoral dissertation in economics, was a famous scientist, organizer of scientific expeditions and a member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Grand Duke Sergei patronized two archaeological institutes - in St. Petersburg and Constantinople, and provided his own funds for organizing archaeological excavations.
In addition, Sergei Alexandrovich was considered an expert, connoisseur and patron of art. He collected wonderful collections of Italian and Russian painting of the 18th century, antiques, a rich library, and an archive of historical documents. He, for example, managed to find many scattered letters from the wife of Alexander I, Empress Elizabeth - the Grand Duke was going to write a book about her life. Professor I. Tsvetaev, who laid down his life for the construction of the Moscow Museum of Fine Arts. A.S. Pushkin (originally the Alexander III Museum of Fine Arts), recalled that the Grand Dukes Sergei Alexandrovich and Pavel Alexandrovich were the first major donors to the organization of the museum. The Parthenon Hall, one of the most majestic and expensive museum halls, was built entirely at the expense of the grand dukes.
The Orthodox Church still highly honors the religious services of the Grand Duke to the fatherland. The organizer and leader of the Imperial Palestine Society, he did a lot to strengthen the position of Russian Orthodoxy in the East, for the activities of Russian churches and monasteries in Palestine, for the development of Russian charity in eastern countries and for organizing pilgrimages from Russia to the Holy Land. Despite all the political changes, terrible wars, and changes in the world order in the twentieth century, the Orthodox organizations created with the help of Sergei Alexandrovich in the Holy Land are still operating.
Even a cursory glance at what was done by Grand Duke Sergei during his short life shows that all attempts to present him as a stupid martinet, a retrograde, a person with a low level of intelligence, to put it mildly, are far from objectivity.

Speaking about Grand Duke Sergei and his marriage to Ella, one cannot ignore another topic, complex and controversial. This is the alleged non-traditional sexual orientation of the Grand Duke.
Mentions of his homosexuality have become common place in the works of modern authors, and even highly respected researchers have not avoided such statements. But you can’t help but notice that almost none of them provide any facts to support this version. Letters, diary entries, denunciations addressed to the highest name, police reports or similar documents are not quoted anywhere; at most, there are references to some gossip received from third hands and basically conveying meaningless events. The authorship of gossip most often belongs to Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich, Sandro, the younger cousin of Alexander III and Sergei Alexandrovich.
For some reason, Sandro especially disliked his cousin Sergei. He even ventured to assert that Sergei only married Ella of Hesse " in order to further emphasize his unpleasant personality"But in fact, supposedly, because of his vicious inclinations, he did not need a woman wife at all.
Of course, for the 21st century, this is no longer as serious an accusation as for the end of the 19th, when, according to the Penal Code, sodomy was equated with bestiality and was strictly punished by law, and the honor of the suspected person suffered immensely. And yet, if we take on faith the allegations about the secret weakness of the Grand Duke, it is difficult to find answers to a number of important questions.
First. It is known that Queen Victoria, before giving her consent to the marriage of her granddaughter Ella, who was in love with the prince, collected a real dossier on the prospective groom through informants of the English crown. English diplomats and spies are responsible people, and when preparing information for Her Majesty, they would hardly lose sight of something generally known that characterizes the personality of the future husband. Could the English queen, known for her strict moral principles, agree to the marriage of her beloved granddaughter to a gay man?

Ella (second from right) with her sisters

Second. Ella, having moved with her husband to distant Russia, wrote frequent and detailed letters to her grandmother about her life. They described everything - from important family events and religious experiences that shook her soul, to trifles like a wasp sting, a dance party or a dress she liked, seen in a picture in a fashionable French magazine. And at the same time, not a word or a hint about failures in family life, about neglect on the part of the husband, about the fact that hopes for happiness have failed.
Let’s say that Ella, who received a strict upbringing, simply did not consider it possible to complain, she considered it unworthy. But outright lies would be just as unworthy. She could “eloquently” keep silent about her troubles; often such silence says much more than words. But Ella's letters are letters from a happy young woman enjoying a harmonious marriage, and there is no doubt about that. A prosperous life, full of joy, and endless mentions of “my dear Sergei,” with whom she does not want to part with even for a minute... Together to the estate, together to the capital, together to regimental exercises, on a trip to holy places, to visit foreign relatives. " All I can always repeat is that I am quite happy..."
And this is written by a young beauty who married a man who doesn’t need or care for women?

Queen Victoria

Third. Sergei Alexandrovich was, according to everyone, a true believer. Even in his early youth, he made pilgrimages to holy places, headed large Christian organizations, donated to Orthodox churches and participated in their consecration. His faith was not ostentatious, but internal, capturing the soul. He revealed to his young wife all the beauty of Orthodoxy, so that Elizabeth, raised in the traditions of Protestantism, became imbued with love for the Russian Church and, contrary to the orders of her father and grandmother, accepted Orthodoxy. No one demanded this of her; she herself, under the influence of her husband, decided to share his religious beliefs.
But, being Orthodox, Sergei had to regularly confess his sins to the priest, telling about everything without concealment. And the attitude of the church towards the “sin of Sodom” is known. Could the Grand Duke combine Christian ideas about morality and similar hobbies, while remaining spiritually pure before God?
Fourth. Alexander III, Sergei’s older brother, could not help but know all the ins and outs about such a close relative. He himself was not only an absolutely heterosexual person, but also an exemplary family man who did not allow even innocent romantic hobbies outside marriage, and would hardly have been lenient towards the “unconventional hobbies” of his relatives. And yet, he had friendly relations with Sergei, not overshadowed by any disagreements; Alexander even appointed his brother to the post of Moscow governor-general. This is an indicative appointment in every sense. The second city in Russia after the capital (and according to Muscovites - just the first!), Moscow was distinguished by patriarchal morals, and people in it, like in a large village, were visible, especially representatives of high society. The whole Mother of the Mother See was discussing who had wooed whom, who was cheating on his wife, who bought the estate beyond his means, and who was entangled in gambling debts. Almost nothing could be hidden! And the Governor-General, the first person in the Moscow hierarchy, was even more like under a magnifying glass for the townspeople. The level of tolerance in Moscow, both at that time and later, did not rise to stratospheric heights; people were supposed to live “like everyone else.” A rumor supported by facts that the governor is a “blue” would instantly deprive Sergei Alexandrovich of all authority and turn him into a general laughingstock.
So would Alexander III have thoughtlessly decided to compromise the august family in such a way?

Fifth. Ella, who was strikingly beautiful in her youth, literally blossomed in her marriage. She was full of charm, feminine sensual charm, looked unusually young, almost younger than in the years of her mournful orphan youth... Men admired her like the sun, but from afar - Sergei Alexandrovich was terribly jealous! And his jealousy was visible to everyone. The French ambassador Maurice Paleolog left the following memory:
« The good-natured giant, Alexander the Third... lavished on her(To Grand Duchess Elizabeth. - E.Kh.) first your kindest attention; but soon had to refrain, noticing that he was arousing the jealousy of his brother».
Is this really just a decoration for a failed marriage? No matter how you pretend, no matter how you play, trouble leaves an indelible mark on a woman.
But the day when fate, through the hand of the revolutionary extremist Kalyaev, who threw a bomb into the carriage of Grand Duke Sergei, took away her husband and marital happiness, became a fateful day in the life of Elizabeth. There was and could not be any replacement for her dead husband. She remained faithful to his memory until her death. Having visited the terrorist killer in prison and listened to his lengthy explanations that he did not want any unnecessary blood, and although he could have dealt with her husband long ago, he spared Elizabeth Feodorovna, who was usually next to the Grand Duke, and did not want to kill her either, she quietly said :
“You didn’t realize that they killed me along with him!”
You can cite various facts for a long time and ask questions to which it is difficult to find an answer... But, asking whether Elizaveta Fedorovna was happy and loved in marriage, you involuntarily have to answer with only one word - yes! " Sergei told me about his wife, admired her, praised her, - recalled Grand Duke Konstantin Romanov. - He thanks God every hour for his happiness"...
So what gave rise to such long-circulating rumors about Sergei Romanov belonging to sexual minorities?
Being a strict and not very flexible (in the figurative sense of the word even more than in the literal sense) person, Sergei Alexandrovich made some enemies in the rapidly growing Romanov family. Not everyone had enough of a share in the “family pie,” and a struggle began for a place closer to the throne.

Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and his wife Ksenia Alexandrovna, sister of Nicholas II

Sergei, who did nothing to strengthen his position, nevertheless aroused the envy of many Romanovs. The grandson, son, brother and uncle of the reigning emperors, he was part of the innermost circle of the royal entourage, and many representatives of the “side branches” of the Romanov tree wanted to oust him with all their might.
Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich always, without any particular reason, claimed a special role in the empire, and woe to those who dared not recognize this state of affairs. His mother, Grand Duchess Olga Feodorovna (nee Princess Cecilia of Baden), not without reason considered the “first gossip of the empire,” took great pleasure in spreading unfriendly rumors about everyone in whom she saw competitors for her sons. It was she who was suspected of being the author of gossip about the “sodomite hobbies” of Grand Duke Sergei. Why did she need this? It’s so simple: she didn’t like Prince Sergei, and he made it very difficult for her beloved son to strengthen his position at court.
“I know Ella and I are being maligned., - wrote Sergei Alexandrovich to Grand Duke Konstantin. - But what do all these undeveloped people understand??»

Elizaveta Fedorovna

If you look at a person with an unkind gaze, you can usually find flaws in him sooner or later. So Alexander Mikhailovich, determined to find shortcomings in his unloved relative, only tried to notice them. " He flaunted his shortcomings, as if challenging everyone in the face, - he wrote, remembering Grand Duke Sergei, - and thus giving the enemies rich food for slander and slander".
Slander and slander! Alexander Mikhailovich seems to be letting it slip, using these very words, being himself one of Sergei’s main ill-wishers.
(By the way, this strict moralist and prude, who saw hidden obscenity in the most ordinary actions of Prince Sergei, would eventually marry his own daughter to Prince Felix Yusupov, a man of more than ambiguous reputation. All of St. Petersburg knew about Felix’s unusual erotic amusements, the young prince did not particularly hid, appearing in theaters and restaurants in women's dresses and surrounded by "gentlemen", but... The Yusupovs were so rich, much richer than the Romanov family, especially its lateral, deprived branches! And Felix, after the death of his elder brother, turned out to be the only possible heir to countless millions ...)

Be that as it may, the marriage of Sergei Alexandrovich and Ella of Hesse was consecrated with very great love. And she wanted to see her husband’s surroundings embellished, consisting of kind and nice people. " Everyone who knows him loves him and says that he has a truthful and noble character...“, she wrote to her grandmother the queen about her husband.

Ella and Tsarevich Nikolai

This marriage, as it turned out later, albeit indirectly, determined the fate of the heir to the Russian throne. Nicholas's future wife, Alexandra Fedorovna, Alix, was Ella of Hesse's sister, and the mutual infatuation between the little princess and the Russian crown prince found strong patrons in the person of Sergei and Ella, who, despite all the obstacles, managed to bring the matter to the reunification of the lovers.

To be continued.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna

Two sisters Ella and Alix

Elizaveta Feodorovna (at birth Elisabeth Alexandra Luise Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt, German: Elisabeth Alexandra Luise Alice von Hessen-Darmstadt und bei Rhein, her family name was Ella, officially in Russia - Elisaveta Feodorovna)
(November 1, 1864, Darmstadt - July 18, 1918, Perm province) - Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt

P.P. Trubetskoy. pastel 1890s
Elizaveta Fedorovna

Alexandra Fedorovna

Second daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse-Darmstadt and Princess Alice, granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England.

In 1878, the entire family, except Ella (as she was called in the family), fell ill with diphtheria, from which Ella’s younger sister, four-year-old Maria, and mother, Grand Duchess Alice, soon died.

Portrait of the family of Grand Duke Ludwig IV, painted for Queen Victoria in 1879 by the artist Baron Heinrich von Angeli.

Father Ludwig IV, after the death of his wife, entered into a morganatic marriage with Alexandrina Hutten-Czapska, and Ella and Alix were raised mainly by their grandmother, Queen Victoria at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

A major role in Ella’s spiritual life was played by the image of Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia, in whose honor Ella was named: this saint, the ancestor of the Dukes of Hesse, became famous for her deeds of mercy.

Elizaveta Fedorovna
1885

On June 3 (15), 1884, in the Court Cathedral of the Winter Palace, she married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, brother of the Russian Emperor Alexander III.

Elizaveta Fedorovna
1887

Two sisters Ella and Alix

Alexandra Feodorovna (Feodorovna, nee Princess Victoria Alice Helena Louise Beatrice of Hesse-Darmstadt, German Victoria Alix Helena Louise Beatrice von Hessen und bei Rhein, Nicholas II also called her Alix - a derivative of Alice and Alexandra)
(June 6, 1872, Darmstadt - July 17, 1918, Ekaterinburg)

Jószef Arpád Koppay
1900
Alexandra Fedorovna

The fourth daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse and Rhine, Ludwig IV, and Duchess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria of England.
Name day (in Orthodoxy) - April 23 according to the Julian calendar, memory of the martyr Alexandra.

Portrait of the family of Prince Ludwig of Hesse, 1871, August Noack.

Born in Darmstadt (German Empire) in 1872. She was baptized on July 1, 1872 according to the Lutheran rite. The name given to her consisted of her mother's name (Alice) and four names of her aunts. The godparents were: Edward, Prince of Wales (future King Edward VII), Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich (future Emperor Alexander III) with his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter Princess Beatrice, Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Cambridge and Maria Anna, Princess of Prussia.

Princess Alix of Hesse
1894

Alice inherited the hemophilia gene from Queen Victoria.
Alice was considered the favorite granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who called her Sunny.

Heinrich von Angeli
Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, née Princess Alice of Hesse.
The portrait was painted for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
1896/97

In June 1884, at the age of 12, Alice visited Russia for the first time, when her older sister Ella (in Orthodoxy - Elizaveta Fedorovna) married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich.

Princess Alix of Hesse
1894

She arrived in Russia for the second time in January 1889 at the invitation of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. After staying in the Sergius Palace (St. Petersburg) for six weeks, the princess met and attracted the special attention of the heir to Tsarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich.

Alix of Hesse
1894

On November 14 (26), 1894, the wedding of Alexandra and Nicholas II took place in the Great Church of the Winter Palace.

Friedrich August von Kaulbach
1896
Alexandra Fedorovna

Albert von Keller
1896
Alexandra Fedorovna

Elizaveta Fedorovna

Elizaveta Fedorovna

Elizaveta Fedorovna

Sohn, Karl Rudolf
Portrait of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna

S.F.Alexandrovsky
Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, 1887

Two sisters Ella and Alix

F.I. Rerberg. before 1905
Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna

Two sisters Ella and Alix

Elizaveta Fedorovna

Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant
Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

Alexander Vladimirovich Makovsky

1914

Friedrich August von Kaulbach.
Alexandra Fedorovna

The portrait - a copy of the painting of the same name by F. A. von Kaulbach (1903) - was executed at the request of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna as a gift to the Educational Society of Noble Maidens for the 150th anniversary of the Smolny Institute (1914).

Alexandra Fedorovna

N.K. Bodarevsky
Canvas, oil. 1907
Portrait of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

A.P. Sokolov
1901
Portrait of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

Series of messages "

Portrait of the family of the Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt: Alix, Princess Elizabeth, Duke Ludwig IV, elder sister Princess Victoria, brother Ernst Ludwig. Painter Heinrich von Angeli, 1879

“They taught me everything at home”

Princess Elizabeth, Ella, as her family called her, was born Nov. 1(n.st.) 1864 in the family of Duke Louis IV of Hesse-Darmstadt and Princess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria of England.

Like any princess, Ella was taught music, languages ​​(she spoke and wrote in English and French), painting, literature, and history. Ella knew how to sing, draw, dance, appreciated poetry, had delicate taste and excellent manners. But not only.

Ella's mother, Grand Duchess Alice, instilled strict rules in her children. She taught the little princesses to do all the housework themselves: cleaning their rooms, making their beds, lighting the fireplace, and even taking care of their toilets on their own, resorting to the help of maids as a last resort.

Later ow. book Elizabeth will say: “They taught me everything in the house.”

The family was Protestant. Duchess Alice believed not because this was tradition and good form, but because she was a kind and warm-hearted woman. She believed in action: she went to hospitals, almshouses, orphanages, and took her older children with her. Since childhood, Ella not only knew that there were poor, lonely and suffering people, she saw how and how she could help them and did it.

But maybe someone will say: it’s easy to be kind and generous when you’re a princess. It's easy to love when you have a big happy family and everyone loves you.

Indeed, true faith and kindness are tested in trials. Often, in terrible ones.

When Ella was only 9, the family experienced a tragedy: in front of her mother, Ella’s three-year-old brother, Friedrich, fell to his death.

When she was 12, a diphtheria epidemic began in Darmstadt, all the children except Ella fell ill. Princess Alice was caring for children and became infected.

Soon after, four-year-old Maria died, followed by the Grand Duchess herself, at the age of 35.

That year Ella's childhood ended.

But grief did not close the heart, but opened it even more: the mother, who gave her life to her children, taught Ella this.

She saw her father's suffering, the confusion and loneliness of her younger sisters and brothers, and tried with all her might to console and support them.

After the death of their mother, Ella and Alix (the future Empress of Russia, St. Alexandra) were raised mainly in England, with their grandmother, Queen Victoria. The girls really missed their mother, both were very attached to each other. Ella, as the eldest, always looked after little Alix like a mother. She continued to do this in Russia, at least she tried.

Another relative

But there was another relative in Ella’s family who, according to the princess herself, played a huge role in her life and destiny. This is holy Elizabeth of Thuringia(XIII century), ancestor of the family of the Dukes of Hesse. It was in her honor that the future martyr was named.

Edmund Leighton, "The Charity of St. Elizabeth of Hungary" (1895)

This saint, who today bears the title “Gloria Teutoniae” (“glory of Germany”), was distinguished by amazing compassion, active love for people and rare fortitude.

Despite her Protestant upbringing, the young princess of Hesse-Darmstadt fervently revered her patron saint, visited Marburg more than once, where her relics rest, and openly expressed her desire to become at least in the smallest degree like her holiness. God heard her prayer;

There are many striking similarities in the fate of the two Elizabeths.

Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia lost her mother as a child, married a foreign prince for love, survived the death of her husband, endured numerous ridicule and bullying from her relatives, gave all her fortune to the poor, and ended her journey in voluntary poverty and illness. And at the same time, she glowed with joy and infected everyone around her with it. Ap.'s words Paul “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything” (1 Thess. 5:16), in the life of Elizabeth of Thuringia became a reality, and for her great-great-great-granddaughter - a covenant.

In 1891, Vl. book Elizabeth converted to Orthodoxy. She retained her former name - Elizabeth, but, according to Orthodox tradition, in honor of the new saint - righteous Elizabeth, the mother of the great prophet and friend of the Lord John the Baptist. Having become the abbess of the monastery of mercy, the holy martyr Elizabeth became the mother of all who need love and compassion.

One of the first photographs of Princess Elisabeth of Hesse - Ella is 1 year old. Darmstadt, 1866

Saint Elizabeth is 2 years old. Darmstadt, 1866

Princess Ella with her sister Irena and her parents: Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and Duchess Alice of England. 1867

Elizabeth of Hesse. 1871

Holy Martyr Elizabeth Romanova at the age of seven. 1871

Portrait of Princess Ella. Ella is 7 years old. Artist Reginald Easton (1807-1893)

Portrait of Princess Ella at 9 years old. Artist Joseph Hartman. At this age, a misfortune happened in the family; Ella’s younger brother, three-year-old Friedrich, died. In front of his mother, Princess Alice, he fell out of the window. 1873

Children of the Hesse family. 1878

Children of the Hesse house. 1878

Princesses of Hesse: Victoria, Irena, Alix, Elizabeth (right) in mourning for their mother, Princess Alice. 1879

Children of the House of Hesse with their father, Louis IV and grandmother, Queen Victoria of England, in mourning for their mother, wife, daughter - Duchess Alice. 1878

Princess Ella (left) with her brother Ernest Louis and sisters: Victoria, Alix (future Empress of Russia, St. Alexandra, seated) and Irena. 1880

Elizabeth of Hesse is 16 years old. 1880

Karl Rudolf Sohn, portrait of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. Germany. 1885

Portrait of Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna Romanova (artist A.P. Sokolov). 1886

Elizaveta Fedorovna Romanova. 1884

K. Brozh, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich with his bride Elizaveta Fedorovna; print, 1884

Sergei Alexandrovich and Elizaveta Fedorovna. 1884

Daughters of Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse and Princess Alice of Great Britain: Princesses Irene, Victoria, Elizabeth and Alix. 1885

Sergei Alexandrovich and Elizaveta Fedorovna. 1892

Sergei Alexandrovich and Elizaveta Fedorovna. 1893

Ella. 1894

Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov, Ernest Louis of Hesse, Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov. Alexandra Fedorovna, Victoria of Gessen, Elizaveta Fedorovna. Ladies to the right and left of E.F. - Irena Prusskaya, sister and Victoria Melita, sister. 1894

Elizaveta Romanova in a kokoshnik. 1897

Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna with her maid of honor. 1897

Sergei Alexandrovich and Elizaveta Fedorovna. 1903

Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, children of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich - Maria and Dmitry in the Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery during their stay in Moscow March 29-April 16, 1903

Portrait of Elizabeth Feodorovna by N.V. Kharitonov. 1905

In her twentieth year of life, Princess Elizabeth of Hesse-Darmstatt became the bride of the Russian Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. Before this, all applicants for her hand were refused. The princess fell in love with the Grand Duke in her youth, after their first meeting, and could not imagine herself as the wife of another. When Sergei Alexandrovich wooed Elizabeth, she was happy.

Tall (the average height of the Romanovs was 185 cm), impeccably handsome, artistic blond with gray-blue eyes captivated the princess. Maurice Paleologue, an ill-wisher of the Grand Duke, could not help but note his “strong artistic sensitivity” and love of beauty. And Elizaveta Feodorovna was dazzlingly beautiful.

In those days they said that there were only two beauties in Europe, and both were Elizabeths: Elizabeth of Austria, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph, and Elizabeth Feodorovna. The bride captivated all her new relatives “She appeared next to the empress, and it was as if we were all blinded by the sun. I haven't seen such beauty for a long time. She walked modestly, shyly, like a dream, like a dream..." - recalled Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov.

And Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich jealously wrote: “From the moment she arrived in St. Petersburg from her native Hesse-Darmstadt, everyone fell in love with Aunt Ella. After spending the evening in her company and remembering her eyes, complexion, laughter, her ability to create comfort around herself, we despaired at the thought of her imminent engagement. I would give ten years of my life so that she would not enter the church to marry hand in hand with the arrogant Sergei. I was pleased to think of myself as her “cavalier servente”, and I despised Sergei’s condescending manner of addressing Aunt Ella, exaggeratedly grazing in St. Petersburg and calling her “my child.” The wedding took place in the church of the Winter Palace (June 3, 1884) .

According to one of the ladies present at the wedding, Elizaveta Fedorovna was the most beautiful bride who had ever been married in the court church. Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov dedicated a poem to Elizabeth Feodorovna. It was written in 1884.
I look at you, admiring you every hour:
You are so inexpressibly beautiful!
Oh, that's right, underneath such a beautiful exterior
Such a beautiful soul!
Some kind of meekness and innermost sadness
There is depth in your eyes;
Like an angel you are quiet, pure and perfect;
Like a woman, shy and tender.
May there be nothing on earth
amidst much evil and sorrow
Your purity will not be tarnished.
And everyone who sees you will glorify God,
Who created such beauty!
K.R.

For most of the year, the Grand Duchess lived with her husband on their Ilyinskoye estate, sixty kilometers from Moscow, on the banks of the Moscow River.
Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna describes this life in quite detail in her memoirs.
“They never had their own children. Their apparently good relationship was marked by some tension: the aunt was with her usual calm attitude towards the fact that decisions on all issues - large and small - were made by the husband. Both of them were proud and shy, rarely openly showed their feelings, and avoided frankness. Having converted to the Orthodox faith before her marriage, my aunt became more and more pious every year and strictly followed church instructions. (Maria Pavlovna is mistaken. Brides of the Grand Dukes who did not inherit the throne were not supposed to change their faith. Ella remained a Lutheran for a long time after her marriage. Only her husband’s sincere faith, his delicacy and patience helped Elizabeth Feodorovna understand and wholeheartedly accept Orthodoxy - my note) . Despite the fact that he, too, was a believer and always observed all Orthodox rituals, Uncle Sergei watched with alarm as she plunged deeper and deeper into religion.
He treated her as if she were a child. I think she was hurt by this attitude, she felt misunderstood, and therefore closed in on herself and sought solace in faith. It seemed that her uncle and she were not truly close... Nevertheless, until the last day of their life together, they slept in one big bed. (which was an absolutely amazing rarity in the grand ducal families of that time, when the Grand Dukes rarely spent the night at home, preferring to spend their nights with the mistresses - my note again)
My uncle, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, was an amazing, but incomprehensible person for me. The fourth son of Emperor Alexander II, he was appointed governor-general of Moscow in 1891 by his brother, Alexander III, and continued to serve in this post under the new emperor. He held a high position, had great power and took his duties very seriously. Even living outside the city, he constantly received couriers from Moscow and gave audiences.
Since childhood, Uncle Sergei and my father were very friendly, my uncle was deeply attached to my mother. He perceived her early death, as I already mentioned, in Ilyinsky as a bereavement and was inconsolable. He ordered that the rooms in which she spent her last hours be left untouched, so that everything in them would be exactly as it was when she died. He locked them and kept the keys to them himself.
Aunt Ella - Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna - was the elder sister of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. She was tall and fragile blonde with very regular and delicate features. She had gray-blue eyes, on one of which there was a brown spot, and this produced an extraordinary effect.

Even living outside the city, my aunt paid a lot of time and attention to her appearance. She designed most of her outfits herself, sketching and painting them with watercolors, and they looked great on her, emphasizing her individuality. Her uncle, who had a passion for precious stones, gave her a lot of jewelry, and she could always choose something that would match her clothes.

We essentially spent our childhood next to our uncle: Aunt Ella showed no interest in us or in anything that concerned us. She seemed irritated by our presence in the house and the fact that my uncle was so attached to us. Sometimes she said things that hurt me. (Elizabeth, as she herself later admitted, was terribly jealous of her husband’s adored nephews - note you know whose :))

I remember one such occasion when she, dressed for a country walk, seemed especially beautiful to me. She was wearing the usual dress of white muslin, but she had done a new hairstyle - her loose hair was tied at the neck with a silk black bow - and it looked amazing. I exclaimed: “Oh, aunt, you’re just like a picture from a fairy tale!” She turned to my nanny and said irritably, “Fry, you should teach her to restrain herself.” And she left.

From changing clothes to dinner, she organized a real ceremony, which required a lot of time. Chambermaids, maids and chamberlains were called upon. The cambric lingerie with lace was already lying ready in a basket with a pink satin lining. The bathtub was filled with hot water that smelled like verbena. Rose petals floated in it.
There were almost no ready-made cosmetics in Russia at that time. I think that my aunt had never seen blush in her life and very rarely used powder. The art of using cosmetics was unknown to Russian ladies at that time, even to the grand duchesses. Aunt Ella made her own face lotion by mixing cucumber juice and sour cream. She did not allow the summer sun to touch her skin and always went out wearing a hat with a veil and a silk umbrella with a green lining.
After the chambermaids and maids took off the outer clothing she wore during the day, the aunt locked herself in the dressing room alone. Selected stockings, shoes, petticoats and all other articles of clothing according to the season were neatly laid out, and the maids waited near them. The splashing of water could be heard from the next room. After taking a bath, my aunt put on her corset and opened the door. Then the maids quickly approached, each doing her own thing.
When the process of dressing was completed, the aunt carefully examined herself - usually with satisfaction - in a three-piece mirror, installed so that she could see herself from all sides. She made the final adjustments herself. If an outfit did not satisfy her for any reason, she took it off and asked for another, which she tried on with the same attention and patience.
One of the maids was doing her hair. Aunt did her nails herself. She had them of an amazing shape, very flat and thin, protruding far above her fingertips.
When the manicure was done and the evening dress was put on, it was my turn to participate in the ritual. My aunt would tell me what jewelry she was going to wear, and I would go to the glass cabinets, like displays in a jewelry store, and bring back what she chose.

Soon my uncle, an extremely punctual man, knocked on the door and announced that dinner was ready. They both kissed me and left, and Dmitry and I were fed dinner early and sent to bed.
I remember once, when I was still little, I saw my aunt in a formal dress - majestic, with a long brocade train, sparkling with jewels and dazzlingly beautiful. Numb with delight, I walked up on tiptoe and kissed the back of her neck, below the amazing sapphire necklace. She didn’t say anything, but I saw her eyes, and that cold, stern look made me feel uneasy.

Only once, at an early age, did I accidentally find out that she could be different, different from her usual self. Having fallen ill with diphtheria in Ilyinsky, I lay in the heat, and there was no hope for improvement. My head was heavy, my throat was tight, and my ears were filled with a buzzing sound, as if from hordes of invisible flies. To the side, in the games room, a night light was burning, and from time to time a white shadow approached my bed...
One day, hearing the sound of footsteps, I looked up from under my eyelashes and saw my aunt bending over me. The expression on her face amazed me; she looked at me with curiosity and concern. She was so soft and natural. I felt awkward, as if I had spied something illegal.
I moved. Her face immediately regained its previous expression. And years passed before I had a chance to see her again without her usual mask...

When we lived in Ilyinsky, my uncle had a strict schedule, and a minute late could lead to reprimand and even punishment. We had a hearty breakfast and went to drink coffee either on the veranda adjacent to the dining room or on the balcony of our aunt.
I sat at the table next to my uncle, and Dmitry was next to me. If there were guests, one of them was seated next to me, and my uncle watched how I carried on the conversation. I was given strict reprimands and even punished if I couldn’t find something to talk about...
After drinking coffee, my uncle went to his room to take a nap; he stretched out in a chair and put his feet on a chair covered with newspaper so as not to get it dirty with his boots. Aunt went down to the garden and sat in the shade of the covered terrace, where it was always cool. Here she would draw, or someone would read aloud while she and the ladies of the court embroidered. Serious literature was not addressed here, since, as I remember, my aunt had considerable difficulties with Notes from the House of the Dead when she first tried to get acquainted with Dostoevsky. She didn’t know Russian well enough to read it herself, so one of the court ladies read it aloud to her. Aunt was unpleasantly surprised by the too realistic details and would not allow such things to be read in public.
French literature did not inspire her admiration; She once told me about a lady, whose behavior she considered somewhat frivolous, that it was frivolous French novels that influenced her. At that time, she read books only by English authors and was careful in their choice.
Before retiring to his room after breakfast, my uncle usually gave orders for the day; he decided everything completely himself, without consulting his aunt on anything. My brother and I were allocated several pairs of ponies and mules. Uncle Sergei always pointed out exactly which horses to harness and into which carriages. Sometimes, for one reason or another, it happened that at the last moment it was impossible to follow his instructions exactly, but no one dared to disturb the uncle during his rest, and then the aunt had to intervene. Having learned about this, her uncle was very angry and scolded her.
While he was sleeping, there was complete silence in the house, and only in the middle of the day did everything come to life again.”
Loving his wife, the Grand Duke treated her as an angelic creature who should not be touched by worldly affairs, and as a tenderly beloved woman who must be protected from any worries and worries.
Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich recalled: “Sergei told me about his wife, admired her, praised her; he thanks God every hour for his happiness...”
When Konstantin Konstantinovich admired the abundance of mirrors in the Sergius Palace and their successful location, Sergei Alexandrovich replied: “I think Her Highness deserves to be reflected millions of times.”

The Grand Duke carefully monitored Elizabeth's preparations for her appearances, and he himself selected jewelry for her. One day he was late, and the Grand Duchess was already dressed. But Sergei Alexandrovich did not like the choice of jewelry, and he ordered them to be replaced according to his choice.
Maurice Paleologue wrote: “Sergei Alexandrovich really showed himself to be the most suspicious and jealous husband, not allowing his wife to be alone with anyone, not allowing her to go out alone, watching her correspondence and her reading, forbidding her to even read.” Anna Karenina" - out of fear that the charming romance would awaken in her dangerous curiosity or too strong emotions...”
The paleologist recorded evidence dating back to a later time, but capable of clarifying a lot: “Once, after a cruel scene on the part of the Grand Duke, old Prince B., who was present with her, burst out a few words of sympathy for the young woman. She objected to him, surprised and sincere: “But there is no need to feel sorry for me. Despite everything that can be said about me, I am happy because I am very loved.”

Balls in the Grand Duke's palace were always especially elegant and luxurious.
Accustomed to the strictest discipline, according to the memoirs of contemporaries, Elizaveta Fedorovna schooled the maids and chambermaids so that they were trembling long before the ball. (I remembered my mother’s lessons: “You must be able to do everything to keep an eye on the servants.”)
Flowers for decorating the halls were selected taking into account the color of the Grand Duchess's dress and jewelry. Often she herself made bouquets on the main tables - where she was supposed to sit at dinner. She did not tolerate the slightest “fall out of tone.” But the last word always went to the Grand Duke, whose taste was impeccable. And only after Sergei Alexandrovich’s approval did she consider the preparations completed.
Whatever the Grand Duchess was up to - both in entertainment and in business - she sought not supremacy, but primacy.

(When in 1900 the participation of Sergei Alexandrovich and Elizaveta Feodorovna in the Volkovsky celebrations in Yaroslavl was expected, a special letter from the Yaroslavl leader of the nobility informed the participants of the celebrations that “the Grand Duchess will be in the theater in the evening in a light cut-out dress.” Vladimir Arkadyevich Telyakovsky, director of the imperial theaters , wrote down his surprise in his diary: “This is the first time I’ve seen a letter that officially specifies not the dress one must wear, but the dress the Grand Duchess will wear.” So Elizaveta Feodorovna dictated her will to the local ladies, set the tone.
Sergei Alexandrovich and Elizaveta Fedorovna never showed up at those celebrations - they went on vacation and for treatment abroad, and the Yaroslavl ladies were left in the red, with “cut-out dresses” sewn in vain.)