19. This Faux Holy Man Convinced Russia’s Royals That He Was Sent by God to Help and Protect Them
Rasputin spent hours talking with Tsarina Alexandra about religion and other matters, and flattering her by telling her what she wanted to hear. Specifically, she and the Tsar were beloved by the Russian masses, and needed to be seen more by their adoring subjects. Additionally, he told her that she and her husband should see him more often and place their absolute trust in him because he would never lie to them. He contrasted that self-declared honesty with the supposed dishonesty of the Emperor’s ministers, who, according to Rasputin, were dishonest and did not care about the people or their tears.
Rasputin’s words moved the Tsarina Alexandra, and she came to believe that the holy man’s arrival at court was not the result of mere chance: he had been sent by God to help her family and protect their dynasty. At the time, Tsarist rule was coming under increasing pressure as the system started crumbling because of structural flaws and incompetent governance. Tsar and Tsarina began turning to Rasputin, confiding in him, seeking the comfort of his assurances that God was watching over them, and soliciting his advice.