Part of an interview with Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Russia in Gazeta

In an interview with the newspaper Gazeta, His Holiness Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Russia was asked: “Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna has for some time now been trying to obtain the legal rehabilitation of Emperor Nicholas II and his family, who have been canonized for two years already, but are still regarded formally as criminals. What is your opinion on this?”

His Holiness replied, “Of course, in such a complex matter as this, one must be careful to observe all the legal formalities which, probably, will require time. But the process of rehabilitation needs to proceed as quickly as possible. It is not at all clear what real obstacle could possibly remain. Do you really think you could find people who would now say that Emperor Nicholas and his family were in fact criminals, worthy of death?” 

“Christianity Requires of Us Spiritual Warfare [Khristianstvo trebyet of cheloveka dukhovnoi brani]” An interview with Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Russia in Gazeta (25 April 2003). 

The original interview appears on the webpage for the newspaper “Gazeta.” This information is duplicated here by the kind permission of the Communications Service of the Office of External Church Affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate.