Alexandra's letter to Xenia, dated March 3, 1918

Source:

Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=256856172725437&id=108838347527221

The letter:

3 March 1918

My darling little Chicken,

I kiss you firmly, and am with you in thought at your Mountain because of the misfortune which has befallen your Irina. May God help her. She herself is still such a child — what a trial to go through. Her little one will be her consolation. But I am sure that now you are suffering more, knowing your kind, gentle heart, which always grieves especially with suffering ones. God grant that you can be together and that she will return to you — it will be easier for her and for you. How much grief there is all around. And poor Vera and her Mother. Wherever you look, tears, tears. But I firmly believe that the time of suffering and trials is passing, that the sun will again shine over the long-suffering Motherland. After all, the Lord is merciful — he will save the Motherland, He will enlighten the foggy mind — he is not angry to the end. People have forgotten God — a year when the kingdom of evil rules everything — endure and believe a little more — when it seems to be the end of everything, then He will surely hear all the prayers. Suffering and trials were sent to Him — and does He not always give enough strength to endure anything? After all, He Himself showed us how to endure without murmuring and to suffer in innocence. My dear, I don't know how to write and say everything that I want — but you understand your old sister even without that. — Such joy when we receive letters from you — today from both you and Olga. What happiness that this little Tikhon came into the world. — How I would like to see her with him. Ours are healthy, out in the fresh air a lot — they described to you how we live. The days pass quickly — monotonously — everyone is busy, this is the only way we can live.

We shall also be singing during the service from now on (I don't know how it will come out). The children, Nagorny (who will also be a Reader — he read in Ts. as a boy), myself and the choir director. It is very sad not to be able to be at church — without the Liturgy. We want to fast for the 1st week. — we do not know whether it will be allowed. I have heard nothing from my own people for over a year. How is poor Motherdear? I kiss her very gently, as well as you and Olga. Christ be with you

Loving you tenderly,

Your Hen

We all think about how you live. It must be terribly difficult. We also had to part with 10 of our people. The soldiers found a long time ago that we have too many people in our house. — Now I am a real householder. Mr. G. I had to take everything into my own hands in order to finally establish order. Ilya especially helps — Valya, a bit less, Volkov as (illegible) 13 people. We have breakfast at 8:20. — it is terribly painful when you are unable to repay all the favours — people are so touching. — Kiss your poor Irina from us. — We all kiss everyone.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above: Xenia.