Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 133.
Tsarskoje Selo, Oct. 4-th 1915
My own beloved Darling,
With all my heart I congratulate you with our sweet Child's Namesday — — He spends it quite like a little military man. I read the telegram our Friend sends him, its so pretty. You are in Church this evening, but I was feeling too tired, so went into Znamenia just now to place candles for my darling instead. — A glorious sunny day, zero in the morning, 3 at night. At 10 we went off to the Consecration of the dear little Church — last nights service was also very pretty — many sisters in their white headdress give such a picturesque aspect. Aunt Olga & we both were also as sisters, as its for our poor wounded, dead we pray for there. Miechen & Mavra & Princess Palei & many others were there. About 200 men of the convalescent companys stood round the church, so they saw the procession with the cross. — At 1 went to our hospital & Vladimir Nikolaievitch performed the operation wh. went off well — then we had dressings after wh. I went to see poor Princess Gedroitz. She had 40.5 temp., took Communion in the evening & felt calmer later — spoke about death & gave all her orders. To-day she suffers less, but its very serious still as descending towards the ear — eresypeles. But our Friend promised to pray for her. — Then we fetched Ania & drove to Pavlovsk, everything looked lovely, & to the cemetry as I wanted to put flowers on poor Orlov's grave — 7 years that he is dead!
After tea fr. Znamenia to the big palace to the poor boy. He recognised me, extraordinary, that he is still alive, poor child. Ania & Lili Den come to dinner. Yesterday we saw Gregory at Ania's — nice — Zina was there too — he spoke so well. He begged me to tell you, that it is not at all clear about the stamp money, the simple people cannot understand, we have enough coins & this may create disagreabliness — I think me wants to tell the tail to speak to Bark about it. — One, of course, did not accept his wire to Baby, so I send it you to read to the tiny one, perhaps you will wire to me to thank. —
How do you find the news? I was so happy to get your telegram, Baby's & Mr. G.'s letters to-day — they warmed me up & I cld. picture all to myself. — So strange not to be with him on his Namesday. — His letter was sweet — I also write every day — probably with many faults too. — The big girls go in the evening to clean instruments. Its quite funny to have "for the time being" no affairs to write about, nor to bore you with. — Your bedroom is cosy? Did he sleep quietly & the creaking boards not disturb him? — Oh, I miss you both awfully. — Now goodbye my love, God bless you, protect you. I cover you with kisses my own Beloved, & remain yr. fondly loving very own
Sunny.
Sweety, I do not think it is right that Zamoisky's wife is going to take appartments at the Headquarters. It was known her goings on at Varsovie with Boris, in the train, at the Headquarters & now in Petrograd — it will throw a bad light on the Headquarters. — Fred. admires her so wont disapprove, but please, tell Zamoisky its better no ladies come to settle down at the Headquarters. Therefore I do not either. Ania kisses yr. hand & congratulates you with Alexei.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 4 October, 1915.
Sincerest thanks for dear letter. I have so far had no opportunity for writing. Thanks also for telegram. We had a little review, with a moleben, on the occasion of the Convoy's holiday. Baby had lunch with the others and is going to church this evening. We are together for the first night, it is very cosy. Both are in thought and in our hearts with you.
NICKY.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with Alexei.
Above: Anna Vyrubova and Lili Dehn.
Above: Grigori Rasputin.
Notes: Alexandra almost always referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".
moleben (молебен) = a prayer service or Te Deum in the Russian Orthodox Church.
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