Monument to Grand Duke Sergei and Princess Elizabeth Romanov
In Moscow, in a park near the Tretyakovskaya metro station, a monument to Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna has been erected. This sculptural and architectural composition was created according to the idea of the artist Georgy Frangulyan. It depicts the grand ducal couple at the time of their wedding in 1884. Behind the bronze figures are four granite steles with images of saints and historical figures.: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Sergius of Radonezh, Alexy of Moscow, Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna, as well as Emperors Nicholas II and Alexander III. In addition, the composition includes a Cross-monument recreating the memorial erected in the Moscow Kremlin at the place of Sergei Alexandrovich’s death. Elizabeth, Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, was the daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig IV and Princess Alice, daughter of British Queen Victoria. She received a good upbringing and education, spoke several languages, studied music and painting. Despite many marriage proposals, she refused marriage for a long time, waiting for a worthy life partner. By the age of 20, her parents began to worry, since by the standards of that time, age was considered critical for marriage. At one of the family events, Elizabeth met Grand Duke S.A. Romanov, the youngest son of Emperor Alexander II. They had known each other since childhood, but after a long separation, their meeting took on a new meaning. In 1884, their wedding took place. After her marriage, Princess Elizabeth accepted Russian citizenship and the title of Grand Duchess. Her beauty, elegance and refined manners made her one of the most popular courtiers. In marriage, Elizabeth and Sergey Alexandrovich demonstrated complete unity. The Grand Duke played a dominant role in the family, making all the important decisions. Both spouses were distinguished by restraint, strict manners and high morals. Sergey Alexandrovich served as Governor-General of Moscow and was actively involved in state affairs. At this time, Elizabeth Feodorovna was actively engaged in charity, helping the poor and the sick. In 1891, under the influence of her deeply religious husband, she converted to Orthodoxy, although she was not obliged to do so. This step became important in her spiritual life and contributed to her further religious activities. In 1905, Sergei Alexandrovich was killed by the socialist revolutionary Ivan Kalyaev in a terrorist attack. Elizabeth was one of the first to arrive at the scene of her husband’s death and, despite the tragedy, found the strength to visit the murderer in prison and offer him repentance, but he refused. After her husband’s death, she finally abandoned social life and focused on charitable activities. In 1909 She founded the Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery in Moscow, where sisters of mercy provided medical care, cared for the poor, and raised orphans. Elizaveta Fyodorovna personally participated in the work of the monastery, fulfilling the duties of a simple sister of mercy. After the 1917 revolution, the Bolsheviks arrested her and other representatives of the Romanov dynasty. In July 1918, Elizabeth Feodorovna was taken to Alapaevsk and soon executed along with other members of the royal family. In 1992, the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Elizabeth Feodorovna as a martyr. Her life and work have left a significant mark in the history of Russia, and The Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery, founded by her, continues its work to this day.
Address: Moscow, Klimentovsky Lane
