The Last Czars: Could Rasputin REALLY heal the sick? Was there any proof he had powers?
THE LAST CZARS on Netflix looks at the influence Rasputin had in the Romanov family. Rasputin was seen as the only man who could heal Alexei, the heir to the Russian throne. Could Rasputin really heal the sick and was there any proof he had magic powers? Heres’ everything you need to know.
The Last Czars: Trailer for Netflix docuseries
Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man originally from Siberia. He arrived at the Romanov court in 1906 and formed a close relationship with Tsarina Alexandra. Unfortunately, much of what we know of him comes from rumours, myths and legend.
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Could Rasputin really heal the sick? Did he have magic powers?
Rasputin’s healing powers brought him considerable status and power in Russia.
As seen in the docudrama series The Last Czars, women would line up to visit him, to be “healed” by his powers.
There was no bigger believer in Rasputin’s healing abilities than the Tsar's wife, Tsarina Alexandra.
Alexandra, with the support of her husband, believed that Rasputin was the only person capable of healing her son Alexei.
Alexei, the heir to the Russian throne, suffered from haemophilia.
Alexandra was convinced that Rasputin eased her son's pain and stopped the bleeding.
She was heavily influenced by her friend and confidante Anna Vyrubova who was convinced Rasputin had magic powers.
Historian Harold Shukman argued that as a result of the Tsarina’s beliefs, Rasputin became an “indispensable member of the royal entourage.”
In 1907, Alexei suffered an internal haemorrhage and Rasputin was called in to pray for him, the next morning he was recorded as recovering.
On another occasion in 1912, when Rasputin was in Siberia, Alexei suffered a fall which caused severe bleeding.
The Tsarina, in fear of her son's life, wrote Rasputin a telegram, asking him to pray for Alexei.
Rasputin responded promptly, writing: “God has seen your tears and heard your prayers. Do not grieve. The Little One will not die. Do not allow the doctors to bother him too much.”
After receiving Rasputin’s letter, Alexei’s condition remained unchanged, but a few days later, the bleeding did stop.
Historian Robert K. Massie described this recovery as: “One of the most mysterious episodes of the whole Rasputin legend.”
Whatever cause aided in Alexei’s recovery, the Tsarina was convinced it was Rasputin who had saved him.
On the other hand, historians such as Marc Ferro have suggested that Rasputin stopped Alexei’s bleeding through hypnosis.
Speaking to exclusively to Express.co.uk, Ben Cartwright who plays Rasputin in the series said: “I find it really interesting to think of him as this holy wanderer, this religious pilgrim, restless spirit who is seeking salvation and enlightenment.
“He found god in all things, especially the Russian landscape and he would take himself away on retreats for years in complete isolation and live off the land.
“He was a humble Russian peasant inspired by divine visions who placed his special gifts in the service of the royal family and his beloved Russia and that is the sort of man I was interested in.”
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Who was Rasputin?
Rasputin was a deeply spiritual man, who believed that sin and repentance were necessary to salvation.
He was known amongst the Russian elite for his drinking, womanising and sexual promiscuity.
At one point, Rasputin was thought to be part of the Khlysty sect but according to Rasputin’s daughter Maria, he rejected the group after investigating it.
The Khlysty sect was thought to take part in group rituals, including sexual orgies and flagellation, to repent for their sins.
Rasputin was killed by the Tsar’s nephew, Prince Felix Yusupov, the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, and the right-wing politician Vladimir Purishkevich amongst other nobles on December 30, 1916.
The Russian aristocracy and political right had become dissatisfied with the powerful role Rasputin was beginning to have in Russian politics.
Rasputin’s so-called magic powers even surrounded his death.
In his memoirs, Yusupov claimed he offered Rasputin cakes and Madeira wine laced with cyanide, which failed to kill Rasputin.
There are tales of Rasputin being impossible to kill on that evening, with him trying to fight back against his assassins and escape.
However, a pathologist determined the cause of death to be a shot to the stomach, causing heavy blood loss.
The official autopsy report concluded Rasputin did not drown and that no trace of poison was found in his body.
The Last Czars is streaming on Netflix now
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