Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 21, 2025
"And the Bishop Teofan? Surely he is not a traitor?" "No. For years I have known him. Trust Teofan, but make an end of the ecclesiastical camarilla which is against thee." "How can I? I do not know them?" was the Emperor's reply. "I tell thee plainly that if matters are allowed to proceed, the Church, suborned by German gold as it is, will contrive to defeat our arms.
The fact is that Teofan knew that Rasputin was possessed of a marvellous hypnotic power, and, being aware of the vogue of hypnotists at Court, saw in the Starets an able assistant by whom to gain power in the immediate entourage of Their Majesties. Thus, quite unconsciously, he was furthering the plans of Kouropatkine and Stürmer, who were receiving money from Berlin.
"Very well, I will meet her. You arrange it." "To-morrow is Monday, and there will be the usual clerical reception at the Countess Ignatieff's. I will see that she is there to meet you." "Excellent, my dear Teofan!" said the "saint." "In this affair we will help each other. I will form a circle of believers at Court, and Alexandra Feodorovna shall be at their head."
Bishop Teofan, who had commenced life as a gardener, who had been convicted as a criminal by the court of Tobolsk, and whose sister was a "disciple" at Pokrovsky, held a long conference with the "saint" lasting well into the night.
He had conceived the theory that the only means by which the spirit could be elevated was to mortify and destroy the flesh. The Bishop Teofan, or Theophanus, was a mock ascetic, just as was Rasputin. But Rasputin, although the leader, had entirely imposed upon Teofan. In all seriousness the Bishop told the Starets of the interest in him which the Empress had aroused in the mind of the Tsar.
This illiterate Siberian monk, ex-horse-thief and betrayer of women, actually disregarded the Imperial order! He had declared himself to be the saviour of Russia, and greater than the Romanoffs. "The Empress is furious!" declared the Bishop Teofan one day as, with his heavy bejewelled cross upon his breast and wearing clothes of the richest texture, he sat with the rascal in his den.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking