In the early 1900's a Siberian moujik, or peasant, with a striking pair of gray eyes appeared in St. Petersburg. He was of average height, had a low, soothing voice, and was very strong, but he seemed to not care about his appearance. He lived in loose, dirty clothing, his dark hair was always greasy, and his beard was un-cut and shaggy.

But he was a Man of God, and to a mystical devout Orthodox he was seen as hypnotizing and powerful. With their prejudices he gained influence over their fear. His name was Grigory Rasputin, born in the village of Pokrovskoe in 1869. He was never taught to read or write, and could barely sign his own name until later in his life. Growing up he had to learn to fend for himself, relying on strength to get him through the village's brawls. He was also caught stealing a couple of times. He loved women and wine, both excessively. He married a girl named Proskovia who gave him two daughters, Maria and Varvara, and his son, Dimitri.

 

His life hit a turning point deep in the Urals where he "received the divine grace." The Virgin Mother of God, Mary, had visited him in a vision. He pledged to give up smoking, drinking, and eating meat. He put himself on radical fasts in order to cleanse. He prayed for hours on end, and set out on Pilgrimages to Holy Lands, by foot. He visited many places in Russia, and then set out to Greece and Jerusalem, also on foot.

By the time Rasputin first appeared in the Empire's Capital he had learned the Scriptures and loved to keep up lengthily religious conversations, traits which attracted the eye of the Romanovs. He was a charming man, with a healthy sense of humour and good wit. The most amazing trait was his intuition, it served him well his entire life.

As he was finally introduced to the Empress, Alicky took an immediate liking to him. He impressed her mystical side, tickled her wit, and took her off guard with his security in himself. He talked to God, and assumingly God listened!! He spoke of his religious convictions and Alix listened as though she was his student. He listened to her as her confessor.. but most importantly: when Alexei was not well, it was his prayers that calmed her.

 
His biggest trial was to come in 1912 with the Tsesarevich terribly ill. He was in his Siberian homeown when an urgent telegram from the Empress arrived, telling him of the boy's condition in Spala. For days Alix held off on contacting Rasputin, letting four doctors look over her son. But when it seemed Alexei's will to fight for his life was gone Alix couldn't stand it any longer. The Empress needed a miracle. Plainly the doctors were not doing a thing to help her son, they wouldn't give him even a pain reliever. All Alix could do was pray, but she needed someone who could get answers from God. There was one man she knew of that fit that desription.


A telegram sent back to Spala during the middle of the night.

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.
~Rasputin's Telegraphic Reply~


The morning after that telegram arrived Alexei's condition was still grim, but there was a change: Alexandra was smiling.

The doctors notice no improvement yet, but I am not a bit anxious myself now. During the night, I received a telegram from Father Grigory and he has reassured me completely.
~Alexandra~

Was it magic? Could Rasputin heal the Tsarevich from thousands of miles away? Any medical professional will tell you no, Rasputin did nothing physically for Alexei.

I purposefully left out the arrival of Rasputin's telegram when explaining the crisis of Spala. The words Rasputin chose were more for the Empress's benefit rather than the Heir's. He actually shields one of the most important symptoms of Alexei's disorder: the way the Heir healed. It's called spontaneous remission, which is an unexplained sudden recovery.
It is far easier for a reader with not much medical background to understand Alexei's blood disorder without considering the "mystical powers" of Rasputin and whether or not they are true.
~Lishka~

Rasputin really offered the best advice for Alexei. Do not allow the doctors to bother him too much... The only choice was to wait until the crisis ended, all anyone could do for the patient was aid him in feeling as comfortable as possible. Alix was trying her best, but remember the doctors coming in and out, examining, poking, and prodding him. Finally with the arrival of the telegram Alexei was given some peace to let his body work on the problem. With Alix reassured she was ready to do anything in aiding her son's comfort, which put Alexei back at ease.

Rasputin's real purpose was to keep everyone's spirits up at the lowest times. This Family was highly spiritual, and naturally were comforted by the soothing words Rasputin offered. Alix was entirely grateful to Rasputin, what mother wouldn't be?

To the Russian people Rasputin was a strange peasant who suddenly started to appear with the Imperial Family, no explanation was given as to why he was there. It was considered in the Russian peoples' best interests to keep the cause of Alexei's suffering a secret.

No one wanted to disclose the fact that there was something wrong with Alexei Nicolaievich, something deadly wrong. In keeping the boy's disorder a State Secret, Rasputin's presence couldn't be explained. But in the gossip fed St. Petersburg, rumours flew around that he was having affairs with everyone from the Empress to her daughters.

In Alix's eyes, this man was the only one who could help her son. She was a very grateful mother, but certainly not a mistress. She loved her husband passionately, and would let nothing disturb that love.

 

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