Canonization of the Romanovs

In 1981 the Imperial Family were canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church along with the servants who were killed with them. Since then a further 11 people connected to the Imperial Family have been canonized as victims of Soviet oppression. The full list is:

• Alexandra Feodorovna
• Alexei Romanov
• Alexei Trupp (servant who was murdered with the Romanovs)
• Anastasia Hendrikova (lady-in-waiting to Alexandra)
• Anastasia Romanov
• Anna Demidova (servant who was murdered with the Romanovs)
• Catherine Adolphovna Schneider (tutor to Alexandra and Elizabeth)
• Elizabeth Feodorovna (sister of Alexandra)
• Eugene Botkin (servant who was murdered with the Romanovs)
• Igor Konstantinovich (Cousin of Alexander III)
• Ioann Konstantinovich (Cousin of Alexander III)
• Ivan Kharitonov (servant who was murdered with the Romanovs)
• Konstantin Konstantinovich (Cousin of Alexander III)
• Maria Romanov
• Nicholas II
• Olga Romanov
• Sergei Mikhailovich (Cousin of Alexander III)
• Tatiana Romanov
• Varvara Yakovleva (faithful companion of Elizabeth)
• Vladimir Paley (Cousin of Alexander III)

The Forgotten Saints: Anna Demidova

Anna Stepanovna Demidova was born in 1878 in the Russian Empire. Anna was a the daughter of a well off merchant called  Stepan Demidov.  Anna was described as tall with blonde hair she was described as very shy and timid. Anna went by the nickname Nyuta.

Anna graduated with a teaching certificate from Yaroslavl Institute for Maids. With help from her friend Elizaveta Ersberg (a palourmaid  at Court) Anna managed to get a job with the same position at Court.

Anna faithfully followed the family into exile where she was Alexandra’s maid.  When the family where split up Anna went ahead with Nicholas, Alexandra and Maria to Ekaterinburg. Before leaving to be with the Imperial Couple and Maria Anna confided in Charles Gibbes that she was frightened as she didn’t know what the Bolsheviks would do.

When the family and servants where ordered to go down to the cellars Anna carried down two pillows with gems sewn in. She held them in front of her as they where shot. After initially fainting when shot Anna later revived.  She cried out “Thank God! God has saved me!” The executors heard her and stabbed her. Despite Anna trying to defend herself the assassins murdered her.  Anna was just 40-years-old.

Anna was canonized as a martyr in 1991, along with the Imperial Family and the other three servants murdered on 17th July 1918.