The Burial Sites of the Tsar and His Family: A Century of Search and Reunification

The Tsar and his family's burial sites have been the subject of much speculation and mystery for over a century. From their original resting place in a shallow grave to their eventual reburial in the Peter and Paul Fortress, the journey of their remains has been marked by numerous twists and turns in history.

Initial Burial and Discovery

The saga of the Tsar and his family's burial sites began in the year 1918. After their murder, the bodies were initially buried in a shallow common grave in the Koptiaki forest near Ekaterinburg. This grave was marked with planks and the earth, with the hope that their remains would be more properly interred in the future.

It took more than 60 years before the graves of the Tsar and his family were discovered. In 1979, during the latter years of the Soviet Union, the graves were found. At that point, the remains of the Tsar, Tsarina, and their four servants were exhumed, but not all their remains were recovered. The bodies of Alexei and Maria, two of their children, were not found until much later, in the 1990s.

Identification and Canonization

Following the exhumation of the remains, extensive DNA testing was conducted to confirm the identity of the bodies. In 1998, on the 80th anniversary of their deaths on July 17, the confirmed remains were interred in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. This was a momentous event, bringing closure to a tragic chapter in history and formally laying to rest the members of the Romanov family.

The remains of Alexei and Maria were found and exhumed in 2007. However, as of the latest reports, they remain unburied, adding another layer of complexity to the story.

Canonization in the Orthodox Church

Beyond their physical reburial, the Tsar and his family were also canonized in the Russian Orthodox Church. They were declared martyrs, and their bodies were given a state funeral, recognizing their significance in Russian history and their role in the country's past.

The process of canonization, which includes formal recognition and veneration, was a significant step in validating their status and ensuring their place in Russian Orthodox tradition. The state funeral and canonization further solidified their status as heroes and martyrs, celebrated for their sacrifice and devotion.

Sources and Further Reading

For those interested in delving deeper into this fascinating and often enigmatic topic, there are several resources available. Historical records, personal accounts, and scholarly articles can provide valuable insights into the Tsar and his family's burial history and the efforts to reunite them.

Books such as 'The Romanovs' Burial' by David W. Hagan or articles from reputable historical journals can offer more detailed information. Online resources like the official website of the Peter and Paul Fortress or archives from the State Archive of the Russian Federation can also be helpful.