On January 6, 2026, the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) published an article titled: Was Rasputin a Saint? This article — 3200 words long — is framed as an objective historical exploration of Grigory Efimovich Rasputin and his role in the Orthodox Church.
It has been a long while since I have read a more thorough dismantling of ignorance than this piece is of Michael Warren Davis’ UOJ article. Good grief. Excellent rebuttal.
Despite the repeated slanders against the New-Martyr Rasputin, even by those in the Orthodox Church, Rasputin is as much of a saint as the Romanovs. Sancte Gregorius Rasputin, ora pro nobis.
One thing which could be noted - over the last few years I have seen it alleged that Rasputin got the Doctors to stop giving Tsesarevich Alexei aspirin. However, I have never come across a primary sourced piece of evidence that shows he was ever administered this. It is just asserted, and no sources are ever cited. We do know from diaries and letters though that he was administered morphine for pain now and then.
I am likewise baffled by the confidence with which this assertion is made. It's historical speculation, yet Davis states it as fact. What I still don't know is where this theory even originates from. Some suggest Gilliard, yet I can't find any such statement in my copy of "Thirteen Years". Massie flirts with the hypnosis theory and tries to explain away the incident at Spala, yet doesn't even mention the aspirin theory as far as I'm aware. Helen Rappaport seems to support the idea which I find strange. In any case, I don't find the theory compelling at all.
Comprehensive and biting response. Not sure how anyone could argue against this. Great work
It has been a long while since I have read a more thorough dismantling of ignorance than this piece is of Michael Warren Davis’ UOJ article. Good grief. Excellent rebuttal.
Level of detail and research is impeccable. Very impressed with the depth of knowledge presented here. Great article
Despite the repeated slanders against the New-Martyr Rasputin, even by those in the Orthodox Church, Rasputin is as much of a saint as the Romanovs. Sancte Gregorius Rasputin, ora pro nobis.
One thing which could be noted - over the last few years I have seen it alleged that Rasputin got the Doctors to stop giving Tsesarevich Alexei aspirin. However, I have never come across a primary sourced piece of evidence that shows he was ever administered this. It is just asserted, and no sources are ever cited. We do know from diaries and letters though that he was administered morphine for pain now and then.
I am likewise baffled by the confidence with which this assertion is made. It's historical speculation, yet Davis states it as fact. What I still don't know is where this theory even originates from. Some suggest Gilliard, yet I can't find any such statement in my copy of "Thirteen Years". Massie flirts with the hypnosis theory and tries to explain away the incident at Spala, yet doesn't even mention the aspirin theory as far as I'm aware. Helen Rappaport seems to support the idea which I find strange. In any case, I don't find the theory compelling at all.
Impeccable research, response, and delivery.