The Tragic Life and Mysterious Death of Ella Grand Duchess of Russia

Ella Grand Duchess of Russia, born as Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine, lived a life filled with opulence, tragedy, and devotion. She was a prominent figure in the Russian Imperial Family and made significant contributions to society through her philanthropy and religious work. However, her life took a tragic turn, culminating in a mysterious death that still baffles historians and enthusiasts alike.

Early Life and Marriage

Ella was born on November 1, 1864, in Darmstadt, Germany, into the Grand Ducal House of Hesse. She was the second daughter of Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse. Ella grew up in a loving and nurturing family environment, and her upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of morality and compassion.

In 1884, Ella married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia, a member of the Romanov dynasty. Their marriage was a strategic alliance that aimed to strengthen the ties between the Russian and German royal families. Despite the arranged nature of their union, Ella and Sergei developed a deep affection for one another.

The Life and Death of Ella Grand Duchess of Russia: A Romanov Tragedy

by Christopher Warwick (Kindle Edition)

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Conversion to Orthodoxy and Philanthropy

Following her marriage to Grand Duke Sergei, Ella Grand Duchess of Russia converted to the Russian Orthodox faith, a decision that would greatly influence her life and actions. She embraced Orthodox Christianity with fervor, immersing herself in religious practices and dedicating her life to helping those in need.

One of Ella's greatest philanthropic achievements was the establishment of the Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy in Moscow. The convent provided sanctuary and aid to the underprivileged, giving them access to healthcare and education. Ella actively participated in the convent's activities, tending to the sick, providing comfort to the distressed, and offering guidance to the less fortunate.

Assassination of Grand Duke Sergei

Tragedy struck Ella's life on February 18, 1905, when her beloved husband, Grand Duke Sergei, was assassinated by a member of the Socialist-Revolutionary Party. The news of his brutal murder sent shockwaves through the Russian Imperial Family and the country as a whole. Ella was devastated by the loss and plunged into a period of deep mourning.

Rather than harboring hatred or seeking revenge, Ella showed immense forgiveness toward her husband's assassin, Ivan Kalyayev. She even wrote a letter to the court, pleading for leniency in his sentence. Ella's unwavering Christian faith led her to embrace the virtue of forgiveness, even in the face of unimaginable personal tragedy.

The Last Chapter: A Mysterious Death

After the assassination of Grand Duke Sergei, Ella withdrew from society and dedicated her life to religious seclusion. She became a nun and adopted the name Sister Elisabeth. For years, she lived a life of prayer and meditation at the Martha and Mary Convent.

However, Ella's peaceful life was disrupted during the chaos of the Russian Revolution in 1917. As the Bolshevik forces gained power, they targeted members of the royal family and the clergy. Ella and other members of the Romanov family were arrested and imprisoned.

On July 18, 1918, Ella, along with others, was thrown down a mineshaft in Alapayevsk after being brutally murdered. Their bodies were later discovered with signs of torture and mutilation. The circumstances surrounding Ella's death remain shrouded in mystery, with various theories suggesting different reasons behind the brutality.

Ella Grand Duchess of Russia, in her short but impactful life, embodied grace, compassion, and forgiveness. Her legacy lives on through the religious institutions she established and the countless lives she touched through her philanthropy. Her tragic death serves as a reminder of the violence and uncertainty that marked the end of the Russian Imperial Family.

In , Ella Grand Duchess of Russia's story is one of resilience, tragedy, and unwavering faith. Her devotion to her beliefs and commitment to helping others leaves a lasting impression on history. The mystery surrounding her death only adds to the intrigue surrounding her life. Ella's memory continues to captivate audiences, compelling them to delve deeper into the tumultuous time in which she lived and reflect upon the sacrifices made by those caught up in the winds of change.

The Life and Death of Ella Grand Duchess of Russia: A Romanov Tragedy

by Christopher Warwick (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10776 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	381 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Originally published in hardback as Ella: Princess, Saint and Martyr, the definitive biography of Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna is now released in revised e-book and paperback format as The Life and Death of ELLA Grand Duchess of Russia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of her birth. Described as the ‘Most beautiful princess in Europe’, and a woman ‘capable of arousing profane passion’, this is the story of a woman whose life combined privilege and tragedy, love and riches, conviction and courage, humanity and inhumanity. A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Ella was born Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine. At 20, her marriage to the hardline Grand Duke Serge Alexandrovich, who became the victim of terrorist assassination, like the marriage of her younger sister Alexandra to Tsar Nicholas II, was partly responsible for the fall of the Imperial House of Romanov. In her widowhood and against great opposition, Ella established the first convent community of its kind in Moscow. As the ordained abbess of the Order of Saints Martha and Mary, Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna worked tirelessly with the sick, needy, outcast and untouchable inhabitants of the city’s slum districts. Brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks at the height of the Russian Revolution, Ella was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church as the Holy Imperial Martyr Saint Elisabeth Romanova. This study is based on a wealth of original material, much of it previously unpublished, from the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle, the Hesse State Archives in Darmstadt, the State Archives of the Russian Federation in Moscow, and the Russian State Historical Archives in St Petersburg.