(20 Aug 2000) Russian/Nat
XFA
The Russian Orthodox Church canonised the Tsar Nicholas II and his family at a special service on Sunday.
The last Russian tsar and his family were shot dead by the Bolsheviks in 1918.
The Archbishops' Council, the Church's highest ruling body, voted to canonise Nicholas II, his wife and five children, because they bore their suffering with gentleness, patience and humility.
The Council also voted to canonise many priests and monks who were put to death during the Soviet era.
Tsar Nicholas II becomes the fourth Russian monarch ever to be made a saint.
For many Orthodox believers, he already is one and a series of miracles have been reported at the place where he and his family died.
But others in the Church have their doubts, accusing the tsar of being stubborn and weak, of clinging to power and of having a mistress.
And some Church leaders agree with the Soviet line - that the tsar and his family epitomised the excesses of the imperial era.
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