It is hard to comprehend a condition of society which would permit of such mad tyranny, but history tells the same long story throughout his later days. Even in his own capital, scenes similar to those at Novgorod were enacted and it is reported that often at the end of some bloody atrocity, he would piously lift his eyes to Heaven and ask an interest in the prayers of his dear people.
One of Ivan's martyrs was Philip Prior, a priest famous for the purity of his life and example. he dared at one time to rebuke the crimes of the Czar to his face. The Greek church has canonized him. His remains have been removed to Moscow, and on the day of his coronation every czar of Russia must kneel before his shrine and kiss his feet.
Previous article Next article
From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
