Grigori Yefimovich Rapustin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Grigori Yefimovich Rapustin - Essay Example He taught his disciples that sex, alcoholism, bribery, violence or all kinds of sins are part of human life and these things are necessary to get salvation. He was succeeded in attracting many people with his magical powers, appearance and communication abilities. He was often referred as the mad monk in history because of his crazy life styles and teachings. He was able to establish deep relationship with the Imperial family in general and with Queen Alexandra Feodorovna and her son,  in particular. These relationships helped him to become a prominent figure in the even in the imperial court. Some people believe that he was responsible for the downfall of the Romonov Russian Imperial family whereas others argue that he was simply a scapegoat. This paper analyses Rasputin’s personal life and teachings in general and his influence in the down fall and later the overthrow of the Romonov Russian Imperial family in particular. Rasputin’s personal life and teachings Rasput in’s education was limited and he struggled even for reading and writing. Like most of the modern self declared saints, Rasputin also realised that it is easy to influence the public with the help of magical powers even without formal education. He has realised that most of the people around him were superstitious and exploitation of such superstitious public is easy. â€Å"Having undergone a form of religious conversion while aged 18, Rasputin embraced the Khlysty sect.   Happily for Rasputin the sect preached the notion that the closest relationship to God could best be achieved while exhausted from prolonged sexual engagements†3 Rasputin’s personal life was not suitable for the traditional beliefs about the life styles of a monk or saint. His teachings were entirely different from the teachings of traditional saints. He argued that sins are part of human life and it is necessary for getting salvation. In his opinion, â€Å"sin is an inescapable part of the human condition, and the responsibility of a believer is to be keenly aware of his sins, and willing to confess them, thereby attaining humility†4. He established strong relationships with people in the upper class society and engaged in all malicious activities. He stayed with prostitutes and had no hesitation in getting addicted to alcohol. â€Å"He shortly afterwards hit upon the satisfying discovery that sexual contact with his own body imbued a healing effect upon women†5. Influence of Rasputin in the downfall of the Romonov Russian Imperial family Even though historians have different opinions about the role played by Rasputin in the downfall of the Romonov Russian Imperial family which led to the formation of Soviet Union, nobody has any doubt about his deep relationship with the Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra and their only son, the Tsarevich Alexei. Rasputin was able to establish strong relationship with the ruling family because of Alexeiâ €™s hemophilia disease. Tsar and Tsarina had only one son and they were worried about their son’s hemophilia disease. They tried to treat their son using all the available medical facilities of that time; however their son’s pain and agony increased day by day. Rasputin used this opportunity well and convinced Tsar and Tsarina that he has holy power and he can easily get their son’s pain relieved. He was regarded as the last resort of the desperate Tsar and Tsarina. They had tried