400th anniversary of the House of Romanov

Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, who was crowned as the tsar of Russia at the age of 16 in 1613 in a troublesome time for this country chose, the road for Russia it proceeded along for more than 300 years.

Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, the last representative of the Romanov Dynasty, was killed by the Bolsheviks after a revolutionary coup 95 years ago – in July of 1918.

The election to the throne of Mikhail Romanov took place during the Assembly of the Land (Zemskoi Sobor) in February of 1613. Although there were many candidates, Mikhail Romanov got a unanimous selection. A historian, Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrei Sakharov, says.

"First, Mikhail Romanov was very young and tender, and the Boyar groups thought that it would not be difficult for them to control him or to force him to do what they would like him to do. Second, Mikhail Romanov was supported by the Russian Cossacks, who, favouring the House of Romanov, offered pressure on both the Boyars and the aristocracy, forcing them to approve his candidacy."

However, the Boyars were wrong believing that they would be able to tell the first Romanov tsar what to do. The seeming weakness and helplessness of the young tsar proved illusory. The new ruler managed to hold together both his ardent supporters and bitter enemies,to guarantee his freedom of action, a historian, Mikhail Myagkov, said.

"Mikhail Fyodorovich was not a prominent politician and did not have any charisma, but what he did was not without reason – especially after the period in the history of Russia that is knownthe troubled times. To gradually gain a foothold and authority was a very wise decision of the Romanov family."

During his 32-year reign the first Romanov tsar established the so-called eternal peace with Sweden. He established diplomatic relations with Polish Rzeczpospolita (a traditional name of the Polish state). The centralization of power was one of the main achievements of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov.

Equally important was the reorganization of the Russian army, which also occurred during the rule of the first Romanov tsar. The first cast-iron melting plants, steel plants and weapon-making plants were set up in Russia by the order of Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov.

The reign of Mikhail Romanov ensured Russia’s progress for years ahead,Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said.

"We know very well that once a small state, Russia gradually developed into a great power that occupies large territory from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean."

To mark the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanov, the Russian Orthodox Church held prayers and liturgies, and organized a number of events on the occasion.