ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE

«1914»

In Tsarskoye Selo, a monument dedicated to the memory of the First World War "1914" was erected near the Tsarskoye Selo City Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine on Sobornaya Square. It was inaugurated on August 1, 2018.

August 1 is a special date in the history of our country. In 1914, on this day (on July 19 according to the Julian Calendar), Russia entered the First World War, it has been called the Great War for a long time.

The sculptural composition of the monument depicts the image of a regimental priest blessing Russian soldiers for a feat of arms: “For faith! Tsar! And Homeland!”

The granite pedestal contains the inscription "MCMXIV" - 1914 in Roman numerals and two bronze bas-reliefs in niches depicting George the Victorious - the patron of the Russian army and the double-headed eagle - the symbol of the Russian state.

The monument was erected at the expense of the resident of Saint Petersburg, Honoured Builder of Russia Vyacheslav Zarenkov. Vladimir Gorevoy is a sculptor.

Tsarskoe Selo has always been the cantonment of the regiments of the Imperial Guard. During the First World War, guard formations and units took part in many battles and fights and suffered heavy losses. The remains of the dead generals and officers of the Tsarskoye Selo Guards regiments were brought from the front for burial in Tsarskoye Selo. Wounded warriors were sent for treatment to this town, where more than sixty hospitals were opened.

According to the plan of the Emperor Nicholas II, Tsarskoe Selo was to become a special place of memory of the First World War.

Since the first days of the Great War, the Russian Orthodox Church provided significant support to the army and navy. Its blessing during a difficult struggle was extremely important.

Since the beginning of the war, a huge burden fell on the shoulders of military priests. It was they who spiritually nourished the troops, were responsible for the morale of the Russian soldiers. Military priests often risked their lives visiting soldiers at the forefront, while many of them just died at the fronts.

The monument "1914" shaped as a military priest combines two principles: faith in God and military duty. And the place of its installation, near the temple, further enhances the spiritual perception of the symbol of the Russian warrior.

A hundred years after the tragic events of the First World War, this monument erected on Sobornaya Square - in the spiritual centre of Tsarskoye Selo, will contribute to the restoration of historical memory and justice.

1914 turned the history upside down and changed the world. Millions of people died. The war ignited the fires of revolutions, provoked the collapse of four empires and served as an impetus for militarization throughout the world. There were attempts to forget this war, its victims and consequences.

The memory of the First World War was being deliberately erased after the revolution because a large number of mistakes were made, and people who were holding power did not want them to be visible.

The regimental priest was a very important figure. He was not carrying weapons, but was in the trenches together with soldiers and officers sharing all the challenges of service with them. He was maintaining their fighting spirit, inspiring to exploits, if necessary, healing wounds. But this is still not a monument to regimental priests, this monument is to everyone who defended our homeland during that war.