Militza and Anastasia: The Black Peril in the Russian Court

Towards the twilight of the rule of the Romanovs in Russia, two Slavic princesses reigned supreme as the most colorful figures in the Czar’s court. Grand Duchess Militza and Grand Duchess Anastasia were Montegrin princesses who married two brothers from the Imperial Family. They were daughters of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro and his wife Milena Vukotić. Their tendencies towards the occult made them notorious as “The Black Peril”of the Russian Court. 

Grand Duchess Militza Nicolaevna with her children, from left to right,
Roman, Marina, Nadezhda. Image from Wikimedia Commons

Grand Duchesses Militza and Anastasia had been jointly nicknamed “The Black Peril” due to their penchant for everything mystical. The sisters developed an interest in spiritualism, occult sciences, and Eastern mystics from an early age.

 They were deeply passionate about mysticism that they even acquired a diploma in Paris as an honorary doctor of alchemy. Following their return to their birthplace, Cetinje, the two sisters joined an exclusive circle of sorcerers, mystics, and magicians. Also, instead of attending numerous lavish balls, they took the time to further their knowledge about mysticism.

Out of their desire to become closer to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Militza and Anastasia swore on their knees to help her conceive a son. The two sisters eventually won Alexandra’s trust, authorizing them to summon mystics and occultists to help her bear an heir.

After a failed attempt by French occultist Doctor Encausse, the sisters sought the help of Monsieur Philippe, whose mystic efforts supposedly came to fruition after Empress Alexandra gave birth to a son in 1904. After Empress Alexandra’s son Alexei was diagnosed with hemophilia, Militza and Anastasia claimed that it was the revered mystic and healer Grigori Rasputin, who was in prison at the time, who could heal the young heir. True enough, Alexei was apparently restored to health by Rasputin, who also later became a trusted advisor to Empress Alexandra and Emperor Nicholas II.

Grand Duchesses Militza and Anastasia were lucky enough to have already left Russia before the Russian Revolution took place and the unfortunate murder of the Romanovs by the Bolsheviks. The remains of Grand Duchesses Militza and Anastasia are currently buried at the Bratsky military cemetery in Moscow, Russia.

You may also want to read:

• Militza and Anastasia: Montenegrin Princesses, Russian Grand Duchesses 
• Militza and Anastasia: Russia’s Most Colorful Grand Duchesses