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Royal Burials May End Romanov Saga

Russian royalists hope DNA evidence will persuade church to honor Romanovs

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2009 7:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – The family of Russia's last czar may be reunited in a royal tomb nearly a century after being shot and killed by the Bolsheviks, the Los Angeles Times reports. DNA evidence has proven beyond any doubt that remains found in 2007 buried near Nicholas II and the rest of his family are those of two of his children who were rumored to have survived.

Supporters now hope to persuade the Russian Orthodox Church—which refused to authorize a royal burial without conclusive proof of the identity of the bodies—to write the final chapter of the story. "Once the church accepts the remains, my duty will be done," said the great-grandson of a general who attempted to rescue the Romanovs.

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Russia's Supreme Court ruled last fall that Czar Nicholas II was a victim of Soviet repression. (AP Photo/Files)

Russia's Czar Nicholas II, seated second from left, Czarina Alexandra, center rear, and their family are shown in this undated file photo. (AP Photo/File)

In this undated file photo Russian Czar Nicholas II, left, and his son Prince Alexei are shown sawing wood to heat the dwelling in Siberia where they were held during the Russian Revolution. (AP Photo/File)

In this undated file photo Russian Czar Nicholas II's daughter Princess Maria is seen. DNA experts have confirmed that a body found buried near the czar is that of Maria. (AP Photo/File)

In this undated file photo Russian Czar Nicholas II's son and heir, Prince Alexei, is seen. DNA tests have proven that bone fragments exhumed in the Ural Mountains belong to Alexei. (AP Photo/File)

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Hopefully, we will be able to convince the church and at the end, the church will agree and finally give the family the decent and honorable burial they deserve. - Peter Sarandinaki, founder of the Scientific Expedition to Account for the Romanov Children

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Royal Burials May End Romanov Saga