In
the early 1900's a Siberian moujik, or peasant, with a striking pair
of gray eyes appeared in St. Petersburg. He was of average height,
had a low, soothing voice, and was very strong, but he seemed to not
care about his appearance. He lived in loose, dirty clothing, his
dark hair was always greasy, and his beard was un-cut and shaggy.
But he was a Man of God, and to a mystical devout Orthodox he was seen as hypnotizing and powerful. With their prejudices he gained influence over their fear. His name was Grigory Rasputin, born in the village of Pokrovskoe in 1869. He was never taught to read or write, and could barely sign his own name until later in his life. Growing up he had to learn to fend for himself, relying on strength to get him through the village's brawls. He was also caught stealing a couple of times. He loved women and wine, both excessively. He married a girl named Proskovia who gave him two daughters, Maria and Varvara, and his son, Dimitri.
His life hit a turning point deep in the Urals where he "received the divine grace." The Virgin Mother of God, Mary, had visited him in a vision. He pledged to give up smoking, drinking, and eating meat. He put himself on radical fasts in order to cleanse. He prayed for hours on end, and set out on Pilgrimages to Holy Lands, by foot. He visited many places in Russia, and then set out to Greece and Jerusalem, also on foot.
By the time Rasputin first appeared in the Empire's Capital he had learned the Scriptures and loved to keep up lengthily religious conversations, traits which attracted the eye of the Romanovs. He was a charming man, with a healthy sense of humour and good wit. The most amazing trait was his intuition, it served him well his entire life.
As he was finally introduced to the Empress, Alicky took an immediate liking to him. He impressed her mystical side, tickled her wit, and took her off guard with his security in himself. He talked to God, and assumingly God listened!! He spoke of his religious convictions and Alix listened as though she was his student. He listened to her as her confessor.. but most importantly: when Alexei was not well, it was his prayers that calmed her.
His biggest trial was to come in 1912 with the Tsesarevich
terribly ill. He was in his Siberian homeown when an urgent telegram
from the Empress arrived, telling him of the boy's condition in
Spala. For days Alix held off on contacting Rasputin, letting four
doctors look over her son. But when it seemed Alexei's will to fight
for his life was gone Alix couldn't stand it any longer. The Empress
needed a miracle. Plainly the doctors were not doing a thing to help
her son, they wouldn't give him even a pain reliever. All Alix could
do was pray, but she needed someone who could get answers from God.
There was one man she knew of that fit that desription.
A telegram sent back to Spala during the middle of the night.
God has seen your tears and heard your prayers. Do
not grieve. The little one will not die. Do not allow the doctors to
bother him too much.
~Rasputin's Telegraphic Reply~
The morning after that telegram arrived Alexei's condition was
still grim, but there was a change: Alexandra was smiling.
The doctors notice no improvement yet, but I am not
a bit anxious myself now. During the night, I received a telegram
from Father Grigory and he has reassured me completely.
~Alexandra~
I
purposefully left out the arrival of Rasputin's telegram when explaining the
crisis of 
To
the Russian people Rasputin was a strange peasant who suddenly
started to appear with the Imperial Family, no explanation was given
as to why he was there. It was considered in the Russian peoples'
best interests to keep the cause of Alexei's suffering a secret.