ALEXANDER NEVSKY 

The name Alexander translates from Greek as a ‘people’s defender’. Alexander Nevsky, who was glorified in 1547 by the Russian Orthodox Church as a Saint, fits this description just perfectly. Born on May 30 of 1220 Alexander inherited his father’s political wisdom and desire to unite the feuding Russian principalities.  From his mother’s ancestors he inherited courage and compassion.

When Alexander turned four years old he was given a sword, an arch with arrows and put on the horse. He was a soldier now training daily to become a real warrior. The little prince was also learning to read, write and count of course. A serious and inquisitive young man, Alexander shirked the empty joys of teenage life, he liked reading holy books and singing in church. After dark he would go to the church and spent hours praying before the holy icons. 

As a young man Alexander was sent out by his father to rule the old Russian city of Novgorod where the kind courageous and reasonable Prince quickly became famous among the local populace. The adolescent Prince found himself faced with terrible responsibilities. The following year occurred the great Mongol invasion in the east and the Teutonic knights were threatening Russia from the west. Ulf Fasi, a Swedish warlord was the first to invade Russia in 1240. By that time Novgorod was already one of the biggest and richest cities in Europe. The enemy hoped that their surprise attack would take the city flatfooted and was anticipating an easy victory and lavish booty. Reviewing his troops before coming up with the enemy, Alexander addressed his men with a phrase, an allusion to the Psalms, which has remained famous: “We are few and the enemy is strong. But God is not on the side of force, but of the just case. Fear not the enemy for God is with us!” Alexander was only 20 years old when he uttered those fateful words. Faced with terrible responsibilities, Alexander stood the test just perfectly. Sneaking up on the sleeping enemy the Russians caught the Swedes unawares. The main body of the Swedish army had not yet disembarked and their horses were out grazing in the surrounding fields. The battle fought in the mouth of the Neva River raged late into the night. By the time the moon came out the enemy had been completely routed. That grand victory won on the banks of the Neva River earned Prince Alexander the name of Nevsky (Alexander of the Neva) by which he is known to history. 

Alexander’s fame as a warrior and savior of his people is best remembered in the Lake Chudskoye battle fought in 1242 against the Knights of the Teutonic Order who acted in concert with the Swedes. On April 5 Alexander Nevsky confronted the enemy on the ice of the frozen Lake Peipus (Chudskoye). The steel-clad Teutons drove a wedge through the lines of the lightly-armored Russian troops. At the very height of the fierce battle the ice gave in under the Teutons’ weight and the unwieldy knights started going under one after another… By nightfall the fearsome Teutonic army had ceased to exist. 

With the Swedes and Germans now down, it only remained for Alexander to put an end to the invasions of the Lithuanians. In a relatively short span of time he won seven big victories making everyone realize all too well that invading Russia simply does not pay…

Alexander was now faced with a tragic dilemma. Was the conqueror of the Swedes and Teutons, the hero of Neva and Chudskoye Lake, to adopt the attitude of a humble vassal of the Golden Horde that still controlled a large portion of the Russian lands? A formidable war captain, Alexander was no slouch either where it came to the artful craft of diplomacy. As the ruler of a major Russian principality, he was making a strong effort to make peace with the Tatars who, for their part, respected the battles-hardened Russian Prince. Khan Baty was well informed about Alexander’s victories and therefore was loathe to confront him on the battlefield. In 1262 when the exaction of the Tatars provoked a popular uprising, Alexander undertook a journey to the Tatar headquarters to ward off a punitive expedition. For a whole year he did all in his power to pacify the Great Khan and his henchmen and eventually managed to avert the deadly threat. Russia was saved again… 

After a year’s absence the Tartars finally allowed Alexander to return to his native land. But he had already come to the end of his strength. On his return journey he died at a monastery in November 1263. “The sun has set over the land of Suzdal!” exclaimed Metropolitan Cyril in announcing to the dismayed people the death of the man who had four arduous diplomatic missions to the Golden Horde and dozens of major battlefield victories behind his back. Alexander Nevsky’s funeral took place with great solemnity and his remains are now in St. Petersburg, the city on the Neva where, by the whim of Fate, he scored his first victory…

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Illustration:  V.Pashuto, “The Life of Famous People. Alexander Nevsky”, Moscow, Molodaya Gvardiya, 1984