Nikolay Geyden
Russia- Early Life and Military Career
- Political Activism in the Right-Monarchist Movement
- Later Political Activities and Arrest
- Post-Revolution and Imprisonment
- Poverty and Death
- Family and Legacy
Early Life and Military Career
Count Fyodor Fyodorovich Heydenwas born into an illustrious family with a rich military history. His grandfather, Admiral Loggin (Ludwig Sigismund Jakob) Petrovich Heyden, fought alongside Admiral Ushakov and played a significant role in the Battle of Navarino. His father, General-Adjutant and General of Infantry Count Fyodor Logginovich Heyden, served as Governor-General of Finland from 1881 to 1897.
Fyodor Jr. followed in the footsteps of his ancestors and embarked on a brilliant military career, eventually rising to the rank of full General of Cavalry.
Political Activism in the Right-Monarchist Movement
Heyden's patriotic beliefs led him to join the ranks of the prominent right-monarchist movement. In 1900, he became one of the founding members of the Russian Assembly (PC), a nationalist and patriotic organization. He was elected to the first Council of the PC in 1901 and served on the Council repeatedly thereafter. From March 23, 1906, to March 27, 1914, he held the position of Deputy Chairman of the PC and briefly acted as Chairman from May 1909.
Heyden actively participated in the work and events of the right-wing. On February 19, 1911, he delivered a notable speech at the solemn meeting of the Union of Russian People (SRN), commemorating the 50th anniversary of the abolition of serfdom. His words, expressing support for the SRN and the preservation of the monarchy, were met with enthusiastic applause and the singing of the national anthem.
Later Political Activities and Arrest
After the dissolution of the PC in 1914, Heyden dedicated himself to other public responsibilities, including serving as Elder of the Kazan Cathedral, Member of the St. Petersburg City Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Women's Gymnasium of the Petrograd Edinoverie Brotherhood.
As political tensions escalated in the country, Heyden returned to active involvement in the right-monarchist movement. In late 1916, he became Deputy Chairman of the Main Council of the SRN. He was instrumental in organizing a monarchist congress and, in January 1917, co-signed a circular letter calling for the election of delegates to the congress. However, the Bolsheviks denied permission for the congress to take place.
Heyden's strong religious beliefs influenced his public service. He published religious education pamphlets, patronized ecclesiastical services, and supported the establishment of a women's monastery in Crimea.
Post-Revolution and Imprisonment
After the Russian Revolution, Heyden remained in Russia and continued to serve as Elder of the Kazan Cathedral and Chairman of the Pedagogical Council of the Isidore Diocesan School. On August 22, 1918, his apartment was searched, and he was arrested. The Cheka planned to arrest Count A. A. Bobrinsky as well, but Bobrinsky managed to escape to Kiev.
During the search, the Cheka confiscated an anti-Bolshevik document entitled "Appeal of the Order League." The document urged the population to unite for self-defense, arguing that the Bolshevik government was incapable of protecting them.
Despite finding no evidence of Heyden's involvement in the document, the Cheka detained him for a month and then declared him a hostage. Only on December 30, 1918, was Heyden finally released from prison, reportedly thanks to a Tatar janitor who offered a surety.
Poverty and Death
Upon his release, Heyden found himself destitute and homeless as his house and property had been confiscated. He died shortly after, living in extreme poverty in the janitor's lodge.
Family and Legacy
Heyden's wife, Eugenia Petrovna (née Princess Kropotkina), lived in Feodosia with two of their daughters, who were members of the Union of Russian Women. Their son Nikolai, an officer in the White Army, was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1920.
Countess Heyden eventually moved to Tver and then Berlin and Paris, where she died as a nun, according to the testimony of Metropolitan Eulogius. Her daughter Serafima passed away in 1966 in the Netherlands.
Fyodor Fyodorovich Heyden was a prominent figure in the right-monarchist movement and a devoted servant of the Russian Orthodox Church. His legacy lives on through the contributions of his descendants and the memories of those who knew him.
