Doctor Evgeny Sergeyevich Botkin once wrote to his relatives about how deeply he was touched by the kindness of the Imperial Family, making him their devoted servant for life. These words were not empty: he proved his love and loyalty through his actions and death, sharing fate with the Tsar. On June 9, 2020, it marked 155 years since the birth of this devoted son of the Fatherland.

Evgeny Botkin was born on June 9, 1865, in Tsarskoye Selo, becoming the fourth child in a family known for its piety and philanthropy. His parents instilled Christian values in him from an early age, which he carried throughout his life.

In 1878, thanks to an excellent home education, Evgeny entered the 5th grade of the 2nd Saint Petersburg Classical Gymnasium. Even then, his abilities in the natural sciences began to show. With each passing year, his interest in medicine grew, and in 1883 he enrolled in the Preparatory Courses of the Imperial Military Medical Academy. Later, he became a teacher at this institution, educating students not only in treatment but also in kindness towards patients.

When the Russo-Japanese War began, Evgeny Sergeyevich voluntarily went to the front, where he worked at the front lines. He recalled that he was not afraid for himself, feeling the strength of his faith, and was confident that he would not perish unless it was God's will. For his service, he was awarded numerous honors, including officer combat orders of Saint Vladimir III and II degrees with swords, the Order of Saint Anna II degree, the Order of Saint Stanislaus III degree, the Serbian Order of Saint Sava II degree, and the Bulgarian Order for Civil Merit. In 1908, Botkin became the Honorary Court Physician to His Majesty Emperor Nicholas II and his family.

With the onset of World War I in 1914, Evgeny Sergeyevich again sought to go to the front...