The Tretyakov Gallery is known to almost everyone in our country and is popular even beyond Russia, but few know the details of the biography of its founder and first owner, Sergey Mikhailovich Tretyakov. Today we will fill this gap and tell the story of how this famous patron and art connoisseur fought against political terrorism in the early 20th century. This story speaks volumes about Sergey Mikhailovich, who was an active public figure, raised funds to help wounded soldiers of the Russo-Turkish War for the liberation of the Balkans, and engaged in various charitable activities. He did not remain aloof from the increasing terror of the Narodnaya Volya and decided to combat this phenomenon.

In 1881, a secret monarchist organization was created to fight terrorism, called the Holy Brotherhood, which included several dozen people. Over time, the organization expanded, and one of its leaders became Sergey Mikhailovich Tretyakov, who joined the supreme council. The young Emperor Alexander III supported the creation of this brotherhood and approved its activities, which legalized the initiative of the monarchists. Besides Tretyakov, the leadership of the brotherhood included such notable figures as Count Shuvalov, future Prime Minister Stürmer, two Grand Dukes, and other prominent state officials. For at least two years, Tretyakov supported the brotherhood, but then withdrew from this activity and focused on his own affairs. Nevertheless, Sergey Mikhailovich continued to engage in charity and held several important government positions for many years.