Nicholas I of Russia Quotes
It is my will that in my empire the liberty of various creeds, after their several customs, be respected. And I declare at the same time, that I esteem alike all my subjects, to whatever religion they belong.
Nicholas I, 1796-1855, [Nikolay Pavlovich], Czar of Russia, Quoted in Occident and American Jewish Advocate, May 1843
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus. This quote is historically very important as it is one of the first expressions of religious tolerance. Tragically, this principle was ignored by most Christians for over a millennium. Some Christians still ignore it. See {626754} for a modern example.
Nicholas I (6 July 1796 – 2 March 1855) was Emperor of Russia, King of Congress Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland. He was the third son of Paul I and younger brother of his predecessor, Alexander I. Nicholas's thirty-year reign began with the failed Decembrist revolt. He is mainly remembered as a reactionary whose controversial reign was marked by geographical expansion, centralisation of administrative policies, and repression of dissent both in Russia and among its neighbors. Nicholas had a happy marriage that produced a large family; with all of their seven children surviving childhood.