The Russian Orthodox Church observes All-Russia Sobriety Day each year on September 11, a date that coincides with the beheading of John the Baptist; the prophet was apparently killed during a drunken feast. The first observance occurred in 1913, and up until the Revolution, no alcohol was sold on the Day of Sobriety. Even though the consumption of alcohol in the Russian Empire during the reign of Nicholas II was significantly lower than today, the sobriety movement was then at its peak, a cause the last Tsar very much supported; presented with the arguments that the Imperial treasury significantly benefited from the sale of alcohol, he said that the welfare of the treasury should not be dependent on the devastation of the spiritual and economic needs of his subjects.
So awesome. Thank you!
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