ALEXANDER NEVSKI, niWskt. (1220-63). A Russian hero and saint. He was born at Vlad imir, the son of Prince Varoslav of Novgorod. In order to defend the country, which was attacked on all sides, but especially by the Mon gols, his father left Novgorod, intrusting the government to his sons. Feodor and Alexander. Feodor died soon after. Alexander vigorously re sisted the enemy, but Russia was forced to sub mit to the Mongol dominion in 1240 A.D. Alex ander now fought to defend the western frontier against the Danes, the Swedes, and the Teutonic Knights. He received the surname of Nevski from the splendid victory over the Swedes, which lie won in 1240 on the Neva, in the region where St. Petersburg now stands. In 1242 on the ice of Lake Peipus he defeated the Livonian Knights of the Sword, who had been instigated by the Pope to attack the Russian heretics. l'pon the death of his father, in 1246, he became Prince of Pope Innocent 1V. made a
diplomatic attempt in 1251 to reunite the Greek and Roman Churches, since his military scheme had failed, and with this end in view sent au embassy to Alexander, which, however, proved ineffectual. To the end of his life Alexander re mained a vassal of the Tartars or Mongols. Thrice he had to renew his oath of fealty to the Asiatic barbarians, making in each instance a journey to their camp. He died November 14, 1263, on his return from the last of these jour neys. The gratitude of the nation perpetuated his memory in popular songs. and even canonized him. Peter the Great honored his memory in 1723 by building a magnificent convent on the spot where he had fought his great battle, and in 1725 founded tli knightly order of St. Alex ander Nevski.