House of Romanov (1881–1894), and Nicholas II (1894–1917). Constantine Pavlovich and Michael Alexandrovich, both morganatically married, are occasionally counted among Russia's emperors by historians who observe that the Russian monarchy did not legally permit interregnums. But neither was crowned and both actively declined the throne. The February Revolution of 1917 resulted in the abdication of Nicholas II in favor of his brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich. The latter declined to accept imperial authority save to delegate it to the Provisional Government pending a future democratic referendum, effectively terminating the Romanov dynasty's rule over Russia. After the February Revolution, Nicholas II and his family
1917–18 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church the reinstated Moscow Patriarchate, Tikhon Belavin, Metroplitan of Moscow, was selected for the position after a drawing of lots as the new Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. "Собрание определений и Деяния Священного Собора Православной Российской Церкви 1917—1918 гг.". Moscow, 1994—2000 (scanned text: "Священный Соборъ Православной Россійской Церкви. Собраніе опрдѣленій и постановленій". М. 1918. — Изданіе Соборнаго Совѣта) 1917–18 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church The 1917–1918 Local Council of the Orthodox Church of Russia () was the first Local Council of the Russian Church since the end of the 17th century. It opened on 15 August 1917 (O.S.)