Canonization of the Russian royal family

[Digitonomy]

The last Russian royal family is apparently recognized as saints by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Were they considered to have been martyred for their faith, or is there some other principle in play here?

If the former, how is it determined when someone is martyred for his faith, and not killed for some other reason?

 

[bpbasilphx]

They are considered “passion bearers,” not martyrs.

The first saints so glorified were Boris and Gleb. While killed during a dynastic war, they chose to follow the example of Christ and not allow themselves to be defended. “If there is blood to be shed, let it be ours and ours alone,” they said.

Whatever mistakes the Tsar and Tsaritsa might have made in their reign, they experienced a deep conversion during their imprisonment–so much so that their guards had to be frequently changed, as their attitude was affecting their guards.

They too, for Christ’s sake, were willing to forgo being defended or rescued.