About the book: 1995 / A centuries-old dispute is being waged around the events of the reign of John IV. He received the nickname “Terrible” - that is, terrible for non-believers, enemies and haters of Russia - from his contemporaries. Gifted, a true believer, one of the most educated people of his time, he necessarily took on the thankless job of the ruler of the Russian land and, as a surgeon, cut off rotting, useless members from Rus'. John was not deluded in his contemporaries’ (and descendants’) assessment of his service, saying that they would repay him with evil for good and hatred for love. But the people correctly understood their king and sacredly honored his memory. Right up to the revolution and the destruction of the Kremlin cathedrals, people came to Grozny’s grave and served memorial services, believing that this would attract help in cases requiring a fair trial..