2016-03-23. The Tsesarevich and Grand Duke George of Russia Comes to Moscow on a Working Visit
On March 20-22, 2016, H.I.H. The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia came to Moscow on a working visit. His Imperial Highness came to Russia to attend a gala hosted by the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in the Russian Federation (of which the Grand Duke is the Honorary President).
On March 20, the Tsesarevich arrived in Moscow from Paris. At Sheremetevo Airport in Moscow, he was met by the Director of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, A. N. Zakatov; the Head of the Office for Social Relations and Publications, D. G. Mepurishvili; the advisor to the Director of the Chancellery, Hieromonk Nikon (Levachёv-Belavenets); Fr. Nikolai Koniukhov of the Church of the Life-Creating Trinity at Saltykov Bridge; and the chief of administration for the organization “For Faith and Fatherland,” I. I. Solodikhin. David Gorria, an advisor to the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research, arrived at the airport from Brussels at the same time. (On the Imperial Foundation, see: http://www.imperialfoundation.com/ru.) Mr. Gorria accompanied the Grand Duke for the length of his visit to Moscow.
On the next day, March 21, in the Residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Moscow, a formal meeting took place between Grand Duke George of Russia and the Belgian Ambassador, Alex van Meuwen. Besides His Imperial Highness and Ambassador van Meuwen, those attending the breakfast meeting were: Ambassador van Meuwen’s wife; the advisor to the Ambassador, Evie Ruymbeke; the Director of H.I.H.’s Chancellery, A. N. Zakatov; the General-Director of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, A. A. Arianov; the Head of the Moscow Office of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, O. B. Prozorov; and the advisor to the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research, Mr. David Gorria.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Grand Duke George of Russia awarded the Belgian Ambassador to Russia, Alex van Meuwen, the Imperial Commemorative Medal “In Memory of the 100th Anniversary of the First World War, 1914-1918,” and the book Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, which celebrates the 400th anniversary in 2013 of the ending of the Time of Troubles in Russia.
That evening, His Imperial Highness attended a gala marking the second anniversary of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Russia. (See: http://tpprf.ru/ru/news/belgiysko-lyuksemburgskaya-palata-itogi-dvukh-let-raboty-v-rossii-i127023/; and http://www.tpp-inform.ru/global/6736.html).
The Grand Duke gave a brief speech welcoming those gathered:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
“I am pleased to welcome you all to this grand ballroom.
“I am very pleased indeed to see so many gathered here tonight, members and partners of the Chamber of Commerce, and so many guests, as well.
“Gatherings like this have become rather a tradition for us. For two years now, our Chamber of Commerce here in Moscow has been an effective center for uniting the interests of Russian, Belgian, and Luxembourger businesses.
“We all know about the current difficulties today in the economy, which have arisen largely because of political disputes. But I feel certain that we can and must overcome them.
“Our meetings, the exchange of opinions and views, our common search for ways to work together and collaborate—all this helps us make decisions that benefit the peoples of our countries.
“From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank Arkadii Arianov and Oleg Prozorov, who have organized this wonderful gala celebration, and all our colleagues, and of course all of you who have come here tonight.
“I wish you all useful and productive discussions and success in all your endeavors!”
On the morning of March 22, Grand Duke George of Russia was profoundly saddened to learn of the terror attacks at the international airport in Brussels and at the Malbec metro station. He immediately issued a statement expressing his deepest condolences to the Belgian people.
His Imperial Highness then went to the Church of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple, which is a side-altar in the Church of the Life-Creating Trinity at Saltykov Bridge. Fr. Nikolai Koniukhov served a moleben for the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, whose memory is celebrated that day. The Grand Duke prayed for the repose of the souls of those who perished in the terror attacks, venerated the icons and holy relics in the church, and spoke with many of the parishioners.
Then he attended a farewell luncheon hosted by the organization “For Faith and Fatherland,” after which H.I.H. The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia departed for Madrid.