Address From the Head of the Russian Imperial House H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna Concerning the Teaching of the Course «Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture»

My Compatriots!

One of the most important and undeniable achievements of Russia at the end of the twentieth century was the abolition of the godless character of its government and the establishment of the fundamental freedom of conscience. Throughout the entire world, the news was greeted with joy and celebration that in our Fatherland there no longer is persecution for believing in God, and that from now on, none of its citizens could be persecuted for their religious beliefs, or for the lack of any such beliefs.

The Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional religious confessions of Russia, having been restored after years of oppression, have resumed their activities of service to society, activities that were previously forbidden them. The State and society, for their part, understood and valued cooperation with religious institutions in the area of strengthening the moral foundations of the Fatherland.

However, the anti-religious tendencies of the recent and dark period in the history of our country have not, unfortunately, been fully eliminated. A manifestation of these tendencies, in my view, includes, in part, the objections that have been raised to the teaching of the course “Foundations of Orthodox Culture.” It is surprising that, in a country that has given the world great cultural achievements, there should exist serious opposition to introducing the younger generation to the spiritual values that nourished the genius of Andrei Rublev, Alexander Pushkin, Fedor Dostoevsky, Peter Tchaikovsky, and, in general, the overwhelming majority of cultural figures in the arts who are celebrated across the globe.

Teaching the course “Foundations of Orthodox Culture” as an elective, as a freely chosen optional course, in no way contradicts the secular character of the State or of the schools. It does not limit the right of choice to those with, or to those without, religious convictions, but rather only enriches the curriculum and allows students to decide on their own what is important in their own lives. Of course, other traditional religious confessions also should have the inalienable right to teach courses on the foundations of their religious culture.

I believe that this question will be resolved fairly and impartially for the good of all the citizens of Russia. 

H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna
Issued in Madred, 12 June 2004 

A. N. Zakatov
Personal Secretary of the Imperial Family
Director of the Chancellery of H.I.H.