Congratulatory Letter From His Holiness Patriarch Aleksei II Of Moscow and All Russia to H.I.H., the Dowager Grand Duchess Leonida Georg’ievna On the Occasion of Her 90-th Birthday

21 October 2004
No. 5606

To Her Imperial Highness
Grand Duchess Leonida Georg’evna 

Your Imperial Highness!  

I send my heartfelt congratulations to You on Your birthday. You were born in Tiflis, in the most ancient family in Europe, the Bagration Dynasty, which, according to legend, descends from the biblical king, prophet, and psalmist David. While always manifesting Your love for Georgia, You have at the same time adopted as Your own the interests of Russia.

With time, when it became possible, You traveled to our Fatherland dozens of times not only to make pilgrimages to historic and holy sites in Russia, but also to help the country, a responsibility that You see to be a duty before God.

You have earned the love and respect of all who know You, and serve as an example of royal dignity, joined with simplicity and sensitivity toward those around You in need.

On this important day, accept our wishes for health, success in Your tasks, and many and good years of life. May the All-Mighty Lord bestow upon You His abundant mercy.

With love, in the Lord, 

Aleksei Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia