Birthday Greetings from the Locum Tenens of the Moscow Patriarchate to the Head of the House of Romanoff

On 23 December 2008, in Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow, on the birthday of Her Imperial Highness, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, a letter of birthday greetings from His Eminence, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the Locum Tenens of the Moscow Patriarchate, to Her Imperial Highness, was read aloud publicly and then given to the Director of H.I.H.’s Chancellery, A. N. Zakatov. This ceremony followed the Divine Liturgy; a panikhida [service for the dead] for the Newly-Reposed Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and All Russia; and after a solemn moleben [intercessory prayer service] had been served for the health of the Head of the Russian Imperial House and all the members of Her august family. These services were officiated by His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Liubertsy and a large assembly of clergy, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Kirill. The text of the letter follows: 

[Stationary of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne]  

No. 3787
23 December 2008 

Your Imperial Highness!

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your birthday.

You are the very personification of a Russian grand duchess—gracious, wise, compassionate, and a true lover of Russia.

Though far from your Motherland, you continue to take an active part in its fate, rejoicing in its successes and enduring with your countrymen its difficulties. It is extremely gratifying to note that in today’s unique historical conditions, you continue to make a substantial contribution to the creation of a strong Russia that is based on spiritual and moral values, and the centuries-long traditions of its people.

The Russian Orthodox Church, remaining, as it has always been, the preserver of the historical memory of the Russian people, enjoys, as has always been its tradition, the warmest possible relations with the Russian Imperial House.

Using this occasion of your birthday to convey to you my warmest regards, I wish you peace, health, prosperity, and success in all your many and various activities. May the Lord Who is All-Merciful preserve you in all your life’s work.

With respect, 

The Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne
Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad