Imperial Rescript to Count D. N. Wouytch

RESCRIPT
From the Head of the Russian Imperial House,
H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna,
To
Count D. N. Wouytch
Dear Count Dmitrii Nikolaevich!

I offer my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your 80-th birthday!

Being a descendant of the glorious Wouytch family, which distinguished itself in military and governmental service since the time of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, of blessed memory, you have worthily carried on the traditions of your noble ancestors. Because of the tragedies of the 20-th century, you were born and have lived outside of Russia, but never have you forgotten your duty to her. You were the steadfast servant of your father, who for many years was the head of the Chancellery of our House, and after his death, you continued to support Our Family as it fulfilled the duties placed on it by God.

Significant also were your contributions to the efforts, so dear to my heart, of restoring the unity between the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Mother Church in Russia. By your educational and publishing activities, and by your appearances in the media, you have helped many people to find mutual Christian feelings of love, tolerance, and understanding. I know how highly His Holiness, the ever-memorable Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and All Russia, and His Eminence, Metropolitan Lavr, regarded you; and I firmly believe and know that you shall remain for many years to come a stalwart aid to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and to Metropolitan Hilarion, and to their common work to strengthen the foundations of the Church and to heal any remaining divisions.

In recognition of your services to Russia, to the Holy Church, to my most august father, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, of blessed memory, and to me, I deem it fitting to elevate you to the rank of knight of our Imperial and Royal Order of the White Eagle.

My most august mother, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, and my son and heir, Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, join me in congratulating you, and send you their best wishes for health and many years.

Ever favorably disposed toward you, and with deep affection, I remain,
(The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand:)

Maria
H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

(Certifying this text to be identical with the original:)

A. N. Zakatov
Director of H.I.H.’s Chancellery
Issued in Madrid, 1 June 2009