https://imperialhouse.ru/en/allnews-en/news/2020-05-24-the-head-of-the-house-of-romanoff-sent-greetings-to-the-crew-of-the-cruiser-aurora-on-the-120th-anniversary-of-its-launching.html#sigProId2df6977f45
The Head of the Imperial House of Romanoff, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, has sent greetings to the crew of the cruiser Aurora on the 120th anniversary of its launching.
FROM THE HEAD OF THE
IMPERIAL HOUSE OF RUSSIA
to the captain of the cruiser Aurora,
Captain II-Rank Iu. V. Shishkarev
Dear Yurii Vladimirovich,
I extend to you and your fellow officers and crew my heartfelt congratulations on the 120th anniversary of the launching of the cruiser Aurora.
On May 11 (O.S.), 1900, the feast day of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, the cruiser Aurora was launched during a ceremony attended by the Holy Royal Passion-Bearer Emperor Nicholas II, his wife the Holy Royal Passion-Bearer Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and mother Empress Maria Feodorovna.
The name of the cruiser is inseparably linked with some of the most important events of the 20th century: the Russo-Japanese War, the First World War, the Russian Revolution of 1917, and the Great Patriotic War. Today the ship serves as a living monument and cultural heritage site, which helps to promote the patriotic spirit of all our countrymen.
It is enormously meaningful to me and my son and heir, Grand Duke George of Russia, that we are able to visit the Aurora and help preserve the memory of the glorious history of the Russian Navy, and to pray in the ship’s chapel for Russia’s heroic sailors who serve today or have given their lives in the defense of our country, and for all the victims of the Revolution and Civil War.
Please accept the liturgical vessels I have sent as a gift for the ship’s chapel, in commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the launching of the Aurora. I hope that soon, whenever travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic are lifted, I will again stand aboard your historic cruiser.
I wish you all good health, success, and God’s help in your service to our country.
[The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand:]
MARIA
Madrid
11/24 May, 2020
Feast of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius