A series of memorial events were held in Moscow to mark the 100^th anniversary of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich’s Manifesto (issued on August 31/September 13, 1924) announcing his use henceforth of the title of Emperor-in-Exile.

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• Dr. Alexander N. Zakatov and Archpriest Valentine Asmus Dr. Alexander N. Zakatov and Archpriest Valentine Asmus
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• 1936-05-23 Letter from Metropolitan Antonii 1936-05-23 Letter from Metropolitan Antonii
• October 1938: The Orthodox Observer October 1938: The Orthodox Observer
• 1938-10-10: Letter of condolences of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco 1938-10-10: Letter of condolences of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco
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On September 13, 2024, in the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in Krasnoe Selo in Moscow, several memorial events were held to mark the 100th anniversary of the publication on August 31/September 13, 1924, of the Manifesto announcing the assumption of the title of Emperor-in-Exile by the Curator of the Imperial Throne, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich.

 

Events began with a commemorative prayer service in the church for Emperor Kirill I Vladimirovich, which was officiated by the rector of the church, Archpriest Valentine Asmus. Serving with Fr. Valentine were Hieromonk Nikon (Levachev-Belavenets), the head of the Department for Historical and Memorial Activities of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House; Fr. Alexander Yermolov, the chairman of the Missionary Department of the Kazan Eparchy and rector of the Church of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg in the city of Kazan; Deacon Alexei Kulikov of the Sergiev Posad Eparchy; and Deacon Pavel Gabov of the Stavropegial Monastery of St. Paisius Velichkovsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

 

The church service was followed by the opening of the academic conference “‘Not for Personal Glory, Not for Vain Honours’: On the 100th Anniversary of the Publication of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich’s Manifesto Assuming the Title of Emperor-in-Exile (September 13, 1924).” The conference moderator was Dr. D. L. Vinogradov, Adviser to the Department for Historical and Memorial Activities of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House.

 

The conference opened and closed with short speeches by Archpriest Valentine Asmus.

 

Greetings were also offered by Dr. S. Iu. Zhitenev, the Director of the Academic Office of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, who, in the course of his remarks, conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President of the Society, S. V. Stepashin.

 

Dr. Alexander N. Zakatov, the Director of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, delivered the first paper of the conference, entitled “The Spiritual and Legal Basis for the Publication of the Imperial Manifesto of August 31/September 13, 1924.” Before beginning his paper, Dr. Zakatov read a letter from the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, addressed to the participants of the memorial events marking the 100th anniversary of her grandfather’s Manifesto.

 

Other papers followed, including: “The Manifesto of Tsar Kirill Vladimirovich and the Russian Orthodox Church,” read by the head of the Department for Historical and Memorial Activities of Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery, Hieromonk Nikon (Levachev-Belavenets); “The Russian Imperial House in Exile in the Family of European Dynasties,” by the King of Arms and head of the Office of Heraldry of the Chancellery, S. V. Dumin; and “The Social and Political Position of Tsar Kirill Vladimirovich” by Fr. Alexander Ermolov.

 

The conference closed with a brief investiture ceremony, recognizing several in attendance who have performed distinguished service for the nation and the Russian Imperial House.

 

A commemorative luncheon followed afterward.

 

Below follows the text of the letter from Her Imperial Highness to the organisers and participants of the conference:

 

***

 

GREETINGS

FROM THE HEAD OF THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL HOUSE

H.I.H. THE GRAND DUCHESS MARIA OF RUSSIA

to the organisers of and participants in the commemorative events marking the 100^th anniversary of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich’s Manifesto proclaiming his adoption of the title Emperor-in-Exile

 

Dear countrymen,

 

A century has passed since the day when my grandfather, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, announced his acceptance of the rights and duties of Emperor-in-exile.

 

As the most senior member of the senior branch of Our House, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich could not abjure the responsibility that had fallen to him by the Confirmation Charter of the Great Church Council and Assembly of the Land of 1613, and by the Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire.

 

In those days when the Manifesto was published, many still held to the desperate hope that the Great Troubles, which had begun in 1917, would soon end with the restoration of the historical and traditional government of Russia, as had happened at the beginning of the 17th century. In reality, many more upheavals and difficult trials lay ahead for Russia. But whatever the political changes and challenges that came, the House of Romanoff remained through it all one of the symbols of the continuity of Russian history and the unity of the civilizational space of the former Russian Empire. It was because of Kirill Vladimirovich’s Manifesto that our dynasty was preserved not only as a family—even though partially exterminated and scattered by the revolution across many different countries around the world—but also as a historical institution that continues to serve and support the spiritual, legal, and cultural foundations of the Russian nation.

 

Today, by the grace of God, the Russian Imperial House has resumed playing a key role in the life of its native country. Working together with government agencies, the Orthodox Church and other traditional faiths, and civil society at large, we strive to support our countrymen to preserve the nation’s traditional values; assist those in need; protect the cultural and natural heritage of the country; strengthen religious, national, and civil peace; and advance and advocate for Russian culture around the world. And as before, all of our historical legacy, both symbolic and practical, exists and is employed, “not for personal glory nor for vain honours,” as Kirill I wrote in his Manifesto, “but for fulfilling one’s duty to God, one’s conscience, and one’s homeland.”

 

I thank all those who have gathered today to pray for the repose of the soul of my royal grandfather and to immortalize his name.

 

I wish you all good health, strength of spirit to endure the hardships which have been sent down upon us, peace in this life, and happiness. May God bless you all!

 

[The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand:]

 

MARIA

H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

 

Madrid

August 31/September 13, 2024