The Head of the Russian Imperial House of Romanoff, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, sent greetings to the organisers of and participants in the national academic conference of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, on the topic “Humility Before God: The 200^th Anniversary of the Birth of Empress Maria Alexandrovna and the 160^th Anniversary of the Birth of the Holy Royal Martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna.”

• 2024-10-18 The letter from the Grand Duchess being read at the conference 2024-10-18 The letter from the Grand Duchess being read at the conference
• Empress Maria Alexandrovna Empress Maria Alexandrovna
• Holy Royal Martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna Holy Royal Martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna
• The Head of the Russian Imperial House of Romanoff The Head of the Russian Imperial House of Romanoff
• The official emblem of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society The official emblem of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society
• The President of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, S. V. Stepashin, speaking at the conference (2024-10-18) The President of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, S. V. Stepashin, speaking at the conference (2024-10-18)
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The Grand Duchess’s letter to the Conference was read and then presented to the President of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society, Sergei Vadimovich Stepashin, by Hieromonk Nikon (Levachev-Belavenets), head of the Office of Historical and Commemorative Activities of Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery.

 

Below is the text of the letter:

 

 

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 National Academic Conference of the

Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society

on the theme, “Humility Before God:

The 200^th Anniversary of the Birth of Empress Maria Alexandrovna and the

160^th Anniversary of the Birth of the Holy Royal Martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna.”

 

Dear Sergei Vadimovich,

and

Dear Members of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society and conference attendees,

 

I send my warmest greetings to you all, and I thank you for organising this national conference dedicated to the memory of the Holy Royal Martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna and my ancestor, Empress Maria Alexandrovna.

 

Both were born Princesses of Hesse-Darmstadt and both wholeheartedly accepted Holy Orthodoxy and were filled with a deep love for Russia. They offer us examples of piety, selfless service to their neighbours, patriotism, and Christian forgiveness of all who caused them suffering. Empress Maria Alexandrovna and her great-niece and daughter-in-law Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna both made an immeasurable contribution to the development of the spiritual ties between our homeland and the Holy Land.

 

To study their activities is extremely important for preserving and strengthening Russia’s traditional values.

 

My son and heir, Grand Duke George, and his spouse, Princess Victoria Romanovna, also send their warm greetings to you all.

 

I wish you all good health, happiness, and God’s blessing on all your good endeavours and acts of charity.

 

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

 

MARIA

Madrid

5/18 October 2024

The Feast of the Holy Hierarchs of Moscow