His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, has sent a letter to the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna, in response to the Notification of the Death of Her Imperial Highness Dowager Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna

[Stationary of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia]

29 June 2010
No. 6299

To Her Imperial Highness
Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna
Head of the Russian Imperial House

Your Imperial Highness!

Thank you for your letter notifying me of the sad news of the death in Madrid of your mother—the Dowager Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna. I share your grief and pray for the repose of the soul of the newly departed.

During the years of harsh tribulations that befell our Fatherland, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna was forced to flee her homeland and to live for decades in a foreign land. The many difficulties and deprivations she endured not only did not break the spirit of this strong woman, but, just the opposite, served only to purify it. Though far from home, she remained in Russia in her heart and soul, closely following all events in her country, and never ceasing to believe and hope that the All-Merciful Lord would bless her one day to witness the spiritual rebirth of her homeland. And so it has happened.

I myself have witnessed how the deceased Grand Duchess was a person of deep and sincere faith, a genuine patriot of Russia. With warmth, I recall our meetings and conversations in St. Petersburg and in the territory of Smolensk. I especially remember Leonida Georgievna’s wisdom and judgment, the breadth of her soul, and her ability to converse on the most varied topics: from politics and art to questions of faith and religious life.

I offer you, Your Imperial Highness, and your son, Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, my most sincere condolences, and the consoling words of Christ our Savior: “he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die (Jn 11:25-26).

May the Lord grant rest to the soul of the newly-reposed servant of God, Leonida, in the Heavenly Abodes of the Righteous.

With deepest condolences,

+Kirill
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia