Declaration by the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H. I. H. Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna

To the Head of the Legal Office of Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery, G. Iu. Luk’ianovu

Dear German Iur’evich,

Fifteen years ago, on the Feast of the Intercession of the Most Pure Mother of God, in 1995, my ever-memorable and most august mother, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, entrusted you with the task of advocating the legal rights of our family in the struggle to restore historical justice for our martyred relatives.

Since then, and up until this very day, you have selflessly and faithfully fulfilled the assignments entrusted to you. With God’s help, and through your own hard work, you have brought to a successful conclusion many of the legal cases handed to you. In 1996, overcoming innumerable obstacles, you achieved the official governmental acknowledgement of the circumstances attending the executions of the Imperial Passion-Bearers Nicholas II, his family, and other members of the Imperial House, as well as official recognition by the state of the specific facts surrounding their deaths. In 1999, thanks again to your efforts, a legal process was initiated to rehabilitate the innocently murdered members of the dynasty. Finally, after a lengthy legal process, you succeeded in validating the rule of Law, and the Presidium of the Supreme Court of Russia, having considered the evidence you presented, made the historic ruling on 1 October 2008 to recognize the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers as victims of political repression by the totalitarian and godless regime. With this ruling, the modern Russian state effected the final and irrevocable condemnation of the criminal and terroristic policies born of the fratricidal revolution. Shortly after this, there followed the rehabilitation of their faithful servitors, who shared the same suffering and deaths as their royal patrons; and the rehabilitation of other members of our House, who had been similarly executed. Behind these accomplishments, which were observed and closely followed around the world, lies your constant, relentless, dutiful, and enormous labors, which required and reveal your great determination and commitment.

And now it is my pleasure that you should continue to work on the legal matters that affect the honor, dignity, and good name of the House of Romanoff. The range of duties given you have grown, and you have become now the first lawyer in modern Russia entrusted with all legal affairs of the Russian Imperial House. I know that you value my confidence more than any visible awards, and I do not doubt your dedication and willingness to perform your holy duty of service to Russian and to our dynasty.

With abiding gratitude and support,

Maria

Issued in Madrid
1/14 October 2010
Intercession of the Most Pure Mother of God