Sermon by the Chair of the Synodal Office For Church-State Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, delivered after a Moleben Service for the Health of H.I.H., the Heir, Tsetsarevich, and Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, which took place in the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderwork of Myra, immediately after the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the 30-th Birthday of His Imperial Highness

Dear Reverend Fathers and Brothers!

Today, we celebrate the 30-th birthday of Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich. Gathered here today are not only those who honor our historical traditions, but also those who look hopefully on the present and future of our people and our country.

His Imperial Highness grew up abroad, but we all know that Georgii Mikhailovich, from the age of seven years and from the time of the celebrations of the millennium of Christianity in Russia, has been actively taking part in the civic life of our country, bringing together those who feel a sense of shared participation with the fate of Russia—its past, present, and future.

I want to bear witness, based on my own knowledge of him, that His Imperial Highness loves Russia, knows Russia, and understands the complex twists and turns of our country’s history. The grand duke’s face unmistakably shows that he recognizes the enormous responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders.

We see that the Lord over time gently directs the historical fate of Russia. Thanks to the changing spiritual condition of the people, conditions are little by little moving toward the rebirth of the country, and away from the moral dissipation and political in-fighting of the past, which came about just months after, and because of, the overthrow of the throne.

In these days, we all wish His Imperial Highness and his most august mother God’s help in all things, wisdom, and strength to meet the many difficult problems facing Russia, and to endure the complex questions which life has presented to Their Highnesses.

I wish you health, joy, and continuing bonds of affection between you and the people of our country, who more and more feel a spiritual oneness with the Russian Imperial House.

I warmly welcome all of you, who have come and who have prayed together this day.