The Text of the Correspondence between His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow and All Russia, and the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna, Concerning His Holiness’s 65-th Birthday

On November 7/20, 2011, the Head of the Russian Imperial House sent a telegram to His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow and All Russia, congratulating him on his 65-th birthday. The text of the telegram follows:

TO HIS HOLINESS, PATRIARCH KIRILL I OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA 119034 MOSCOW CHISTYI PER. DOM 5

FROM THE HEAD OF THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL HOUSE

YOUR HOLINESS,

I SEND MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR 65-TH BIRTHDAY. I PRAY THAT GOD WILL GRANT YOU HEALTH AND STRENGTH TO CARRY OUT ALL YOUR WEIGHTY DUTIES AS PATRIARCH, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

MY SON AND HEIR, GRAND DUKE GEORGII MIKHAILOVICH, ALSO SENDS HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

I HOPE THAT WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER SOON IN RUSSIA AND THAT I SHALL AT THAT TIME BE ABLE TO OFFER MY CONGRATULATIONS IN PERSON.

ASKING YOUR ARCHPASTORAL PRAYERS AND BLESSING, I REMAIN RESPECTFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY YOURS, MARIA

GRAND DUCHESS MARIA WLADIMIROVNA

MADRID, NOVEMBER 7/20 2011

Reply of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow and All Russia

On December 21, 2011, His Holiness’s response was received at the office of Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery in Moscow. The text of the letter follows:

[On the letterhead of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia]

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

Your Imperial Highness,

I thank you very much for your congratulations on my 65-th birthday.

I was pleased to receive your telegram, which called to mind my many meetings with you, and the many noble activities that the Russian Imperial House, which is headed by you, performs for the good of the Russian Orthodox Church and our Fatherland.

I wish both you and your son, Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, strength of spirit and body, and the blessings of success in all your efforts and service to the country.

May God bless you and be with you.

Kirill
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia