The Head of the House of Romanoff Travels to Moscow, Buryatia, and the Irkutsk Region
Between July 19 and August 2, 2014, the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, visited Moscow, the Republic of Buryatia, and the Irkutsk Region.
On July 19, the Grand Duchess arrived in Moscow. That evening, Her Imperial Highness met with Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, the General Director of the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research (on the Foundation, see http://imperialfund.org/). Fr. Alexander updated the Grand Duchess, who chairs the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, on its several on-going and future projects.
On July 20, the Grand Duchess received in audience Sergei Romanov, the representative of Metropolitan Vikentii of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, who, along with members of Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery, together discussed a range of issues related to the Grand Duchess’s upcoming visit to Uzbekistan.
Later, the Grand Duchess went to the Cathedral of the Intercession in Izmailovo. After a short service (moleben) officiated by the rector, Archpriest Vladimir Bushuev, the Grand Duchess offered a gift to the cathedral—an icon of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, which had been given to her on her 60th birthday by the members of the Imperial Order of St. Vladimir (see http://www.imperialhouse.ru/rus/allnews/news/2014/3941.html). Afterwards, an award ceremony took place, during which several Imperial and Royal Orders of Knighthood were presented by the Grand Duchess, as well as the hereditary Imperial Medals “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff, 1613-2013,” and “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, 1613-2013.” Among those receiving Orders and Imperial Medals from the Grand Duchess were: the Presidential Envoy to the Crimean Federal District, O. E. Belaventsev (Imperial Order of St. Anna First Class); his Deputy, N. G. Vodorezov (Imperial Military Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Second Class); the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Crimea, N. V. Poklonskaia (Imperial Order of the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia); the two-time Hero of the Soviet Union, Cosmonaut A. A. Leonov (Imperial and Royal Order of St. Stanislaus First Class); the Dean of the History Department of the Moscow State University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences S. P. Karpov (patent granting hereditary noble status); the rector of the Cathedral of the Intercession, Archpriest Vladimir Bushuev (Imperial Order of St. Anna Second Class); and many other governmental, military, and public figures. (See http://rusk.ru/newsdata.php?idar=66992).
The Prosecutor General for the Republic of Crimea, N. V. Poklonskaia, gave the Grand Duchess an icon of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers. The Chairman of the Krasnoyarsk branch of the Military Nobility of Russia, S. Goniukhov, gave Her Imperial Highness the Imperial Flag that had been raised on March 26, 2014, over Sevastopol during the auto rally “Siberians – to the Crimea,” which was spontaneously organized by participants to symbolize the historical links of Crimea with Russia . The legendary cosmonaut A. A. Leonov gave the Grand Duchess an album of reproductions of his pictures. A representative of the publisher ROOSA, Iu. Iu. Shebalina, gave the Grand Duchess a special edition of the book 400 Years of the House of Romanoff, which includes a description of the history of the dynasty from the time it ascended the throne to today. The General Director of Russian Jeweler, LLC, V. V. Piliushin, presented a book about the suppliers of jewelry and other fine objects to the Imperial Court, and about the return of these traditions today. And the artist F. Moskovitin presented a still-life painting of a bouquet of lilies—the Grand Duchess’s favorite flowers.
Having returned to her hotel, Her Imperial Highness received in audience a delegation of scholars and educators: the President of the Modern Humanities Academy, Professor M. P. Karpenko; the Rector of the Modern Humanities Academy, Professor V. P. Tarakanov; the aide to the Governor of Tver Region, S. V. Kaidash; the Deputy of the Cheliabinsk City Council, A. Iu. Shatin; and the Director of the Moscow “Presidential School,” D. E. Kostiukova. The audience began with the Grand Duchess awarding M. P. Karpenko and V. P. Tarakanov the Order of St. Anna, S. V. Kaidash the Order of St. Stanislas, and A. Iu. Shatin and D. E. Kostiukova the Imperial Medal “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff.” There followed a lengthy and detailed discussion about issues in Russian education today, and about the need to link new pedagogical forms with the centuries-old traditions of Russian education.
In the afternoon, the Grand Duchess visited the Ss. Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy. Her Imperial Highness was met at the entrance to the convent by the prioress, Sister Seraphima, by Sister Natalia, and by other sisters of the convent. Sister Seraphima conveyed to the Grand Duchess a greeting from the abbess of the convent, Abbess Elisabeth (Pozdniakova), who was away at that time.[1] After venerating the relics of the Holy New Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, as well as other relics, the Grand Duchess toured the convent’s museum, then went to the convent’s hospice facility, where she met with the staff and many of its young patients, and presented to the hospice a pressurized metered nebulizer, a digital camera, and bedding.[2] (See http://www.tribuna.ru/special_projects/good_people/gosudarynya_v_marfo_mariinskoy_obiteli/).
That evening, a dinner was hosted for the Grand Duchess by the organizers[3] of last year’s celebration in Germany of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig.[4]
In the morning of July 21, the Grand Duchess received in audience the head of the legal department of her Chancellery, the attorney G. Iu. Lukianov; the Master of Heraldry and head of the Office of Heraldry in the Chancellery, S. V. Dumin; and the newly-elected Chairman of the Russian Nobility Association, O. V. Shcherbachev. G. Iu. Lukianov conveyed to the Grand Duchess a letter from the Chief Justice of the Russian Supreme Court, V. M. Lebedev, and discussed with her the arrangements for Her Imperial Highness’s visit to the Supreme Court, which was scheduled to occur on the next day. S. V. Dumin presented several coats-of-arms from noble families for the Head of the Russian Imperial House to certify, and discussed with her the various activities currently being undertaken by the Office of Heraldry. O. V. Shcherbachev expressed his loyalty to the Grand Duchess and gave a report on the details of the recent Congress of the Russian Nobility and of plans to develop the Association’s activities over the next three years of his term in office.
In light of the numerous new duties connected with his new position in the Russian Nobility Association, O. V. Shcherbachev respectfully asked to be relieved of his responsibilities as an advisor to the Office of Heraldry in Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery. The Grand Duchess approved his request, and conveyed to him her gratitude for his many efforts working on behalf of the Office of Heraldry. She also requested that he remain a member of the Council of Heraldry. On the recommendation of S. V. Dumin, and with the full endorsement of O. V. Shcherbachev, V. G. Merkovskii was appointed the new advisor to the Master of Heraldry for Genealogical Affairs—whose many works on genealogy are respected and well known in the field.
Afterward, a ceremony was held for the awarding of the Romanoff Cup to the Athletic Club “DINA,” which won the championship in Russia for mini-football, or five-a-side, as it is sometimes called. Members of the team and the coaches were also awarded the Imperial Medals “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff, 1613-2013,” and “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, 1613-2013.” The ceremony was attended also by Archpriest Michael Protopopov, who arrived in Russia for the occasion from Australia, and by an advisor to the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom, A. A. Kozhin, and his wife, E. A. Kozhina.
The Athletic Club “DINA” then hosted a luncheon in honour of Her Imperial Highness. Before the lunch began, the Imperial Medal “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff, 1613-2013” was presented to members of the Board of Directors of the Club: N. P. Koshman, S. A. Solopov, V. Iu. Iun, and A. A. Krotov.
In the afternoon, the Grand Duchess served as a judge for the literary competition “Heritage” and awarded the laureates and other winners their prizes in the Central House of Writers. The Chair of the Organizing Committee for the competition, D. V. Kravchuk, was given the Imperial and Royal Order of St. Stanislav. The winners of the competition and the more active organizers of the event were also awarded the right to wear the Imperial Medal “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, 1613-2013.”
After the conclusion of the ceremony, each of the authors and poets present had the opportunity to speak with the Grand Duchess and to present copies of their literary works as gifts to her.
The organizers of the competition “Heritage” later hosted a dinner in honour of the Grand Duchess, the patron of the competition. (See http://www.otr-online.ru/news/news_31201.html.)
On July 22, the Head of the Russian Imperial House visited the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Her Imperial Highness met the Chief Justice, V. M. Lebedev, and his staff. During the meeting, the Grand Duchess awarded V. M. Lebedev the Imperial and Royal Order of the White Eagle. As the two enjoyed a cup of tea together, V. M. Lebedev described for the Grand Duchess the recent improvements in the Russian legal system, including the formation of a single Supreme Court in the country as a result of the merger of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Arbitration Court.
From the Supreme Court, Her Imperial Highness went to the chapter house of the Solovetskii Transfiguration Monastery (the Church of the Great Martyr and Victory-Bearer George in Yendov), where she met with His Eminence Metropolitan Daniil of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory and with the Abbot of Solovetskii Monastery, Archimandrite Porfirii (Shutov). After a brief prayer service (moleben), the Grand Duchess awarded Fr. Porfirii the Imperial Order of St. Anna and the Imperial Medal “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, 1613-2013.” During lunch, the conversation revolved around the restoration of the holy places and historical sites of the Russian north (see http://www.arh-eparhia.ru/news/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=43594).
In the afternoon, the Grand Duchess received in audience Archpriest Michael Protopopov, who had arrived in Moscow from Australia—the Marshal of the Imperial Order of St. Michael the Archangel and the Association of St. Michael the Archangel. She also met at this time with Mr. Bryen Sterntern-Gill, who had traveled together with Fr. Michael. The Grand Duchess made the first investitures into the Order of St. Michael since its reorganization in 2012, and she gave instructions on the future development and activities of this international honorary philanthropic organization of the Russian Imperial House. Fr. Michael informed Her Imperial Highness that the knights and members of the Association of the Order of St. Michael had already raised a small sum to support charity. The Grand Duchess instructed that this sum be transferred to the Ss. Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy.
The investiture ceremony for the Order of St. Michael was attended by the advisor to the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom, A. A. Kozhin. Besides the Order of St. Michael, Archpriest Michael Protopopov was also awarded the Imperial Medal “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff,” and Mr. Stertern-Gill was awarded the Imperial Medal “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory.”
That evening, the Grand Duchess and others in her party flew to Ulan-Ude (Verkhneudinsk), the capital of the Republic of Buryatia.
On July 23, the Head of the Russian Imperial House arrived in Ulan-Ude. She was met at the airport by the Head of the Republic of Buryatia, V. V. Nagovitsyn; the Speaker of the People’s Khural, M. M. Gershevich; the mayor of Ulan-Ude, A. M. Golkov; and other officials. The Grand Duchess was welcomed with bread and salt and a traditional Buryat milk-based dish, symbolizing the customs of hospitality of both the Russian and Buryat peoples. After settling in at her hotel, the Grand Duchess met with members of her Chancellery, then went on a tour of the city by car. Her Imperial Highness was deeply impressed by how the region has preserved or restored historical monuments from its past, and how regional heroes are memorialized and celebrated in Buryatia.[5] The Grand Duchess was also pleased to note the intense rail traffic on the Trans-Siberian Railway, which gives evidence of the growth and development of the economy in the Russian Federation.
On July 24, the feast day of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Princess Olga, the Head of the Russian Imperial House met with the Head of the Republic of Buryatia, V. V. Nagovitsyn. Also at the meeting were: the acting Chief of Staff for the Head of the Republic of Buryatia and of the Government of the Republic of Buryatia, S. R. Telin; the Minsiter of Culture of the Republic of Buryatia, T. G. Tsybikov; the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Head of the Republic of Buryatia and of the Government of the Republic of Buryatia for the Development of Civil Society, M. A. Kharitonov; the Director of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, A. N. Zakatov; the Director of the Office of Interregional and International Relations of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Prince V. O. Lopukhin; the Head of the Office of Security of the Chancellery, M. G. Shakhov; the Advisor to H.I.H.’s Chancellery for Coordination with Social Organizations and Agencies of the Russian Government, K. K. Nemirovich-Danchenko; and the Lady-in-Waiting to the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Princess E. N. Lopukhina.
The Head of the Republic of Buryatia, V. V. Nagovitsyn, described for Her Imperial Highness the development of the republic in general, focusing particularly on efforts to preserve monuments from the region’s history and culture. The Grand Duchess presented the insignia of the Imperial Order of St. Anna to the Head of the Republic, as well as the Imperial Medals “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff, 1613-2013” and “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, 1613-2013.” For his part, V. V. Nagovitsyn presented the Grand Duchess with a formal decree awarding her the Honorary Gold Medal of the Buryat Republic, and a medal bearing the inscription “Russia-Buryatia. 350 Years,” which the Grand Duchess was pleased immediately to pin on herself.
After the meeting, the Head of Buryatia and the Head of the House of Romanoff gave a short press conference, during which they discussed the goals of the Grand Duchess’s visit to Buryatia.
Next Her Imperial Highness met with the Speaker of the People’s Khural, M. M. Gershevich. The Grand Duchess awarded him the Imperial Order of St. Anna and the Imperial Medals “In Memory of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff, 1613-2013” and “Anniversary of the Nation’s Victory, 1613-2013.” The Grand Duchess noted M. M. Gershevich’s support for the Russian Orthodox Church and the Buddhist Traditional Sangha (or community) in Russia, which he has displayed by supporting the construction of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in the village of Barguzin, and the construction of the Buddhist sanctuary in Yanzhima in Barguzin Valley. The Grand Duchess emphasized in her remarks that the Orthodox and Buddhist population of Buryatia have for centuries lived together in peace and friendship, and that the religious leaders of both traditions have always made every effort to make sure that their religious differences never became a pretext for conflict or mutual distrust.
Afterward, the meeting expanded to include the Speaker and deputies of the People’s Khural. Present were delegates to the Khural from all the political parties in the body (“United Russia,” the Communist Party, and “A Just Russia”). The Deputies spoke informally with Her Imperial Highness, asking her questions and answering her questions to them. The Grand Duchess once again demonstrated her belief that the Russian Imperial House stands outside any and all politics and is entirely open to constructive and open dialogue with all the social and political groups in today’s Russia.
After lunch, which was hosted by the Head of the Republic of Buryatia, V. V. Nagovitsyn, the Grand Duchess met with the Mayor of Ulan-Ude, A. M. Golkov. The meeting was also attended by E. N. Pronkinov (the Head of the administration of the city of Ulan-Ude), M. A. Yan (the Deputy to the Mayor of the Ulan-Ude), S. V. Trifonova (the Head of the administration of the Soviet District of the city), A. G. Sukhorukov (the Head of the administration of the October District of the city), and O. G. Ekimovskii (the Head of the administration of the Railway District of the city).
Her Imperial Highness shared with the Mayor her many positive impressions of the city from her tour. A. M. Golkov discuss with the Grand Duchess the many challenges facing municipal government , and the plans for the step-by-step resolution of these challenges, all aimed at bettering the lives of the people of Ulan-Ude.
During her conversations with the leaders of Buryatia and the city of Ulan-Ude, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia paid special attention to issues pertaining to the preservation and strengthening of the civic unity of the great peoples of Russia, and to the development of dialogue and cooperation among the many different nationalities, religious confessions, and political groups across the county. (See http://ulanmedia.ru/news/byuriatia/24.07.2014/374104/vizit-ee-imperatorskogo-visochestva-nachalsya-v-buryatii-so-vstrechi-s-deputatami-i-ch.html).
That afternoon, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia visited the aviation factory in Ulan-Ude, visiting the assembly line and talking with workers and engineers. The chief engineer—the First Deputy Director of the factory, S. V. Solomin—described for Her Imperial Highness the process for manufacturing helicopters and plans for the future development of the enterprise.
That evening, the Speaker of the People’s Khural, M. M. Gershevich, hosted a dinner in honour of the Head of the Romanoff. Among the topics discussed at dinner was the idea of reforming the Selenginsk 41st Infantry Regiment, which distinguished itself during the War of 1812, the Crimean War of 1853-1856, the First World War, and in many other military campaigns. Also discussed was the idea of having the Icon of the Mother of God of the Caves, which once belonged to the Selenginsk Regiment and which is currently on exhibit in the Museum of the History of Buryatia, visit Crimea. The icon was pierced with bullets during the Crimean War, when the Selenginsk Regiment, which was defending Sevastopol, lost 2,900 men. The Grand Duchess expressed the hope that the Icon of the Caves might be taken to Sevastopol and that one of the churches in Sevastopol might be given a copy of the icon as a sign of the unbreakable and spiritual bonds between Buryatia and Crimea. Of course, it was stressed that, were this project to come about, it should be done with the full agreement of the Hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church and be carried out in full accord with Church traditions and the laws of the Russian Federation concerning religious objects housed in museums and other state-run repositories.
On July 25, the Head of the Russian Imperial House paid a visit to the spiritual center of Buddhism in Russia—Ivolginsky Datsan.
Her Imperial Highness was met at the main gates of the Datsan by the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Badmayevich Ayusheev, the Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia. The Grand Duchess was also met by the Did Khambo Lama for the Baikal region, Tsyren Dondukbaev; the Did Khambo Lama for the Republic of Buryatia, Dagba Ochirov; by the Shireete Lamas (abbots) of all Datsans of the Sangha of Russia; by teachers in the Buddhist university “Dashi Choinkhorlin,” which is named in honour of the 1st Pandito Khambo Lama, Dambo Darzho Zayayev, and which is currently led by Ganzhur Lama Radnaev; by the clergy of the Izvolginsky Datsan; and by students (khuvaraki) of the Buddhist University.
Representing the government of the Republic of Buryatia were the Minister of Culture, Timur Tsybikov; and the Deputy Chief of Administration for the Head of the Republic of Buryatia and the Government of the Republic of Buryatia for the Development of Civil Society, Mikhail Kharitonov. Also present at the meeting with Her Imperial Highness were the chiefs of administration for the administrative districts of the Republic of Buryatia, representatives of the Cossack community in Buryatia, pilgrims from various corners of Russia and from former Soviet countries and beyond, and numerous other guests of the Datsan.
In accordance with tradition, on meeting the Grand Duchess the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Badmayevich Ayusheev, gave the Grand Duchess a blue silk Hadak (a scarf that symbolizes hospitality and goodwill) as a sign of respect and gratitude.
The Grand Duchess—accompanied by 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Badmayevich Ayusheev, Buddhist clergy, and members of H.I.H.’s Chancellery—proceeded to the Tsogchen Dugan (the main temple of the Ivolginsky Datsan), where, in honour of Her Imperial Highness’s visit, a hours-long prayer service was being performed, having started earlier that morning. The 24th Pandito Khambo Lama and Her Imperial Highness entered the temple through the main doors of the Dugan. The Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia then led the Grand Duchess on a brief tour of the temple.
Her Imperial Highness found the tour of the Tsogchen Dugan thoroughly fascinating. She was particularly interested in the statue of White Tara, whose first embodiment, the 1st Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Darzha Zayayev, had praised Empress Elizabeth I and Catherine II the Great for the kindness they had shown to the Buddhist population of the Baikal and eastern Siberian regions, and for their approval of the establishment in the Russian Empire of an independent religious administration for their Buddhist subjects.
Even now, more than two-and-a-half centuries later, and in accord with their tradition, the Head of the Imperial House of Romanoff, as the successor to the rulers of the Russian Empire, is revered by Buddhists as the embodiment of the White Tara, who personifies virtue and maternal love.
Then the Grand Duchess visited the Museum of the Ivolginsky Datsan, where the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama provided a historical sketch of the 250 years of the unique history of traditional Buddhism in Russia. The Grand Duchess also toured the exhibit of works by the famed Buryat artist and master of the Florentine-style mosaic, Iurii Mandaganov. The artist presented one of his unique works as a gift to Her Imperial Highness: a work that symbolizes the martyrdom of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers and makes use of semi-precious stones native to Buryatia.
Then the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Ayusheev, arranged a reception in honour of the Head of the House of Romanoff at his residence. Present at the reception were: Did Khambo Lama for the Baikal region, Tsyren Dondukbaev; Did Khambo Lama for the Republic of Buryatia, Dagba Ochirov; and members of H.I.H.’s Chancellery.
During the reception, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia read a decree investing the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Ayusheev, into the Imperial Order of St. Stanislas First Class for his outstanding achievements in service to the nation and in honour of the 250th anniversary of the establishment of Pandito Khambo Lamas in Russia. The investiture ceremony took place in the Throne Hall of the residence. Her Imperial Highness emphasized that the Order of St. Stanislas was not chosen randomly. It was precisely into this Order, 100 years ago, that Emperor Nicholas II the Passion-Bearer invested the 12th Pandito Khamo Lama, Dasha Dorzho Etigelov, for his loyal service to the Russian throne and to the nation.
The Grand Duchess’s visit to the palace of the 12th Pandito Khambo Lama, Dasha Dorzho Etigelov was particularly meaningful and moving. Her Imperial Highness and the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama Ayusheev entered into the hall where the incorrupt body of the Pandito Khambo Lama Etigelov sits in the lotus position. Later, during an interview with journalists, Her Imperial Highness remarked that “meeting” the person who had actually spoke with her predecessor, the Holy Royal Passion-Bearer Emperor Nicholas II, had left a lasting impression on her.
Then Her Imperial Highness had the opportunity to speak for several hours with the 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Ayusheev. The Head of the House of Romanoff and the Head of the Sangha of Russia discussed the history of the connections between Russian Traditional Buddhism and the Imperial House, how those connections might be further developed, and also questions related to the strengthening of the Russian state and society, the preservation of spiritual and cultural traditions, and the nurturing of dialogue and cooperation between the leaders of Russia’s traditional religious communities.
After attending a formal lunch in honour of the Grand Duchess’s visit, Her Imperial Highness attended a traditional sports exhibition at the Sangha’s stadium called the “Eryn Gurban Naadan”—a traditional contest among men in wrestling (or Buhe Barildaan) and archery (Sur Kharbaan), and a performance of artists from Buryatia.
The 24th Pandito Khambo Lama, Damba Ayusheev, gave a formal speech opening the contest in which he stressed the significance of the visit of the Head of the Imperial House in this anniversary year for the Sangha of Russia. “For 250 years,” he began, “traditional Buddhism in Russia has preserved in its heart and maintained across the centuries friendship for and mutual understanding of [the Imperial House]. We have much to be proud of. And this sacred link between the Pandito Khambo Lamas of Russia and the House of Romanoff will live on forever! I am grateful to you, Your Imperial Highness, for the expression of moral support, which you have shown us in coming here. Traveling thousands of kilometers, you have come to us in Buryatia, on the shores of the sacred Lake Baikal. Thanks to you, today has been a historic day, and it has been a tremendous honor to welcome you today to Ivolginsky Datsan! You have shown us great honour, having been so kind as to present us, from your own hand, these awards of the Russian Imperial House to our Lamas, and these medals will forever be the pride of their families from generation to generation!”
In her response, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia expressed her profound joy on being able to come to Buryatia: “When I received the invitation from the Pandito Khambo Damba Ayusheev to visit the center of traditional Buddhism in Russia during this anniversary year, I was deeply touched…. We in my family have never forgotten the connection of the Pandito Khambo Lamas to our dynasty, and for me, it is a great honour to continue this tradition and to develop it further. I am glad that the wonderful Buryat people are continuing to serve Russia. And may God grant you health! Thanks to this friendship, we can build a bright future together for our children. We together celebrated the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanoff, and here a century later, we again celebrate together the 400th anniversary of our dynasty. I hope that my son and heir, the Tsesarevich and Grand Duke George of Russia, will likewise one day be able to come here. I wish you all the best! May the Lord bless you!”
One hundred twenty-three years ago, at the end of June 1891, in Shulutsky Datsan, during an official meeting of Buddhist religious leaders of the Baikal and Eastern Siberia regions with the Heir, Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (the future Nicholas II), the Buryat people put on an exhibition for their royal guest of traditional Buryat wrestling (Buhe Barildaan). Just as then, back in the 19th century, all the victories in the matches on this day—July 25, 2014—were dedicated to the health, well-being, and prosperity of the Imperial Family—especially the Grand Duchess.
The Grand Duchess was truly impressed by a concert by some of the most talented performing artists of the Republic of Buryatia, including artists from the world famous “Baikal” State Theater of Song and Dance; the Orchestra of Folk Instruments of the theater “Baikal”; soloists of the State Buryat Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet; the National Artist of the Republic of Buryatia, Namkhai Munkhzul; the People’s Artist of the USSR, Galina Shoidagbaeva; and the National Artist of the Republic of Buryatia Biligma Rinchinova. The Grand Duchess also enjoyed a display of the collections by Buryat fashion designers Igor Sarapulov and Nonna Togochieva.
This festive event was topped off by the Grand Duchess awarding the Order of St. Stanislas Third Class and Imperial Medals to members of the Buddhist clergy and benefactors of the Sangha of Russia, and to the victors on this remarkable day of Games in the “Eryn Guban Naadan.”
The following received awards personally from the hand of the Grand Duchess: Did Khambo Lama for the Republic of Buryatia, Dagba Ochirov; Did Khambo Lama for the Baikal region, Tsyren Dondukbaev; Shireete Lama of the Ivolginsky Datsan, Aiur Lama Tyrendylykov; the Chief Guardian of the relics of Khambo Lama Dasha Dorzho Etigelov, Bimba Lama Dorzhiev; the guardian of the relics of Lama Etigelov, Zhalsan Lama Nikolaev; the guardian of the relics of Lama Etigelov, Dashi Lama Batuev; and also the Shireete Lamas from the following Datsans: Chingis Lama Eshiev (of the Shulutsky Datsan “Gandan Darzhalin” in the Zaigraevsky Region of the Republic of Buryatia); Bato Lama Shareev (of the Datsan “Baldan Breibun” in the Kiakhtinsky Region of the Republic of Buryatia); Bair Lama Ayusheev (of the Ulan-Udensky Datsan “Khambyn Khue&rdquo)