Grand Duke George of Russia visits St. Petersburg for the Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Birth of his Grandmother, Grand Duchess Leonida of Russia
On October 2-6, 2014, H.I.H. The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia visited St. Petersburg. His Imperial Highness arrived to take part in events marking the 100th birthday of his grandmother, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna (who was born on September 23/October 6, 1914 and died on May 10/23, 2010).
On October 2, after his arrival in St. Petersburg from Brussels, Grand Duke George of Russia met with members of the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House and with Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, the General Director of the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research.
On October 3, His Imperial Highness participated in the opening of the 2nd Oncological Conference of the Northwestern Region of Russia, which took place in the Hotel “Novotel” and which was organized by the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research. The Tsesarevich warmly greeted all the participants of the conference, emphasizing in his remarks that support for research into childhood cancers is a priority of the Foundation. “I wish you all God’s help and great success as you exchange ideas about your research and as you strive to make new discoveries in your work,” the Grand Duke said.
Also giving an opening speech to the participants of the conference was Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, the Director of the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research and the Director of the St. Petersburg Children’s Hospice. “The Foundation offers a wide range of assistance to cancer researchers,” Fr. Alexander said. “We look forward to receiving your proposals and applications for support of your research.”
The presentation by Alexander N. Zakatov, Director of the Chancellery of the Russian Imperial House and member of the Board of Directors of the Imperial Foundation, focused on the long history of philanthropy by members of the Romanoff dynasty. He recounted the contributions made by the Russian Imperial House to the development in Russia of charitable giving and public health. “In post-Revolutionary Russia, not only were the names of the members of the Imperial House suppressed and forgotten, their own rich history of philanthropy was forgotten as well. Now, this legacy of giving has returned.” Alexander Zakatov further underscored the point that “the philanthropy of the Imperial House had always been based on the notion that its efforts were part of a unified effort of all social classes of society. After all, without the support of civil society, neither private nor governmental initiatives could make any fundamental improvement in the lives of people.”
Later that day, Grand Duke George of Russia visited the interregional scholarly conference “The Russian Imperial House in Service to the Nation” at the Russian National Library, which was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Leonida. Having offered his thanks to all who had assembled to honor the Grand Duchess’s birthday, the Tsesarevich noted that “my grandmother loved St. Petersburg with all her heart. I am so very pleased that this tribute to the 100th anniversary of her birth is taking place in her beloved Northern Capital.”
That afternoon, the Grand Duke attended the final summary session of the 2nd Oncological Conference of the Northwestern Region of Russia. The Prize of the Imperial Foundation, which was created by the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, “to support the development and improvement of Russian oncological science, to provide support for theoretical and practical research, and to promote the work of younger scientists and advance their scientific potential,” was awarded by the Foundation’s board of experts, to Tatiana Viktorovna Gorbunova and her co-authors (1st Class), to Asmik Grigorievna Gevorgkian and her co-authors (2nd Class), and to Violetta Vitalievna Shestakova and her co-authors (in the 3rd Class).
Tsesarevich George of Russia congratulated the laureates, presenting the Prizes and the memorial medals to each winner, and also personally signed the award certificates. “This Prize,” the Grand Duke said, “is a mark of the respect for and gratitude of the Imperial House for Russia’s oncologists.” The Grand Duke noted that the continuation of the Romanoff Dynasty’s tradition of philanthropy, such as exemplified by this conference, is the best possible way to pay tribute to his grandmother, Grand Duchess Leonida.
On October 4, 2014, H.I.H. The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia visited the museum “Grand Maket Russia”—a unique museum in St. Petersburg that features a 800-square-meter model of various cities and regions of Russia. The models are made all the more fascinating and interactive by hundreds of moving pieces and automobiles, light and sound effects, and thousands of miniature figures that together depict scenes of daily life. Grand Duke George was given a tour of the museum by the organizer of the project and the head of the “Grand Maket Russia” museum, S. B. Morozov. The Grand Duke also visited the museum offices and the workshops where craftsmen make the miniature models. During his tour, he had the opportunity to meet and talk with the several members of the museum staff. (See: https://grandmaket.ru/novosti/128-eiv.html.)
That same day, Grand Duke George of Russia attended an equestrian competition in connection with the opening of the equestrian club “Forside.” After the completion of the competition, His Imperial Highness congratulated the participants, presented the prizes to the winners, and again offered his best wishes to the newly-opened club. During the prize ceremony, His Imperial Highness announced his intention to create an Imperial House Prize for achievements in equestrian sports.
The president of the club, Marina Rusakova, called the competition a landmark for the members of the club and its guests, and thanked the Grand Duke for his visit and participation in the award ceremonies.
Then the Director of the Chancellery of the House of Romanoff, Alexander Zakatov, gave a short speech to those assembled, noting that the participation of the Heir to the Head of the Russian Imperial House in the opening ceremonies of the equestrian club restores a tradition which had been forgotten over the last century: “The Imperial House,” Zakatov said, “has always favored those things that bring glory and beauty to our homeland. The Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House is currently in discussions with the “Forside” club about how they can work together in the future. I would also note that Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, whose 100th birthday we are celebrating, very much loved equestrian sports. She would have especially enjoyed today’s event.”
On Sunday, October 5, H.I.H. the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia attended the pine Liturgy in the Ss. Peter and Paul Fortress, which was served by His Grace Bishop Nazarii of Kronstadt, Vicar Bishop of the St. Petersburg Metropolia, as well as by the rector of the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Hegumen Alexander (Fedorov), Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, and other clergy. During the Liturgy, the litany for the reposed was sung for Grand Duchess Leonida and for all the emperors, empresses, and other members of the House of Romanoff who are buried in the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral and in its New Mausoleum. During the Liturgy, the Tsesarevich took Holy Communion. Then His Grace Bishop Nazarii offered a Litiya (requiem) service at the graves of Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna and her husband, Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich, in the New Mausoleum. At the conclusion of the services, Bishop Nazarii gave a brief sermon on the life and service of Grand Duchess Leonida, whom he had met many times in Russia and Paris. His Grace wished the members of the Imperial House of Romanoff success and God’s help in all their endeavors for the benefit of Russia.
Addressing the Grand Duke and all those gathered together in prayer, His Grace Bishop Nazarii said: “I was so very glad today to serve the pine Liturgy in this cathedral, which is the mausoleum of all members of the House of Romanoff, and I was especially glad to welcome Grand Duke George of Russia, who has come to St. Petersburg to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of his grandmother, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna. The House of Romanoff has done, and continues to do, many good works for Russia and its people, despite its current difficult situation. It is proper that we remember this dynasty whenever we speak about Russia. They are the heirs of all the great rulers of Russia, under whose rule the people of our country accomplished many great things.”
Grand Duke George of Russia in response noted that he was deeply moved by everyone’s prayers and remembrances of his grandmother. “She loved Russia wholeheartedly and left for all of us an example of service to the nation. We all are striving to preserve and observe traditions that were very dear to her. Thank you for coming today to remember the Grand Duchess in prayer, and also for your support, which we constantly feel and greatly appreciate,” the Grand Duke said.
After the Litiya service, the Grand Duke laid flowers and a wreath on his grandmother’s grave. He also spoke with representatives of several civic organizations of the city and with cadets of the First Border Military Corps, who happened to be touring the cathedral. The cadets were very interested in the commemorative events taking place in the mausoleum, and the Tsesarevich spoke with them about the work of Grand Duchess Leonida during her lifetime, and of the activities today of members of the House of Romanoff. He wished them all well in their service to their country, and the cadets in turn expressed their unexpected pleasure at “seeing history come to life” right before their eyes. (See:
His Imperial Highness then left the Ss. Peter and Paul Fortress and made his way to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where he met with His Eminence Metropolitan Varsonofii of St. Petersburg and Ladoga. By the Decree of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, signed on February 21/March 6, 2013—the 400th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of the House of Romanoff in 1613—the Tsesarevich awarded Metropolitan Varsonofii the Imperial Order of St. Anna First Class, presenting him also with the patent confirming his membership in the Order.
In his response, His Eminence Metropolitan Varsonofii said: “Last year, when we solemnly celebrated the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanoff, we celebrated the contribution the dynasty had made to the history of Russia, including the history of Orthodoxy. Much was done by our rulers—building churches, establishing holy monasteries, founding schools, and so on. The church prays with gratitude for all those who made a contribution to the development of our country and our Church. We remember and will always remember the present members of the House of Romanoff in our prayers, that the Lord will give them the strength to serve our people in that rank which you possess. We will be pleased to work with you here in St. Petersburg, where I, by God’s grace, serve and reside.”
In his private residence at the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Bishop Nazarii hosted a commemorative luncheon, at which were also present Metropolitan Vasonofii and other clergy of the St. Petersburg Metropolia.
After lunch, the Tsesarevich and Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko went to Holy Trinity Cathedral in the Lavra, where they venerated the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky.
On October 6, the birthday of Grand Duchess Leonida, in the office of the Imperial Foundation for Cancer Research, H.I.H. The Grand Duke George of Russia met with high school children, college students, and graduate students from several institutions of higher education in St. Petersburg and Moscow—all of them potential future doctors, psychologists, historians, singers, and musicians.
The students asked the Grand Duke a range of questions: from the possibility of receiving research grants from the Foundation to general questions about the past, present, and future of Russia. Of course, students were most interested in how the Imperial Foundation can help in the fight against cancer. One question was: “Is it really necessary to aid researchers? After all, they are healthy. Wouldn’t it be better to raise funds to help children with diseases or orphans?” His Imperial Highness replied that helping one does not preclude helping the other, but at the same time it is vital to offer support for oncologists so they might conduct targeted research, more effectively exchange their research results with other researchers, and improve public awareness of the advances being made in cancer treatment and palliative care. The Grand Duke and the Foundation’s staff also spoke about ongoing projects at the Imperial Foundation and about the opportunities of young researchers to receive grants: their proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts and assessed on the basis of a detailed justification for the research project or research-related travel, as the case may be, and on the basis of letters of recommendation from the directors of relevant research institutions.
Christina Alieva, a soloist of the Mariinsky Theater, who is a recent graduate of the Master’s Degree program at the Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University, offered to help organize an opera to raise money for the Foundation. Grand Duke George of Russia gratefully welcomed this idea, noting that a collaboration between the Imperial Foundation and the Mariinsky Theater (formerly known as the Imperial Mariinsky Theater) would be especially appropriate and symbolic.
His Imperial Highness also answered questions about the current situation and activities of the House of Romanoff in Europe and Russia, expressing his thoughts on a range of social issues of the day. He remarked that particularly troubling to the members of the Imperial House is the state of affairs in southeastern Ukraine, where the people are suffering and dying because of the ongoing conflict, and where the destruction of essential infrastructure portends a new wave of human suffering during the approaching winter.
After the meeting, the Tsesarevich conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and staff of the Imperial Foundation for all their hard work, and he expressed his hope that their collaborative efforts will lead to new and important results.
Later that day, H.I.H. The Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia returned to Brussels.