2015-04-13
The Head of the House of Romanoff sends her greetings to the Romanoff Festival in Kostroma

Greetings
From the Head of the Russian Imperial House,
H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia,
To the Romanoff Festival in Kostroma

Christ is Risen!

I wish to extend my heartfelt greetings to the organizers and participants of the Romanoff Festival being held in Kostroma in honor of the 1000th anniversary of the repose of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, the 110th anniversary of the martyrdom of H.I.H. Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, and the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War.

Remembering these events from different eras of our history strengthens the awareness in our people of the continuity of Russian history, lifts the spirit of the nation, and prompts us all to learn lessons not only from our glorious and heroic past, but also from the sad and sorrowful moments in our history.

The Romanoff Festival in Kostroma—a city that is the cradle of our House—is unquestionably an important event in the academic and cultural life of our country. I would like to express my appreciation to the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society, the Regional Office of the Assembly of the Peoples of Russia – the Kostroma Region Social Society “Multinational Kostroma”—and to all the organizers who have worked so hard on the events of the Festival.

I wish you all the joy of Pascha, success in all your endeavors, and God’s blessing.

My son and heir, Grand Duke George of Russia, also sends his greetings.

May the Lord bless you all!

H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

Madrid, March 31/April 13, 2015
Feast Day of St. Ipatii of Gangra