2015-05-30 The Head of the House of Romanoff sends her greetings to the Congress of the Russian Nobility Association, which is marking the 25th anniversary of its founding

Greetings
From the Head of the Russian Imperial House
H.I.H. The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia
To the 25th Anniversary Congress of the
Russian Nobility Association

I send my heartfelt congratulations to the participants of the Congress of the Russian Nobility Association, and to all its members, on the 25th anniversary of its founding. Having suffered with the entire nation the terrible tribulations of the 20th century, the Russian nobility survived and preserved its love of, and devotion to, the nation, its profound understanding of its duty and honor, and its sacred tradition of service.

The creation in 1990 of the Russian Nobility Association was recognized by my most August father, Grand Duke Wladimir Kirillovich, and was blessed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexis II. Thanks to these acts by the Archpastor of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Head of the Russian Imperial House, the “Union of the Descendants of the Russian Nobility—the Russian Nobility Association” became the sole rightful successor to the pre-revolutionary Russian nobility organization, building the new Association on a combination of new and modern rules for membership and the principles of historical legitimacy.

The founding of the Russian Nobility Association was an extraordinarily important event in the social and cultural life of today’s Russia. The restoration of the nobility’s organizational life demonstrates the continuity of our history and helps to strengthen the spiritual and moral foundations of our country and our sense of patriotism, as well as preserving Russian culture throughout the spaces that were once part of the unified Russian Empire.

On the one hand, the Russian Nobility Association has not changed the centuries-old foundations of the nobility, but, on the other, has not been bound to dead customs, pridefulness, or aloofness. Its ranks include the heirs of the ancient families and service nobility of the Russian Empire, and also those who have legitimately received noble status as a result of their service to the nation today. Participating in the work of the Association are not only those who are of noble birth by the traditional ways of defining it, but also the descendants in the female line of noble families. The Association is open to dialogue and cooperation with all their countrymen, regardless of their social and economic origins, nationality, religion, or political convictions, so long as that dialogue and cooperation seek that which is good for the nation.

I wish you all God’s help, and I firmly believe that you will pass on to the next generation of Russia’s nobility the high ideals and values that you have received from your ancestors and have preserved through all the hardships and trials of the past century.

My son and heir, Grand Duke George of Russia, also sends his greetings to you on this important and historic occasion.

I remain ever yours faithfully,

[The original is signed by Her Imperial Highness:]

Maria

Madrid, May 17/30, 2015