Letter From His Holiness Aleksei II Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia To the Head of the Russian Imperial House H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

Madrid, 19 January 2004
Holy Theophany

Your Holiness!

With all my heart I thank you for your truly touching letter congratulating me on my birthday and bestowing upon me this high honor [the Order of St. Olga]. It is difficult to express with words the feelings that I had during our meeting and conversation. My meetings with Your Holiness always bring me enormous spiritual joy and strength in troubled times, but this last time I especially felt your love and spiritual support for my service to the Fatherland. The Order of St. Olga Equal-to-the-Apostles—the first Russian Christian ruler—I accept not so much as a reward for my modest contributions, but as a special responsibility and obligation to follow Her example in all things, offering all my strength for the good of the Holy Orthodox Church and the Motherland.

My August Mother, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, and my Son, Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, send their gratitude and their heartfelt expression of devotion to Your Holiness.

Asking Your archpastoral prayers and blessing, I remain yours, affectionately, 

H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna