Congratulatory Message from the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, to His Holiness Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and All Russia, on the Occasion of the 45-th Anniversary of His Consecration as Bishop

To His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksei II from the Head of the Russian Imperial House: 

Your Holiness!

I send my heartfelt congratulations to you on the 45-th anniversary of your consecration as bishop.

The Lord called you to service as a bishop in a difficult period, when, after a time of weakening of the fierce repressions, the godless regime renewed its persecution of the Holy Church. The responsibility of a bishop is weighty enough in normal times, but in these years it required special gifts, courage and wisdom. You have gone through this period in your life with enormous dignity, defending the flock entrusted to you, saving from destruction and derision the Orthodox holy places, and drawing to yourself the hearts of the faithful. In this you have been helped by the prayers of your ancestors, by your personal knowledge and experience, and most importantly, by your indestructible faith that the Heavenly Founder of the Church would never permit the gates of hell to overwhelm Her.

Your election to the patriarchal throne is the crown of your archpastoral service and at the same time the start of a new epoch in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church. Divine Providence has willed that Your Holiness should lead the Ark of the Church among the storms of the modern world, maintaining the purity of the Orthodox Faith and distributing far and wide its light. May God send down to you health for many years!

In anticipation of our upcoming meeting during the translation of the holy relics of the Dowager Empress Maria Fedorovna to our family burial place in St. Petersburg, I send you this letter of congratulations via my son and heir, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, who is making his first trip on his own to Russia. It is very significant to all our House that this important event in his life should be connected with the celebration of the anniversary of your consecration.

My August Mother, Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna, sends to Your Holiness her sincere congratulations and prayerful wishes for spiritual and bodily strength.

Asking your archpastoral prayers and blessing,

(The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand:)

Maria
H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

Madrid, 3 September 2006