To Her Serenity, Countess Irina Arnalova
Your Serenity, Countess Irina Arnalova,
On behalf of all the members of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your 100th birthday!
You were born in Spain in the fateful and tragic year that saw the outbreak of the Revolution in our country. Your birthday coincided with a holiday that was held most dear in Russia, which was at that time experiencing such persecution and destruction: the day of your birth is the day that the Holy Church offers supplications before the Holy Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, marking the selection by the Assembly of the Land of the first Romanoff tsar, Mikhail Feodorovich, which took place in the presence of this holy icon—an icon which was and is venerated and honoured by all three of Russia’s historic ruling dynasties.
The Providence behind these coincidences became apparent and meaningful when God destined you to help establish ties between Spain and Russia, to convert to Holy Orthodoxy, and to become a tower of strength of the Russian Imperial House, which found in exile after the Revolution a safe haven in your country.
We pray that God will continue to bless you to abide with your family and all your loved ones in good health, strength of spirit, and joy in the Lord.
Please accept, Your Serenity, our deepest respect, unfailing devotion, and love, and also our profound admiration for all your many accomplishments in your life.
On behalf of all the members of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House,
Alexander N. Zakatov
Director of H.I.H.’s Chancellery