The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovich, sent his Congratulations to the Head of the House of Romanoff on the 400th Anniversary of the Ascension to the throne of Her Ancestor, Tsar Mikhail I Fedorovich Romanoff

On March 27, 2013, in Madrid, on the Feast Day of the Fedorov Icon of the Mother of God and the 400th anniversary of the calling of the House of Romanoff to the throne by the Great Church Council and Assembly of the Land of 1613, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Spain, Sergei Alekseevich Pogoreltsev, and his wife, Svetlana Viacheslavovna Arsenieva, along with the Second Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine in Spain, Valerii Viktorovich Shvets, visited the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia. The Ambassador presented Her Imperial Highness with the following congratulatory letter from the President of Ukraine, Viktor Fedorovich Yanukovich:

[Letterhead of the President of Ukraine]

To: Her Imperial Highness

Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

Head of the Russian Imperial House

(House of Romanoff)

Madrid

March 27, 2013

Kiev

Your Imperial Highness!

I offer my sincerest congratulations to you on the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanoff.

During its reign, the Russian Imperial House had an enormous and enduring significance in the creation of a strong and stable governmental power, which in turn helped establish the foundations of many of today’s states.

The Russian Imperial House, being a unique institution, links the past and present, uniting in itself fundamental values of faith, strength, and humanity. Especially worthy of note and respect is your own tireless efforts to strengthen the friendly relations between brotherly peoples. I would like you to know that projects you had placed under your patronage to assist orphaned children from low-income families, to assist in the construction of churches, and to foster and support the rebirth of cultural and historical traditions have thrived since your visit to Ukraine in 2011.

Please accept my sincere appreciation for your efforts, as well as my heartfelt best wishes for many years of happiness and prosperity for you and your Imperial House.

With respect,

[signed:]

Viktor Yanukovich

In the ensuing warm and informal conversation over tea, the Grand Duchess and her guests discussed opportunities for cooperation in various cultural, philanthropic, and educational activities, as well as the upcoming visit of the Head of the Russian Imperial House to Ukraine.

Her Imperial Highness’s first official visit to Ukraine took place between May 24 and June 1, 2011. (On that visit, see: http://www.imperialhouse.ru/rus/allnews/news/2011/2725.html.)