Interview with Archbishop Kirill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, on the Celebrations of the 400th Anniversary of the House of Romanoff

From the Editors of the Official Webpage of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad: As the Church-wide celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the Romanoff Dynasty approach, which are scheduled for September 4-8, 2013, in Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, the editors of the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad spoke to the Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, His Eminence Archbishop Kirill of San Francisco and Western America.

Your Eminence, what is the significance of the 400th anniversary of the House of Romanoff?

This celebration, just like the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, which is also being marked this year, is vitally important because we, the loyal sons and daughters of Russiawho reside both in the Fatherland and in the diaspora, are taking an interest once again in our rich history, are commemorating the lofty ideals of our ancestors, and are being enrichedby this both spiritually and intellectually.

In general, it seems to me that the celebration of any important historical date, as well as the prayerful preparation for it and an analysis of the event in question, must always lead to a renewal of strength and to the invigoration of our internal bounties. If we take seriously how we prepare for and carry out these celebrations—celebrations that the Holy Church calls us to mark—then good outcomes will necessarily follow, not only in the life of the Church and society in general, but in the inner lives of those who participate in them.

For this reason, one should not ignore the call of our archpastors and pastors, who wish for us spiritual benefit and pine blessings.

What do you think will be the positive outcome of this celebration?

In addition to the fraternal meeting of ourarchpastors during the regular session of the Synod of Bishops, which will be held during these celebrations, and attending lectures and participating in discussions during the conference on Russian Orthodox society, which has been organized to mark the 400th anniversary of the Romanoff Dynasty, I in my heart look very much forward to the triumphal pine Services in the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto, and the prayerful veneration of the burial site of Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, sister of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II, who reposed there.

It is worth mentioning that celebrations will not only be held in Toronto, but in New York, during the December session of the Synod of Bishops, when Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria of Russia will make a pilgrimage that is timed to coincide with the Feast Day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign.” Her Imperial Highness already has,with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia,participated in pine Services and other celebrations in Russia this year; and at the end of the year, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia will visit the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, to pray before the great Kursk Icon together with ourarchpastors, pastors and the faithful—before the very same icon that Her great and glorious ancestors venerated. In addition to participating in the Feast Day pine Services in the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York and meeting with the Metropolitan, the President of the Synod of Bishops, and with the other members of the Synod, Her Imperial Highness will visit holy sites and hospitals, and meet with clergymen and prominent social figures. In this regard, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia will replicate the pilgrimage made by her father, Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia , who participated in the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia in New York and New Jersey in 1988, when he was receivedwith great honor, love and respect by archpastors of the Russian Church Abroad who have since reposed in the Lord. Our Elders of that time, following the example of St John (Maximovich)—my great predecessor in serving the Western American Diocese—considered Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia a uniting figure, a pillar and protector of the Russian people, who found himself abroad and who dreamed of the emancipation of Russia from godless rule. I believe that Grand Duchess Maria of Russia will receive a similar heartfelt greeting, for, as we know, the veneration of the Royal Dynasty was blessed by our great holy intercessors and ancestors.

May God grant that our unified prayers, the gathering together of the archpastors, pastors and flock, and our appreciation into the meaning of this celebration, help usto become better and renewed.

Personally, I hope that this will give me strength, too, to continue to carry the cross of my archpastoral service to God and to His people, and that what I glean from these celebrations I will be able to pass on to my beloved flock.

For this I ask the holy prayers of the readers of our official website!

May the Lord save you, dear Vladyka!

(See the original on the official webpage of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. In English: http://www.synod.com/synod/engdocuments/enart_archbpkyrillinterview400yrsromanov.html; in Russian: http://www.synod.com/synod/documents/art_archbpkyrillinterview400yrsromanov.html.)