The Head of the Imperial House of Russia,
H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia,
And H.I.H. the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia
extend their heartfelt thanks to all their countrymen and to friends of Russia around the word,
who have sent them their holiday greetings,
and likewise send greetings for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 2019,
wishing everyone good health, happiness, spiritual strength, and God’s help
in all their endeavours.
Grand Duchess Maria also warmly thanks all those who have sent birthday greetings.
The Feast Day of the Nativity of the Honorable and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, which falls on June 24/July 7, 2019, coincides with the 400th anniversary of the enthronement of the ancestor of the House of Romanoff, Patriarch Filaret (1619).
The Grand Duchess and Tsesarevich ask all their countrymen to multiply their prayers for their ancestor and express their hope that all those who honour the memory of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret will mark this anniversary first and foremost with acts of charity for those in need.
Also this year, on January 11/24, is the 100th anniversary of the executions in the Ss. Peter and Paul Fortress of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich, Grand Duke Dmitrii Konstantinovich, Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich, and Grand Duke George Mikhailovich. The pious Grand Dukes Paul, Dmitrii, and George were numbered among the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in 1981.
And in 2019 we mark the 1000th anniversary of the reign of the Holy Grand Prince Yaroslav I the Wise in Kyiv. This date is especially important for all the sons and daughters of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus as a symbol of their common history and the unity of their fraternal peoples. The Feast Day for St. Yaroslav the Wise is February 20/March 5 (1054).
Read the original announcement HERE.
