The Head of the House of Romanoff Has Sent Congratulations to M. A. Men’, Governor of Ivanovo District, on his 50-th Birthday

From the Head of the Russian Imperial House

To M. A. Men’, Governor of Ivanovo District

Dear Mikhail Aleksandrovich!

I congratulate you on your 50-th birthday!

Having been born in the family of Archpriest Alexander Men’, one of the most prominent Orthodox pastors and preachers of the twentieth century, you from an early age experienced how hard it is to be a believer living under the power of a godless, totalitarian regime.

Your desire to promote the establishment of a more just social order led you to government service. This desire took you on the path to becoming the deputy of the Moscow District Duma, the deputy of the State Duma, vice-governor of the Moscow District, deputy mayor of the capital city, and now, finally, governor of Ivanovo District. Whatever office you have held, you had preserved an inviolable fidelity to the traditional foundations of our country and its moral values. As an Orthodox Christian, and in the best traditions of your ever-memorable father, you have opened a dialogue with people of various nationalities and faiths, different political persuasions, and divergent social and financial classes. You have made a significant contribution to the establishment of good and productive relations between the Church and State in Russia.

Paying tribute to your long service to the State, to the Holy Church, and to society, I wish you health, strength, and God’s help for many years to come.

My son and Heir, Grand Duke Georgii Mikhailovich, also sends his congratulations to you.

Please be assured, dear Mikhail Aleksandrovich, of my most sincere favor and deepest respect,

H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Wladimirovna

Issued in Madrid
30 October/12 November 2010