28 September 2002

Their Imperial Highnesses, accompanied by Iu. K. Synkin, deputy to the Head of the Administration of the Smolensk Region, visited the places of note and battlefields of Smolensk and its environs

Their Imperial Highnesses, accompanied by Iu. K. Synkin, deputy to the Head of the Administration of the Smolensk Region, visited the places of note and battlefields of Smolensk and its environs

On 28 September 2002, Their Imperial Highnesses, accompanied by Iu. K. Synkin, deputy to the Head of the Administration of the Smolensk Region, visited the places of note and battlefields of Smolensk and its environs. Afterward, His Eminence, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad hosted a luncheon in his residence in honor of Their Imperial Highnesses, at which were also present V. N. Maslov, the Head of the Administration of the Smolensk Region, and his wife; V. I. Anisimov, the chairman of the Smolensk Regional Council (Duma); His Grace Bishop Serafim of Baltiisk; and other clergy and officials. In the evening, Their Imperial Highnesses were present at a festive gathering commemorating the 400-year anniversary of the building of the fortifications of Smolensk. The Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna gave a speech of welcome. She thanked the Administration of the Smolensk Region and all the people of the city for their warm reception, and underscored the importance of commemorative gatherings such as this one. She concluded Her speech with the following words: “Being present here, we are firmly convinced that no circumstances could sever the bonds of time. Although all historical eras have not only their glorious events, but also their sorrowful ones, the history of Russia remains an unbroken, single epoch. Our duty is to continue the work of our ancestors and to serve Russia so as to be worthy of them.” In the evening, Their Imperial Highnesses left for Moscow.

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