The Head of the House of Romanoff sends her congratulations to Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea on his 75th birthday

From the Head of the Russian Imperial House

To His Eminence, Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea

Christ is Risen!

Your Eminence,

I offer my heartfelt greetings on the Bright Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, and my congratulations on your 75th birthday.

Easter this year coincided with dramatic events in Crimea, where you have borne the Cross of your archpastoral service for more than 20 years.

During these many years of caring for your Crimean flock, you have with unbreakable faith, piety, wisdom, and zeal fulfilled your episcopal duty, serving God and the people and making a significant contribution to the revival and preservation of Orthodox spiritual and moral values, and to the maintenance of the historical ties between the peoples of Crimea, Ukraine, and Russia. Your Eminence has done much to foster peace and to strengthen mutual understanding among the various communities in Crimea, which is especially important during these turbulent days.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you health, length of days, and Almighty God’s help in all your many endeavors.

My son and heir, Grand Duke George of Russia, likewise sends you his heartfelt congratulations.

Asking your archpastoral prayers and blessing, I remain ever faithfully yours,

H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

Madrid
Easter, 2014