HIH The Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, HH Pope Benedict XVI and HIH Grand Duke George MikhailovichThe head of the Russian Imperial House, HIH Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, arrived in Italy on December 12th for a 5-day visit. Her visit included a pilgrimage to the Russian Orthodox Church and Basilica at Bari, and a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on December 14th. The Pope told the grand duchess that he was ready to cooperate with the Russian Orthodox Church in the fight against materialism and lack of spirituality in the western world.Read the rest here.
Alexander Zakatov, the official spokesman and chancellor of the Russian Imperial House said, "the Grand Duchess visited the Vatican with the blessing of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, and a meeting between the Pope and Her Imperial Highness lasted about an hour and had a casual tone.
The pontiff welcomed Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and her son Grand Duke George Mikhailovich in the papal residence at the Vatican. According to Mr. Zakatov, the Grand Duchess and the Pope talked about the cooperation between Christians in the face of modern-day threats. "The head of Russian Imperial House, thanked the pope for his support in the construction of the Church of St. Catherine in Rome, and the return of the Church and Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy. The church, dedicated to St Nicholas, was built in the early 20th century to welcome Russian pilgrims coming to the city to visit the 11th-century Basilica of St Nicholas, where the saint's relics lie. Bari is the most popular destination in the world for Russian orthodox pilgrims, for whom St Nicholas holds great importance. The Pope, in turn, praised the work of the Russian Imperial House and attaches great importance to its efforts for the spiritual revival of Russia. The Pope also said that he benevolently watches what is happening in Russia, noting that “the spiritual revival of Russia is important for the world".
This is somewhat belated as I only just stumbled on the story. But I think it is sufficiently current and important to warrant posting.
6 comments:
It would be interesting to have someone with the knowledge unpack this story.
I note the Grand Duchess bestowed a dynastic Order on Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who is currently President of the Fabric of St Peter's, but not upon the Vatican Secretary of State with whom she also met.
The Pope presented to the Grand Duchess a set of commemorative medals. Were these medal struck to commemorate this event, or another?
There is also the suggestion that the trip was, at least in part, a diplomatic mission from the Patriarch of Moscow to the Roman Pontiff.
Bill, tGf
I do indeed believe that this was much more than a photo-op. There was a clear inference that she was a messenger from the Patriarchate and my guess is that she was carrying messages back from Rome. It is important to note that HIH is very popular in Russia and that Patriarch Kyril, along with most of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, is a monarchist. Many of them have made it clear that they consider the Grand Duchess to be the legitimate Head of State. She has always been treated by the Church with great deference and respect.
That she shows up in Rome for a meeting with the Pope and that this meeting has the "blessing of Patriarch Kyril" is not insignificant. Frankly I am somewhat surprised that the Roman Catholic press and bloggers who generally leap on anything even hinting at a rapprochement with Moscow have not picked up on this meeting.
In ICXC
John
she's half Georgian which im sure wouldnt go over very well (not because of the recent war, but because many russians have an extreme dislike of "Caucasians", that is people form the Caucuses, due to recent illegal immigration from there and a popular enough idea that they are taking russian jobs... when it comes to the streets anyone with dark complexions even if fully ethnic russians can be targets)
Anonymous
Most of what I have read suggests that The Grand Duchess enjoys a higher level of popularity than most public figures in modern Russia other than +Kyril and uncle Vladdy who has been building a cult of personality around himself. (It helps when you control pretty much the entire press and media.) Russians have always had a certain suspicion or xenophobic response towards anyone not clearly Russian in their ethnicity. But thus far this does not seem to have extended to the Imperial Family.
"That she shows up in Rome for a meeting with the Pope and that this meeting has the "blessing of Patriarch Kyril" is not insignificant. Frankly I am somewhat surprised that the Roman Catholic press and bloggers who generally leap on anything even hinting at a rapprochement with Moscow have not picked up on this meeting."
1) The news site that you reference isn't well known in the Catholic blogosphere
2) Catholic bloggers have been quite busy lately on other matters
3) In the past few months I've seen the onset of Russia-fatigue (and Orthodox-fatigue) in the Catholic blogosphere. I think this fatigue was caused by the irresponsible overexcitement (which never had any basis whatsoever in the facts) in a lot of Catholic blogs and other websites between 2006-2009 about "imminent reunion between East and West" or "the imminent meeting between Pope and Moscow Patriarch", etc. Add to this the continuing Fatima wars in certain Catholic circles and the dawning realization that reunion is NOT around the corner, and you have a situation where quite a number of Catholic bloggers and writers are increasingly getting tired of talking about the Orthodox, and the Russians in particular.
Carlos,
That's a pretty fair explanation. And one that I actually find somewhat encouraging.
Merry Christmas
John
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