On August 8, 2024, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, her memory was prayerfully commemorated in the historic Imperial Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul in St. Petersburg's Peter and Paul Fortress.
The funeral service at the grave of the dearly remembered Empress was celebrated by the Vicar of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Bishop Veniamin of Kronstadt.The bishop was served by his secretary Hieromonk Alexis (Stepanov) and clergyman of the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr at the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, Priest Mikhail Bernitsev.
Members of the Elizabeth-Sergius Enlightenment Society prayed at the service.
«Maria Alexandrovna combined so many different qualities, — said Vladyka Veniamin after the funeral service. — This kindness, mercy, fortitude, sincerity, love of neighbor. The Empress, brought up in a religious spirit, was a deeply religious person. Through the prism of her living faith she brought up wonderful children, all her talents were directed to the service of her family and her people. She was an assistant to her husband, constantly supporting him. Maria Alexandrovna founded many charitable organizations, such as as the Russian Red Cross Society. And not just founded, but patronized and closely monitored their activities. She cared for women's education, devoting much effort and attention to this issue. Many famous contemporaries spoke about the Empress with great respect, recognizing her exceptional mental qualities, Christian charity and sacrificial service for the good of people and the state. It is very happy that there is such a tradition of commemorating our emperors and empresses on the days of their memory in this beautiful cathedral.
Alexandro-Nevskaya Lavra/Patriarchy.ru
