Christening of HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov

 Christening of HSH prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov

Moscow, December 6th, 2022 at 13h in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Sacrament of Christening in the Christian Orthodox tradition takes place 40 days after the child is born. December 6th is the day of Saint Alexander Nevsky, an important figure in the Orthodox faith and Russian history.

HSH PRINCE ALEXANDER GEORGIEVICH ROMANOFF

HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanov was born in Moscow on October 21st, 2022.

The first member of the Romanov dynasty to be born in Russia after the October Revolution, he is also the first member of the Romanov Imperial Family to receive the Sacrament of Christening on Russian soil.

Before him, the last Romanov member to be born in Russia was his great-grandfather HIH Grand Duke Vladimir in 1917 -- -grandfather of HIH George of Russia --who was born in Poorvo, Finland Imperial Russia at the time.

HSH is born in the hospital ZKB at 10:32 and weighed 2,7kg.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR

HSH Prince Alexander Georgievich will be Christened in Moscow in the Church of Christ the Saviour.

The Church had been completely destroyed and turned into a public swimming pool during the times of the USSR.  Between the years 1995 to 2000, it was rebuilt. Today the Church is the seat of the Patriarchate of Moscow (equivalent to Saint Peter's church in the Vatican for Catholics).

The Cathedral was the venue for the Canonization of the Romanovs when the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family were glorified as saints upon the request introduced by HIH Grand Duchess Maria as the Head of the Family.

Around 400 international guests will attend the ceremony.

THE CHRISTENING DRESS

For this event, the Christening dress of the baby is a lace-patterned family dress. This dress belongs to the Romanov family for over two centuries and has been used by other members of the Imperial House.

THE GODPARENTS

-HRH Princess Olga of Greece -great-granddaughter of the King George I of the Hellenes and wife of  HRH  prince Aimone di Savoia Aosta

-HRH prince Joachim Murat de Pontecorvo

-Russian princess Elizabeth Lapoukin

-Michel Orlov -grandson of the late King Farouk of Egypt

Countess Dvinskya Helene Kirby and Bagration -aunt of HIH Grand Duke George of Russia -who will not be present due to medical reasons

-Russian Prince Stephane Belosselsky Belozersky-member and representative of the ANRF Association de la Noblesse Russe en France- is the official organization regrouping the “White Russian” diaspora in Paris since the October Revolution.

-Madame Oxana Girko a family friend

-Madame Yulia Abrosimov a family friend

THE FAMILY

To the Christening all the family will be present:

-HIH Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, Head of the Imperial Family of Russia.

-HRH Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia (known in Russia as HIH Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich of Russia, a title he received when he entered into marriage with Grand Duchess Maria) accompanied by Princess Nadia of Prussia (his second wife).

-Ambassador Bettarini and wife Carla (parents of Princess Victoria).

THE DRESS OF HSH PRINCESS VICTORIA ROMANOVNA ROMANOFF

The dress has been crafted especially for the occasion by Russian designer Elina Samarina who runs the brand Sergio Marcone in Moscow and who also had realised parts of the wedding dress of Princess Victoria.

THE CAKE

The cake has been created especially by the chef Michael Lewis-Anderson who also designed the cake of Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria’s wedding. The recipe of the cake is the “Victoria Romanovna” which has been created especially for the wedding by the Chef and the bride. 

A blend of Russian buttercream and orange blossom water combines Russian and Italian traditions in honour of the bride. The cake is made in traditional royal icing style recreating details of the Romanov family such as the gryphon.

“The Victoria Romanovna cake became a part of a historic event: the first Romanov wedding to be held in Russia for the first time after the Revolution. Now it becomes part of another historical event: the Christening of our son Alexander Georgievich who is the first member of the Romanov dynasty to be born in Russia after 1917. Thanks to the incredible talent of Chef Michael Lewis Anderson, both occasions were enhanced by the elegance and refinement of the cake’s taste and design. 

We are pleased that this family tradition represents a worldwide message of peace and harmony”. Princess Victoria Romanovna stated.

PROGRAMME

The Sacrament of Christening will start at 13:00h Moscow time and will end 60 minutes later and will be followed by a reception on the premises of the Church.

The first Vicar of His Holiness the Patriarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Dionisy of the Resurrection will celebrate the Sacrament.

After the completion of the Sacrament, the Imperial Family will be presented with icons of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. The first one contains the relics of Saint Alexander Nevsky specially brought for the occasion from Saint Petersburg by Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko, upon request of His Eminence Metropolitan Varsanofi of Saint Petersburg and Ladoga -who also celebrated the wedding of Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria last yearThe second icon was a gift from holders of the Russian Imperial and Royal Orders.

A NOTE FROM GRAND DUKE GEORGE AND PRINCESS VICTORIA

"It is for us a joyful occasion to be able to celebrate this Christening in Russia. Our son Alexander is the first member of the Family to be born in our country since we were allowed back into Russia in 1991. For our Family, this represents a historic event as well as the continuation of our dynasty and of the history of Russia” said Grand Duke George

WHAT THE FAMILY DOES TODAY

Splitting their time in between Russia and Brussels, Grand Duke George and Princess Victoria run two foundations.

The Russian Imperial Foundation helps mostly children affected by incurable diseases and autism. And FoodbankRus, today’s largest Foodbank in Russia, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The Imperial Foundation also financed last year a short film to rise awareness of autism that won the best children's movie at the Moscow film festival 2022.

Foodbank Rus helps over 1,5 million families each year thanks to 10.000 volunteers, countless national and international donors, and 52 regional offices.

FoodbankRus is a member of the Foodbank European Association FEBA, as well as the UN’s FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation.

“Today our Family continues its long-lasting mission of helping those in need. Princess Victoria and I are convinced that putting our legacy to aid the ones in need is the best way to uphold the values of our Family” Grand Duke George said.

https://www.russianlegitimist.org/the-christening-of-hsh-prince-alexander-georgievich-romanoff