A. Hernandez
ROME-RUTHENIA 1 May 2025 (NRom)
In a ceremony filled with reverence and history, His Apostolic Highness the Most Holy Prince-Bishop Radislav (Rutherford) I, Pope-Catholicos of Rome-Ruthenia, invested Their Most Serene Highness Prince Paul and Princess Heide Gulgowski-Doliwa, Duke and Duchess of Lower-Silesia (Glogau) with sacred and noble honors of the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. This occasion took place in the Oratory of St. George, the private chapel of the Apostolic Household. The Duke and Duchess were born in Germany and are representatives of an ancient noble family of the Holy Roman Empire and Russian Empire.
The atmosphere in the chapel was imbued with an air of solemn dignity. Not merely a formal event, the investiture was a poignant celebration of faith, commitment to service, and enduring bonds of friendship.
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| L-R: H.A.H. the Apostolic Princess of Rome-Ruthenia, H.A.H., H.M.S.H. the Duke of Lower-Silesia (in the uniform of a Vice Admiral of the Pontifical Ruthenian Naval Guard), and H.M.S.H. the Duchess of Lower-Silesia |
The Aquiline Order of Christ
H.M.S.H. the Duke was honored with the highest order of the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State, the Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ. It is always awarded jointly with its co-honor, the rank of Bailiff of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle.
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| Insignia a Knights of Christ as a Bailiff of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle. |
This joint honor recognizes a life dedicated to faithful service, historical preservation, and noble tradition, embodying the core principles of the Christian tradition and the rich aristocratic heritage that has been nurtured over centuries. This includes the Duke's commitment to the Christian faith and his role in promoting its values, and his contributions to preserving and enhancing the noble traditions, making him a key figure in the history of the Church and State. The Duke, a retired senior officer of the U.S. Army, later held the third highest office of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He also has consistently worked towards fostering unity within the Church, reflecting the principles of love and fraternity that are central to Christian doctrine and practice.
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| The grand collar chain and badge of the Aquiline Order of Christ. |
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| Grand cordon (sash) of the Order of Christ. |
The Order of Sts. Anne and Alexander Nevsky
H.M.S.H. the Duchess was equally honored, being invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Religious and Military Order of Saints Anne and Alexander Nevsky. That rank of the order is always awarded jointly with a second order, Dame Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of the Eagle. This distinction is a testament to her exemplary dignity, grace, and cultural stewardship, which over the years have greatly enriched the broader Christian and nobiliary world. The Duchess’s service and dedication exemplify the ideals of nobility and grace. Her work to promote cultural heritage and her support of Native American culture have made a significant impact on the community at large. The Duchess has been a constant advocate for the values of compassion, charity, and service on a global stage.
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| The grand cordon (sash) of the Religious & Military Order of Saints Anne and Alexander Nevsky |
A Ceremony Rich in Tradition
The ceremony was conducted in accordance with ecclesiastical traditions, reflecting the deep historical roots of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. It was a moment where history, faith, and tradition came together, a reminder of the true significance of such honors.
The ceremony began with an oath of Christian service. Then, in ancient orthodox tradition, the pontiff anointed the Duke and Duchess with the Holy Chrism, one of the three sacred oils.
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| The Duchess is anointed with the Holy Chrism. |
Following that was the ancient tradition of dubbing with the sword. Since the Duke and Duchess both are high officers in the Pontifical Walsingham Guard, the Roman-Ruthenian Pope used the "mameluke" sword of the Guard for the ceremony. He tapped the Duke with the sword three times, on the shoulders and the top of the head, in the name of the Holy Trinity. He then placed the elegant and grand collar chain of the order on the Duke.
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| The dubbing of H.M.S.H. the Duke as a Knight of Christ, while H.M.S.H. the Duchess looks on. |
Then the Duchess was invested to the Order of Saints Anne and Alexander Nevsky. By tradition, the sword is not used, but the sign of the cross is made over the new Dame of the order. Likewise the insignia, the badge of the order pendant from a purple sash, was placed on the Duchess.
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| H.A.H. Hanna Alexandrovna, Apostolic Princess of Rome-Ruthenia, with H.M.S.H. Princess Heide, Duchess of Lower-Silesia, wearing the purple sash of a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Anne and Alexander Nevsky. The Order, named in honor of the Apostolic Princess, bears the patronal saints linked to her given name and patronymic, reflecting both spiritual and dynastic heritage. |
The ceremony continued with other rights and prayers. It concluded with the pontiff taking the formal pastoral staff (known as the ferula) and the hand blessing cross to impose the final blessing.
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| H.A.H. the Prince-Bishop and H.M.S.H. the Duke of Lower-Silesia (in the church mantle and collar chain of the Order of Christ), following a private meeting at the Apostolic Household. The occasion marked continued fraternal collaboration between the Pontifical Court and the Ducal House, affirming shared commitments to sacred tradition, nobiliary heritage, and Christian unity. |
Symbolism of Shared Commitment
These honors are more than just titles and insignia. They represent a legacy of dedication to sacred values, historical continuity, and the noble duty of service. The Duke and Duchess of Lower-Silesia stand as exemplary figures, embodying the principles of faith and service that have guided Christendom through centuries of transformation. With the weight of such honors comes responsibilities. And so the Duke and Duchess are ambassadors of the Christian faith, tasked with fostering unity and goodwill in an ever-evolving world.
