Russian Nobility Association, Inc. (RNA)

Mission Statement

The Russian Nobility Association was incorporated in America in 1938. It is a non-political, non-profit organization. Its aims are philanthropic and genealogical.

The Association directs donations to charitable organizations which provide food, shelter and medical treatment for disadvantaged persons in Russia, Europe, South America and the United States. It also provides direct aid to orphanages, the indigent elderly, seminaries and other people in need.

Voting membership is exclusively reserved to descendants of individuals who were listed in the nobility archives of the former Russian Imperial Senate. Other membership categories exist. For historical purposes, titled members are recorded with their ancestral titles.

DR. CYRIL E. GEACINTOV
President

2009 Anniversaries and Milestones in Russian History and Culture

Contribution by Ludmila Selinsky

Several important anniversaries which share a common historic and cultural thread are being celebrated this year in Russia and internationally: the 200th anniversary of the birth of the world-famous writer, Nikolai Gogol, the 300th anniversary of Peter the Great’s epic victory at Poltava, the 355th anniversary of the Treaty of Pereyaslavl, reuniting Great Russia with Malorossia-Ukraine, and the 245th anniversary of the birth of Nicolai Rezanov, a Russian statesman and major figure in the history of Russian America. Today, the commemoration of some of these events and milestones is not without controversy.

Nikolai Gogol was born in the Poltava province, not far from where the famous battle took place, but claim to his legacy as a Russian writer is disputed by some in the Ukraine for political reasons, even though the writer, himself, made his views and allegiance to Russia quite clear. While lovingly depicting the local Malorussian folklore, Gogol presented it as regional, rather than national tradition. His Taras Bulba, a story of the heroic Cossack fighter against Polish occupation and Turkish incursions underscores a common fight for Rus’, and other works, such as “A Terrible Vengeance”, vividly depict the Orthodox struggle in Ukraine against Polish imposition of the Unia (so-called Byzantine Rite, or Greek Catholicism), a subjugation of the Orthodox to Rome. Read more

The Treaty of Pereyaslavl, concluded in 1654 during the reign of the Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich, son of the first Romanoff, with the Zaporozhye Cossack Council fighting for liberation from Polish rule, was a milestone in Russian history, marking the reunification of a nation separated by centuries of foreign occupation. Cultural flowering and economic prosperity of the first Russian state – stretching from northern Pskov and Novgorod to its southern capital, Kiev, was cut short by a 250-year long catastrophe, the Mongol-Tartar yoke. The rich grasslands and ancient settlements of Southern Russia between the Don, Volga and Dniper rivers, devastated and depopulated, became known as the “Wild Field”. After the destruction of Kiev by the Mongols, the surviving population fled north and the densely forested lands of the Vladimir-Suzdal principalities became the new Russian center - Moscovy. The Epic poems and songs about St. Vladimir, ancient Kiev, its Golden Age and heroes, fabled prosperity and vibrant international trade lived on in the central and northern parts of Russia and survived to this day, but disappeared from the South forever. During this dark period, significant parts of a weakened Russia were occupied by neighboring countries, including Poland, Lithuania, Sweden and Hungary, while the surviving northwestern city-states of Novgorod and Pskov, largely spared Mongol-Tartar devastation, fought off waves of Germanic invaders.

The vast territories subjugated by Lithuania and then the Polish-Lithuanian Union, formed in 1569, included about 80 Russian cities, mostly in today’s Belarus and Ukraine, and what remained of the first capital, Kiev, “Mother of all Russian Cities”. Oppression of the Russian population in these occupied territories included virtual slavery for the majority, suppression of national identity, and religious coercion. Desperation forced many to flee their oppressors and re-settle the “Wild Fields”, bordering the Mongol Golden Horde, the Crimean Tartars and Turks, thus forming the free Cossack caste of fearless frontier warriors and defenders of the Orthodox faith.

These borderlands became known as Ukraine - literally “at the border” or Malorussia – “Little Russia”. This vast region would only be reunited with “Greater Russia” in 1654 when the National Assembly of the Ukraine under Cossack Hetman-Chief Bogdan Khmelnitsky declared “Let God confirm! Let God strengthen, that we would be United for all eternity!”.

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of this great event, Nikita Khrushchev “gifted” the Crimea to the Ukrainian republic of the USSR in 1954. This year this milestone was celebrated in Russia and Ukraine by organizations that proclaim “We shall defend the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox peoples of the Ukraine, Russia and Byelorussia”.

The Victory at the Battle of Poltava in 1709 was a turning point in the long struggle to reclaim Russian lands. After the Golden Horde began to disintegrate in the mid-fifteenth century, into the Kazan, Astrakhan, Crimean and Siberian Khanates, Russian Princes and First Tsars began a long struggle to liberate and re-unite lands under foreign occupation. Independent Hordes survived in Russia for three centuries, and the Crimean Tartars, supported by the Turks, were able to raid southern Russian lands for booty and their huge slave trade, block access to the sea and prey on commerce for two more. After a victory in 1667 in the war with Poland and their Tartar allies following the Treaty of Pereyaslavl, the next Russian Tsar, Peter The Great, won a milestone victory in the North War. After centuries of territorial conquest, Sweden, under King Charles XII invaded Russia. After initial victories, Charles turned south, and supported by Poland and the Ottoman Turks, invited defections among the Cossack leaders as he planned his siege of Poltava. Instead of the thousands he expected, only a handful, under the leadership of Ivan Mazepa, a Jesuit-educated ethnic Pole, went over to the enemy and were branded as traitors. Defended by 6,900 Russian-Ukrainian troops, Poltava held out against far greater odds until Tsar Peter arrived with reinforcements and routed the Swedes. Charles XII and Mazepa fled with their bodyguards and Charles found refuge with the Turks, where he remained in exile for 5 years before returning to Sweden. The result of this battle is of great historical significance in that it reclaimed Russian territories and cleared the way for the return of Russia as a dominant power in eastern and northern Europe. Alexander Pushkin wrote the famous Poltava narrative poem based on these historic events and Peter Tchaikovsky wrote “Mazepa”, an opera based on the Pushkin classic.

Accomplishments of Peter the Great’s era included the founding of the Russian Fleet, whose victories returned the ancient Baltic-Black Sea trade route "from the Vikings to the Greeks," back to Russia, and voyages of exploration that included discoveries in the Bering Straits and Alaska, the Russian foothold in America, which was sold in to the United States 1867 (this sale was earlier known as Seward’s Folly in honor of Secretary of State William Seward). Peter’s new capital, St. Petersburg, became the cultural and political capital of the Russian Empire and an important focal point in the life of its nobility. Tsar Peter generously bestowed nobility for outstanding service to individuals of all rank, including Cossacks who distinguished themselves in the famous Battle of Poltava.

RECEPTION AND BALL AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC
IN HONOR OF THE GRAND DUKE ALEXIS

As we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Russian Nobility Association in America, it seems quite appropriate to look back at some of the history of the relations between these two countries. The State Visit to the U.S. in 1871-72 by Grand Duke Alexis, son of Czar Alexander II, one evening of which in New York is beautifully described in the piece below, was a culmination of a period during which relations between the U.S. and Russia were at their most cordial. During the American Civil War Czar Alexander II had been a strong supporter of the Union and of President Lincoln’s determination to keep the Union together. He proclaimed in what can be considered one of the most critically important documents in American and world history, that any intervention in the American Civil War by any European power in support of the Confederacy would be regarded as causus belli by Russia. To emphasize the seriousness of this policy, the Czar dispatched his Pacific fleet to San Francisco and on September 24, 1863 the Russian Atlantic fleet dropped anchor in New York harbor (as pictured on the opposite page) where it was enthusiastically welcomed by the local populace. The fleet remained for seven months, leaving only after both the U.S. and Russia had satisfied themselves that any danger of interference in our Civil War by any European power had passed. After the conclusion of the war, Russian-American relations remained cordial, culminating in the State Visit of Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch in 1871.

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The ball at the Academy of Music, last night in honor of the grand Duke Alexis, was a complete success. The attendance was large and brilliant, the decorations were unusually fine, the music was excellent. The tent at the head of the dancing floor was a marvel of splendor and oriental magnificence. Five calcium lights placed at the top of the tent illuminated a fountain in the background, and made the ball appear like a fairy palace. The sides of the inclosure were painted in imitation of lustrous silk, and figured in colors to harmonize with the ceiling, which was hung with festoons of roses, radiating from a central point, with very pleasing effect. Gilded pillars added to the richness of the scene. Under the tent was an artistic terrace, in front of which were numerous pots containing natural flowers. Back of the terrace was a scene representing moonlit clouds visible through an opening among trees. One of the striking features of the decorations was the large allegorical painting over the tent, showing the genius of America and the genius of Russia clasping hands. The genius of America was represented by a female figure clad in national colors and costumed like a Goddess of Liberty, while the Russian genius was a male figure in regal apparel. At the right of the painting was a banner bearing an allegorical picture of President Lincoln freeing the slaves, while at the left of the large painting was another banner upon which was depicted the Emperor of Russia (Alexander II) liberating the serfs. The American and Russian national colors were, of course, prominently displayed in the decorations.

The Russian Squadron in the Harbor of New York, October 1863, on a Supposed Secret Mission,

by Special Arrangement with the Federal Government

(Artwork from Frank Leslie's THE SOLDIER IN OUR CIVIL WAR, 1893)

At nine o’clock, the guests began to arrive, and during the next hour carriages were continually driving up in front of the Academy. At ten o’clock the interior of the building presented on of the most magnificent scenes that has ever been witnessed in the city. The brilliantly illuminated decorations and elegantly dressed ladies combined to entrance and bewilder the spectator.

The Grand Duke opened the ball at eleven o’clock with Mrs. Hoffman, wife of Governor Hoffman. The Grand Duke’s table occupied the place of honor at the head of the room, and the other tables filled all the remaining available space in the supper hall. The table was tastefully arranged with a profusion of choice and natural flowers. The ornamental confectionery and other designs on the table included two temples of the Czar Alexander; two monuments of Washington, with cupids and American flags on top; two imperial meringues, with American eagles and flags of both nations, and two ships of war, made of nougat and spun sugar. The bill of fare was printed in French and English, in gold letters, on white satin, and included every choice of tempting luxury which the ingenuity of the caterer could supply.

After supper, dancing was resumed with spirit, and it was a late hour before the last of the revelers left the Academy, carrying with them the pleasantest memories of the Grand Ducal ball.

Excerpts from Leslie’s Illustrated Paper • November 30, 1871 • New York City

For some of the content of the introductory paragraph, we acknowledge with thanks

the contribution of Mr. Kostantin George

It is our pleasure to announce that the First Russian Nobility Ball in Texas, on the 10th of November, 2006, preceded by the Pre-Ball Reception (on the 9th of November, 2006) at Mr. L. Hokanson and Mr. M. Siller's Russian House in Houston(http://www.artsstudio.com/reproductions/new_archdesign-dec2001.htm), were complete and astounding SUCCESS!!!

This year's Annual RNA Spring Ball was held at the Pierre Hotel and was attended by a sold out guest list of over 450 people.

Dancing was provided by two orchestras and entertainment by a Georgian Dance Group added to the fun of the assembled guests. This year's collection of valuable and interesting items for the ?Silent Auction? was enthusiastically received by our guests. The food was delicious.

The RNA members and guests all looked very elegant as you can see in the attached photographs. To view the full photo gallery of the Ball, please visit www.collages.net. For user name type in: Russian Ball. For password, type in: 6687. List your e-mail address and first name and you will see all the beautiful photos of this event which can be ordered directly from the photographer.

The Board of Directors of the RNA thanks all members of the Ball Committee who worked very hard to make this event a success and we would like to thank all participants as well.

November 10, 2006: First Annual RNA Ball at the Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas. It promises to be a spectacular affair. We are planning to obtain Group Charter Flight Rates from Newark to Houston (round-trip). Please contact us via e-mail at RNA@RussianNobility.org if you are interested in joining us.

September 26, 1815

The Alliance emphasized political goals like "the precepts of Justice, Christian Charity and Peace", defining these terms in a manner consonant with its interests. Read more