Greetings to all on the radiant Resurrection of Christ!
The Sturdza (Stourdza, Sturza, etc.) family has been linked to the history of the Romanian nation (and Phanariote nobility) for many centuries. Besides being related to other famous families as the Ghika, Cantacuzene, Bibescu, Mavrocordatos, Cuza, they were fundamental in the creation and independence of the modern Romanian state.
I have been friends who the recently reposed Aldea-Vladimir for many years (as well as with his immediate and extended family). Although a scion of a family that gave numerous luminaries to history, and being related because of this mother and wife to Russia’s and France’s most illustrious names, you could not find a hint of conceit or arrogance on his persona (that’s where real nobility and royalty plays a part, as seen in other émigré families or deceased members of the Romanov family, very far from the common “nouveau riche” mentality and behavior of the 20th/21st century). He was very smart, and knowledgeable of different languages.
He was very religious, and a faithful son of the ROCOR. Most of you will recognize him as one of the people that defended the ever memorable Metropolitan Vitalii when the thugs from New York tried to kidnap him from his monastery a few years ago. To refresh everyone’s memory, these are the accounts (http://www.monasterypress.com/attempt.html) and the photos of the events that took place that day (http://www.monasterypress.com/metro22FrameSet.htm). I was not physically present for this, but many of my personal friends were, and they themselves took the video and photos of this occurrence.
For his faithfulness to the Church of Christ, his stance against the innovations and attacks of the MP and of the “Laurite” Synod (of which he was a victim, both physically and emotionally), his love for the Russian Church, and specially, his love and fidelity toward our reposed hierarchs, his Beatitude Metropolitan Vitalii, and the Most Reverend Archbishop Sergei, may God have mercy and grant repose to the soul of His servant, the newly departed Aldea-Vladimir, and let his memory be eternal!
Christ is Risen!
