Serge and Lubov Troubetzkoy

Prince Serge Grigorievitch Troubetzkoy (1906-2003)

and

Princess Lubov Troubetzkoy (born Obolensky) (1912-1991)

Serge may be spelt Sergei, Sergius, Serguei, Sergey.

Grigorievitch may be spelt Grigorievich, Gregorievich, Gregorievitch.

Troubetzkoy may be spelt Troubetskoy, Troubetskoi, Troubetzkoi, Trubetskoi, Trubetskoy.

Lubov may be spelt Liubov, Lyubov, Luba, Lyuba.

Troubetzkoy family ancestors

The Troubetzkoy family is one of Imperial Russia’s most illustrious noble families.

The Troubetzkoy princes descend from Demetrius I Starshiy, one of the sons of Algirdas, who ruled the towns of Bryansk and Starodub, and who was descended from a line of dukes that stretched back to the time of the Rurikid dukes of Kievan Rus'. Algirdas, who had consolidated the immense Lithuanian Grand Duchy, was killed, together with his elder sons, in the unfortunate Battle of the Vorskla River (1399).

Descendants of Demetrius continued to rule the town of Trubetsk (Troubchevsk) until the 1530s, when they were forced to choose between converting to Roman Catholicism, and leaving their patrimony and settling in Moscow, in the Principality of Moscow. They chose the latter.

The refugee Troubetzkoys were accepted with great ceremony in Moscow, at the court of Tsar Vasili III of Russia (the first to call himself "Tsar"). .

The Troubetzkoy family which sought refuge in Russia at that time did much as the family of the Belsky princes had done somewhat earlier, but for rather different reasons. Another person who had moved to Russia at the same time as the Belsky families (because of the Orthodox Faith) was Saint Tikhon of Luchov, Kostroma, who became a monk at Lukh in the Kostroma diocese (Kostroma is about 83 km (51 mi) northwest of Yaroslavl, and by the Volga River.

From 1734 to 1879, the family was associated with the Aktyrka estate and village near Sergiyev Posad (about 75 km/47 mi north of Moscow).

Parents of Sergei Grigorievitch Troubetzkoy

Prince Grigory (Gregory) Nikolayevitch Troubetzkoy, who had been born Moscow, was educated in Kaluga and in Moscow. After his graduation in 1896, he immediately entered the public service as a diplomat in the Foreign Service Ministry, and he worked in the Imperial Russian Embassies in Constantinople (Istanbul), Ottoman Empire, and in Berlin, German Empire (1897-1905).

Prince Grigoriy Nikolaievitch Troubetzkoy

Princess Maria Konstantinovna Bouteneva

In 1901, he was married to Maria Konstantinovna Bouteneff (daughter of Count Konstantin Apollinarievitch Bouteneff), who had been born in Moscow. They began their married life together in Constantinople (Istanbul).

After 1905, Grigory Nikolayevitch worked in Moscow as a journalist with his brother Evgeniy Nikolayevich. In 1912, he was appointed to head the Middle East Department of the Foreign Ministry. In 1914, he began to serve as extraordinary envoy to the beleaguered Serbia (because of World War I). He participated with the Serbs in their agonising Great Retreat (also called "Albanian Golgotha") over the mountains (during which very many perished) and then to Corfu. He eventually returned to Moscow, where he served as a State Councillor in 1916, and where he participated in the All-Russian Council of the Church of Russia in 1917-1918. He also was a part of the Provisional Government after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.

After their marriage in 1901 Grigory Nikolayevitch and Maria Konstantinovna had received from the Lord 5 sons : Konstantin, Nikolai, Mikhail, Sergei, Piotr, Grigory (Grigory reposed as an infant) between 1902 and 1912. In 1915, on the initiative of Maria Konstantinovna, a Red Cross unit was formed to assist sick and wounded soldiers and civilians in Serbia.

Early life of Prince Sergei Grigorievitch Troubetzkoy

On 15 December, 1906, Prince Sergei Grigorievitch Troubetzkoy was born in Moscow, in the Russian Empire. He was born to Prince Grigory (Gregory) Nikolayevitch Troubetzkoy] and his wife, Maria Konstantinovna Bouteneff (daughter of Count Konstantin Apollinarievitch Bouteneff).

Sergei Grigorievitch was born to a family of faithful Orthodox Christians, and he was formed (as were his brothers) in the Orthodox Christian Faith in his childhood through the examples of the members of his family, through regular participation in worship services, and through the nature of his education. However, because of the political circumstances of the time, his later childhood was rather disturbing and traumatic because of the effects of World War I and then the turmoil that accompanied the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

Exile, 1917

In 1917, Bolshevik Revolution brought a complete end to the dynasty of the Romanov Tsars, the Troubetzkoys were forced to begin their flight from Russia. All persons of nobility were in serious danger of death during this time, perhaps especially if they were serious Orthodox Christians. The threat was similar to the situation about 125 years earlier in France, although death in the Bolshevik Revolution was often preceded by long imprisonment and tortures. With the White Movement, they arrived in Odessa eventually.

In 1920, Grigory Nikolayevitch was appointed Chief Commissioner for Refugees in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians, for which he was given money and staff. He saved his family and friends by including them in the voyage to Istanbul and Belgrade. However, before long, the family moved on to Austria.

While they were in Belgrade in 1920, Maria Konstantinovna organised a hospital for wounded and sick soldiers.

France, 1923

In 1923, the family came to settle in France, in the town of Clamart, a suburb of Paris. At this time, France was a more accepting society than before, although not without its difficulties for such refugees. There were very many who had sought refuge there.

After 1937, Maria Konstantinovna served as vice-president of the Icon Society in Paris. She was one of the central figures in the Russian emigration environment and she provided assistance and support to all those in need.

Higher education of Serge Grigorievitch ; move to the USA

It was in Paris, from 1923, that Serge Grigorievitch received his higher education, and where he graduated as an agricultural engineer from the Grignon University (École nationale supérieure d'Agronomie de Grignon).

After this, Serge moved to the United States of America.

Early life of Princess Lubov Alexeiëvna Obolenskaya ; move to USA

Princess Lubov Alexeiëvna Obolenskaya was born in 1912, in Saint Petersburg, in the Russian Empire. She was the daughter of Prince Alexei Alexandrovitch Obolensky and Princess Lubov Petrovna Troubetzkaya.

Prince Alexei A Obolensky Princess Lubov P Troubetzkaya

Lubov was the third of 5 children born to Prince Alexei and Princess Lubov Obolensky (the others being Alexandra, Anna, Alexei and Daria).

 “Obolensky” is the name of a princely Russian family, descended from the Rurik Dynasty.  Their name 
 is said to derive from the town of Obolensk in the Upper Oka Principalities along the Oka River,  
 not far from Moscow.  

Alexei Alexandrovich was a descendant of Stepan "Stenka" T Razin, who had long ago rebelled against administrative corruption. In a related fashion, the father of Lubov, Prince Piotr Obolensky had in 1894 cautioned Tsar Nicolas II about "the need for social reform in order to avoid an impending revolution". Nevertheless, the families of both Alexei Alexandrovich and Lobov Petrovna were faithful servants of the royal leadership and of the Russian people.

Just as did the Troubetzkoys, so the Obolenskys fled from the face of certain death after the Bolshevik Revolution, and they settled first in Paris, France.

Largely because of this mass migration, the 1920s and 1930s came to be considered the silver age of Russian literature. Paris seethed with intellectual, cultural and religious genius. Luba was forever influenced by Father Georgii Spassky, and she developed a deep devotion to the Orthodox Church. At 16 years of age she wrote in her diary :

 November 16, 1928.  
 Today after school, I prepared my religious homework and took the metro by myself to the theological 
 Institute.  Metropolitan Evlogy and Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna cross-examined me.  After supper we went to 
 ROY [Russian Orthodox Youth] and sang with Kedroff.  There was a lecture about Chekhov, followed by dancing 
 and tea.  

At the end of the 1920s, Luba moved with her family to live in New York City, in the USA.

Marriage in the USA, 1933

In February, 1933, Prince Serge Grigorievitch Troubetzkoy married Princess Lubov Alexeiëvna Obolenskaya in New York City, where the young couple soon settled. (The couple were both descended from the Rurikid Dynasty.) Their wedding was a grand social event in New York society, and it received a great deal of coverage by the social media. Both their families were related, and they kept close ties during their emigration from Russia, following the Bolshevik takeover, as they moved around the European continent and America (several or many moves were characteristic of the lives of many who were forced by the revolution to emigrate). Serge even claimed to have been present at his wife’s baptism in 1913, much to Luba’s mortification. Nevertheless, the musings in her early diaries indicate that all her life, she had eyes only for Serge.

Princess Lubov A Obolenskaya marriage photo, 1933

Serge and Luba Troubetzkoy, honeymoon trip, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1933

Serge Grigorievitch and Luba Alexeiëvna received from the Lord 1 son, Alexis, and 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Maria, who inherited the princely titles. All 3 remained active in the life of the Orthodox Christian Church.

Lobov Troubetzkaya, New York, 1939

Serge’s professional career was largely devoted to the sale of farm machinery.

During World War II, he was employed by the USA State Department and sent abroad on loan to the French government as part of the “Marshall Plan”. He assisted in plans for the country’s post-war agricultural reconstruction.

After the war, Serge served in the USA Air Force Reserve, and he retired in the rank of Major.

Move to Canada, 1950

In 1950, Serge and Luba settled in Montréal, Québec, Canada, where Serge worked for a major agricultural machinery firm. As others have done, he continued his commitments in the USA Air Force reserve from Montréal by travelling to the base at Plattsburg, New York.

Upon arrival in Montréal, they quickly became active parishioners in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul there. They proved to be useful in a multitude of ways. Church services were never to be missed.

Faithfully, Luba attended weekly Lenten services, and she sang the bass line in her peculiar low voice. At the same time, they both served the diocese.

A few years after their arrival, Serge Grigorievitch was elected to the parish council as one of the assistant wardens of the cathedral. In the early 1960s, he was also elected to the archdiocesan council. It was in these positions that he played a significant rôle in facilitating the transfer of the Canadian archdiocesan see from Toronto back to Montréal, and also in the expansion of the cathedral building in Montréal. He additionally assisted Bishop Sylvester (Haruns) in his immigration from France, and his resettlement in Canada.

With the restructuring of the governance of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America (called “the Metropolia” for short) in the time of Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich), Serge also became the Canadian Archdiocese’s first lay representative (from 1964 to 1971) to the Metropolitan Council of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America ("Metropolia") later to be known as "The Orthodox Church in America". During this period, it was also customary that either the clergy or lay vice-chairman of the All-American Church Sobor would necessarily be from the Archdiocese of Canada. As a result, Mr. Troubetzkoy served as lay vice-chairman of the All-American Sobor in 1963. At the 1967 Sobor, he was again nominated to be vice-chairman; but he declined this nomination in favour of another Canadian delegate.

Lac Labelle, Chapel of Saint Sergius

Soon after moving to Montréal, Mr. Troubetzkoy purchased a farm in the Laurentian Mountains (about a 2-hour drive to the north of Montréal), on the shore of Lac Labelle. There, next to the home of his family, he also established a domestic chapel in the name of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. This move soon opened a way for several other families to purchase summer homes near to the Troubetzkoy family.

One of these was the family of Raphail and Sophia (Sonya) (born Tolstoya) Lopoukhine (although this family bought property across the lake from most of the other families). Besides the summer home of the family of Father Alexander and Juliana Schmemann, the family of Father John and Marie Meyendorff also established a summer home nearby. Thus, the chapel came to serve not only as a family chapel, but also as a summer chapel for the group of Orthodox Christian families who have established summer homes at Lac Labelle, and for other visitors.

Labelle soon became a haven and retreat where many would come together in the summer to relax and rejuvenate themselves (both physically and spiritually) for the daily challenges of the year ahead. Summers in Labelle have been (and continue to be) a crucial revitalising force in the lives of many, over several generations. Without Serge Troubetzkoy’s foresight in creating the extended family and church community there, the comfort and joy that it has provided to so many would not have been possible. It will doubtless live on as his legacy for generations yet to come, thanks to the Troubetzkoy family.

Chapel of Saint Sergius, Lac Labelle, Québec (Matushka Juliana Schmemann seated on the deck)

Labelle Chapel 1954, Bishop Nikon, Fr.Alexander Schmemann, Raphael Lopoukhine, Sophia Lopoukhine, Oleg Rodomar, et al

In about 1954, there was a pastoral visit paid by Bishop Nikon of Toronto. It was a memorable visit for those who were then children, because the children had to recite by heart the Nicene Creed for Vladyka Nikon. They managed to do this very well, the children say, because of having had daily lessons with Father Alexander Schmemann, who already had begun to be present there in the summer-time.

The services, of course, followed the old-style calendar, and the children recited in Slavonic. There was not yet any English in the services in those days. Such was the immediacy and fulness of Orthodox Christian living in this family and others in this idyllic place, that the children were able to have "Zakon Bozhii" (catechism) every day with Father Schmemann. They recall that they had built a sort of shelter made from pine boughs in the forest, of which they were very proud. This prompted Father Alexander to continue the daily lessons in this shelter. To this day, they can recall his calm and resonant voice as he held the youngest on his knee with one arm, while waving away a mosquito with the other.

Occasionally, one of the two cows would stick its head into the shelter out of curiosity. They clearly recall also that the cows and the work horse “Pitou” regularly attended the Divine Liturgy. They would stand unwavering behind the chapel and peer into the back window of the Altar. They would appear there as soon as the singing began. The children (now adults) further recall that what is presently forest was only cow-pasture fields in those days, where the now elusive cepe and milkcap mushrooms (which have since disappeared) could be found in profusion. At that time, the children would be able to get on their knees and lap up water directly from the fresh springs that flowed there. During that particular visit, Vladyka Nikon was able to rest for a time ; and a photograph exists, in which Vladyka Nikon, wearing his billowing "podriasnik" (cassock), is playing "Gorodki" (a Russian version of Bocce, which uses sticks).

Labelle Chapel 1954, Bishop Nikon, Fr.Alexander Schmemann with Oleg V Rodomar-Vukotitch

Continuing Service

From the 1960s, Luba Troubetzkoy spent many hours, typing documents, and generally assisting Archbishop Sylvester in French/English/Russian translation work. Besides this, those in the parish who had no means of transportation could always rely on Luba to take them where they needed to go. During these years, Serge devoted his vision, energy, organisational ability and initiative towards the building of the new iconostas, and to the construction of the new residence and “Kostuchenko” hall which was attached to Saints Peter and Paul’s Cathedral Church, and also to the historic residence next to it. He also provided the initiative in developing the fundraising drives to achieve all this.

During her trips to New York to see her mother, Luba would also visit the aging Metropolitans Anastasy (Gribanovsky) (ROCOR) and Leonty (Turkevich) (OCA). They entrusted her with messages to each other, so that Luba was able cheerfully to provide a sort of private courier service between the 2 metropolitans. At that time, it was difficult for the 2 bishops to meet personally. No-one ventured to stop her.

It is told by Matushka Juliana Schmemann in her book "My Journey with Father Alexander" that one summer, after one of the mid-week Divine Liturgies, the Chapel of Saint Sergius burned down :

 The wind was fierce that day so the fire was spectacular.  Neighbors and the whole community rushed to form a 
 chain from the  well to the chapel.  In an effort to save the house and the barn close to the chapel, the well 
 was emptied and the fire put out.  The surrounding buildings were saved but there was nothing left of the 
 chapel except part of the bell tower and the icon of St. Sergius to whom the chapel is dedicated.  Alexander 
 and Liuba Troubetzkoy drove to Montreal to break the news to her husband Serge who worked there during the 
 week.  He listened to the news, paused for a moment and said, "So we will build a new church" and the work on 
 the new chapel began immediately.  The very next Sunday after the fire we celebrated Divine Liturgy in a tent.   

Such is the nature of this man, who might well be called (in every good sense of the expression) “a prince of a man”. About his wife, Luba, the same could be said, and together they behaved as a team.

Retirement from secular employ ; move to USA ; continuing service, 1970

After his retirement from secular employment in 1970, Serge and his wife Luba moved first to live in Syosset, Long Island, and then later to live in Sea Cliff in New York State. Serge continued to serve the Church actively. He was appointed to serve as Secretary to the late Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish), and to be the manager of the OCA’s Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove (Syosset), New York. Eventually, he assumed the functions and responsibilities of serving as the Archivist of the OCA.

After the retirement of Metropolitan Ireney, he continued his service as Secretary to [http://orthodoxcanada.ca/Metropolitan_Theodosius_(Lazor) Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor), along with his other functions at the OCA Chancery. It was in his activities as a historian (particularly of his family’s legacy) and as the Archivist of the Archives that his labours reached their fullest fruition.

Deeply interested in the study and propagation of history throughout his life, Serge painstakingly and continuously compiled several chronicles of his family’s history, some of which have now been published in post-Soviet Russia. He also wrote and published many articles on Church history in both secular and religious periodicals. Additionally, his labours in organising the OCA’s archives provided the foundation upon which the work of the OCA’s Department of History and Archives continues to this day.

"Family Chronicles" is the main work by Serge Grigorievitch. It is concerned with the history and life of the Troubetzkoy family and their relatives before World War I, through the end of the 20th century. Serge Grigorievitch based his writing on family memoirs and correspondence which he had, himself, collected and archived. This work is divided into 5 major parts, which contain 14 chapters related to the different periods in the history of that century. The "Chronicles" are written in Russian, and they include historical photographs from the family archives. The book includes childhood memories about life as it was lived at the Russian country estate before the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, and it continues with the family’s emigration and life in Europe and North America in consequent years. It culminates with the building of the Saint Sergius of Radonezh Chapel at Labelle, Québec.

Also included in the work (as 2 excursuses) are the memoirs of life in Russia (starting at the beginning of the year 1898) written by Prince Vladimir Petrovich Troubetzkoy, and by Princess Lyubov Petrovna Troubetzkoy-Obolensky. In the final 2 chapters of the book, there are included some personal memoirs of Olga Tolstoy-Rodzianko, and materials devoted to the memory of Father Alexander Schmemann and his service at the Saint Sergius Chapel in Labelle.

Serge, Luba Troubetzkoy, Alexis, Maria, Elizabeth, and Troubetzkoy family

In May, 1975, Alexandr Isayevich Solzhenitzyn (who was in his second year of exile and still living in Switzerland) was invited by Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns) to visit in Montréal during Holy Week.

At this time, Mr. Solzhenitzyn was trying to decide where to establish residency. When he flew off, virtually the whole world speculated upon his whereabouts (e.g. one headline from “le Figaro” reads “Mon isba au Canada ?”). Even most parishioners were not aware of Alexandr Solzhenitzyn’s presence in the Temple at that time, because he stood in the Altar.

It was on Bright Monday that Father Alexander Schmemann (who had flown from New York to Montréal on Sunday night) took him to Lac Labelle and then to Ontario, in order to visit and to talk. Alexandr Solzhenitzyn had heard Father Schmemann’s “Voice of America” broadcasts in the Soviet Union, and Father Alexander had met him when he arrived in exile in Western Europe in 1974. They had spent some time there, talking about Russia and Russian history and many other things. Now, while in Labelle on the Monday, they visited socially with Serge Troubetzkoy, and there remain photos of this visit. Then, driven by Serge Schmemann to various rural places (to avoid the media), the two continued to talk incessantly. Serge Schmemann later wrote that “what Solzhenitzyn wanted from my father was an instant transfer of all the Russian history and ideas that had been denied him in the Soviet state”. A conversation (albeit brief) with Mr. T. would supply some of this, certainly.

During this visit, there is another anecdote regarding the property-search of Mr Solzhenitzyn.

 One area in which he was looking for suitable property was in the vicinity of Ottawa.  The Priest 
 Alexis Vinogradov was taking him around some of the shopping areas of the city.  While they happened 
 to be in a shopping-mall, they met Pierre E Trudeau in a barber-shop.  Father Vinogradov offered him 
 the opportunity to speak with Mr Solzhenitzyn, and he readily accepted.  The two engaged in an 
 extended conversation then and there.  This conversation would have been important to the Prime 
 Minister.  Nevertheless, soon afterwards, Mr. Solzhenitzyn  moved to Vermont in the USA, to teach 
 and to write.  

Pascha 1975: Labelle Chapel, Fr Alexander Schmemann, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Serge G Troubetzkoy

Retirement, 1983

From the time of his retirement as Secretary to the Metropolitan, and as OCA Archivist in 1983, “Mr. T” (as he was affectionately called by chancery staff-members and others) was named OCA Archivist Emeritus.

Serge and Luba Troubetzkoy with Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) at Nativity-tide in Syosset

Serge and Luba Troubetzkoy before the door of their hospitable Labelle home, 1983

Even in retirement, he continued his work in the archives on a part-time basis, and he was available for consultation. Besides his long experience in life, Serge Troubetzkoy was well-read. His experience and reading were informed by his life in the Church. Wisdom is not frequently found nowadays, but in Serge (and Luba), it was evident.

Serge Troubetzkoy, Metropolitan Theodosius (at the chancery, 1991)

Repose of Luba, 1991

On 27 May, 1991, Serge’s beloved wife Luba reposed in Christ peacefully and unexpectedly on a Sunday afternoon during a nap. She was 76.

After her repose, funeral services for the Princess Lubov Alexeiëvna Troubetzkoy (née Obolensky) were offered at Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, New York.

Afterwards, her body was interred in the cemetery of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Order of Saint Innocent, 1991

On the occasion of his 85th birthday, on 15 December, 1991, Mr. Troubetzkoy was awarded the Order of Saint Innocent by Metropolitan Theodosius, in recognition of his long and faithful service to The Orthodox Church in America.

Because of his love for and devotion to Christ and the Church, “Mr. T” continued to provide invaluable assistance to the archives’ staff, and to share his vast knowledge and experience until 1997, when his deteriorating health made his regular presence at the chancery impossible. However, since his encyclopaedic mind remained sharp almost to his final days, he continued to inspire and provide wise counsel to members of the Department of History and Archives. He did not live far from the chancery ; and his daughter Maria not only lived with him, but she also worked in the chancery and helped in the archives. Contact with him for consultation was easy. He could still occasionally visit the archives, and the staff could easily visit him or telephone him.

Mr. Serge Troubetzkoy’s cheerful, humble and noble manner, his selfless willingness to assist in any situation, his intelligence, and his tact all earned him the love and respect of very many persons throughout the world. He was always willing to listen, and he treated everyone with equal respect. His kindness and gentility in all situations were truly inspiring. It can certainly be said that he was a man who had no enemies.

Repose of Serge, 2003

On Sunday, 26 October, 2003, in Valley Cottage, New York, Prince Serge Grigorievitch Troubetzkoy, Archivist Emeritus of The Orthodox Church in America, reposed peacefully in Christ, at the age of 96.

Funeral services for “Mr. T” were offered at Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, New York. There was first a memorial service conducted by the Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky on Monday evening, 27 October.

On Tuesday evening, 28 October, Metropolitan Theodosius and 6 priests served the funeral service. Then, on Wednesday, 29 October, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was celebrated in this Temple by Metropolitan Theodosius and concelebrated by 9 priests. The homilies at these services eulogising Mr. Troubetzkoy were preached by Metropolitan Theodosius, and the Archpriests Sergei Bouteneff, Leonid Kishkovsky and Alexis Vinogradov.

These services were followed by interment next to his wife, Luba, in the cemetery of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. The interment was presided by Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko).

Grave-marker at Saint Tikhon's Monastery

Reflections

Prince Serge G Troubetzkoy was the longest-lived of his siblings, and those who knew him were grateful to God that He lent this man to us for such a long time. He was an example of the best of princeliness. He was not at all interested in power, nor did he have great wealth. However, he had a great heart and a deeply Christ-loving way of life that through its generosity, wisdom, understanding and kindness gave us an example of what an Orthodox Christian can be. He was the embodiment of the expression "he was a prince of a man" (although this saying is now out of fashion).

Of course, Prince Serge was matched by his Princess wife Lubov who exhibited similar qualities in her own personal manner.

As one of the typical Orthodox Christian characteristics, their lives were lives of service and care. Their lives were completely and totally Christian, so that their way of living in accordance with the Gospel was completely natural. They thus showed themselves to be amongst the very best of Russia. More than that, though, by living in the manner they did, they were able to translate their inherited Russian Orthodox way of life into a North American expression which is both natural, and in continuity with their inherited Russian Orthodox Faith and with the Gospel of Christ.

In their home in Labelle, they hosted the weekly Saturday evening snacks and drinks that followed Vespers, and their home was alive with warm conversations, many of them very informative, and with singing and humour. The age range of those who participated included the youngest to the oldest, and there was constant joy.

For decades, Mr. Troubetzkoy had faithfully served The Orthodox Church in America in many capacities, in addition to his work as OCA Archivist. He served as Secretary to the late Metropolitan Ireney and retired Metropolitan Theodosius, but these simple titles do little to help us understand what was the real extent of his labours, service, and love in Christ in the Orthodox Church. Truly a believing Orthodox Christian, his life and work revealed this love for Christ.

Much of the previous information is thanks to an article written by Alexis P Liberovsky, who was the “apprentice” of Prince Serge in archival work. After the retirement of “Mr. T”, Alexis (who had completed the necessary studies) succeeded him in the responsibility of serving as the Archivist of The Orthodox Church in America. Many other details and photographs have been furnished by their son and remaining daughter of the Troubetzkoys, Prince Alexei and Princess Elizabeth (Saika-Voivod). Their sister Princess Maria has already reposed in the Lord. Of course, just as their parents, they do not usually use these titles, but they are none the less real. As their parents, they live up to the heritage of their ancestors.

Books about the Troubetzkoy family :

• Troubetzkoi, S G, «Les Princes Troubetzkoi » (Labelle, Quebec, 1976) (in Russian and French)

• Ferrand, Jacques, Troubetzkoy, S G, Troubetzkoy, P W, Tolstoy, W M, « Recueil genealogique et photographique de la descendance du prince Nicolas Petrovitch Troubetzkoy (1828-1900) » (Paris, 1984). (in French)

• Troubetzkoy, S G, Bouteneff, S, Troubetzkoy, A S, "Our Family’s Album : A Genealogical and Photographic Chronicle of the Descendants of Prince Nikolai Petrovitch Troubetzkoy (1828-1900)" (New York, 1995).

• Bouteneff, S, "Our Family’s Album : A Genealogical and Pictographic Chronicle of the Descendants of Nikolai Petrovitch Troubetzkoy" (New York, 2005)

• Troubetzkoy, E E, « Skazanie o rode Kniazei Troubetzkikh » (Moscow, 1891). (in Russian)

• Pyotr Vladimirovich Dolgorukov, « Rossiskaya Rodoslovnaya Kniga », vol. 1 (Saint Petersburg, 1854), pp. 319-330 (in Russian)

• Troubetzkoy, S E, « Minuvshee » (Paris : YMCA Press, 1989). (in Russian)

• Troubetzkoy, S E, "Bygone Years : Minuvsheye" (USA, 2004). (English translation)

• Troubetzkoy, E N, « Iz Proshlago » (Oriental Research Partners, 1976). (in Russian)

References

Schmemann, Matushka Juliana, "My Journey with Father Alexander", 2nd ed. (Montreal : Alexander Press, 2007), pp. 91-92.

Troubetzkoy, Sergei Grigorievich, et al., "Labelle Memoires" (Labelle, 1989) (Private publication)

OCA obituary

Additional information :

Troubetskoi, Grigoriy N, Saika-Voivod, Elizabeth S, translator, "Notes of a Plenipotentiary : Russian Diplomacy and War in the Balkans, 1914-1917" (DeKalb, Illinois : Northern Illinois University Press, 2016). ISBN 10 : 0875807267. ISBN 13 : 9780875807263.

Death-record obituary

OCA In Memoriam : Obituary of Prince Sergei G Troubetzkoy 2003

Findagrave listing for Prince Serge Grigorievich Troubetzkoy

OCA In Memoriam : Obituary of Princess Maria Sergeievna Troubetzkoy (1938-2010)

Findagrave listing for Princess Lubov Alexeevna (Obolensky) Troubetzkoy

OCA In Memoriam : Ms. Mary (Masha) Troubetzkoy

Findagrave record of Mary Troubetzkoy

Wikipedia article about Alexis S Troubetzkoy

OCA In Memoriam : Alexis S Troubetzkoy

Wikipedia article about the Trubetskoy family

Imperial State Council

Wikipedia article about the Obolensky family

"Russian Nobility" note about Prince Alexis Alexandrovich Obolensky

Princess Lubov Alexeievna Obolensky Troubetzkoy (1913-1991)

Geni.com geneological record of Sergei G Troubetzkoy

Geni.com genealogical record of Lubov A Obolensky Troubetzkoy

National Portrait Gallery (UK) item about Princess Lubov Troubetzkoy

'Register of the Grigorii Nikolaevich Trubetskoi Papers' at "Register of the Grigorii Nikolaevich Trubetskoi Papers"

"New York Times" article 2008 : 'Solzhenitsyn in Search of the Russia That Always Eluded Him'

'Roots: A family reconstructs its princely past', by Anya Schmemann in "Moscow Times" (Moscow, 21 June, 1992).

Sergei G Troubetskoy at Vancouver, 1974

Pinterest : Some family photos

Biography of Grigorii Nikolaevich Troubtetzkoy

Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky)

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Archbishop Nikon (de Grève)

Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns)

Protopresbyter Alexander and Matushka Juliana Schmemann

Protopresbyter John and Matushka Marie Meyendorff

Protopresbyter Thomas and Matushka Anne Hopko

Archpriest John and Mary Tkachuk

Archpriest Alexis Vinogradov

Alexis Pavlovich Liberovsky

'Serge Troubetzkoy 15 December 1906-26 October 2003' by OCA Archivist Alexis Liberovsky, in "Canadian Orthodox Messenger" (Spring, 2004), pp. 4-5.