Среда

(Rom. 11, 2–12; Matt. 11, 20–26) The Lord showed many signs in Capernaum, Bethsaida and Chorazin; Meanwhile, the number of believers did not correspond to the power of the signs. That is why He sternly rebuked these cities and judged that on the Day of Judgment it would be more tolerable for Tire and Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah, than for those cities. We must judge ourselves by this example. How many signs the Lord showed over Russia, delivering it from its strongest enemies and subduing its peoples! How many constant treasuries he gave her, exuding constant signs - in St. relics and miraculous icons scattered throughout Russia! And, however, in our days, Russians begin to deviate from the faith: one part completely and comprehensively falls into unbelief, the other falls away into Protestantism, the third secretly weaves its beliefs, in which it thinks to combine both spiritualism and theological * (in the 1881 edition - “geological” - editor’s note “The ABCs of Faith”) nonsense with Divine Revelation. Evil is growing, malice and unbelief are raising their heads, faith and Orthodoxy are weakening. Are we really not going to come to our senses?... And finally, it will be the same with us as, for example, with the French and others... And if this happens, what do you think will happen to us on the Day of Judgment after such God’s mercies to us? God! Save and have mercy on Orthodox Russia from Your righteous and impending punishment! You might be interested in: