110. Речь Благочестивейшему Государю Императору Николаю Павловичу пред вступлением Его величества в Успенский Собор

(Spoken on September 8th, printed separately and in collections of 1835, 1844 and 1848) Most pious Sovereign! It is written about one of the Most Pious Kings of the people of God: “And Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem, and again went out to the people from Beersheba even to Mount Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God their fathers” (2 Chronicles 19:4). Here is the most ancient example of the King’s time-based journeys to the Kingdom, for the benefit of the people. In the darkness of antiquity, You might not have noticed this example of Your ways, governed by the Royal wisdom and paternal concern for our good; but it is all the more remarkable for us that it is so similar to the ancient Sacred pattern, “and again go out to the people,” from capital to capital, from region to region of Your great Power; and at this very moment, by the high example of Your piety, you elevate the hearts of these people “to the Lord God, your father.” Thus, across the vast distance of times and places, the experience of the same truth is visible, that the paths of the Pious Kings have a similar direction to each other, because they are guided by one invisible hand; because “the king’s heart is in the hand of God” (Prov. 21:1). Therefore, before this Sanctuary of God, we greet You, Most Pious Sovereign, not only with a joyful feeling of love, but also with a feeling of reverence with the sacred greeting: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Ps. 117:26) May the Lord Himself bless Your royal ways with peace and every good for You and Your people faithful to God and You. You might be interested in: