134. Речь Его Императорскому Высочеству, Всероссийского престола Наследнику, Государю Цесаревичу, Великому Князю Александру Николаевичу, пред вступлением в Свято-Троицкую Сергиеву лавру

(Spoken by Augusta 2; printed separately and in collections of 1844 and 1848) In other places, the subject of Your study were the riches of nature, the methods of art, and the actions of power. Here Your observant gaze will see what one person can do, without the aid of nature, art, power, with one strength, often imperceptible to the world - with the strength of piety. There was a desert here, and animals lived; then there was a desert, and there lived a hermit. But just as his body was withdrawing from the world, his heart was striving for God: then the blessings and powers of Heaven poured down on him and watered his place. Its desert turned into an age-old monastery, into a breeding ground for teaching and spiritual life, into a treasury of grace-filled gifts: and, since “piety is profitable for all things, having a promise for the present life”, as well as “for the future” (1 Tim. 4:8), - the Sergius monastery became a stronghold on which the Capital and Russia could sometimes rely. Under these walls the waves that were about to swallow up the Capital and Russia were crushed because its strongest stronghold, the faithful inheritance of the Throne, was shaken. The reverent visit of St. Sergius to his monastery has always been in the hearts of our Most Pious Sovereigns. That YOU inherited this pious feeling, like everything sublime worthy of your family, is a witness to this today. Come, O Blessed Son of the Most Pious King! Before the altar of the Trinitarian God, commit the desires of a pure heart to the unearthly prayer book, who will further purify and exalt them, and to whom it is closer to place them on the heavenly Altar. Grant us the consolation to pray together with You for the priceless longevity and prosperity of Your August Parents, and Yours. You might be interested in: