175. Речь при благодарственном к Господу Богу молебном пении, в Высочайшем присутствии Его Императорского Величества, к собранным из безсрочного отпуска воинам

(Spoken October 2; printed separately and in collections 1844 and 1848) In the face of the God of peace, seeing the assembly of the sons of war, what will the Church, the servant of the God of peace, think and say? Will not this multitude of those who have been tested in the art of warfare, and in the midst of peace and rest, be ready for battle, cry out to God for peace all the more powerfully, the more clearly it reminds them of battle? When finally, according to the prophecy, “they will cleave their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, and the tongue will not take up the tongue of the sword, nor will they learn how to fight” (Is. 2:4)? And who is not pleased, who is not desirable for peace, not excluding the sons of war? However, does not the Lord, who is called the “God of peace,” also call Himself the “Lord of armies”? Is it not God who “trains the hands” of His faithful “to fight, and the fingers to fight” (Ps. 143:1)? Abraham, the example of meek faith, did not fight for his relatives and for the allied Kings? Was it not by war, at the command of God, that God’s people acquired the Promised Land? Was it not the Angel of God who made Gideon’s threshing floor a military training ground, and with a strong heavenly word formed it for victory over the Midianites? Did not the Spirit of God, which hovered over David from the day of his anointing, control his hand, not only when he extracted prophecy sounds from the ten-stringed psalter, but also when he victoriously shot at Goliath, although not with an arrow from a bow, but with a stone from a sling? Equal to the Apostles Tsar Constantine, for what purpose did he first of all use the cross of Christ, which he had just learned? - For battle and victory. So, God loves a good-natured world: and God blesses righteous warfare. For since there are non-peaceful people on earth, peace cannot be achieved without military help. An honest and trustworthy world must, for the most part, be conquered. And to preserve the acquired peace, it is necessary that the winner himself does not allow his weapons to rust. So, Orthodox warriors, in the word of David the Holy Church speaks to you, inviting you at the same time to speak with her: “Blessed be the Lord our God,” “teach your hands” “for the militia, your fingers” “for battle!” (Ps.143:1) The Autocrat of Russia loves the world: but for this very reason he firmly guards it with the guard of a strong, faithful, skillful army. He loves the peace of the Kingdom, and the peace of His warriors: and that is why He hastened your transition from military exploits to peaceful pursuits, although, however, He still finds it necessary to preserve the art of warfare in you: because in the world it is necessary to sow, in case of need, the seeds of victories. Peaceful sons of war! Understand, feel, justify the Royal care for you. Once upon a time in Jerusalem, the same people, at the same time, had to build the city walls, and every minute be in readiness to repel enemies: “with one hand I do the work, and with the other I hold the sword” (Neh. 4:17). And she endured this especially difficult feat and accomplished it with love for her native city. You can, with both hands, safely, without hindrance, do the work assigned to you as a villager or citizen: do your peaceful work calmly, hardworkingly, honestly, for the contentment and good of your own life: but do not forget your sword, which the Fatherland may still need. Keep the spirit of order, perfect obedience, and precision in performing duties, which is one of the distinctive advantages of a military rank, in your civil position, and easily extend it to others through a good example. Do not forget that a good warrior, a lion against his enemies, must be a lamb among his own. Live meekly and lovingly: and save anger and thunder for the enemies of the Fatherland. Above all, do not forget that a good soldier of the Most Pious King must be equally “a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3). To confirm this, is it necessary to again remind you of the ancient victors and assure you with the Apostolic word that they “conquered the kingdom by faith” (Heb. 11:33)? – You know this more closely and simply from the deeds of our ancestors, our Kings, our elected leaders. That warrior is truly invincible, to whom the crown of martyrdom for the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland is as dear as the crown of victory. He is the best servant of the Tsars, and the most reliable defender of the Fatherland, who in a heart faithful to God, in a clear conscience, carries the true hope of the Heavenly Fatherland. Christian warriors! Behold, the King leads you not to heroic deeds, but to the very Source of victories and peace, introducing you, and Himself standing with you to the Lord of hosts, in prayer and thanksgiving. What a reward for you! What a consolation for the Church! What soul would not rise to follow this high calling? - Woe of the heart! May prayer be corrected like a censer! Let the heavens pass! May the Archangels of the heavenly Powers accept her and bring her to the throne of the King of Kings! “Lord, save the Tsar!” (Ps. 19:10) “The Lord of hosts be with us!” Lord, “your blessing is upon your people.” Amen. You might be interested in: