268. Слово по освящении храма Святой мученицы Царицы Александры, во вновь открытом Александринском сиротском кадетском корпусе

(Said Dec. 6th; printed in the Works of the Holy Father, 1851, and in the collection, 1861) Let the children of Israel fight before the Lord, let the children of Israel fight around the tabernacle of testimony (Numbers 2:2). Nothing is so marked in time by the features of eternity as the Church of Christ. Its dogmas about the eternal and unchangeable God are therefore eternal and unchangeable truths. Its rules of life, deriving from the same eternal source, naturally also have the dignity of immutability. Having the goal of elevating a person to an eternally blissful life, even in temporary life she constantly directs him to that which contains the seeds and beginnings of a future eternally blissful life, indestructible by time. Therefore, the Church of Christ, even in those institutions that are inevitably subject to the law of time, as external and random manifestations of its spirit, does not like changes, but requires all possible constancy. “Do not change the eternal limit that your fathers set” (Proverbs 22:28). “Stand fast and hold fast to the traditions which you have learned” (2 Thess. 2:15). Whoever with these thoughts looks at the deed that has taken place here today - at the consecration of the church of God in a house that can be called a military camp (although it is not a chain of tents, but a mass of buildings): he is probably disposed to ask: is this deed concluded in the “limit that the fathers laid”? Is it possible to find in it the features of an ancient tradition? To answer this, it is necessary to delve somewhat into the depths of the Holy Scriptures and sacred antiquity. The Apostle Paul reveals to us that when the Jewish people, on the way to the Promised Land, at Mount Sinai, with “a burning fire, and a cloud, and darkness, and a storm, and a trumpet... sound,” they accepted the law from God and entered into a covenant with him; then, in the dispensation of this covenant, which we now call the old, “Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant...” acted sovereignly; His voice then shook the earth” (Heb. 12:18–26). From this we must conclude that our Lord Jesus Christ, under His own commands and orders, through Moses then, among other things, built the so-called Tabernacle of the Testimony, that is, the church of God, in application to the needs of the wandering people, mobile and portable, in relation to the saving destinies of God for all mankind, filled with mysterious prototypes of Christ and Christ’s Church, and the hidden firstfruits grace, under the visible images of the ritual law. From this it also follows that our Lord Jesus Christ gave this command: “Let the children of Israel take up arms before the Lord; let the children of Israel take up arms around the tabernacle of testimony.” Further in this command the location of the militia around the Tabernacle is precisely determined. “The first troops to the east are the rank of the regiment of Judah” (or, according to another interpretation from Hebrew: the “banner” of the regiment of Judah), with two other tribes, to the west - the rank of the regiment of Ephraim, with two more tribes, to the north - the rank of the regiment of Dan, with two tribes, to the south - the rank ... of the regiment of Reuben” (Num. 2: 3, 10, 18, 25), with two tribes. Thus, the militia was positioned in a cross shape; and in the middle of the cross was the Tabernacle of Testimony. Here is the primordial Church in the world (for before it there were only altars without a church): and we see it among the camp and regiments, arranged in this position by the Lord of the Church himself. This is the camp of a traveling people: but, upon careful consideration of the circumstances, one cannot help but admit that this is also a military camp. Otherwise, why would a people divided into twelve tribes be given a new division into four regiments? – And wandering Israel needed a military device: because on the way he met enemies, and he had to acquire the Promised Land with weapons. Therefore, when the Tabernacle of Meeting, together with the entire camp, went on a campaign: Moses said a military prayer: “Arise, Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered” (Num. 10:35). Before the essential shrine of this church - before the ark of the covenant of God - Israel went to battle against the Midianites, and destroyed them all, without losing a single warrior. Before this shrine of this church the Jordan dried up to open the way for Israel coming to conquer the Promised Land. Before this shrine of this church the walls of besieged Jericho and thirty kings of Palestine fell. This was the case when Israel was faithful to the holiness of the Lord. Let us extract from these ancient legislative orders and the acts and events that followed them, the thoughts and rules that are contained in them, and which we now need. The warrior and army of the people of God received education and leadership under the protection and beckons of God. The Tabernacle of Meeting, or the marching church of militant Israel, is the dispensation of God and Christ. This church, placed among the regiments of militant Israel, through this very thing said to the Israeli warrior: you must be the defender of your Government, people, fatherland, and at the same time the defender of the faith and the Church. The ark of the covenant of God, at times accompanying Israel in its military movements, and with miraculous signs promoting its victories, through this spoke to the Israeli warrior: being the defender of your Government, people, fatherland, faith, Church, you must place for yourself the firmest support and most reliable protection in the faith and the Church and its shrine. Wouldn’t it be pleasant for the militant Russian to see from this that he walks within the immutable “limits of the Fathers”, that he holds the rightfully inherited “tradition” from deep and sacred antiquity, when he has, honors and diligently visits the temple of God among his regiments and military institutions; - when he goes to battle under the banner consecrated by the Church, under the shadow of the life-giving cross of Christ; – when the subject and purpose of one’s title is determined by the duty to strive for the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland; – when does one place faith and trust in God as the basis of one’s courage, victories and invincibility? And for the non-militant sons of the fatherland, isn’t it comforting to know that the title assigned to stand guard over state security, ensuring this security with proven courage and fidelity, and 729 under the direct leadership of the Autocrat, carried out 730 by military education, has the deepest foundation of firmness and security for itself and for us, in the encouraging image of the ancient people of God, in faith and trust in God, and, accordingly, faith and trust in the almighty protection of God's Providence? “The God of peace” (Heb.13:20) and “The Lord of Hosts” (Ps.45:12)! “God of the world” – essentially! “Lord of hosts, mighty in battle” (Ps. 23:8) - for the overthrow of those who rebel against Your peace! “Bless... Your people with peace”: and, if it is not too late to appeal to Your invincible long-suffering, establish and prolong the peace of the world. But may the sons of enmity and iniquity not arise, and may they not be able to “wait” and also “strength to Thy people” (Ps. 28:11), like Thy chosen people of old, like our father; let “thy spirit continue to walk... in half the army” (Judg. 13:25) of ours; let the sons of Russia “take arms” “before You,” Lord, looking to You by faith, prayer, hope; let them walk before You, in the light of Your commandments and Your law. Most of all, O Lord, bless and save our Most Pious Autocrat and His Most Blessed Heir, the zealous Executor of His beneficial wills; and accept under Your protection the new work of the Tsar’s beneficence, which is being revealed here for many, about the multiplication of worthy defenders of the fatherland, and at the same time the work of the Tsar’s paternal mercy towards those deprived of parental help, and the work of Tsar’s piety, the abode of useful teachings crowning the sanctuary of faith. Amen. 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