276. Беседа на обновление храма Святых Апостолов Петра и Павла, при 1-м Московском Кадетском Корпусе

(Said Oct. 18; printed in the Works of the Holy Father, 1852 and in the collection, 1861) Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house, and the dwelling place of Your glory (Ps. 25:8). It is pleasant to read these pious words in the book of the King-Prophet: and in a special way - it is pleasant to see this pious feeling written on the church itself, and on the hearts of people called to be living churches of God. Was it not this feeling of love for the house of God that arose in the heart of our Most Pious King, when he, seeing this church no longer unsightly, did not, however, keep silent about the fact that certain features would still be required to enhance its splendor? And the Tsar’s word was freely responded to by loyal reverence for the Tsar’s word, together with love for the house of God: the Tsar’s word was fulfilled, and the splendor of this church was exalted. What, if not the same love for the house of God, should be attributed to the fact that the brethren of this church expressed an urgent desire that the renovation of this church be accomplished through the prayers of not just one clergyman, but a church council? This is how your desire is understood; and therefore, it is fulfilled with consolation. Shall we offer you our desire in return? – We wish that your love for the house of God does not cleave to its visible splendor only, but that it extends to its invisible, spiritual, Divine splendor. Let us listen more carefully to the word of the Prophet: “Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house and the dwelling place of Your glory.” The Church of God is dear to him: because it is magnificent. But why is it magnificent and amiable? – Not just by the brilliance of visible decorations, although these can have a beneficial effect on the feeling of reverence, but most importantly by the fact that it is the “house of God” and the “place of residence of the glory of God,” that God and His Divine glory live in it. Note that, according to the understanding of the Prophet, the church is a “place” not only of a temporary and transient appearance, but a permanent “dwelling” of the glory of God. The glory of God was not only in the church when it seen in a wonderful cloud overshadowing, in heavenly fire falling on the victims, as it was in the days of Moses and Solomon, but she always remains in it. Her inquisitive eye does not see, but her presence is felt by the believing heart, and this feeling is expelled from the heart in a word of delight: “Lord, I have loved the beauty of Your house, and the dwelling place of Your glory.” If we do not find in ourselves this inner, living, sweet, Davidic feeling of the presence of God and the glory of God in the church, then this is our shortcoming - a lack of attention, reverence, understanding, faith. This is just as a person with dull vision in the midst of light does not feel the clarity of the light, just as a person with a dull sense of smell in the midst of a fragrance does not feel the fragrance. In order for the heart to open to feel the presence of God and the glory of God in the church, for this it is necessary to diligently listen with the mind to the church, as the dwelling of the truth of God, the shrine of God, the grace of God, as a house of prayer. Every day, at every church hour, what do you hear in church if not the truth of God? He sings and speaks about God the Creator, Provider, Savior, about our responsibilities to Him, about the need and means of our salvation, about repentance, faith, hope, love, and doing good. Just be attentive and not distracted: and the saving truth will penetrate you and let you feel its sweetness and strength. Why, so to speak, an intensified combination of means and ways to impart a high degree of sanctification to the table or the throne of the church - consecrated water and wine, holy anointing, many secret prayers, the position of holy relics? Is it not in order to make this meal, as far as possible, worthy of the throne of God’s own shrine? That is why the name of the throne is given to it, because on it, as on the royal throne, is present the King of glory, the God-man Jesus Christ, in the Divine word of His Gospel, in the saving sign of His cross, in the Divine sacrament of His Body and Blood. So, if you could not help but revere the heavenly throne of glory, then can you help but revere this? For in this and in this there is one and the same King of glory, Christ. But why does the shrine and glory of God descend from those above to those below, from the boundless sky to the cramped earthly church? Obviously not for myself, but for you, prayer book of the church, in order to appear to you with the imparted grace, in order to teach you from the sanctuary the grace-filled light, power and sanctification. Open your heart only for this with sincere prayer and undoubted faith. Desiring to instill in myself and you David’s soul-beneficial love for the house of God, I remember one more of his sayings: “I deign to sneak into the house of my God rather than live in the villages of sinners” (Ps. 83:11). That is: I would rather immerse myself in the house of God than live with comfort and pleasure in the dwellings of sinners. The saying is very instructive. Is it because, by the way, he felt so strongly love for the house of God, clung to it so firmly and humbly, that he did not like to live in the villages of sinners and enjoy their pleasures? Is it not because, on the contrary, some of us, and perhaps many, are cold towards the house of God because we too love the villages of sinners, the abode of vain amusements and sensual pleasures? Think, immortal soul, that the villages of sinners will soon be destroyed, decayed or burned in hell fire: and the house of God with those who live in it and those who love it will be transferred to heaven. Choose the best and most reliable; choose decisively; love the house of God with its holiness and grace, with its prayer and spiritual teaching, and do not allow yourself to be carried away by the vanishing charm of the villages of sinners. Amen. You might be interested in: