304. Речь Их Императорским Высочествам, Государям, Великим Князьям Николаю Николаевичу и Михаилу Николаевичу, при посещении ими Кафедральной Церкви Чудова Монастыря, во время путешествия их к действующей Армии

(Said on January 3rd; published in the Moscow Vedas. 1855 and in the collection 1861) On your first journey to heroic deeds for the Fatherland, we accompanied you with a common prayer, so that “the Angel of the Lord encamps around” (Ps. 33:8) you for salvation, victory and glory. Now we combine thanksgiving to God for you with prayer. You shared difficulties and dangers with the tireless defenders of the Fatherland; showed experiments of undaunted courage; you have earned the honor of the chosen ascetics of war: and the arrows of the enemies flew past you. When concern for the health of the August Mother suddenly called you to Her, and tore you away from the feat for the Fatherland; we were ready to say: this feat is enough; May the countless concerns of your August parent not be multiplied by new concern for you. But we see that jealousy for exploits for the Fatherland moves your souls no less strongly than love for your Parents. And this jealousy will again bless the Fatherland. The courage of the defenders of the Fatherland will also be encouraged by your collaboration with them. The church is still praying, and will continue to pray, so that “a thousand and ten thousand” (Ps. 90:7) of those who resist will “fall” before you, and may the foot of unrighteousness, which dared to step on the borders of Russia, be crushed. You might be interested in: