350. Речь Благочестивейшему Государю Императору Александру Николаевичу, пред вступлением в Свято-Троицкую Сергиеву Лавру

(Said on the 13th day of August; printed in the Works of the Holy Father, in the Moscow Vedas of 1858 and in the collection of 1861) 862 Most pious Sovereign! We now think with faith that our Reverend Father Sergius, as spiritually present, accepts You, due to the fact that Your Imperial Majesties were pleased to install his blessed name in Your Family, in the person of Your Blessed Son. And this humble abode, which always sees in You the universal and its Benefactor, and which has recently again been awarded Your bounties, now has a new consolation to reverently bow before You, as before its Benefactor forever, with its due gratitude forever. We dare to think that not only we, but also St. Sergius, gratefully accepted Your Royal gift: because this gift not only satisfies the needs of His monastery, but also contributes to the fulfillment of His will, so that the Monastery would accept strangers and provide the needy as much as possible to those in need. May the Heavenly Father of generosity continue to reward You and Your blessed Family and kingdom with His heavenly and earthly gifts. The Sovereign Emperor deigned to arrive at the Lavra on the 13th day, at 2 o’clock after midnight: and directly entered the Trinity Cathedral, where he deigned to pray and venerate the holy icons and the holy relics of St. Sergius. The Metropolitan, unable to appear before the Sovereign Emperor to greet His Imperial Majesty, presented His Majesty with the following written greeting: See ibid. You might be interested in: