371. Беседа на освящение придельного храма Божией Матери в Тихвинском Соборе города Коломны

(Read by Bishop Leonid on September 17th; published in the Works of the Holy Father and in the collection of 1861). It is pleasant for those who have completed the journey to rest; but it is also pleasant to look back at the beginning and continuation of the journey and at the difficulties endured. Thus, among the pleasant hours of renovation of this church, it will not be unpleasant to remember its former existence and the way of recreating it. In the past century, through the zeal of a citizen of this city, the servant of God John, a church was created here; and for many years they were content with it, but then they began to find it not quite extensive. The complaint that the church is cramped is a joyful one: it shows that it has quite a number of worshipers. And perhaps more joyful is the complaint that the church is becoming crowded: this shows that the number of worshipers is increasing. Lord, multiply and bless those who love Your earthly home, and through him lead them to Your heavenly home! The ever-memorable servant of God Philip, the ktitor of this church by office, had the zeal to become a real church builder through the spread of this church. But other well-disposed citizens had another idea: to create a separate, completely new church. There was a conflict of opinions, and the enterprise was subject to fluctuations and stoppages. The opinion of the servant of God Philip prevailed: but he was not destined to complete the enterprise. The providence of God protected him until the matter was decisively established in his hands: and soon the Lord, accepting his firm intention as the deed itself, called him into the next century. What will happen to his enterprise? - Those who saw his death probably thought. But the Lord arranged it so that those who inherited his temporary property also inherited his pious zeal, and the enterprise was completed. Even things that would have seemed incredible before they were fulfilled were fulfilled. In the creation of this church, both opinions, previously mutually opposed, were fulfilled in some way. The expansion of the church has been undertaken: but now you don’t see anything old, but you see a completely new, spacious, majestic, magnificent church. May the soul that has begun a godly deed rejoice, and the soul that has blessedly accomplished it. Let's all be consoled. And above all let us glorify God, Who gives good intentions and blesses their fulfillment. “Behold, now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the church of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God” (Ps. 133:1). “Now,” when a new throne is prepared here for the “King of Glory,” our Lord Jesus Christ, - when this throne, in order for it to be at least somewhat worthy of this highest King, is cleansed by washing and consecrated by chrismation, in some likeness of a person who is baptized and anointed, whose soul should also be the throne of the grace of God descending upon it, - when in this a new light was lit on the altar from the fire of the censer, as a sign of the light of Christ in souls, shining with the assistance of the fire of prayer - when this altar and church is filled with the fragrance of incense, as a sign of the overshadowing grace of the Holy Spirit, called upon by the prayer of faith - when, finally, in the church and altar prepared in this way, in the sign of the relics of the saints, invisibly, but really “Beyond is the king of glory” (Ps. 23:9) Christ our God - now know and feel His mysterious, gracious presence here; revere His greatness; rejoice in His nearness. “Behold, now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the church of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.” And is it only “now”? The Lord has now come to this church not only to visit it now, but to dwell in it and abide. For this is what the Lord himself said about the ancient Old Testament church: “I chose and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever, and my eyes and my heart may be there forever” (2 Chronicles 7:16). And if such a promise was given to the Old Testament church, in which there were only shadows, images and outlines of truth, then, without a doubt, the same promise belongs to the New Testament, Christian church, in which “grace and truth by Jesus Christ” were revealed with even greater power (John 1:17). There were God-written tablets of commandments that expose and condemn sin, but do not deliver from it: here is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God spoken by the Son of God, saving sinner man. There was manna, bread that fell from heaven, which the Israelites “ate... and died”: here is the true bread of heaven; the mysterious life-giving body of Christ, which he who eats with faith “will live forever” (John 6:58). There, the sprinkling of the blood of sacrificial animals provided external cleansing for a time: here, acceptable with faith, “the blood of Christ, which He offered Himself without blemish to God by the Holy Spirit,” internally and completely “cleanses our conscience from dead works” (Heb. 9:14). From this it is obvious how inherent in the consecrated church is God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only “His eyes are here,” that is, He looks prudently at the souls of those present here; not only “His heart is here,” that is, He listens with love and mercy to the prayers of those present here: but along with this, His grace-filled power abides here, overshadowing souls, enlightening minds, delighting hearts, spiritually life-giving and saving. So, not only now, but at all times, “bless the Lord, all the servants of the Lord who stand in the church of the Lord.” When you enter the church of the Lord, think that the “Lord of hosts, ... the King of glory” is present here (Ps. 23:10), that the “Lord of hosts”, Whom thousands and thousands of heavenly forces, Angels and Archangels serve with fear, - that the “King of glory”, Whose glory is filled and heaven and earth cannot contain, - has descended and taken up residence in this small church before His greatness, for the sake of you, little creature of God, in order to facilitate your access to Him here, in order to reveal to you the treasures of grace. Be in awe of His greatness. Imagine His condescension. Bring Him praise and thanksgiving, uniting your heartfelt praise with the voice of the church’s praise. Say with the King Prophet: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, His holy name” (Ps. 102:1). Lord, “what is man, that you remember him, or the son of man, that you visit him” (Ps. 8:5)? We are more inclined to turn to God with complaints about our shortcomings, needs, sorrows, disasters, and bring various petitions to Him: therefore, I primarily remind you not to omit the prayers of praise. Don’t you hear how the clergyman begins every service with a doxology? "Blessed be our God." "Glory to the consubstantial Trinity." “Blessed is the kingdom” of the Holy Trinity. Then he offers prayer requests and concludes with a new doxology. Do not forget to precede and conclude the prayer of petition with a prayer of praise. Why is this so? – Because in the prayer of petition you think about yourself; and offer the prayer of praise specifically for God. With the prayer of petition you seek your own good; with the prayer of praise you offer a spiritual sacrifice to God. Can you hope for a gift if you are not diligent in making a sacrifice? If someone who comes asks for mercy from the king of the earth, he strives in every possible way to give honor to his majesty: how much more does he who comes to ask for mercy from the King of heaven must from a pure heart bring honor and glory to His greatness, wisdom and goodness. Have you heard that the “eyes” of the Lord are in the church. “The eyes of the Lord... are the brightest of the sun” (Sir.23:27). They penetrate your souls; They see your innermost thoughts, desires, deeds, present, past, and future. So, be careful not to bring before the Lord thoughts, desires and deeds that are unclean and sinful, from which He turns His eyes away. Strive to bring pure thoughts and immaculate desires to His church, and if pure deeds are lacking, at least bring sincere repentance. Have you heard that the “heart” of the Lord is in the church. So, if the Lord deigns to receive you here with love and mercy, then be careful not to approach Him with a cold heart, or partial to the world and the flesh. “Guard your heart with all care,” for your own peace, and especially for God: “from these cometh life” (Prov. 4:23). May God's blessing, gracious and saving, come on all who stand before the Lord, on those who do good in this holy church, on those who do deeds of piety and love for mankind, on fathers of families and on families, and on every soul seeking God's gracious help. Amen. You might be interested in: