396. Речь Благочестивейшей Государыне Императрице Марии Феодоровне, по совершении благодарственного молебна о рождении Великой Княжны Елизаветы Михаиловны

(Printed from brochures and periodical publications. Spoken in the Cathedral Alexievskaya Church on May 16th; printed separately and in the Moscow Gazette of 1826) Most pious Empress! If we were hesitant to surrender to the power of joy that is now awakening in our hearts, then the word of Jesus Christ himself would encourage us to do so. “A woman,” He says, “when she gives birth, ... does not remember the sorrow for the joy that a man was born into the world” (John 16:21). If a child born to any mother makes her forget her mother’s sorrow: that Child, which God has given to both the High Couple, and together to the Most August House and the entire large family of the Russian people, should not it lead everyone to “joy that does not remember” any “sorrow?” Enter most of all, Great Mother, into this joy of Your children, and deepen the joy of the capital yearning for Your joyful gaze. The couple beloved by You and us has produced a Child whom Russia will love: You have resurrected in this Child the name that Russia loved. May God grant to You and Elizabeth’s Parents to see Her blossoming with age, and real joy ripening unfadingly! You might be interested in: