421. Речь при посещении их Императорскими Высочествами Великою Княгинею Цесаревною Мариею Александровною и Великими Княгинями Александрою Иосифовною и Мариею Николаевною Свято-Троицкой Сергиевой Лавры

(Said on May 13; printed in the Moscow and Provincial Vedas. 1854) While we are consoled by your contemplation, through which we feel closer to the King-Father, we are especially consoled by the fact that the thought that brought you to this area of ​​an ancient shrine is a prayerful thought. So one thought animates the King and His House and His Kingdom. Those called to the defense of the Fatherland through prayer strengthen their weapons and their feats; and those who are destined to be unarmed arm themselves with prayer and join the common feat. And our enemies, attempting to destroy the peaceful city, at the same time attempted to destroy prayer in its most sacred time. But the furious sounds of enemy weapons were not strong against the meek voices of prayer. Dear prayer books! Through the intercession of our Reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, may the Lord bless your entrance and make your prayerful feat fruitful. He who exalts the humble, let him “exalt... to salvation” (Ps. 149:4) those who are high, who humble themselves before Him and trust in Him. You might be interested in: