424. Речь пред ракою Преподобного Сергия Радонежского по случаю взятия Государем Императором Александром Николаевичем от св. Мощей Его Иконы для отправления в действующую армию

(Said on September 7th; printed in the Moscow Gazette and in the TV. of the Holy Fathers, 1855) Reverend Father Sergius! Having loved the heavenly fatherland from your youth, you, however, did not neglect the earthly fatherland, but loved it with strong spiritual love. Therefore, even in Your earthly life, the Blessed Prince Demetrius, with Your prayer and insightful advice, strengthened the battle against the infidels, which is why victory over the enemies followed. And after Your resettlement in the heavenly fatherland, You did not cease to extend your protective gaze to the earthly fatherland. When, in the disastrous days of the shaken throne, and even in the first days of the restored throne, it suffered a lot from enemies: the signs of Your invisible help against them were so clear, and so recognized that the pious Tsar Michael, for the sudden defeat of one of the cruelest enemies of Russia, Your monastery, especially thanked You; and His successor, the pious Tsar Alexy, wrote a letter of gratitude to You for the victory he received over the enemy; and this image of Yours, as a sign of salvation, was carried in its regiments. And following this example, it was also carried in the regiments of Emperor Peter the Great, and in the militia of Alexander the First during the days of the invasion of Russia by twenty nations. Even now, our Most Pious Autocrat Alexander Nikolaevich, having inherited with the throne the faith of his ancestors, wishes to show this image of you to his faithful army as a sign of God, through your prayers, blessings and protection. Bless, Reverend Father, this work of faith. And with my unworthy hands only visibly, but invisibly with Your holy hands, teach this image of Yours to the Most Pious Autocrat, and with him visit and visit his Christ-loving army. And do not stop crying out to the Lord with strength, so that by forgiving us the sins with which we attract sorrows upon ourselves, He may bless our Most Pious King and His army with a gracious blessing and may He grant Him a peaceful and victorious victory. You might be interested in: