426. Речь Благочестивейшему Государю Императору Александру Николаевичу пред вступлением Его Величества в Успенский Собор

(Said November 6th; printed in Moscow and Provincial Vedas. 1855). Most pious Sovereign! During one of the difficult battles of the people of God with foreigners, the love of their loyal subjects to King David aroused in them such concern for his safety that they begged him: “Do not go out... with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel” (2 Samuel 21:17). With a similar feeling we looked after You when Your zeal for the good of Your people and love for the faithful army suddenly directed You to where the greatest danger of war was. With all the greater joy do we see Your return after Your presence and Your personal action in organizing the battle, You bestowed upon Your army, unshakable in courage, new animation and, consequently, new strength. This is how it works in the kingdom, where the union of the Tsar and the people is sanctified by faith, law, and centuries, where the Tsar and the people live one common life of unanimity and mutual love. The Lord of hosts and the Father of lights, who has given us in Your royal activity the “Lamp of Israel,” we do not cease and will not cease to beg, that He may grant You the spirit of strength to destroy the power of enemies and the light of truth to dispel the darkness of enmity and deception, and thus extinguish the flame of war and spread the quiet light of peace from Yours and to other Powers. You might be interested in: