432. Ответ на речь Ректора Московской Духовной Академии Саввы, при наречении его во Епископа

(Pronounced in the Moscow Holy Synod Office on November 2; printed in the Addendum to the Works of the Holy Father, 1862 and in the Wanderer, 1863) One thought attributed to me by you, God-loving brother, I can truly recognize as mine - the thought that it was not for myself that I wanted to find a second collaborator in my church service. Nothing for ourselves, everything for God, and for His church and for the good of her children - this should be our general rule, although none of us can guarantee the fulfillment of it, unless God mercifully looks upon “God... work” in us “both to will and to do for good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Even if I were to allow myself something for myself: then to me, who is at the limit by which the word of God itself limits this temporary life, or beyond which it is indicated not so much by life and activity as by “labor and illness” (Ps. 89:10), - I am closer to this limit, not unfamiliar with the work of pain, - I, and the word of the exhausted does not reach the ears of those gathered in the church, and, perhaps, only attracting, and not lifting and carrying, the burden of church cares - it’s time to seek complete liberation from them, so that the small remains of strength and days can be turned solely to “the only thing ... for need” (Luke 10:42), which, if we do not internalize ourselves in the short time given to us, it will be too late to seek in eternity. But our fathers taught us that even a good, apparently our own will is not reliable and safe if it is not subordinated to the highest all-creating and all-preserving will, just as the Lord teaches: “neither is my will, but yours,” Heavenly Father, “let it be done” (Luke 22:42). And therefore, on the one hand, not allowing myself to be carried away from the field by my own thoughts, on the other hand, fearing that the work of serving the Church of God would not suffer from my exhaustion, I had to, although I was already using good brotherly help, to desire the strengthening and aggravation of this help. And blessed is God, who has bowed to this favor the sacred and sovereign power. To the Lord God and His holy Orthodox Church, in reverent devotion, in unanimous communion, as a humble voluntary sacrifice, may your first fruits be dedicated, together with my remains of sacred-authoritative activity: and to this sacrifice, through the prayers of the consecrated cathedral, may the invisible fire of the Spirit of truth descend, reviving our deadness, enlightening our darkness. You might be interested in: