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

(Said on August 16th; published in the Wanderer and in the Moscow Vedas. 1864) Most pious Sovereign! In Your previous visit, welcoming You here, we wished Your power peace and victory, if war was required. With the help of God, You maintained peace, and in peace You won victory over strong opponents who waged war, although not with the sword, but with word and writing, calling the sword. The arrows were sharp and numerous, but they did not pierce Your shield, for Your shield was steadfastness in righteousness. Then, by the loyalty and courage of Your people, You brought down into the land and on our land the war that arose from people unworthy of the honor of being called enemies, because they fought with sedition and atrocities. Finally, Your Reign was granted by Providence to victoriously end the age-old war, firmly, but without final success, waged by Your predecessors, and You pacified the vast region of the Caucasus, which seemed to be the eternal homeland of war. And so we greet You with peace, not only desired and expected, but also possessed. May the God of peace bless Your exploits with longed-for successes for the inner peace - for the protection and elevation of the pious-moral and moral-civil order of Your people. And with this, may the heavenly Father continue and multiply his blessings over Your blessed family, so that in family consolations You may find relief from royal labors. You might be interested in: