90. Слово в день тезоименитства Благочестивейшаго Государя Императора Николая Павловича, по получении высочайшаго повеления о возстановлении сообщений Москвы, прерванных по предосторожности против губительныя болезни

(Spoken in the cathedral church of the Chudov Monastery, December 6th; printed separately and in collections of 1835, 1844 and 1848) We are tired, so long and often, talking and hearing everything about illness, everything about death. But who can contradict the will of the One who owns life, Who is in no hurry to completely remove these small, just noticeable remnants of the shadow of death from our eyes, perhaps so that, having been provided with a quick pardon, we do not hasten to forget the righteous punishment? Blessed is He for the fact that He punished, and for the fact that He has mercy, and for the fact that He has mercy gradually, in order to further strengthen His mercy to us. It seems to me that, like Lazarus from the grave, this city is rising at this time, though not many of its members actually died, but entirely resurrected from the fear of death. But what else does this resurrected one lack in order to enjoy new life? - Yes! He also needs the sovereign command that was given for the risen Lazarus: “Loose him and let him go” (John 11:44). Hearken, risen city! Behold, for you too, a permissive voice comes from the Throne of the Tsar: “allow him, and leave him to go”; release him from the obligations with which the loving hand was forced to bind him protectively, so that the area of ​​death does not spread; leave him to go unhindered, with unenclosed gates, unobstructed paths, to villages and surrounding towns, and to receive those who come, so that natural life is not hindered in its needs, so that social life is not constrained in its movements. Blessed is the goodness of the Tsarev, both for his intention to bind death and for his haste to resolve life. Congratulations to you, resurrected from the fear of death, healed from mortal illness, and resolved from the difficulties of life! But listen to what else, given these favorable events for you, the truth inspires you to say, what else the desire for your good prompts you to advise. “I seek what is good for you” (Psalm 121:9). If you are resurrected, then learn to take care of the safety of life that has been returned to you. If you are healed: then remember the word of the Healer, spoken “in the Church: Behold, you are healthy, let no one sin, lest anything worse befall you” (John 5:14). If you are allowed, then move your members moderately and carefully, so that the child-loving mother does not see the need to again swaddle the child who is using the allowed members to his detriment. It seems who better to understand the high price of life and safety than someone who is just emerging from mortal danger? Who is more likely to be careful in the use of health than someone who has recently seen around him, or even experienced the cruelty of illness? Released from prison, or released from custody, doesn’t he know the unpleasantness of bondage more than anyone else; and therefore, shouldn’t he be more careful than anyone else, so as not to deserve it again? A sinner, punished and pardoned, to move away from sin, does not he have a special urge, does he not have two wings - in the memory of punishment and in gratitude for the pardon? Truly this should be the case: but how often it happens completely differently! Having almost drowned near the shore, he soon unnecessarily plunges into the depths. The one over whom the wise doctor’s prophecy has already come true: “in many foods there will be illness, and satiety will bring even cholera” (Sir. 37:33), - as soon as the feeling of hunger is the herald of returning health, it again, as before, spills out “to the difference in food” (Sir. 37:32). The one who yesterday received freedom as alms, today does not want to put limits to his self-will. How many people, cities, nations, times, in which the same thing was repeated for which the singer of Israel so long ago, so bitterly, reproached his compatriots! “Whenever,” he says, “I have killed, then I will seek Him, and turn and perform matins to God; and remember that God is their helper, and God on High is their deliverer.” – But what next? “And she loved Him only with her lips, and lied to Him with her tongue; but their heart is not right with Him” (Psalm 77:34–37). What miserable experiences! What ingratitude and injustice! What a lack of prudence! After such behavior, what good can we expect, both according to the natural action of bad principles, and according to earthly justice, and where this will not be achieved, according to heavenly justice, which is impossible to avoid or deceive? - “It’s worse than that!” Beloved city! It was bitter for you; but your cup has been greatly sweetened: keep what you have been given with gratitude; prudently deserve the best; Beware of sins and mistakes, “let it not be worse” (John 5:14). Let us affirm to ourselves, brothers, and never cease to fulfill the good vows that the saving time of tribulation inspired us with. Let us not remember with grumbling the difficulties that have befallen us, but with consolation of the difficulties we have endured. We will graciously endure some of the inconveniences that remain to be endured. Let us use the relief and assistance provided for our benefit, and not for the satisfaction of passions and whims. Let us walk with attention and sincere fidelity in obedience to the commandments of God and the commands of the authorities established by God. So let us be grateful to God, who has mercy on us. Thus we will be worthy of the King who cares for us. “Lord, save the King” (Psalm 19:10)! God! “Thy blessing is upon Thy people” (Psalm 3:9). 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