Welcoming speech to the Most Reverend Innocent Metropolitan of Moscow upon his first entry into the Trinity Lavra

Your Eminence Vladyka! On the chest of the High Priest of the Old Testament, ancient Israel saw the word of judgment, whose wonderful actions were mysteriously designated by the names: lights and perfections. These were images for us (1 Cor. 10:6). The High Priest, according to the order of Aaron, transformed himself into the Eternal High Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek, Christ the Savior. He, our Lord, revealed in himself the light of true knowledge of God, enlightening every person, and the perfection of Divine life. And having given His Church shepherds and teachers for the perfection of saints, He opened to all believers in His name the opportunity, with the help of His grace, to achieve this light and perfection through teaching and skill. Your Eminence! Ave. Serius in his monastery united these two theological schools: the school of the truth of Christ and the school of life striving for the highest Christian perfection. And we believe, through his intercession, the Lord entrusted both of these schools to your leadership, as the Enlightener of the Eastern countries of our fatherland and a valiant shepherd in the spirit of Christ. Just as you blessed the workers in the school of spiritual exploits in the Church of the Trisagion, so bless the workers in the school of the truth of Christ, and accept them into your favor and protection, with the same love that it has always seen, from its very beginning, in the deceased Archpastor.