Слово 22. Похвальное по поводу восстановления и обновления епископом Тверским Акакием церковного здания после бывшего пожара

There is an ancient law about the celebration of renewal, and it is very well established, says Gregory, rich in theology. And how can one not admit that it is well established when through this two great goals are achieved: firstly, the providence and care for us of the Creator of all and the Lord becomes clear to all people, through whom, alone, everything is arranged for our benefit; secondly, the deeds and magnificent buildings of good and God-loving bishops, pious kings and all rulers, their zeal directed towards the honor and glory of God, their diligence and care for this are glorified and become forever unforgettable, passed on from generation to generation, encouraging subsequent generations to imitate their good deeds. In view of this, I, too, considered it fair not to consign to oblivion, but in a short word to make known to future generations what happened according to the inscrutable destinies of the common Lord in the glorious city of Tver, during the reign of the faithful and autocratic Grand Duke of All Russia John Vasilyevich and under the God-loving Bishop Akaki, who beautifully and piously ruled the church helm of Tver diocese. In 1537, in the afternoon, according to the ineffable fate of God, it is unknown why a fire suddenly flared up, which, with a stormy north wind, in a short time destroyed the entire city wall around, the great cathedral church with all the holy images and sacred vessels, all the vestments and books, and many other holy churches and houses. There was a terrible sight, worthy of great tears: the fire, driven by a strong wind, instantly devoured everything, and many people were burned, who could not escape from the flames that pursued them. Oh, how untested are Your destinies, O Christ God! Who is able to understand and teach us what is the reason for Your great allowance for us, due to our sins? Especially who will be able, through his prayer, to quench Your great righteous indignation at us because, by transgressing Your saving commandments, we anger Your innumerable love for us and kindness towards us? Thou art righteous, O Lord, and Thy judges rule (Ps. 119:137), as Thy divine and worshiped word says. In order to enlighten and convert us, You do not spare Your most holy and worshiped churches and images of Your and Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints, but you either hand over all this to the barbarians for destruction, or completely destroy it with fire, thus showing us, insensitive, Your unbearable righteous indignation against us, so that we know ourselves and our sins, and this, we would bring You repentance corresponding to our iniquities. Yes, Lord, grant us to know our sins and repent before You with all our souls, with all humility, with the creation of righteous deeds and alms to the poor! We thank, Vladyka, with all our souls, Your goodness towards us, for the reason of which You not only vouchsafe us mercy and generosity, punishing authoritatively and at the same time in a fatherly manner, but also Your faithful bishop, and our shepherd and father, our lord Akaki, you always fill with goodness and spiritual wisdom and reason, to Your glory and for the benefit of us who believe in You and trust in You. Having been sanctified and strengthened by Your grace, he did not lose heart from such terrible sorrows that befell him and did not, in his strength, neglect the decoration and splendor of Your holy images and the entire divine settlement of Your inaccessible glory (Ps. 25:8), the sacred vessels and vestments required for the sacrament, and all, in general, church accessories, both for the altar and for everything church; but with great zeal and great zeal I set about renewing the former decoration of Thy holy church, which had been destroyed by fire, imitating in this case that righteous man who said: For I swore to the Lord, I promised to the God of Jacob: if I go into the village of my house, or go up to my bed, if I give sleep before my eyes, and slumber in my midst, and peace of mind. mine: Until then I will find the place of the Lord, a habitation for the God of Jacob (Ps. 131:2-5). With the same zeal for God and with the same zeal, this one set to work and, with the help of Your grace, above his strength, decorated Your church with holy images painted by skilled artists, with expensive decorations made of gold and silver on them, so that it presents a beautiful and pleasing sight to the eyes of believers, wonderfully delighting their souls, and together raising them to praise and thanksgiving of goodness and Your innumerable love for us, since You, having punished us as a Master, trying to lead us away from all vices, again indulge us, like a loving father. Although You saddened us a lot with Your righteous indignation, destroying with fire the ancient kindness of Your holy church, You again returned it to us not worse than in its previous form - through the cares and labors of Your faithful saint Akaki, Your God-loving bishop, our shepherd and dear father, whom, after his departure from here, was counted among the number of Your chosen high priests and honored him with them to sing You to endless ages, in the wonderful and holy church of Your divine glory (in heaven), as having loved with all your soul the splendor of the holy church of Your glory located on earth and having renovated it. And through His holy prayers, grant us the privilege of spending the rest of our lives in pleasing You with good deeds, with all humility, and sincerely, with all purity, to chant and bless You, the beginningless Father, the co-beginning Word and the co-essential Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: