27. Почтение к Августейшим

“Let the loyal people rejoice” (19–1:2) Saint Philaret treated the Royal House with deep respect: he willingly shared memories of the actions of royal piety and repeatedly emphasized the Orthodox faith of the August Ones and prayed for them. “We must share memories,” declares the Saint, “that are beneficial for all of Russia. These, by the way, are the memories of the actions of royal piety. The frequent prayers and praises of the royal family, in the church of the palace, were heard and heard by Heaven...” (18:4-5). “The sight of the blessed family of the Sovereign is very pleasant, both with family love and domestic piety. On holidays, the Tsar, with some of the eldest of his children, sings the entire Liturgy in his home church" (12:341)... "The monastery of St. Alexis, adjacent to the palace (Chudovskaya), was also often a witness to royal piety. In addition to the fact that the most pious Sovereign Emperor, the most pious Empress Empress and other members of the August House, in the first minutes upon arrival in Moscow and in the last minutes before departure from it, usually visit the church where the relics of St. Alexis rest, for solitary prayer and kissing his holy relics, such visits were repeatedly renewed, partly during Divine services, partly besides it. Let us consider at least two cases. November 25th day (year 1837 - K.S.), Empress Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna, ... arrived at this church, with her own hands she laid a carpet of her own works at the relics of St. Alexis: and again on the same day during Vespers she came to pray together with Empress Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna. On November 30, the Sovereign Emperor, the Sovereign Empress, the Sovereign Tsarevich, heir to the throne, and the Empress Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, unaccompanied by court officials, arrived at the same church and served a prayer service performed by the local clergy. “Lord, save the king and hear us, if it is daylight we will call on you” (18:5). A little earlier (1835), the saint testified: “God has now vouchsafed us to meet the most pious Sovereign Emperor, who reverently visited the Assumption Cathedral and honored the ancient shrine there” (36:4). “It was joyful and edifying for everyone, and especially for us who serve in the church, to see the High Ones flowing to the shrine with attention, reverence and humility. Glory to God in everything" (4:303). Also, the royal persons in the summer of 1861 “deigned to listen to the prayer singing of St. Sergius and venerated the holy icons and holy relics. After dinner, they deigned to listen to the all-night vigil and in the dead of night they once again entered the church for solitary prayer” (19-2:97). “Grand Duchess Maria is especially inquisitive about church objects. Having heard about my tonsure as a monk, she wished to be present at this and was present with special attention, and there were also other Grand Duchesses and Grand Duke Constantine" (12: 341-342). Saint Philaret speaks with love about the high qualities of the Sovereign: goodness and meekness, combined with greatness: “In the presence of Their Majesties in the Lavra, I intended to sing in the monastery, but the teacher of the court singers certainly demanded singers and also said (but not to me) that when the Sovereign Emperor was in the Lavra, and I fell ill, and the brethren sang during your service, it was as if the Sovereign was dissatisfied singing and its continuation. “Their Majesties are good, but around them they are wise” (10:375)... “We saw the genius of Russia with a meek but majestic gaze, with an angelic smile... At 7 o’clock on the eve of the holiday, he entered the Lavra - and the cloudy night smiled. At least in our monastery it was quite light. On the holiday, according to the Liturgy, he did not forget to visit our Seminary, and after lunch at Bethany he returned to the capital” (12:13). Similar evidence is available in a number of other letters of the Moscow Hierarch (see, for example, 16:83; 17:72; 19–1:207...). The saint rejoices that the Orthodox Church of Russia has a strong earthly defender in the person of the Imperial Court: “I rejoice for the altar that stands under the protective canopy of this throne. I rejoice for the Orthodox Church, which has a defender in the Most Pious Tsar and a Benefactor in the Most Pious Queen. The prophet wrote a promise: “Kings will be your nurses, and queens will be your nurses”” (19-1:10-11). The Holy Hierarch rejoices over the Tsar and prays for him, as well as for his loved ones: “Life-giver Christ! Bless and bless the life and deeds of Your Anointed One. Bless Him in Your Church with increasing success in preserving and spreading the Orthodox faith and life according to faith. Bless Him in His kingdom with a peaceful dispensation and elevation of general and private prosperity. Bless His royal power even outside the fatherland - to protect the peace of the fatherland and to overthrow the spirit of hostility and sedition. Bless Him and His Most Pious Spouse, in His August Family of all its members, with an abundance of virtues, striving for all good at the behest of the Sovereign Head of the family" (19-1:6)... And in a letter to the Sovereign himself, addressing him, he says: “The King of the Universe, visible and invisible, may he continue and multiply His blessings on your Royal dignity, yes it always shines with greatness, truth and glory and is always about him... may the loyal people rejoice. May the most joyful and blessed of Mothers intercede before Her Son and God, so that Your faithful children may blossom, grow and ascend to perfection to Your joy and to the good of the sons of the Fatherland adopted by Your love” (19-1: 1-2). You might be interested in: