301. Беседа к сердобольным вдовам, и избранным для попечения о раненых и больных воинах действующей армии

(Said in the Mariinsky Church of the Imperial Widow's House on November 17; printed in the Works of the Holy Father, 1854 and in the collection, 1861) The word of the Church comes to you, sisters of Christian compassion for the sick, who are now called by the Tsar’s love for mankind to the special feat of Christian care for those who are sick from wounds received in the battle for the faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland. A feat, no matter how unusual and difficult for you, is just as blessed and capable of arousing unflagging zeal. War is a terrible thing for those who undertake it without need, without truth, with a thirst for self-interest or dominance, which has turned into a thirst for blood. They bear a heavy responsibility for the blood and disasters of their own and others. But war is a sacred matter for those who accept it out of necessity, in defense of truth, faith, and fatherland. He who struggles in this battle with weapons accomplishes the feat of faith and truth, which the Christian martyrs accomplished by confessing faith and truth, suffering and death for this confession; and, accepting the wounds and laying down his life in this battle, he follows in the footsteps of the martyrs to the imperishable crown. Who started the current war? An infidel people who do not know the truth, who live by the oppression of Christians and Christianity. Who else is against us? – Two peoples who recognized us as right in the dispute and then joined our enemies are two Christian peoples who united with the enemies of Christianity and took part in the oppression of Orthodox Christians. Our warrior goes against such enemies, at the behest of the Most Pious King, who with a strong but peace-loving royal word defended the fellow believers of the East 768, who did not start, but in trust in God accepted the unjustly inflicted war. So, consider who the ministry to which you are called will belong to. Wouldn't you consider it a special blessing from God's providence if you were given the opportunity to serve a martyr to alleviate his suffering? A similar blessing awaits you in the faithful performance of the service assigned to you. The wound of the faithful warrior, which you alleviate with duty and healing, shines with valor now, and will shine in eternity. If, under your care, he returns from the path of death, you will earn the gratitude not only of him, but also of the fatherland to which you are returning your precious son. If he is destined to finish his earthly path and go to the heavenly fatherland, you will have in heaven someone who is grateful to you and who calls upon you the blessing of the Heavenly Father. By thinking this way, you can look with reverence at the object of your feat, and thereby moderate the sorrow and fear naturally produced by the spectacle of suffering. You may also be met with fear from the battle taking place nearby, and from the sound of weapons, and from various accidents: because you cannot demand that security constantly live next to war. Surrendering yourself to the protection of God's providence, strengthen your weakness by “remembering the days of old” (Ps. 142:5), and considering how once upon a time trust in God and love for God’s people gave wives masculine strength of spirit. Devora, together with Barak, led the army. Judith alone, unarmed, entered the enemy’s camp to defeat Holofernes and his army, and indeed, with a blow of the enemy’s sword, she defeated the entire force of the enemies, at the same time repelling the dangerous weapon of temptation. Not much is required of you; participation in the matter of warfare is not required; All that is required is a fair amount of fortitude so that you are not embarrassed by the thought of war while doing the work of peace and philanthropy. We also show you, among many, a closer image of the feat before you: remember and call for help Saint Anastasia the pattern-maker, who visited those in the feat of martyrdom in the midst of the danger of falling into the hands of the tormentors, washed and bandaged their wounds, gave them food, drink, medicine, and brought all possible relief and consolation. Having aroused and, if possible, strengthened yourself to begin the feat, watch in its continuation, so that, like your daily bread, like a preventative medicine, your pious thought and good intention never fail. “Lift up your eyes to Him who lives in heaven” (Ps. 122:1), and think with faith that He looks at your feat, that His blessing hand is stretched out over you, but blessing only unfeigned fidelity in deed and purity of activity. To Christ, the Physician of souls and bodies, mentally offer the ulcers of the sick entrusted to your care, and your own sorrows that may happen: and with hope, commit everything to the One who “was wounded for our sins, and was tormented for our iniquities,” and Whom “by the ulcer... we were healed” (Is. 53:5). Mother of the Lord, “the joy of all who mourn,” you are presented with special protection: have constant faith in the reality, closeness, and constant readiness of this protection. From this it should happen that you, for your part, will be close to Her, with childish simplicity you will stretch out your hands to the invisible Mother, and according to your needs, She will give you secret admonition, reinforcement, consolation, help. With your inner prayer at the very bedside of the sick, and, as needed and convenient, and with a word of gentle reminder, try to assist them in looking to the Doctor of souls and bodies. Draw their attention, as to a proven fact, to the fact that the prayerful sighing of a sick person may involve receiving medicine from the heavenly physician; the heavenly is without a doubt stronger than the earthly. Have uniform, impartial care for all sick people; Use especially vigilant work according to the special requirement of the disease, and not according to the preference of the person. For the sick, for those who require help, be like relatives, but in person remain strangers, so that the purity of Christian love is not obscured by partiality, so that the preference of one is not untrue in relation to another. We rejoice that you wished to accept the path and deed, and have now accepted the Divine guidance - you have partaken of the Body and Blood of Christ. Go in peace: the Lord is with you. Do not forget to see the lesser brethren of the Lord Jesus in those entrusted to your care: let His word be heard in your hearts: “I was sick, and you visited Me” (Matthew 25:36); and may you be worthy to hear this from Him with joy even then, when He comes in glory to reward each one according to his deeds. Amen. Handwritten The author inserted the word: “and finally.” You might be interested in: