369. Речь Благочестивейшему Государю Императору Александру Николаевичу пред вступлением, с Государынею Императрицею Мариею Александровною, с Великим Князем Сергеем Александровичем и с Великою Княжною Мариею Александровною в Свято-Троицкую Сергиеву Лавру

(Said on June 5th; printed in the Works of the Holy Father, in the Moscow Vedas and in the collection of 1861) Most pious Sovereign! It would not be significant before You if we said now that we, the children of St. Sergius, rejoice at the coming of Your Imperial Majesties with Your Blessed children. Let us say better, undoubtedly more worthy of your attention, that our Reverend Father Sergius rejoices at your visit. For just as in earthly life, after God and Heaven, he loved Orthodox Russia and its Sovereigns and served Their good with prayer, advice, and peacemaking: so in heavenly life he shows similar dispositions, with the highest heavenly power. Twice he preserved this Abode of his, when the capital was in the hands of enemies. This is not only for the Monastery, but especially for Russia. Thus, it was revealed that Russia was comprehended by the righteous rebuke of God, but was not abandoned by God; that faith can preserve the kingdom when the royal powers are insufficient for this. In peace, Most Pious Sovereign, You keep Your kingdom. But the world is not peaceful either. There are sparks under the ashes that he either does not know how to, or does not try to extinguish. He speaks of peace, and constantly intensifies preparations for battle. Under such circumstances, it is especially comforting for us, and, without a doubt, pleasant for St. Sergius, that You, flowing to him, through him and with him, resort to God, so that Your royal wisdom may acquire new light from the wisdom of God, in order to strengthen the royal power with the power of God. Go into the world and, in communion with the Holy One, offer Your royal prayer to the All-Holy Lord: and with it the prayer of Your faithful people will rise up; and, according to common faith, may the Almighty bow down and bless You and Your House and Your kingdom with indestructible peace and increasing prosperity. You might be interested in: