408. Речь Благоверным Государям и Великим Князьям Николаю Николаевичу и Михаилу Николаевичу пред вступлением Их Высочеств в Свято-Троицкую Сергиеву Лавру

(Spoken on August 17th; published in Moskovskie Vedomosti 1850). Your lofty presence brings us diverse joy. As we approach you, we seem to be approaching at the same time your August Parent, who is not separated from you by parental love, whose wisdom now guides you to become more closely acquainted with Russia, so that your life will be all the more beneficial for it, whose piety shows the way to your piety. How much joy there is for the faithful sons of Russia. Come to the strong and prosperous prayer book of the Russian land, our Reverend Father Sergius, and while His monastery with its very appearance and memories tells you what part faith and prayer have in the fate of Russia, your faith will resurrect your prayer, and who once called from above the blessing of a saving victory to the Grand Duke of not yet strong Russia, may he call upon the Tsar and the Grand Dukes of mighty Russia an abundant blessing peace and victories and prosperity and glory. You might be interested in: