84. Слово по освящении храма и по принесении Господу Богу молитв о предохранении от губительныя болезни

(Said September 18th; printed separately and in collections of 1835, 1844 and 1848.) I will talk with you briefly, brothers; although a lot needs to be said. Continued prayers do not allow for a long word. Listen not for long, but listen carefully. The prayers mentioned the destructive plague in the days of David, and its miraculous end (2 Samuel 24). This memory is in place here, now in time. King David fell into the temptation of vanity: he wanted to show the strength of his kingdom, and ordered to count everyone capable of bearing arms, while such a count was not at all used by the Jews. And the righteous is not safe from falling if he neglects. The number of the people had not yet ended when the Tsar felt in his conscience the conviction of sin and the fear of punishment from God. In fact, the Prophet appeared and, at the command of God, offered David a choice of one of three punishments: war, famine, and pestilence. Note from this example that war, famine, pestilence, and similar disasters, although they seem to be random adventures; although they occur partly from well-known natural causes, they are nonetheless the instruments of God’s justice, used to punish sinners. David humbled himself before God, meekly submitted to His judgment, and completely surrendered to His will. “Let me fall into the hand of the Lord,” he said. “And the Lord gave death in Israel from the morning until the hour of noon” (2 Samuel 24:14–15). Here notice the quick fruit of humble submission to the destinies of God. God did not send three months of unhappy war, not three years of famine, and not a pestilence for three days, as the Prophet threatened at first, but only “from morning until the hour of lunch.” The punishment of sin was revealed, and David's repentance was accomplished. “And David spoke to the Lord, when he saw the angel smiting the people, and said: Behold, I am a sinner” (2 Samuel 24:17). David completely repented of the evil of sin, and immediately “the Lord repented of the evil” of punishment. “And he said to the angel who destroyed people: It is enough now, take away your hand” (2 Samuel 24:16). Notice the saving effect of repentance. To complete the action of pardon, deliverance and salvation, the Prophet, on the instructions of the Angel, prompted David to erect an altar to the Lord, on the threshing floor of Orna the Jebusian, where the Temple of Solomon was later built. “And there David built an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord of the earth obeyed, and took away the plague from Israel” (2 Samuel 24:25). Note the need for prayer during public disasters, and especially the benefit of prayer offered solemnly before the altar, according to spiritual and heavenly instructions, according to Divine decree. Brethren! Do we not see something similar to the terrible vision of David? Do we not also see “the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, and his sword drawn in his hand, stretched out against Jerusalem” (1 Chronicles 21:16)? Do not look with large eyes of fear, which usually see what is not and do not see what is: look with the sharp and courageous eye of insight and prudent precaution. The destructive disease, which for several years devastated the non-Christian countries of Asia, also spread to the Christian countries of Europe. Last year she appeared within the boundaries of our fatherland: she succumbed to the protective measures of the guardian Government: but this summer she appeared again. We, who have been spared to this day, bless God, who is patient with us! But the “destroying angel” is visible; “his sword is drawn”: he threatens. What should we do? I think the same thing that David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did when they saw the destroying angel. “David and the elders of Israel fell, clothed in sackcloth on their faces” (1 Chronicles 21:16). We must do the same as the Ninevites averted, not through guesswork and fears, the expected misfortune, but the definitely predicted destruction. “The men of Nineveh believed in God, and commanded fasting. And they cried out diligently to God, and each one returned from his evil way, and from the iniquity that was in their hands” (John 3:5-8). Let us, brethren, cast our hearts before God in humility, in submission to His inscrutable destinies. We recognize not only the justice of God, who is ready to punish our sins, convicting our life, unworthy of the name of Christian, but also His mercy and long-suffering, which does not suddenly, not before others, strike us, but shows us what has struck others, but we are only threatened with punishment, and, as if protecting, says: “Unless you repent, you will all perish likewise” (Luke 13:5). Let us repent, brothers, and bear fruit worthy of repentance, that is, correction of life. Let us put aside pride, vanity and arrogance. Let us awaken our faith. Let us be confirmed in our hope in God and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Intercessor of God and men, the Savior of sinners and the lost. Let us purge from our hearts the root of evil, the love of money. Let us increase almsgiving, truth, and philanthropy. Let's stop luxury. Let us refuse sensual desires that require unnecessary things. Let us love abstinence and fasting. Let us clothe ourselves, if not “in sackcloth,” then in simplicity. Let us reject exquisite jewelry, marked by frivolity and inconstancy. Let us despise vain amusements that kill the time given for doing good. Let us increase prayers, secret in every place and at all times, public, according to the leadership of the Holy Church. Let us use carefully, in a timely, trustworthy, always beneficial and all-healing medicine, a peaceful, bloodless sacrifice, through the communion of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Although neither an Angel nor a Prophet came to motivate us to create an altar favorable to God, and for us a gracious altar: but, thanks to God, Christ-loving zeal does not cease to create altars and churches; and in one week, more than one altar was consecrated, and more than one was preparing for consecration 458. God! “Listen to the earth,” which humbly calls upon Your heavenly Name, and “take away the plague” from Russia. Preserve this city and the faith of those who live in it. Bless those who bear fruit and do good in Your Holy Churches! “Be, O Lord, Thy mercy upon us, as we trust in Thee!” ( Ps. 32:22 ) Amen. On September 14, 1830, the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr was consecrated at the Catherine Institute; 18th day Church of St. Basil the Great, on Tverskaya; 19 days Church of the Holy Wonderworkers of Chernigov, beyond the Moscow River; 20 altar of the Holy Martyrs of Kherson at the Danilovsky cemetery. You might be interested in: