* The uprising of the Polish nobility lasted almost a year, as initially the government considered it an internal affair of Poland and did not take measures to protect the people and order. (Ed.)

** We are talking about the brilliant victories of Russian arms during the Russian-Turkish wars of 1787-1791, then 1806-1812, as well as the victory over Napoleon. (Editor's note)

Sermon on the Birthday of the Most Pious Tsar Nicholas Pavlovich, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia, Delivered in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, June 25, 1832

In the life of every person, the day of his birth is important, because the whole life begins and depends on it. But the birthday of the sovereign should be important and sacred for the whole people, because the new fate of the entire kingdom begins and depends on it. The appearance of sovereign persons is like the ascent of new luminaries in the firmament: everyone involuntarily asks what should be expected, and what does it portend?

And not in vain! Take the history of the world and change in it, even if you only rearrange a few royal names, and you will see that at the same time the history of whole nations must take on a different form of itself. The lives of kings and rulers mean so much! - And that is why almost all peoples, even those who do not lead the true God, turned to the altars on the birthdays of their lords: they felt that these were the sacred days of heavenly revelations about the fate of tribes and peoples.

But these great days become even more sacred, the eyes and hearts of the subjects with their coming turn even more quickly and willingly to heaven, when a successful reign serves as proof that the right hand of the Lord, bringing the ruler of the people into the light, has destined him to be the joy and glory of his people. Then every good thought about the Tsar-Father of the Fatherland involuntarily rushes with gratitude to God, and the memory of his birth naturally turns into fervent prayer for the continuation of his life.

Let us thank, then, most honorable compatriots, the Lord that we can speak in this way about the birthdays of sovereigns, without contradicting our own feelings and experience. The life and reign of our most pious sovereign are so beneficial for the Fatherland that his birthday, as the beginning of a new happiness for Russia, without any commands, in itself, is sacred for every son of the Fatherland. As a proof of gratitude to the Heavenly and earthly King, we can only spend this day in a way befitting him.

What is required for this? How should the birthdays of the most pious sovereigns be celebrated?

The first and most important occupation in such days should be to turn one's thoughts and hearts to the Throne of the King of Kings – the first and most important not only in terms of skill or any institution, but in the very essence of the matter. For Who gave existence to our king and adorned him with great abilities? -God. In Whose right hand is the continuation of its precious days for the Fatherland, its strength, strength and wisdom? - In the right hand of God. On whom does the success of his undertakings depend, the validity of the means he uses to create the public good? - From God. By whom will he be able to overcome temptations, overcome dangers, and overthrow all evil? - By the One God. Thus, our thoughts and hearts must now be turned first of all to God, to that God Who gives and departs the rulers of the earth, by Whom all kings reign, and all mighty write righteousness (Proverbs 8:15), from Whom proceeds peace and prosperity of the nations, Who does all things according to His will in the power of heaven and in the dwelling of the earth (Dan. 4:32).

And thanking the Lord for the past and the present, we must at the same time pray to Him for the future, that He crown him with the length of his days, instruct him to continue to carry out his great service without hesitation, show him, as the Church prays, "victorious to enemies, fearful to evildoers, merciful and trustworthy to the good", so that "in his days and to all of us peace - silence and prosperity, the dissolution of the air, the fruitfulness of the earth, and everything necessary for temporal and eternal life" (the words of the prayer from the moleben).

The performance of such thanksgiving and petitions before the Lord on this day is all the more convenient for everyone, since the Holy Church, as the first and most faithful helper of the well-being of society, precedes each and every one in this holy work by her own example. In the midst of her strong and fervent prayers for the tsar and the kingdom, even stagnant souls cannot but be moved to lift up their thoughts to grief, to the Throne of grace; and cold hearts cannot but be warmed by the fire of sincere love for the anointed of God.