THEOSISPhilaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
After God had favored a sovereign to govern the unwavering unity of His people, Kings David, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah exemplify the extent to which a ruler can and should inspire their subjects to lead “a quiet and peaceful life...in all godliness and holiness.” Is it fair to say that such kings did not exist, nor did their governance yield particular results? This statement holds merit, especially in the kingdom of Israel, where both monarchs and peoples turned away from the true God to worship idols, resulting in scant blessings from inadequate prayers.
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To illustrate how a devout leader can genuinely foster the growth and establishment of true faith among his people, I will refer to a singular instance from Christian history. In an era when Arianism gained considerable strength in Constantinople, St Gregory the Theologian, called upon by the faithful to defend the faith, found himself unable to secure a church for his priestly duties and thus resorted to establishing a place of worship in a private home. However, through the prayers of the Orthodox Church and the providential guidance of God, the righteous Emperor Theodosius emerged, resolved to extend protection and support to Orthodoxy. St Gregory himself recounts that he had to “walk among the army and the Emperor” to access the main church of the capital, indicating the need for caution due to the many disruptive Arians present.
From that point onward, the message of Orthodoxy began to more freely resonate with the citizens of Constantinople; soon, under the pious Emperor’s patronage, a grand Orthodox cathedral was erected, transforming the Empire’s capital—from a hub of heresy back to a stronghold of Orthodoxy.
The reflections derived from the Apostolic teachings regarding prayer and gratitude to God for the righteous King, as a precious gift to the people and the Church, will resonate with your own thoughts and emotions, based on what you witness and engage in. Do we not recognize the paternal concern of our Noble Sovereign in his swift efforts to end the brutal war waged against us, restoring peace by satisfying adversaries with favorable promises, all while refraining from seeking retribution for the conflict endured? Do we not see a profound example of His righteousness in His desire to enhance His God-given royal authority through the reception of the crown, accompanied by the Church’s prayer and God’s blessing, along with sacred anointing?
Let us, the faithful children of Russia, increase our heartfelt supplications for our noble Emperor Alexander Nikolayevich, requesting that the King of kings may invisibly "place ... on His head a crown of honest stone" (Ps. 20:4) and "crown Him with mercy and bounty" (Ps. 102:4); that He may "anoint" Him with "the holy oil" (Ps. 88:21), the oil of grace, and bestow upon Him “the blessing of goodness” (Ps. 20:3); may He likewise bless the righteous Empress Maria Alexandrovna, sharing in His glory, for our complete joy and the flourishing welfare of our homeland.