Houses of Industry
A Sermon on the Birthday of the Most Pious Sovereign Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; which, though smaller than all seeds, yet when it has grown, is larger than all plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come flying and take shelter in its branches (Mt 13:31-32)
Nature now is in the full strength of spring life: all the gardens, forests, fields, and meadows have clothed themselves in green; everything lives, blossoms, sings, plays, rejoices, and glorifies the Creator—for every breathing thing and all that lives render praise to Him[1]. At such a joyful, life-filled time there sprang forth into the world, though not here among us in Russia, but transplanted to us by the will of the Creator, a beautiful flower: our young Sovereign Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, whose birth we now solemnly celebrate.
To the solemnity and joy of spring nature, which praises the Lord in manifold ways, let us also add our own voices—solemn, prayerful, and giving praise and thanks to the Lord—for the health and blessed childbearing of our Most Pious Sovereign, and for the success of all her undertakings.
But what praise and thanksgiving from us can be pleasing to the Lord, who is holy, righteous, and the lover of mankind, if not praise through our good deeds: mutual love, help given to one another, gracious forbearance, and mercy—as it is said in Scripture: be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful[2].
Our most merciful Sovereign Lady thanks the Creator and Provider for all His benefits to her precisely with such deeds—deeds of mercy, condescension, and aid to the poor Russian folk—and renders Him a tribute of praise and thanksgiving. She is like the Gospel mustard seed, which, being smaller than all seeds, becomes in its growth greater than all garden plants and becomes a tree, in whose branches the birds of heaven take shelter. Indeed, do not these numerous refuges for the poor and homeless folk, which arose at her behest in many Russian cities and towns—these Houses of Diligence and Work Houses—signify the branches of the great shady-leaved tree of mercy, spread wide everywhere, beneath whose shadow she has gathered and continues to gather a multitude of toiling, bread-winning people? This shady-leaved Tree is she, our Tsarina. See how she has spread forth her green, life-rejoicing branches of mercy! How can we fail to thank and glorify the Creator, who so graciously provides for Russia through His chosen, faithful Servant, the Most Pious Sovereign Lady? How can we fail to thank her for her mercy and her works of such beneficence in Russia? Could anything like this have come about without her merciful initiative! It was precisely for a royal Person seated on the royal throne to begin this great work of mercy, so that it might spread so widely and take root. Glory and Thanksgiving to God for our Tsarina! Thanksgiving to our Tsarina for her care for the least of Christ’s brethren. Amen!