LIVING ORTHODOX

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Brothers and sisters, it is a joy to be able to serve you and share this wondrous feast of our Holy Church. I’d like to reflect today on the life of the Royal Passion Bearers. In particular, Tsar Nicholas II. 

Dear ones, we live in a world that is in such a pitiful state. One which is rife with wolves…and scare in terms of shepherds. Leadership is either weak, lacking, or exploitive. We’ve see this in our own country. These leaders aren’t tied to their lands nor their people. Many have a family history that doesn’t sync with the word around them. Worst of all…they’ve forgotten God.

With pro-abortionist, self-proclaimed Catholics, or others claiming some form of “Christian” belief in office along with their predecessors (many of whom echo an anti-religious sentiment similar to that of the Bolsheviks), one is tempted to ask: what is a good leader? A good leader can be found in someone who is the one of the most important saints of our contemporary era: St. Nicholas II, a man who’s heart burned with love for God, his country, and his people. 

What makes an emperor, especially one as beloved as St. Nicholas II so great? The answer is in what we share in common with him: his Orthodox faith. He was a devout man and would rarely miss Liturgy. He was dedicated in prayer to God and to the Mother of God. 

St. Seraphim of Sarov was finally canonized, partially due to the vision of St. John of Kronstadt, in which the coming evil of the Bolshevik revolution was revealed to him. Saint John had foreseen that Tsar Nicholas II would be martyred but that, as a result, Russia would become truly Orthodox. The people would rekindle their faith.

Ultimately, what showed forth that St. Seraphim of Sarov was a saint, was that he had written a letter to the young Tsar, before he was even born. It was addressed to the Tsar who would visit Sarov at a certain time. The letter was sealed many times, and never was opened by anyone other than St. Nicholas II. 

(Bear in mind that, at this time, academia was prized and, due to worldly influence, the canonization of this wonderworking saint was being forestalled because he was considered illiterate.)

In the letter, it was revealed that Tsar Nicholas II would be the last tsar. Apparently, the contents of the letter were so powerfully overwhelming, that Tsar Nicholas II was in tears and could hardly speak. He never shared the exact contents of the letter with anyone. As we know, he was indeed martyred after his resignation of the throne. He was reluctant to do this, but one of his relatives pleaded with him, insisting it was the only way to save Russia. And so, the Tsar willingly did so in order to save his people. 

Brothers and sisters, don’t listen to those who would say that elected politicians are leaders placed by God over a country. They are most certainly not. For when an emperor is crowned, he receives a second Chrismation to anoint him with the power of the Holy Spirit to rule the nation. Thus, our beloved late Tsar was truly the last God appointed ruler of Russia. Let his life be a lesson to you all, dear ones. His love for his nation, which was self-sacrificing, is an example of Christ-like love, even sharing in His death as a martyr. For it is the blood of martyrs which gives the life to the Church in whichever place they are martyred. 

But more so, remember to not let yourselves grow cold in secularism and worldly interests. Learn from the mistakes of your Russian forebears, for the red revolution was a chastisement in order to turn the nation back to God. Orthodoxy is alive in Russia again and the Church has made an incredible comeback. But remember this came by way of these Royal martyrs. The world came to hate them and, sadly, it still does. The heroic and loving Tsar Nicholas II is mocked here in the west and often characterized as incompetent. 

Tsar Nicholas II wrote that, “he was surrounded by traitors and liars.” The Duma was either incompetent or filled with those motivated by personal interest to seize the throne and power for themselves. They hated what was good and Godly, and like Judas, they betrayed the Tsar for personal gain. 

Remember, brothers and sisters, the Gospel we read for the martyrs: that if the world hates us, remember that they hated Christ, Himself first. But take heart and fearlessly proclaim our Lord before men and He will proclaim you before His Father.

Don’t let your hearts grow cold. Attend the services but don’t neglect to go to confession. This isn’t for only fasting days, but whenever you fall or have a struggle that weighs on you. In this society, one shouldn’t confess any less than once a month. Don’t neglect to come and be here on time to hear the words of the Lord in the Gospel. And, doing these things, come and receive Holy Communion as much as possible. For our Lord endured many things to give us this most sacred gift.

Remember, dear ones, that you stand now before the invisible King of all creation. Give yourselves to Him wholeheartedly and without reserve, so that we all may become citizens of His glorious Kingdom. 

Amen. 

Fr. Mikhail