St Philaret of Moscow

Today, we commemorate St Philaret (Drozdov), Metropolitan of Moscow.

Two centuries on, he is mainly remembered outside Russia for the morning prayer that has been ascribed to him:

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray.
And you, yourself, pray in me.
Amen.

In fact, this prayer originally came from a French Catholic spiritual writer, François Fénelon (1651–1715). However, Philaret popularized its use within the Orthodox Church.

As Metropolitan of Moscow, he played an important role in the revival of Russian Orthodoxy in the nineteenth century. He was a staunch defender of the Elders of Optina against widespread criticism. It was under his leadership that a modern translation of the Bible into Russian came into being (another initiative that was widely criticized by conservative forces). He pushed for reform of the Church’s subordination to the Russian state and as a result made a number of influential enemies (not least Tsar Nicholas I who had him confined to his diocese for several years). In addition, he was a prolific author and his Catechism is still in use today.

Troparion

Having acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit
O divinely wise and holy hierarch Philaret,
you preached truth and righteousness to the people with enlightened understanding;
with a contrite heart you showed peace and mercy to the suffering;
and as a teacher and tireless guardian of the Faith 
with the staff of uprightness you preserved the Russian flock.
Therefore, as you have boldness before Christ our God,
pray that He preserve the Church, and grant salvation to the people, and to our souls.

Kontakion

As a true imitator of the venerable Sergius;
you loved virtue from childhood, O divinely blessed Philaret.
As a righteous pastor and blameless confessor, you were subject to mockery and abuse by the ungodly after your holy repose,
but God has glorified you with signs and miracles
and shown you to be the helper of our Church.