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My Life in Christ
St John of Kronstadt, tr. Goulaeff, 1897
d1
To
HER ROYAL AND IMPERIAL MAJESTY
VICTORIA,
QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND,
EMPRESS OF INDIA,
ETC. ETC. ETC.
Your Majesty,
The grievous affliction that Russia and the Russian people, ever devoted to their Sovereigns, sustained in October, 1894, by the premature recall of their revered, lamented, and beloved Emperor Alexander III. unto the abode of the righteous, found a sympathetic echo in the gracious heart of your Majesty.
Your Royal and Imperial Majesty was pleased to show your regard for the memory of the deceased great monarch, “the Prince of Peace,” and for the religion which the late Emperor professed, by desiring that, on the day of his funeral, one of the finest chants from the Burial Service of the Russian Orthodox Church should be sung in your language in your chapel at Windsor.
This kindly and gracious action emboldens me to lay at your Majesty’s feet, and to dedicate to your Majesty, my own humble and imperfect translation into the English language of the important work entitled “My Life in Christ,” the author of which is the well-known Father John Sergieff, of Cronstadt, who was present at his Majesty’s last moments in Livadia, and was witness of his departure unto the life eternal. Father John’s account of these last moments is given in the latter part of my preface to this work.
I sincerely trust that this book will be found helpful to every true Christian, irrespective of differences of creed, nationality, race, or colour.
Your Majesty’s
Most respectful and humble servant,
E. E. GOULAEFF.