A great gladness the month of May has brought us, for the Tsarevich Peter
was born in it. But yesterday the famous Constantinople was captured by
the Turks; -- to-day the most glorious salvation has appeared. The conqueror
has come, and he will avenge the insult, and will free the -ruling city.
0 Constantine's city, mightily rejoice! And you, holy church of Sophia,
rejoice! An orthodox Tsarevich was born to us to-day, a Grand Prince of
Moscow, Peter Aleksyeevich: he will endeavour to adorn you in honour, and
to subdue the Moslem abomination. And you, ruling city of Moscow, rejoice!
For a great joy has taken up its abode within you. He strengthened your
stone-walls that surround you, porphyrogenite, God-sent son of the Tsar!
Peter is his name, -- a firm rock,' and being born to strengthen the gates
he will be brave and terrible to the enemy that opposes him. By a wondrous
name a rock of faith, an adornment and joy to the Tsar is born, and an eternal
glory to his parents.
The younger Joseph was beloved by his father, and thus I That is, deriving
Peter from Greek petra, rock is the -younger Tsarevich beloved by his father.
The youngest Benjamin was loved by his brothers; even thus the youngest
Peter is beloved by his two brothers. Peter is a rock of fortune and a precious
stone, endowed by God for the confirmation of the Church. You, planet Ares
and Zeus, rejoice, for the Tsarevich was born under your lustre! The Tsarevich
was born in the quadrant aspect, and he has come to rule in his house. He
announces the four-cornered token, as if to rule the four corners of the
earth. From God this being was given to this planet, for this planet was
found to be the best for his achievements: bravery, wealth and glory reside
upon it, to place a wreath upon the head of the Tsar.
Rejoice to-day, orthodox Tsar! A glorious son has been born to you! May
your years and the years of the Tsaritsa be many, and may you and your children
prosper, and the new-born Tsarevich ' Peter Aleksyeevich, even now glorious!
May you vanquish all foreign mights, and unite all lands and kingdoms under
your ule! May God grant you to see the third and fourth generation, and
your throne for ever unshaken!