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Seraphim of Sarov

7,978 bytes added, 17:40, June 9, 2014
External links: Added link to Orthodox Church Quotes; consistency with spelling website
Saint [[Image:Seraphim Sarovsky.jpg|right|frame|St. Seraphim of Sarov]]Our venerable and God-bearing father '''Seraphim of Sarov''' was born on July 19, 1754. His parents, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin a Russian [[ascetic]] who lived at the Sarov Monastery in Kursk, Russia; Isidore was a merchant. At the age of 1018th century, he became seriously ill. During the course of his illness, he saw the Mother of God in his sleep, who promised to heal him. Several days later there was and is considered a religious procession in Kursk with the locally revered miracle[[wonder-working icon of the Mother of Godworker]]. Due to bad weather, the procession took an abbreviated route past the house of the Moshnin family The Church commemorates St. After his mother put Seraphim up to the miracle-working imageon [[January 2]], he recovered rapidly. While at a young age, he needed to help his parents with their shop, but business had little appeal for him. Young Seraphim loved to read and the lives opening of the saints, to attend church and to withdraw into seclusion for prayerhis [[relics]] on [[July 19]].
==Life==St. Seraphim was born Prokhor Moshnin on [[July 19]], 1754. His parents, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin, lived in Kursk, Russia; Isidore was a merchant. At the age of 1810, Prokhor became seriously ill. During the course of his illness, Seraphim firmly decided he saw the [[Mother of God]] in his sleep, who promised to become heal him. Several days later there was a monkreligious procession in Kursk with the locally revered [[miracle]]-working [[icon]] of the Mother of God. Due to bad weather, the procession took an abbreviated route past the house of the Moshnin family. His After his mother blessed him with put Prokhor up to the miracle-working image, he recovered rapidly. While at a large copper crucifixyoung age, which he wore over needed to help his clothing all his lifeparents with their shop, but business had little appeal for him. After thisYoung Prokhor loved to read the [[hagiography|lives of the saints]], to attend church, he entered the Sarov monastery as a noviceand to withdraw into seclusion for [[prayer]].
From day one in At the monasteryage of 18, exceptional abstinence from food and slumber were the distinguishing features of his lifeProkhor firmly decided to become a [[monk]]. He ate once His mother blessed him with a daylarge copper [[crucifix]], and little. On Wednesdays and Fridays which he ate nothingwore over his clothing all his life. After asking the blessing of his starets (i.e., a spiritual elder)this, he began to withdraw often into entered the forest for prayer and religious contemplation. He became severely ill again soon after, and was forced to spend most of the course of the next three years lying downSarov [[monastery]] as a [[novice]].
St===Monastic Life===From day one in the monastery, exceptional abstinence from food and slumber were the distinguishing features of his life. Seraphim was He ate once again healed by the Most Holy Virgin Marya day, Who appeared to him accompanied by several saintsand little. On Wednesdays and Fridays he ate nothing. Pointing After asking the blessing of his [[starets]] (a spiritual elder) he began to withdraw often into the venerable Seraphimforest for prayer and religious contemplation. He became severely ill again soon after, The Holy Virgin said and was forced to spend most of the apostle John course of the Theologian: "He is of our lineage." Then, by touching his side with Her staff, She healed himnext three years lying down.
His taking of the monastic vows occurred in 1786, when he Prokhor was 27 years old. He was given once again healed by the name SeraphimMost Holy Virgin Mary, which in Hebrew means "fiery," or "burning." He was soon made a hierodeacon. He justified his name who appeared to him accompanied by his extraordinarily burning prayerseveral saints. He spent all of his time, save for Pointing to the very shortest of restsyoung novice, in church. Through such prayer and the labors of religious services, Seraphim became worthy Holy Virgin said to see angels, both serving and singing in church. During the liturgy on Holy Thursday, he saw [[Apostle]] [[John the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in the form Theologian]]: "He is of the Son of manour lineage." Then, proceeding into the Church by touching his side with the Heavenly host and blessing those praying. The saint could not speak for a long time after being struck by this visionher staff,she healed him.
In 1793His taking of the monastic vows occurred in 1786, Stwhen he was 27 years old. He was given the name Seraphim was ordained a hieromonk, after which he served every day and received Holy Communion for a year. St. Seraphim then began to withdraw into his in Hebrew means "fiery,"farther hermitageor " — the forest wilderness about five kilometers from Sarov Monasteryburning. " He achieved great perfection at this timewas soon made a [[hierodeacon]]. Wild animals — bears, rabbits, wolves, foxes and others — came to the hut of the asceticHe justified his name by his extraordinarily burning prayer. The staritsa (i.e., eldress) He spent all of the Diveevo monasteryhis time, Matrona Plescheeva, witnessed how St. Seraphim fed a bear that had come to him out of his hand: "The face of save for the great starets was particularly miraculous. It was joyous and bright, as that very shortest of an angelrests," she described. While living in this little hermitage of his, Stchurch. Seraphim once suffered greatly at Through such prayer and the hands labors of robbers. Although he was physically very strong and was holding an axe at the timereligious services, St. Seraphim did not resist them. In answer became worthy to their threats and their demands for moneysee [[angel]]s, he lay his axe down on the ground, crossed his arms on his chest both serving and obediently gave himself up to themsinging in church. They began to beat him During the [[Liturgy]] on the head with the handle of his own axe. Blood began to pour out of his mouth and ears[[Holy Week|Holy Thursday]], and he fell unconscious. After that they began to hit him with a logsaw the Lord [[Jesus Christ]] Himself, trampled him under foot, and dragged him along the ground. They stopped beating him only when they had decided that he had died. The only treasure which the robbers found in his cell was the icon form of the Mother Son of God of Deep Emotion (Ymileniye), before which he always prayed. When, after some timeman, proceeding into the Church with the robbers were caught Heavenly host and brought to justice, the holy monk interceded on their behalf before the judgeblessing those praying. After the beating, St. Seraphim remained hunched over The saint could not speak for the rest of his lifea long time after being struck by this vision.
Soon ===Hermit===In 1793, St. Seraphim was [[ordination|ordained]] a [[hieromonk]], after which he served every day and received [[Eucharist]] for a year. St. Seraphim then began to withdraw into his "farther [[hermitage]]"—the forest wilderness about five km from Sarov Monastery. He achieved great perfection at this began time. Wild animals—bears, rabbits, wolves, foxes and others—came to the hut of the ascetic. The staritsa, i.e., eldress, of the [[Holy Trinity St. Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent|Diveevo monastery]], Matrona Plescheeva, witnessed how St. Seraphim fed a bear that had come to him out of his hand: "pillarThe face of the great starets was particularly miraculous. It was joyous and bright, as that of an angel," period she described. While living in this little hermitage of his, St. Seraphim once suffered greatly at the life hands of robbers. Although he was physically very strong and was holding an axe at the time, St. Seraphimdid not resist them. In answer to their threats and their demands for money, when he spent lay his days axe down on the ground, crossed his arms on his chest and obediently gave himself up to them. They began to beat him on the head with the handle of his own axe. Blood began to pour out of his mouth and ears, and he fell unconscious. After that they began to hit him with a rock near his little hermitagelog, trampled him under foot, and nights dragged him along the ground. They stopped beating him only when they had decided that he had died. The only treasure which the robbers found in his cell was the thick icon of the forestMother of God of Deep Emotion (Ymileniye), before which he always prayed. He prayed with his arms raised When, after some time, the robbers were caught and brought to heavenjustice, the holy monk interceded on their behalf before the judge. After the beating, almost without respiteSt. This feat Seraphim remained hunched over for the rest of his continued for a thousand dayslife.
Because of a special vision of Soon after this began the Mother "[[stylite|pillar]]" period of God he was given toward the end of his life, St. Seraphim took upon himself the feat of becoming an elder. He began to admit everyone who came to him for advice and direction. Many thousands of people from all walks of life and conditions began to visit the elder now, who enriched them from his spiritual treasures, which he had acquired by many years of efforts. Everyone saw St. Seraphim as meek, joyful, pensively sincere. He greeted all with the words: "My joy!" To many when he advised: "Acquire spent his days on a peaceful spiritrock near his little hermitage, and around you thousands will be saved." No matter who came to him, nights in the starets bowed to thick of the ground before all, and, in blessing, kissed their handsforest. He did not need the visitors prayed with his arms raised to tell about themselvesheaven, as he could see what each had on their soulalmost without respite. He also said, "Cheerfulness is not This feat of his continued for a sinthousand days. It drives away weariness, for from weariness there is sometimes dejection, and there is nothing worse than that."
"OhBecause of a special vision of the Mother of God he was given toward the end of his life, St. Seraphim took upon himself the feat of becoming an elder. He began to admit everyone who came to him for advice and direction. Many thousands of people from all walks of life and conditions began to visit the elder now, who enriched them from his spiritual treasures, if you only knew" which he once said to a monkhad acquired by many years of efforts. Everyone saw St. Seraphim as meek, joyful, pensively sincere. He greeted all with the words: "what My joy, what sweetness awaits ! Christ is risen" To many he advised: "Acquire a righteous soul in Heaven! You would decide in this mortal life to bear any sorrowspeaceful spirit, persecutions and slander with gratitudearound you thousands will be saved. If this very cell of ours was filled with worms" No matter who came to him, and these worms were the starets bowed to eat our flesh for our entire life on earththe ground before all, we should agree to it with total desireand, in order blessing, kissed their hands. He did not need the visitors to losetell about themselves, as he could see what each had on their soul. He also said, "Cheerfulness is not a sin. It drives away weariness, by any chancefor from weariness there is sometimes dejection, and there is nothing worse than that heavenly joy which God has prepared for those who love Him."
The miraculous transfiguration of the starets’ face was described by "Oh, if you only knew," he once said to a close admirer and follower of St. Seraphim — Motovilov. This happened during the wintermonk, "what joy, on what sweetness awaits a cloudy day. Motovilov was sitting on a stump righteous soul in [[Heaven]]! You would decide in the woods; Stthis mortal life to bear any sorrows, persecutions and slander with gratitude. Seraphim If this very cell of ours was squatting across from him filled with worms, and telling his pupil the meaning of a Christian these worms were to eat our flesh for our entire lifeon earth, explaining we should agree to it with total desire, in order not to lose, by any chance, that heavenly joy which God has prepared for what we Christians live on earththose who love Him."
===Motovilov===The miraculous transfiguration of the starets' face was described by a close admirer and follower of St. Seraphim: Motovilov. This happened during the winter, on a cloudy day. Motovilov was sitting on a stump in the woods; St. Seraphim was squatting across from him and telling his pupil the meaning of a Christian life, explaining for what we Christians live on earth. "It is necessary that the [[Holy Spirit ]] enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us," he said.
"Father," answered Motovilov, "how can I see the grace of the Holy Spirit? How can I know if He is with me or not?"
St. Seraphim began to give him examples from the lives of the saints and apostles, but Motovilov still did not understand. The elder then firmly took him by the shoulder and said to him, "We are both now, my dear fellow, in the Holy Spirit." It was as if Motovilov’s Motovilov's eyes had been opened, for he saw that the face of the elder was brighter than the sun. In his heart Motovilov felt joy and peace, in his body a warmth as if it were summer, and a fragrance began to spread around them. Motovilov was terrified by the unusual change, but especially by the fact that the face of the starets shone like the sun. But St. Seraphim said to him, "Do not fear, dear fellow. You would not even be able to see me if you yourself were not in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Thank the Lord for His mercy toward us."
Thus Motovilov understood, in mind and heart, what the descent of the Holy Spirit and His transfiguration of a person meant.
==Quotes==[[Image:SeraphimSarov5h.JPG‎|right|frame|Seraphim's Grotto, Geelong Monastery]]"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved." "Where there is God, there is no evil. Everything coming from God is peaceful, healthy and leads a person to the judgment of his own imperfections and humility." "When a person accepts anything Godly, then he rejoices in his heart, but when he has accepted anything devilish, then he becomes tormented." "The days devil is like a lion, hiding in ambush (Ps 10:19, 1Pe 5:8). He secretly sets out nets of unclean and unholy thoughts. So, it is necessary to break them off as soon as we notice them, by means of pious reflection and prayer." "It is necessary that the Holy Spirit enter our heart. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us." "A sign of spiritual life is the commemoration immersion of Sta person within himself and the hidden workings within his heart. Seraphim " "Excessive care about worldly matters is characteristic of an unbelieving and fainthearted person, and woe to us, if, in taking care of ourselves, we do not use as our foundation our faith in God, who cares for us! If we do not attribute visible blessings to Him, which we use in this life, then how can we expect those blessings from Him which are promised in the future? We will not be of such little faith. By the words of our Saviour, it is better first to seek the Kingdom of God, for the rest shall be added unto us (see Mt. 6:33)." "True hope seeks the one Kingdom of God and is sure that everything necessary for this mortal life will surely be given. The heart cannot have peace until it acquires this hope. This hope pacifies it fully and brings joy to it. The most holy lips of the Saviour spoke about this very hope: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are August 1 heavy laden, and January 15 I will give you rest" (July 19 Mt. 11:28)." "Oh, if you only knew what joy, what sweetness awaits a righteous soul in Heaven! You would decide in this mortal life to bear any sorrows, persecutions and slander with gratitude. If this very cell of ours was filled with worms, and these worms were to eat our flesh for our entire life on earth, we should agree to it with total desire, in order not to lose, by any chance, that heavenly joy which God has prepared for those who love Him." "When I am dead, come to me at my grave, and the more often the better. Whatever is in your soul, whatever may have happened to you, come to me as when I was alive and kneeling on the ground, cast all your bitterness upon my grave. Tell me everything and I shall listen to you, and all the bitterness will fly away from you. And as you spoke to me when I was alive, do so now. For I am living and I shall be forever." "The reading of the word of God should be performed in solitude, in order that the whole mind of the reader might be plunged into the truths of the [[Holy Scripture]], and that from this he might receive warmth, which in solitude produces tears; from these a man is wholly warmed and is filled with spiritual gifts, which rejoice the mind and heart more than any word." "God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil—for the devil is cold—let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the good will flee before the heat of His countenance." "The body is a slave, the soul a sovereign, and therefore it is due to Divine mercy when the body is worn out by illness: for thereby the passions are weakened, and a man comes to himself; indeed, bodily illness itself is sometimes caused by the passions." -- ''Spiritual Instructions''. "Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God should practice the remembrance of God and uninterrupted prayer to Jesus Christ, mentally saying: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." "When despondency seizes us, let us not give in to it. Rather, fortified and protected by the light of faith, let us with great courage say to the spirit of evil: "What are you to us, you who are cut off from God, a fugitive for Heaven, and a slave of evil? You dare not do anything to us: Christ, the Son of God, has dominion over us and January 2 over all. Leave us, you thing of bane. We are made steadfast by the church calendar)uprightness of His Cross. Serpent, we trample on your head."
== Hymns ==
[[Troparion]] (Tone 4)
:Thou didst love Christ from thy youth, O blessed one,
:and longing to work for Him alone thou didst struggle in the wilderness with constant prayer and labor.
:With penitent heart and great love for Christ thou wast favored by the Mother of God.
:Wherefore we cry to thee:
:Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim our [[righteous]] Father.
 
[[Kontakion]] (Tone 2)
:Having left the beauty of the world and what is corrupt in it, O saint,
:thou didst settle in Sarov Monastery.
:And having lived there an angelic life,
:thou wast for many the way to salvation.
:Wherefore Christ has glorified thee, O Father Seraphim,
:and has enriched thee with the gift of healing and miracles.
:And so we cry to thee:
:Rejoice, O Seraphim, our righteous Father.
 
==Source==
*[http://www.russian-orthodox-church.org.uk/WHO%20IS%20ST.%20SERAPHIM.htm St. Seraphim of Sarov: Life and Teachings] by Bishop [[Alexander (Mileant) of Buenos Aires|Alexander (Mileant)]], translated by Nicholas and Natalia Semyanko
 
==Bibliography==
* ''Little Russian Philokalia, Vol. 1'', by St. Seraphim of Sarov. St. Xenia Skete Press, 1997. (ISBN 0938635301)
* ''Modern Orthodox Saints Vol. 5: St. Seraphim of Sarov'' by Constantine Cavarnos and Mary-Barbara Zeldin. Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, 1980. (ISBN 9780914744481)
* ''The Aim of Christian Life: The Conversation of St Seraphim of Sarov with N.A. Motovilov'' by St. Seraphim of Sarov and N.A. Motovilov. Saints Alive Press, 2010. (ISBN 9780956731302)
===Children===
* ''The Life of Saint Seraphim Wonderworker of Sarov - For Young People'', by Maria Naumenko, Maria Naumenko (Illustrator). Holy Trinity Monastery, 1992. (ISBN 9780884650492)
* ''St. Seraphim's Beatitudes: Blessings for Our Path to Heaven - Based on the Life of the Wonderworker of Sarov'', by Priest Daniel Marshall. St. Innocent Press, 2008. (ISBN 9780978654306)
 
==External links==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100008 Repose of the Venerable Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov] ([[OCA]])
*[http://orthodoxchurchquotes.com/category/sayings-from-saints-elders-and-fathers/st-seraphim-of-sarov/ Quotes of St. Seraphim of Sarov] - [http://orthodoxchurchquotes.com Orthodox Church Quotes] website
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=102053 Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov] (OCA)
*[http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/July/19-08.htm Seraphim-Diveyevo "Tenderness" Icon of the Mother of God] which belonged to St. Seraphim
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/366 Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov] ([[GOARCH]])
*[http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/696 Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous Seraphim of Sarov]] (GOARCH)
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/peace.htm Prayer for Peace] St. Seraphim used non-resistance to make peace.
*[http://www.serafim100.ru/ Portal devoted to 100-th anniversary of St. Seraphim of Sarov glorification] (in Russian)
*[http://www.sarov-monastery.org/english/ English page on Sarov monastery website]
 
==Icons==
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/svp01.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov]
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/inp100.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Nick Papas
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/phn53.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Nick Papas
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/rbp04.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Robert Brewster
*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/s/mdg02.htm Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov] by the hand of Matthew Garrett
Troparion of St. Seraphim, Tone 4
Thou didst love Christ from thy youth, O blessed one,/ and longing to work for Him alone thou didst struggle in the wilderness with constant prayer and labor./ With penitent heart and great love for Christ thou wast favored by the Mother of God./ Wherefore we cry to thee:/ Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim our righteous Father.
Kontakion of St. Seraphim, Tone 2[[Category:Featured Articles]][[Category:Monastics]][[Category:Hesychasm]][[Category:Russian Saints]][[Category:Saints]][[Category:Wonderworkers]][[Category:19th-century saints]]
Having left the beauty of the world and what is corrupt in it, O saint,/ thou didst settle in [[fr:Séraphin de Sarov Monastery./ And having lived there an angelic life,/ thou wast for many the way to salvation./ Wherefore Christ has glorified thee, O Father Seraphim,/ and has enriched thee with the gift of healing and miracles./ And so we cry to thee]][[ro:/ Rejoice, O Seraphim, our righteous Father.Serafim de Sarov]]
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