Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Father's miracles. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

In the Orthodox calendar

Childhood and youth of St. Seraphim of Sarov

The small homeland of Seraphim of Sarov was the city of Kursk. The monk came from a well-known, well-to-do merchant family. Seraphim's father, Isidor Moshnin, was a pious and devout man. By the nature of his earthly activity, he owned brick factories, was engaged in trade, took contracts for the construction of houses and churches. Seraphim's mother, the Christian Agafia Fotiyevna, was not inferior to him in virtue, but was especially noted for her mercy and attention to the poor.

From the marriage of Isidor and Agafia Moshnin, three children were born: Paraskeva, Alexei and Prokhor, the future father Seraphim. Seraphim was born in 1759, on the night of July 19-20. It is believed that the name Prochorus was given to him at Baptism in honor of one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles, whose feast day is celebrated on July 28.

Seraphim's father, Isidore, died quite early, and the whole burden of responsibility for the maintenance and upbringing of children fell on the shoulders of the widow. She also took upon herself the burden of managing the state and affairs, upon completion of the construction of the temple in the name of St. Sergius started by her husband.

Once, controlling the progress of construction, inspecting the bell tower, Agafia climbed to the top, and Prokhor, who accompanied her, approached the edge, leaned over the railing, could not resist and fell from a height. The mother ran downstairs in horror, but, standing before her son, found him healthy and unharmed. So God showed His first miracle over the future lamp of the Russian land.

At the age of ten, Prokhor suffered a serious illness. It would seem that everything is moving towards a disappointing end: some did not even count on his recovery. But now, Prokhor appeared Heavenly Queen promising healing. And a little later, when they were carrying the Root Icon of the Mother of God around the city, and when, due to a sudden surging downpour, they carried it through the Moshnins’ courtyard to shorten the path, the mother, having oriented herself, quickly took her child, carried him out into the yard and brought him to the miraculous image. Soon the child went on the mend, began to grow stronger and recovered. So God showed the second miracle in relation to Seraphim.

After that, Prokhor took up his studies with even greater zeal, spent a lot of time reading, and learned to write.

Once the Providence of God brought him from Christ for the sake of the holy fools. They say that having met Agafia with two sons on the street, he, looking at Prochorus, announced his future glory as a saint of God. Subsequently, communicating with the holy fool, Prokhor absorbed a lot of good and kind from him.

At that time, he often visited the temple, prayed a lot. Meanwhile, he did not shy away from the role of his mother's assistant in economic and commercial affairs, and did the proper work. However, the more he grew in spiritual age, the more he realized how difficult it is to combine solitude, love and service to God with trading profits and worries of the world.

On the way to monastic life

Prokhor more and more dreamed of a monastic life. Knowing and understanding the religious aspirations of her son, remembering the miracles that happened to him, Agathia did not interfere with her son, and would rather want to let him go, entrusting the providence of God, than to keep him with her mother's tears and reproach. It is believed that Prokhor made the final decision in this regard in the seventeenth year of his life.

On the one hand, he was attracted by the Sarov monastery, where by that time many of his fellow countrymen were ascetic. But on the other hand, he wanted to pray at the holy relics of St. Anthony and Theodosius, to get acquainted with the life of the Kiev-Pechersk monks, to receive guidance and blessings from the elders there. There he went on foot, along with five pilgrims. Before leaving, his mother blessed him with a copper cross, with which, then, he did not part, and which he wore on his chest all his earthly life.

Having reached Kyiv, the travelers found out that a seer, Dositheus, was working in the Kitaevskaya desert. Prokhor went to him. The elder, seeing the will of God, gave him a parting exhortation, pointed out the need to constantly keep the memory of God and call on the name of the Lord, and blessed him for asceticism in the Sarov Hermitage.

After that, Prokhor returned home for a while, to Kursk, and lived there for several months. No matter how bitter Agafya was to part with her son again, she again blessed him, and he left again: to where he had long been with his heart.

After a long and difficult journey, he finally arrived at the monastery. This happened on November 20, 1778.

The beginning of the monastic exploits of St. Seraphim of Sarov

The abbot of the monastery, Elder Pachomius, entrusted the spiritual guardianship of Prokhor to the wise and experienced ascetic, treasurer, Elder Joseph. Initially, Prokhor was assigned the obedience of a cell-attendant. As the stay continued, one obedience was replaced by another. Prokhor worked resignedly and diligently both in the bakery, and in the prosphora, and in the carpentry; he performed the duties of an alarm clock, then a sexton, and together with the brethren he prepared firewood.

Prokhor prayed a lot, read, observed abstinence. Having in mind examples from the life of the great desert dwellers and gravitating towards solitude, he asked for blessings so that he could retire in the forest during hours free from obedience and duties. There he built a small hut for himself and indulged in divine thought and prayer in it.

Approximately 2 years after entering the monastery, Prokhor fell ill and swelled up. This disease, presumably dropsy, continued for almost three years. Prokhor's illness was so serious that they began to fear for his life. But by the grace of God, he was healed: once, after communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, the Mother of God appeared to him, accompanied by the apostles Peter and John, and after Her miraculous intervention, the disease subsided.

Subsequently, on the site of this miracle, they began to build a hospital building, and with it a church. They say that the place of the appearance of the Virgin fell on the altar of the temple being built. A financial levy was allowed for the construction. Prokhor willingly accepted the obedience of the collector. Bypassing various places for this purpose, he reached Kursk, where he met with relatives. His brother, Alexei, made a significant contribution to the construction. After that, Prokhor returned to the monastery. Being a skilled carpenter, he personally made an altar for the church.

On August 13, 1786, hegumen Pachomius tonsured Prochorus to the rank of monk. Since that time, a new name has been established for Prokhor - Seraphim. And a little later, on October 27, 1786, Bishop of Vladimir and Murom, His Grace Victor, Seraphim was consecrated to the rank of hierodeacon. They say that during the period of the deacon's ministry, he more than once contemplated on Divine Liturgy angelic powers.

On September 2, 1793, Bishop Theophilus ordained Seraphim as a hieromonk. Approximately a year later Father Pachomiy reposed. Before that, he entrusted Father Seraphim with the care of the Diveevo sisters, about which, in turn, their abbess, the old woman Agafya Melgunova, asked him before her death.

Since that time, Father Seraphim, prepared by Providence for a life in solitude, asked for blessings from the new rector, Father Isaiah, to live in the wilderness. This happened 16 years after Prokhor's arrival at the monastery. In addition to internal reasons, this decision contributed to the bodily illness of the Reverend. From unceasing pastoral labors and kneeling cell prayers, Father Seraphim's legs were covered with wounds and swollen; it was hard for him to bear the monastic obedience.

The Hermit Life of Saint Seraphim

The Monk Seraphim settled about five versts from the monastery, on the banks of the Sarovka River, in a wooden cell located on an elevated place in a dense, deserted forest.

Living in solitude, the saint prayed a lot, performed divine services, read, cultivated a small garden. He wore only wretched clothes, and over his shoulders - a bag with the Holy Gospel. On the eve of Sundays and holidays, he returned to the monastery, confessed, took communion, talked with those who needed to communicate with him.

Despite some inaccessibility of Seraphim's dwelling, people came to him and there: some for consolation, some for advice and blessing. Considering it inconvenient for him to communicate with females, and at the same time believing that a refusal to edify could violate the Divine will, Seraphim turned to the Most Holy Theotokos and the Lord with a prayer, so that He would give him a special sign. According to legend, in response to the prayer of the saint, after a short time the path leading to the cell was littered with branches of mighty trees. Seeing this, Father Seraphim fell before God and gave Him thanks and praise.

It is reported that when raising a battle against the ascetic Seraphim, the devil sought to instill fear in him: either he showed him the howl of a wild beast, then a large crowd, then a coffin with a dead man, then he lifted him into the air and threw him down with force, from which the Guardian Angel saved him .

And once, on September 12, 1804, when the monk was preparing firewood for the farm, three villains approached him and demanded money from him, believing that Seraphim kept material donations. The monk met the danger with deep Christian humility: he did not resist the robbers, although he held an ax in his hands. When he lowered the ax, one of the robbers picked it up and hit the saint on the head with a butt. After that, the uninvited guests began to beat the monk, despite the fact that he lost consciousness from the blow. Then he was dragged to the house, tied up and searched, the whole cell turned over, but no riches were found. Then they were attacked by terror and they ran away.

Having come to his senses, Father Seraphim independently freed himself from the bonds, gave praise to God and, trusting in His mercy, prayed for the forgiveness of the offenders. Somehow, overcoming himself, he made his way to the monastery. For eight days Seraphim suffered terribly, did not take food, could not even sleep. When the doctors called from Arzamas arrived, they discovered: the head of the monk was broken, the ribs were broken, the body was wounded. By the end of the inspection, Father Seraphim fell into oblivion and was rewarded with another appearance of the Mother of God. She came with the apostles: Peter and John. Looking at Seraphim, the Most Holy One turned to the apostles with the words: “This is from our generation.” Seraphim was filled with extreme joy, and in the evening he got out of bed, asked for food and refreshed himself. Gradually his condition improved. However, the traces of that cruel crime, in particular the stoop, were imprinted for life. From now on, Saint Seraphim supported himself on a hoe or an ax when walking.

Five months later, Seraphim, having asked for blessings, returned to solitude. And soon the robbers were caught. They turned out to be serfs. The indignation of the inhabitants knew no bounds. They wanted to put the villains on trial, but Father Seraphim begged Father Isaiah and their landowner, Tatishchev, to pardon them, which was done. Meanwhile, having left the court of man, they did not leave the Court of the Truth of God. After their houses burned down, they themselves came to the monk, begging him for forgiveness and prayers for them.

In addition to other signs that took place with the participation of Saint Seraphim and pointed to the special favor of God towards him, they name his relationship with wild animals, which he fed from his poor table. Among others, a bear was a frequent visitor of the Reverend Father. According to an eyewitness, one day he watched how Saint Seraphim, sitting on a log, fed a bear with crackers, after which the beast, having eaten, turned around and went into the forest.

When in 1806 Father Isaiah became weak and resigned from the leadership, the brethren wanted to elect Father Seraphim in his place. This was already the second proposal to the monk to take on the role of rector (the first came even earlier, when the place of archimandrite in Altyr became vacant). But the reverend rejected him too.

After the death of Isaiah, which occurred in 1787, Father Seraphim chose for himself an even more severe ascetic feat - silence. In it the saint remained for three years. He no longer received visitors, and if someone suddenly met in the forest, he fell on his face and did not raise his face until he left. The monk visited his monastery less and less often, sometimes he did not appear there even on holidays.

Halfway between the monastery and the cell lay a huge granite boulder. For a thousand days, Father Seraphim came to this stone every night and, standing on his feet or on his knees, raising his hands to Heaven, he prayed. Another stone was located in the cell, where he prayed during the day, interrupted only for eating and the necessary rest.

New shutter

Much has changed in Seraphim's life with the decision of Father Nifont, supported by other fathers: to oblige Seraphim to visit the monastery on Sundays and holidays, to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ; or, if his health does not allow him to make regular transitions, order him to return to the monastery and live in a monastery cell.

The choice was not great. Fulfilling the condition of obedience, the monk returned. It happened on May 8, 1810. However, having asked for a blessing, Seraphim continued to live as a recluse, but already inside the monastery fence. The Holy Gifts were brought to him in his cell. During this period, the elder made himself a coffin and placed it in the entrance hall. After five years of such seclusion, he began to weaken him in order to serve people who needed his guidance and prayers. They say that during this period, the Heavenly Queen again appeared to Father Seraphim, according to some information, with Onuphrius the Great and Peter Athos, demanding to serve people.

It is believed that the elder wore heavy chains under his clothes. According to another version, the weight of the chain replaced the weight of a large five-inch cross.

Organization of the Diveevo monastery.

In 1825, on November 25, on the day of the memory of Saints Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria, the Mother of God, in a dreamy vision, visited Father Seraphim along with the named saints of God, and said that he could leave the shutter. Around this time, sisters from the Diveevo community began to visit Father Seraphim.

He also had a conversation with their boss, the old woman Xenia Mikhailovna. The number of sisters had increased by that time, and it was appropriate to increase the holdings. Father Seraphim suggested that she change the charter of the community, which was distinguished by its strictness. But she refused. The monk did not interfere in the affairs of their community, believing that the commanded care of the community no longer lay on his conscience, or, at least, God's special will should be revealed to that.

After receiving a blessing from Father Nifont for life in the desert, Seraphim went to the forest. It was the same day, November 25, 1825. They say that on the way, he witnessed another appearance of the Mother of God. This time, two apostles were with her: Peter and John the Theologian. When the Virgin hit the ground with her wand, a fountain of bright water gushed out of the ground. The Most Holy Lady reminded the monk of his obligation related to the request of Agafya Melgunova, the instructions of Father Pachomius, and informed him of the need to build the Diveevo monastery at the place indicated.

By order of the Mother of God, the monk was to take eight sisters from the community of Xenia, and at the appointed place, in the back of the village of Diveevo, found a monastery, which only girls could enter. It was necessary to protect this place with a ditch and a rampart, put up a mill, build cells, and then a church. In addition, the Mother of God gave a new charter for the monastery and promised to take it under Her protection.

In the place where Her feet were located and the healing spring filled, a well was built, later called Seraphim. Seraphim himself made this place the place of his feat. On Sundays and holidays, he remained in the monastery. The number of visitors to Father Seraphim has increased greatly. He tried to listen to them with due attention.

Death of Saint Seraphim

The last, in earthly life, the appearance of the Mother of God to the venerable elder took place in the early morning, on the Feast of the Annunciation, on March 25, 1831. Father Seraphim was informed that his earthly exploits were nearing completion. Preparing for the departure, the elder warned his neighbors that he would soon leave this world.

In 1833, on his first day, Seraphim went out several times to the place he chose for his burial, and prayed for a long time. The next day he was found dead, on his knees. An eyewitness to the miracle accompanying the blessed death of Seraphim of Sarov, by the grace of God, was the famous prayer book, Elder Filaret Glinsky. “On the night of January 2, 1833, standing on the porch of his cell, Father Filaret Glinsky saw a radiance in the sky and someone’s soul singing up to Heaven by Angels. For a long time he looked at this wonderful vision. Calling to himself some of the brethren who were here, he showed them an unusual light and, after thinking, he said: “This is how the souls of the righteous depart! Now Father Seraphim has rested in Sarov. Only two of the brethren were honored to see the radiance. Later they found out that, indeed, Father Seraphim had died that very night ”(Glinsky Paterik). Subsequently, the body of the righteous man was laid in a coffin, made by him in advance and with his own hand, and buried in the ground, near the altar of the cathedral church.

Spiritual and moral instructions of St. Seraphim of Sarov

Father Seraphim did not leave written theological works, lengthy treatises as a legacy to believers. Therefore, he is not a church writer.

Nevertheless, his preaching and moral edifications have survived to this day, being captured in the memoirs of contemporaries (see on this occasion: ; ; ; ; ).

Troparion to the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, tone 4

From the youth of Christ you have loved, blessed, / and, having ardently desired to work for the One, / you labored in the wilderness with unceasing prayer and labor, / having acquired the love of Christ with a touched heart, / the chosen one of God’s beloved Matera appeared to you. / For this sake, cry to you: / / save us with your prayers, Seraphim, our reverend father.

John troparion to the Monk Seraphim, the Wonderworker of Sarov, tone 4

From the youth of Christ you loved, reverend, / and you ardently lusted for the One to work, / in your wilderness life you labored with unceasing prayer and labor, / having acquired the love of Christ with a touching heart, / Heavenly Seraphim in hymnology, champion, / in love flowing to you Christ imitator, / the same chosen one beloved of God’s Mother appeared to you, / for this reason we cry out to you: / save us with your prayers, our joy, / warm intercessor before God, / blessed Seraphim.

Kontakion to the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, tone 2

Leaving the beauty of the world and even the perishable in it, reverend, / you settled in the Sarov monastery / and, living there as an angel, / you were the way to salvation for many, / for this sake, and Christ to you, Father Seraphim, glorify / and enrich with the gift of healings and miracles ./ The same cry to you // Rejoice, Seraphim, our reverend father.

Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, miracle worker

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, a great ascetic of the Russian Church, was born on July 19, 1754. The parents of the monk, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin, were residents of Kursk. Isidore was a merchant and took contracts for the construction of buildings, and at the end of his life he began the construction of a cathedral in Kursk, but died before the completion of the work. Younger son Prokhor remained in the care of his mother, who raised a deep faith in her son.

After the death of her husband, Agafia Moshnina, who continued the construction of the cathedral, once took Prochorus with her there, who, having stumbled, fell down from the bell tower. The Lord saved the life of the future lamp of the Church: the frightened mother, going downstairs, found her son unharmed.

Young Prokhor, having an excellent memory, soon learned to read and write. Since childhood, he loved to attend church services and read to his peers. Holy Bible and the Lives of the Saints, but most of all he loved to pray or read the Holy Gospel in solitude.

Once Prokhor fell seriously ill, his life was in danger. In a dream the boy saw Mother of God who promised to visit and heal him. Soon through the courtyard of the Moshnins' estate passed procession with the icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos; the mother carried Prokhor in her arms, and he venerated the holy icon, after which he quickly began to recover.

Even in his youth, Prokhor made the decision to devote his life entirely to God and go to the monastery. The pious mother did not interfere with this and blessed him on the monastic path with a crucifix, which the monk wore on his chest all his life. Prokhor with pilgrims went on foot from Kursk to Kyiv to worship the Caves saints.

Schemamonk Elder Dositheus, who was visited by Prokhor, blessed him to go to the Sarov hermitage and save himself there. Returning briefly to his parents' house, Prokhor forever said goodbye to his mother and family. On November 20, 1778, he came to Sarov, where the wise old man, Father Pachomius, was then rector. He affectionately received the young man and appointed Elder Joseph as his confessor. Under his leadership, Prokhor went through many obediences in the monastery: he was the cell-attendant of the elder, worked in the bakery, prosphora and carpentry, performed the duties of a sexton, and did everything with zeal and zeal, serving, as it were, the Lord Himself. By constant work, he protected himself from boredom - this, as he later said, "the most dangerous temptation for novice monks, which is healed by prayer, abstinence from idle talk, feasible needlework, reading the Word of God and patience, because it is born from cowardice, carelessness and idle talk" .

Already in these years, Prokhor, following the example of other monks who retired to the forest to pray, asked the blessing of the elder in his free time to also go to the forest, where he performed the Jesus Prayer in complete solitude. Two years later, the novice Prokhor fell ill with dropsy, his body was swollen, he experienced severe suffering. The mentor, Father Joseph, and other elders who loved Prokhor, looked after him. The illness lasted about three years, and not once did anyone hear a word of grumbling from him. The elders, fearing for the life of the patient, wanted to call a doctor to him, but Prokhor asked not to do this, saying to Father Pachomius: "I have betrayed myself, Holy Father, to the True Physician of souls and bodies - our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother..." , and wished to be communed with the Holy Mysteries. At the same time Prochorus had a vision: the Mother of God appeared in an inexpressible light, accompanied by the holy apostles Peter and John. Then she touched the patient's side with the staff, and immediately the liquid that filled the body began to flow out through the hole formed, and he quickly recovered. Soon, on the site of the appearance of the Mother of God, a hospital church was built, one of the aisles of which was consecrated in the name of the Monks Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky. The altar for the side-altar St. Seraphim built with his own hands from cypress wood and always communed the Holy Mysteries in this church.

After spending eight years as a novice in the Sarov monastery, Prokhor took monastic tonsure with the name Seraphim, which so well expressed his fiery love for the Lord and his desire to serve Him zealously. A year later, Seraphim was consecrated to the rank of hierodeacon. Burning in spirit, he served daily in the temple, incessantly praying even after the service. The Lord vouchsafed the reverend visions of grace during church services: more than once he saw the holy angels ministering to the brethren. The monk was granted a special vision of grace during the Divine Liturgy on Maundy Thursday, which was officiated by the rector Father Pachomius and Elder Joseph. When, after the troparia, the monk uttered "Lord, save the pious" and, standing in the royal gates, pointed the orarion at the worshipers with the exclamation "and forever and ever," a bright ray suddenly dawned on him. Raising his eyes, the Monk Seraphim saw the Lord Jesus Christ walking through the air from the western doors of the temple, surrounded by Heavenly Incorporeal Forces. Reaching the pulpit. The Lord blessed all those praying and entered the local icon to the right of the royal gates. The Monk Seraphim, looking in spiritual delight at the wondrous manifestation, could not utter a word, nor move from his place. He was taken by the arms to the altar, where he stood for another three hours, changing in his face from the great grace that illumined him. After the vision, the monk intensified his exploits: during the day he labored in the monastery, and spent his nights in prayer in a deserted forest cell.

In 1793, at the age of 39, Saint Seraphim was ordained to the rank of hieromonk and continued to serve in the church. After the death of the rector, Father Pachomius, the Monk Seraphim, having his dying blessing for a new feat - wilderness living, also took a blessing from the new rector - Father Isaiah - and went to a desert cell a few kilometers from the monastery, in a dense forest. Here he began to indulge in solitary prayers, coming to the monastery only on Saturday, before the Vespers, and returning to his cell after the Liturgy, during which he took communion of the Holy Mysteries. The monk spent his life in severe deeds. Own cell prayer rule he performed according to the rules of the ancient desert monasteries; he never parted with the Holy Gospel, reading the entire New Testament during the week, he also read patristic and liturgical books. The monk memorized many church hymns and sang them during his hours of work in the forest. Near the cell, he planted a vegetable garden and set up a bee-keeper. Earning food for himself, the monk kept a very strict fast, ate once a day, and on Wednesday and Friday he completely abstained from food. On the first week of Holy Lent, he did not take food until Saturday, when he received Communion of the Holy Mysteries.

The holy elder in solitude sometimes immersed himself in inner prayer of the heart to such an extent that he remained motionless for a long time, hearing nothing and not seeing anything around him. Hermit monks, Schemamonk Mark the Silent and Hierodeacon Alexander, who visited him from time to time, finding the saint in such a prayer, silently retired with reverence so as not to disturb his contemplation.

AT summer heat the monk collected moss in the swamp to fertilize the garden; mosquitoes mercilessly stung him, but he complacently endured this suffering, saying: "Passion is destroyed by suffering and sorrow, either arbitrary or sent by Providence." For about three years, the monk ate only one herb, sthnitsa, which grew around his cell. To him more and more often began to come, except for the brethren, the laity - for advice and blessings. It violated his privacy. Having asked for the blessing of the rector, the monk blocked access to women, and then to everyone else, receiving a sign that the Lord approved of his idea of ​​complete silence. Through the prayer of the monk, the path to his deserted cell was blocked by huge boughs of centuries-old pines. Now only the birds that flew in multitudes to the reverend, and wild animals visited him. The monk fed the bear with bread from his hands when bread was brought to him from the monastery.

Seeing the deeds of the Monk Seraphim, the enemy of the human race armed himself against him and, wanting to force the saint to leave silence, decided to frighten him, but the monk protected himself with prayer and strength. Life-Giving Cross . The devil brought upon the saint "mental warfare" - a stubborn, prolonged temptation. To repel the onslaught of the enemy, the Monk Seraphim aggravated his labors, taking upon himself the feat of pilgrimage. Every night he climbed a huge stone in the forest and prayed with outstretched hands, crying out: "God, be merciful to me a sinner." During the day, he prayed in his cell, also on a stone, which he brought from the forest, leaving it only for a short rest and refreshing his body with meager food. Thus the monk prayed for 1000 days and nights. The devil, put to shame by the monk, planned to kill him and sent robbers. Approaching the saint, who was working in the garden, the robbers began to demand money from him. The monk at that time had an ax in his hands, he was physically strong and could have defended himself, but he did not want to do this, remembering the words of the Lord: "Those who take the sword will perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:52). The saint, lowering the ax to the ground, said: "Do what you need." The robbers began to beat the monk, crushed his head with a butt, broke several ribs, then, having tied him up, they wanted to throw him into the river, but first they searched the cell in search of money. Having crushed everything in the cell and found nothing in it except an icon and a few potatoes, they were ashamed of their crime and left. The monk, having regained consciousness, crawled to the cell and, suffering severely, lay all night. In the morning, with great difficulty, he made his way to the monastery. The brethren were horrified when they saw the wounded ascetic. For eight days the monk lay, suffering from wounds; doctors were called to him, surprised that Seraphim, after such beatings, remained alive. But the monk did not receive healing from doctors: the Queen of Heaven appeared to him in a thin dream with the apostles Peter and John. Touching the head of the monk, the Blessed Virgin granted him healing. After this incident, the Monk Seraphim had to spend about five months in the monastery, and then he again went to a deserted cell. Remaining bent forever, the monk walked leaning on a staff or hatchet, but he forgave his offenders and asked not to punish him. After the death of Father Isaiah, who had been his friend from his youth, he took upon himself the feat of silence, completely renouncing all worldly thoughts for the purest standing before God in unceasing prayer. If a saint met a person in the forest, he fell on his face and did not get up until the passer-by moved away. In such silence, the elder spent about three years, ceasing even to visit the monastery on Sundays. The fruit of silence was for Saint Seraphim the acquisition of peace of soul and joy in the Holy Spirit. The great ascetic later said to one of the monks of the monastery: "... my joy, I pray you, acquire the spirit of peace, and then thousands of souls will be saved around you." The new rector, Fr. Nifont, and the elder brethren of the monastery suggested that Fr. Seraphim either continue to come to the monastery on Sundays to take part in divine services and communion at the monastery of the Holy Mysteries, or return to the monastery. The monk chose the latter, since it became difficult for him to walk from the desert to the monastery. In the spring of 1810 he returned to the monastery after 15 years in the desert. Without interrupting his silence, he added to this feat a shutter, and, without going anywhere and receiving no one, he was incessantly in prayer and contemplation of God. In seclusion, the Monk Seraphim acquired a high spiritual purity and was vouchsafed from God special grace-given gifts - clairvoyance and wonderworking. Then the Lord placed His chosen one to serve people in the highest monastic feat - elderhood. On November 25, 1825, the Mother of God, together with the two saints celebrated that day, appeared in a dream to the elder and commanded him to leave the seclusion and receive weak human souls, requiring instruction, consolation, guidance and healing. Having been blessed by the rector to change his way of life, the monk opened the doors of his cell to everyone. The elder saw the hearts of people, and, as a spiritual doctor, he healed mental and physical illnesses with a prayer to God and a grace-filled word. Those who came to the Monk Seraphim felt his great love and listened with tenderness to the affectionate words with which he addressed people: "My joy, my treasure." The elder began to visit his desert cell and the spring, called Bogoslovsky, near which a small cell was built for him. Leaving the cell, the elder always carried a knapsack with stones over his shoulders. When asked why he was doing this, the saint humbly answered: "I torment him who torments me." In the last period of his earthly life, the Monk Seraphim took special care of his beloved, the offspring of the Diveevo Convent. While still in the rank of hierodeacon, he accompanied the late rector Father Pachomius to the Diveevo community to the rector nun Alexandra, a great ascetic, and then Father Pachomius blessed the monk to always take care of the "Diveevo orphans". He was a true father to the sisters who turned to him in all their spiritual and worldly difficulties. The disciples and spiritual friends helped the saint to feed the Diveevo community - Mikhail Vasilyevich Manturov, who was healed by the monk from a serious illness and, on the advice of the elder, took upon himself the feat of voluntary poverty; Elena Vasilievna Manturova, one of the Diveevsky sisters, who voluntarily agreed to die out of obedience to the elder for her brother, who was still needed in this life; Nikolai Alexandrovich Motovilov, also healed by the reverend. N. A. Motovilov wrote down the wonderful teaching of St. Seraphim on the purpose of the Christian life. In the last years of the life of the Monk Seraphim, one healed by him saw him standing in the air during prayer. The saint strictly forbade talking about this before his death.

Everyone knew and honored the Monk Seraphim as a great ascetic and miracle worker. A year and ten months before his death, on the feast of the Annunciation, the Monk Seraphim was once again vouchsafed the appearance of the Queen of Heaven, accompanied by the Baptist of the Lord John, the Apostle John the Theologian, and the twelve virgins, holy martyrs and reverends. The Blessed Virgin talked for a long time with the monk, entrusting him with the Diveyevo sisters. Having finished the conversation, She told him: "Soon, my beloved, you will be with us." At this apparition, during the wondrous visitation of the Mother of God, one Diveevo old woman was present, through the prayer of the reverend for her.

AT Last year During his life, the Monk Seraphim began to noticeably weaken and spoke to many about his imminent death. At this time, he was often seen at the coffin, which stood in the hallway of his cell and prepared by him for himself. The monk himself indicated the place where he should have been buried - near the altar of the Assumption Cathedral. On January 1, 1833, the Monk Seraphim came for the last time to the hospital Zosima-Sabbatiev Church for the Liturgy and communed with the Holy Mysteries, after which he blessed the brethren and said goodbye, saying: "Be saved, do not be discouraged, stay awake, today the crowns are being prepared for us." On January 2, the monk's cell-attendant, Father Pavel, at six o'clock in the morning left his cell, heading for the church, and smelled a burning smell emanating from the monk's cell; candles were always burning in the cell of the saint, and he said: "As long as I am alive, there will be no fire, but when I die, my death will open with fire." When the doors were opened, it turned out that books and other things were smoldering, and the monk himself was kneeling before the icon of the Mother of God in a prayer position, but already lifeless. His pure soul, during prayer, was taken by the Angels and flew up to the Throne of God the Almighty, whose faithful servant and servant the Monk Seraphim was all his life.

Akathist

Kondak 1

Chosen miracle worker and wonderful saint of Christ, our quick helper and prayer book, Reverend Father Seraphim! Greatly glorifying the Lord, we sing praiseworthy. But you have great boldness to the Lord, from all troubles of freedom calling us:

Ikos 1

The Creator of Angels has chosen you from the beginning, may you glorify the most wonderful name of the Holy Trinity with your life: for thou art truly an Angel on earth and in the flesh Seraphim: like a ray of bright eternal Sun of truth, enlighten your life. But we, seeing your praiseworthy labors, with reverence and joy, say to you:

Rejoice, rule of faith and piety;
Rejoice, the image of meekness and humility.
Rejoice, glorious faithful majesty;
Rejoice, quiet consolation for the mournful.
Rejoice, beloved monks praise;
Rejoice, wonderful help to those living in the world.
Rejoice, glory and protection of the Russian powers;
Rejoice, sacred decoration of the Nizhny Novgorod and Tambov countries.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 2

Seeing your mother, Reverend Father Seraphim, your warm love for monastic life, knowing the holy will of the Lord about you, and bringing God as a perfect gift, bless you on the narrow path of the monastic holy cross with yours, until the end of your life you carried it on perse, signifying your great love for Christ our God, who was crucified for us, we all call him with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Heavenly mind was bestowed on you, holy of God: from your youth, without ceasing to think about Heaven, you left your father’s house, for the sake of the Kingdom of God and its truth. For this sake, receive this praise from us:

Rejoice, God-chosen child of the city of Kursk;
Rejoice, ye parents of the pious branch of honor.
Rejoice, having inherited the virtues of your mother;
Rejoice, you who were taught piety and prayer by her.
Rejoice, blessed for deeds from the mother by the cross;
Rejoice, keeping this blessing like a shrine to death.
Rejoice, for the love of the Lord left the house of the father;
Rejoice, all the red of this world who is sane for nothing.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 3

The power of the Most High from your youth truly guards you, reverend: from the height of the temple, having fallen, the Lord save you intact, and the Mistress of the world herself, who suffers from you, has brought healing from Heaven, since childhood you faithfully served God, calling out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having diligence about the ascetic labor of the monastic life equal to the angels, thou hast flowed into the city of holy Kyiv for the sake of the reverend Caves, and from the lips of the Monk Dositheus I received the command to govern the Sarov desert, by faith from afar kissed this holy place, and there your charitable life settled you died. We, marveling at such God's providence about you, cry out to you with tenderness:

Rejoice, renounced worldly vanities;
Rejoice, ardent desire for the heavenly fatherland.
Rejoice, having loved Christ with all your heart;
Rejoice, you who have embraced the good yoke of Christ.
Rejoice, full of perfect obedience;
Rejoice, faithful guardian of the holy commandments of the Lord.
Rejoice, thou who didst prayerfully affirm thy mind and heart in God;
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of piety.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 4

Calming down the storm of evil misfortunes, you walked the whole path of the cramped and mournful feat of the monastic, carrying the yoke of desert life, seclusion and silence, many-night vigils, and so by the grace of God, ascending from strength to strength, from deed to divine vision, you settled in the monastery of Gornia, where with Angels sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing and Seeing holy living yours, Reverend Father Seraphim, all your brethren marvel at you, and when they come to you, I will learn about your words and labors, glorifying the Lord, marvelous in His saints. And we all praise thee with faith and love, reverend father, and cry to thee:

Rejoice, having sacrificed everything to the Lord for yourself;
Rejoice, you ascended to the height of dispassion.
Rejoice, victorious warrior of Christ;
Rejoice, good and faithful servant of the Heavenly Household Lord.
Rejoice, shameless intercessor for us before the Lord;
Rejoice, our vigilant prayer book to the Theotokos.
Rejoice, O desolate krine of wonderful fragrance;
Rejoice, undefiled vessel of the grace of God.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kodak 5

The divine light of Hosea is your dwelling, Reverend, when I am sick of you and lying on your deathbed, the Most Pure Virgin herself came to you with the holy apostles Peter and John, saying: this is from Our kind, and I will touch your head. Abie, having healed, sang, thankful to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing the enemy of the human race, your pure and holy life, reverend Seraphim, desire to destroy you: bring evil people on you, who have wrongfully tortured you and left you barely alive; but you, holy father, like a meek lamb, you endured everything, praying to the Lord for those who offended you. The same we all, marveling at such your gentleness, cry out to you:

Rejoice, imitating Christ God in your meekness and humility; Rejoice, victorious over the spirit of malice with your gentleness.
Rejoice, diligent guardian of spiritual and bodily purity;
Rejoice, wilderness, filled with gifts of grace.
Rejoice, God-glorified and perspicacious ascetic;
Rejoice, teacher of monks, divine and God-wise.
Rejoice, praise and joy to the Holy Church;
Rejoice, glory and fertilizer of our abode.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 6

The desert of Sarov preaches your deeds and labors, God-bearing servant of Christ: the wilds and forests of it were fragrant with prayer, imitating the prophet of God Elijah and the Baptist of the Lord John, and you appeared to the desert with many fruits with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. By his action, many and glorious have done thou, urging the faithful to sing good to the giver of God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Ascension in you is a new God-seer, similar to Moses, blessed Seraphim: serving the altar of the Lord without blemish, you were honored to see Christ, in the temple with incorporeal Forces to come. Marveling at this favor of God about you, we sing to you:

Rejoice, most glorious God-seeing;
Rejoice, illumined by the light of the tri-radiant.
Rejoice, faithful servant of the Holy Trinity;
Rejoice, dwelling adorned with the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, beholding Christ from the Angels' bodily eyes;
Rejoice, foretasting heavenly sweetness in a mortal body.
Rejoice, full of the Bread of Life;
Rejoice, drunken with the Drink of immortality.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 7

Although the Lover of mankind, the Lord, reveal in you, reverend, His unspeakable mercy to people, showing you as if the divine light truly shone: for your deeds and words brought you all to piety and the love of God. Meanwhile, with the radiance of your enlightenment deeds and the bread of your teaching, we zealously magnify you and cry out to Christ who glorified you: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Newly seeing you, the chosen one of God, from afar I flowed to you faithfully in sorrows and illnesses: you did not reject these burdened troubles, exuding healing, bestowing consolation, interceding in prayers. At the same time, your miracles are broadcasting to the whole Russian land, and your spiritual child is glorifying you:

Rejoice, our good shepherd;
Rejoice, merciful and meek Father.
Rejoice, our quick and grace-filled doctor;
Rejoice, merciful healer of our infirmities.
Rejoice, quick helper in troubles and circumstances;
Rejoice, sweet soul of the troubled to the pacifier.
Rejoice, coming like a real seer;
Rejoice, perspicacious detractor of hidden sins.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 8

We see a strange miracle on you, reverend: like an old man, this weak and difficult, for a thousand days and a thousand nights on a stone in prayer remained thou. Who is pleased to utter your illnesses and struggles, blessed father, even though you endured, lifting up your reverend hands to God, defeating the mind of Amalek and singing to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All desire, all sweetness, sweetest Jesus! Thou didst cry out in prayers, Father, in thy desert silence. But we, who have lived in vanity and in sins all our lives, praising your love for the Lord, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, advocate of salvation for those who love and honor you;
Rejoice, bring sinners to correction.
Rejoice, silent and reclusive, foreboding;
Rejoice, zealous prayer book for us.
Rejoice, showing fiery love for the Lord;
Rejoice, you who have been pierced by the fire of prayer with the arrows of the enemy.
Rejoice, inextinguishable candle, flaming in prayer in the desert;
Rejoice, luminary, burn and shine with spiritual gifts.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 9

All angelic nature was surprised at the strange sight: I am an old man in the gate of Heaven and earth, the Queen appearing, commanding her to open her gate and not forbid Orthodox people to come in to her, but to teach everyone to sing to Christ God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Vityas of multicasting will not be able to utter the strength of your love, blessed: you betrayed yourself to the service of all who come to you, fulfilling the command of the Mother of God, and you were a bewildered good adviser, a despondent comforter, misguided meek admonition, sick doctor and healer. For this sake we cry out to you:

Rejoice, having moved into the desert from the world, so that you acquire virtues;
Rejoice, returning from the desert to the monastery, sowing the seeds of virtue in the hedgehog.
Rejoice, illumined by the grace of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, filled with meekness and humility.
Rejoice, loving father flowing to you;
Rejoice, thou who gave them encouragement and consolation in words of love.
Rejoice, calling you those who come to you with joy and treasure;
Rejoice, thou who wast worthy of the joys of the Kingdom of Heaven for thy holy love.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 10

Your saving feat, reverend, reached the end, at prayer kneeling your holy soul in the hands of God betrayed thou, even the angels of the saints exalting grief to the throne of the Almighty, but with all the saints stand in the glory of non-evening, singing the song of praise of the saints holy word: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

A wall of joy to all the saints and monks, the Blessed Virgin before your death appear to you, announcing your close departure to God. We, marveling at such a visitation to the Mother of God, cry out to you:

Rejoice, Queen of heaven and earth beholding;
Rejoice, rejoicing at the appearance of the Mother of God.
Rejoice, news from Ney to the heavenly transmigration received;
Rejoice, having shown the sanctity of your life with a righteous death.
Rejoice, in prayer before the icon of the Mother of God, your tender spirit betrayed God;
Rejoice, fulfilling your prophecy with a non-painful outcome.
Rejoice, crowned with a crown of immortality from the hand of the Almighty;
Rejoice, thou who hast inherited heavenly bliss with all the saints.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 11

Singing unceasingly to the Most Holy Trinity, reverend, with all your life, the ascetic of great piety appeared to you, who were deceived for admonition, sick in soul and body for healing. But we, thanking the Lord for such mercy to us, will call out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The light-giving lamp, having been in life, God-blessed father, and after your death, you shone like a radiant luminary of the Russian land: you exude from honest relics your currents of miracles to all who flow to you with faith and love. At the same time, we, like a prayer book for us warm and a miracle worker, cry out to you:

Rejoice, glorified by many miracles from the Lord;
Rejoice, shining with your love throughout the world.
Rejoice, faithful follower of Christ's love;
Rejoice, consolation to all who require your help.
Rejoice, inexhaustible source of miracles;
Rejoice, healer of the sick and sick.
Rejoice, inexhaustible well of many-healing waters;
Rejoice, for thou hast embraced all the ends of our earth with thy love.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 12

The grace and greatness of your boldness before God is leading, to you, reverend father, we pray: pray warmly to the Lord, may He keep His holy Church from unbelief and schism, from troubles and misfortunes, may we sing to God who benefits us: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your glorification, we bless you, reverend, as a powerful prayer book for us before the Lord, a comforter and intercessor, and with love we proclaim to you:

Rejoice, praise to the Orthodox Church;
Rejoice, our shield and protection for the Fatherland and the monastery.
Rejoice, guide, guide everyone to Heaven;
Rejoice, our protector and patron.
Rejoice, by the power of God you have done many miracles;
Rejoice, healer of many sick people with your garment.
Rejoice, victorious over all the intrigues of the devil;
Rejoice, thou who subdued the wild beasts with thy meekness.
Rejoice, reverend Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov.

Kondak 13

O marvelous saint and great miracle worker, Reverend Father Seraphim, accept this small prayer of ours, which is offered up to you in praise, and now standing before the throne of the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for all of us, that we may find His mercy on the day of judgment, singing in joy Him: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos and the 1st kontakion)

PRAYER FIRST

O wonderful Father Seraphim, the great wonderworker of Sarov, a hasty helper to all who resort to you! In the days of your earthly life, no one is thin and inconsolable from you when you leave, but for everyone in the sweetness there was a vision of your face and a benevolent voice of your words. To this, the gift of healing, the gift of insight, the gift of weak souls of healing is abundant in you. When God has called you from earthly labors to heavenly rest, your love has never ceased from us, and it is impossible to count your miracles, multiplied like the stars of heaven: behold, at all ends of our earth, you are the people of God and grant them healing. The same and we cry out to you: O quiet and meek servant of God, daring to pray to Him, never calling on You, lift up your pious prayer for us to the Lord of forces, may He strengthen our fatherland, may He grant us all that is useful in this life and all for the soul useful for salvation, may it protect us from the falls of sin and teach us true repentance, in a hedgehog without fail enter us into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, where you now shine in imperishable glory, and there sing with all the saints Life-Giving Trinity until the end of the century. Amen.

PRAYER TWO

O great servant of God, reverend and God-bearing Father Seraphim! Look from the mountain of glory on us humble and weak, burdened with many sins, asking for your help and comfort. Come to us with your mercy and help us to keep the commandments of the Lord immaculately, keep the Orthodox faith firmly, repentance for our sins diligently bring God, in the piety of Christians prosper gracefully and are worthy of being your prayerful intercession to God for us. Hey, holy of God, hear us praying to you with faith and love and do not despise us demanding your intercession: now and at the hour of our death, help us and intercede with your prayers from the evil slander of the devil, may those forces not possess us, but may we be worthy of help yours to inherit the bliss of the abode of paradise. We now place our hope in you, good-hearted father: truly be our guide to salvation and lead us to the non-evening light of eternal life by your God-pleasing intercession at the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, may we praise and sing with all the saints the venerable name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever centuries. Amen.

PRAYER THREE

Reverend Father Seraphim, filled with Divine love, unceasing servant of Divine love, beloved Mother of Divine Love, hear me, who love little and grieve thee. Give me now to be a diligent servant of pleasing love; then it is love, even if it is long-suffering, merciful, does not envy, does not exalt itself, does not pride itself, does not act out of order, does not seek its own, is not irritated, does not think evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; loves everything, believes in everything, hopes everything, endures everything, even if it falls away in no way! This love to be a servant to me and to all my relatives, and known, and a friend, pray for the original Love, but having served Her love on earth, with your intercession, the prayers of the Mother of God and all the saints, I will reach the Kingdom of love, and glory, and light, and fall at the feet of my Lord who gave us the commandment of true love. Loving Father, do not reject the prayers of the heart that loves you, and pray for the forgiveness of my sins from the loving God. Help us to bear the burdens of each other, do not create for others, if we don’t want to be ourselves, cover everything with love, and with a heart song of love, having finished earthly life, start with it joyfully eternal life in the land of true love. Pray for us, Father, our beloved Father, who loves us! Amen.

TROPAR

Troparion, tone 4:

From the youth of Christ, thou hast loved blessedly, and to the only work, ardently lusting, with unceasing prayer and labor in the desert, thou hast labored, having acquired the love of Christ with a touched heart, thou hast appeared to the chosen one beloved of God's Mother. For this sake, we cry out to you: save us with your prayers, Seraphim, our reverend father.

Kontakion, tone 2:

Leaving the beauty of the world and even the corruptible in it, reverend, you settled in the Sarov monastery, and having lived there angelically, you were the way to salvation for many: for this sake, Christ to you, Father Seraphim, glorify and enrich with the gift of healings and miracles. We also cry out to you: Rejoice, Seraphim, our reverend father.

magnificence

We bless you, our reverend father Seraphim, and we honor your holy memory, mentor of the monks, and companion of the Angels.

CANON

(To Reverend Seraphim of Sarov, miracle worker)

Troparion, tone 4

From the youth of Christ, thou hast loved, blessed, and, having ardently lusted for the One, with unceasing prayer and labor in the desert, thou hast labored, having acquired the love of Christ with a touched heart, the chosen one beloved of God's Mother appeared. For this sake, we cry out to you: save us with your prayers, Seraphim, our reverend father.

CANON Tone 6

Canto 1

Irmos:As if on dry land, having walked Israel in the abyss in the footsteps, seeing the persecutor of Pharaoh being drowned, we sing a song of victory to God, crying out.

Chorus:

Lord, open my unworthy mouth and give me the word of reason to sing worthily the memory of the blessed Seraphim, now with the Angels praying to You to deliver us from every cruel situation.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

You were a great prayer book to the Theotokos, reverend, You were honored to see from the Apostles, and now do not stop visiting your children with your prayers.

Glory:From your youth, reverend, you surrendered yourself to the mind of God and, having tamed bodily passions with strong abstinence, you were adorned with all the virtues, wise.

And now:O all-merciful Lady, even more blessed God gave birth to the flesh, cleanse my heart, embittered by passions, and magnify Thee with faith and love.

Canto 3

Irmos:Nothing is holy, like You, O Lord my God, who lifted up the horn of your faithful, O Blessed One, and established us on the rock of Your confession.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Through your prayers, reverend, standing before God from the Angels, pray for the whole world, consume the battle of the enemy and grant victory to adversaries.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

From youth, by faith and love, you clung to the Lord of the Higher Forces, the Monk Seraphim, and, having shone in the deserts of Sarovstey, like the sun, you were the comforter who came to you in sorrow; pray for us to be saved.

Glory:You appeared, reverend, to those who pray to you, the pillar is unshakable and the refuge of all those who flow into the Sarov monastery and receive healing, inexhaustible grace.

And now:Hearing Eve, the foremother: in sorrow, give birth to a child. You, Pure Virgin, having heard: the Lord is with you, rejoice, - with a joyful voice, the sadness of the foremother consumed you.

Lord have mercy (thrice). Glory, and now:

Sedalen, voice 4

Having conquered the sea of ​​\u200b\u200blife of passions with abstinence and flowed into the haven of passionlessness, the vessel of abstinence appeared to you, reverend Seraphim, pray to Christ God to grant us great mercy.

Canto 4

Irmos:Christ is my strength, God and Lord, the honest Church sings divinely, crying out, celebrating in the Lord pure from meaning.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Today, the Sarov monastery brightly celebrates your memory, reverend, and prays to you: ask the Lord for peace and great mercy to our souls.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

With your great deeds, reverend, like a phoenix, you flourished, delighting the words of the fruitful and immaculate life of the hearts flowing to you, and now pray, that we may find mercy from Christ, our Savior.

Glory:With your prayers for us, pray to God, Reverend Seraphim, and destroy the sinful darkness of our sadness, adorn everyone with dispassion, faith and love, your glorious memory of those who honor.

And now:Rejoice, Lady Virgin, beautiful churches, pious people power and praise, praying unceasingly to Christ God, may He save us from troubles with Your prayers.

Canto 5

Irmos:With Thy light of God, Blessed, illumine those souls with love in the morning, I pray, lead Thee, the Word of God, the true God, calling from the darkness of sinfulness.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

All those who came to you were a true teacher and a great prayer book to the Mother of God, and now, reverend, do not stop praying for your children, as if you had great boldness.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

May the people of Christ now enter the temple of the monastery of Sarov, to your honest relics, reverend Seraphim, crouching, and may they ask you for healing, health and salvation, Christ majestically.

Glory:In the night I pray to God, reverend, the invisible enemy, although you want to frighten you, but by your prayer you are put to shame, the all-evil one has disappeared.

And now:God, You gave birth to Him, Most Pure Mary, pray to Your servant for forgiveness of sins.

Canto 6

Irmos:The sea of ​​\u200b\u200blife, erected in vain by the misfortunes of the storm, has flowed to Your quiet haven, crying out to Thee: raise my belly from aphids, O Many-merciful One.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Your holy soul was the abode of God, in which the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit settled, the same we pray to you, reverend, the enemy’s obsession from those who honor you and grant peace and health to faithful people.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

We honor your great desert feats and labors and the sweetness of your teaching, Reverend Seraphim, enlightened the image of many who come to you and taught you to sing the Consubstantial Trinity.

Glory:Having followed the Lord Christ with a pure life, thou hast died a good course, reverend, ascended to the eternal abode, blessed, see there, even the angels see. The same, honoring your memory, we magnify Christ.

And now:Now I resort to You, Most Pure One, save me with Your prayers and observe: if you wish, you can, like the Mother of the Almighty.

Lord have mercy (thrice). Glory, and now:

Kontakion, voice 2

Leaving the beauty of the world and even the corruptible in it, reverend, you settled in the Sarov monastery and, having lived there as an angel, you had a path to salvation for many, for this sake, and Christ to you, Father Seraphim, glorify and enrich with the gift of healing and miracles. We also cry out to you: Rejoice, Seraphim, our reverend father.

Ikos

Leaving family and friends, wealth, like dust, imputing, thou hast settled in the deserts of Sarovstey and, on passion, as if incorporeal, having labored, thou hast been honored with angels of standing. The same spiritual understanding we accept, give to us, reverend, intelligently sing songs to thee, saying:

Rejoice, blessed Seraphim, heavenly man and earthly angel;
Rejoice, imitator of Christ in love;
Rejoice, abode of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, great joy for the discouraged;
Rejoice, source of healing;
Rejoice, sweet consolation to grieving souls;
Rejoice, a quiet refuge for a monk and a wise teacher;
Rejoice, praise of the Russian land;
Rejoice, Seraphim, our reverend father.

Canto 7

Irmos:The angel made the furnace a fruitful lad, and the Chaldeans exhorted the scorching decree of God to the tormentor to cry out: Blessed be Thou, God of our fathers.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Honestly, your life appeared, reverend, filled with the grace of the Divine Spirit, blessed truly the death of the reverends you accepted, rejoicing in Christ. We cry out to the one who glorified you: our father is God. blessed are you.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Many people who have come down to the holy monastery today, Reverend Seraphim, worship with your honest relics, we will draw all healing from them, incessantly calling: our father, God, blessed be Thou.

Glory:This broadcast has gone out into the whole earth, as if in Sarov the miracle worker is glorified, appearing, exuding many healings to everyone who comes in faith and cries out: our father, God, blessed be Thou.

And now:Virgin Mother of God, who gave birth to the Word more than the word, Thy Builder, pray to Him with the Monk Seraphim, have mercy on our souls.

Canto 8

Irmos:Thou hast exuded dew from the fire of the saints, and thou hast burnt the righteous sacrifice with water, do everything, O Christ, only those who want. We exalt you forever.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Having tamed carnal passions and put to death, the words of eternal life in your heart, blessed, have you accepted, teaching all who flow to you to cry out: Sing to the Lord, deeds, and exalt Him forever.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

In the glorification of your honest relics, reverend, the monastery of Sarov was filled with joy. But all the people cry out to God in His marvelous saints: Sing to the Lord, works, and exalt Him forever.

Glory:By the grace of the Divine Spirit, this one, reverend Seraphim, is filled with faithful people, creating your holy memory, ask forgiveness of your sins with your prayers, crying out: children, bless, priests, sing, people, exalt the Lord forever.

And now:Thou hast appeared to us, the Mother of God, who gave birth to the Savior and Master of all, the same we pray to Thee: grant salvation to all who sing Thee faithfully for all eternity.

Canto 9

Irmos:It is impossible for a man to see God; the Chini Angels do not dare to look at the Worthless. By you, the All-Pure One, appearing as a man, the Word is embodied, His majestic, with Heavenly howls we appease Thee.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Unworthy of the mouth, the sweet praise sung to you, reverend, do not despise, but accept and all who glorify you, sanctify, troubles, and misfortunes, and deliver eternal torment, but we sing to you.

Holy Father Seraphim, pray to God for us.

Having valiantly endured the scum of the night and the bark of the day in desert solitude, you were the house of the Wisdom of God, and you ascended to the radiance of the non-evening. Please save us.

Glory:The monastery is glorified today, and in it you have deigned to accept the yoke of Christ: there, in the wilderness, your days have been, and, having enlightened many who come to you with your teachings, you have taught you to be children of the Church of Christ.

And now:You are our fortress, you are praise and joy, our Guardian, intercession, refuge and representative of the invincible, Most Pure Mother of God, save your servants.

The Monk Hieromonk Seraphim of Sarov, patron and founder, was glorified by the church in 1903 at the initiative of Emperor Nicholas I. The image of the great ascetic of Orthodoxy is one of the most revered in the history of the Russian Church. Saint Seraphim became famous both among the Orthodox parishioners of the church and beyond. Today his face is worshiped by Christians in different corners earth.

Seraphim of Sarov gained his fame and the glory of the righteous even during life. Surprising is the fact that this man was not endowed with a spiritual dignity, but from an early age he was honored to see the Mother of God with his own eyes. Numerous images of the Monk Seraphim, located in all Christian churches, are a true reminder of his spiritual exploits and those miraculous opportunities that he still uses for the benefit of people.

The first signs to the youth

Born in 1759, in the city of Kursk, a youth who received at baptism the name Prokhor. His father, the famous merchant Moshnin in the city, was known as a man of faith and God-fearing. He invested a lot of money in maintaining Orthodoxy and even began the construction of a temple in honor of St. Sergius. However, without completing the work, he soon died, then his son was not yet three years old. All the worries for the construction of the sanctuary were taken over by the merchant's wife, Agafya.

Once a mother took her young son to a construction site. When examining the high bell tower of the temple, the boy stumbled and fell to the ground. The frightened mother ran downstairs and found Prokhor safe and sound, she saw God's protection in this.

At the age of 10, due to illness, Prokhor's health was in danger. But in a dream, the lad saw the Mother of God, descending from Heaven to his bed and promising healing. On that day, through the streets of ancient Kursk, an icon was carried with a procession - the Sign of the Mother of God. Agafya carried her son in her arms so that he could venerate the miraculous icon, and from that day the patient quickly began to recover.

Prokhor's elder brother, Alexei, continuing his father's merchant business, decided to teach his younger brother to him. However, the boy was not interested in trade, his soul aspired to the Lord. Every morning he went to the temple to listen morning prayer. Prokhor early learned to read and write, and then his favorite pastime was reading. And he read spiritual books, the Holy Scriptures, the gospel, the Lives of the Saints. The mother rejoiced at such charitable aspirations of her son.

Upon reaching the age of 17, the young man already knew for sure that he did not want to lead worldly life. Prokhor decided to devote himself to the monastic life and first went to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The recluse Dositheus, who was called perspicacious in the Lavra, saw in the young man a true servant of Christ. After two years of the monk's stay in the Lavra, Dositheus advised Prokhor to go to the Sarov Monastery, which was located in the Tambov province, and blessed him on the road.

In 1778, the 19-year-old monk ended up in the Sarov monastery, with its rector, Elder Pachomius. Since then, Prochorus diligently began to fulfill all the obediences entrusted to him, daily read his favorite spiritual books, the psalter, the Apostolic Epistles and was in constant prayer. The soul of a true Christian longed for a strict life, he received permission from the brethren and began to go into the forest to pray, surprising the monks with patience.

He practically did not sleep, endured all illnesses on his feet and in prayers, rejected any help, relying only on God in his sufferings. Once, when Prokhor's condition was so critical that his life was again threatened, the Mother of God again appeared to him, and, as in early childhood, she healed him of an illness. After this miracle, on the site of the cell in which this salvation took place, a temple and hospital wards were built.

And in August 1786, Prokhor turned for 28 years, he was tonsured a monk and named Seraphim . A year later, the monk was ordained a hierodeacon. And for six years he was in this ministry, not resting, forgetting to eat, but the Lord gave him strength for everything. At the age of 35, in the rank of hieromonk, Seraphim left the monastery and went to live in a dense forest, at a distance of 6 km from the Sarov Monastery, on the banks of the Sarovka River. He lived in a cell where there was only one room with a stove.

Once the monk was attacked by evil people who demanded money, which, of course, the hermit did not have. The bandits tied and severely beaten Seraphim. But, having found in the cell only a few potatoes and a single icon of the Mother of God - Tenderness, they got scared and ran away. And the saint, having regained consciousness, thanked the Almighty for suffering and began to pray for the forgiveness of the robbers.

When the ascetic of Christ, covered with blood, came to the fraternal monastery, and everyone saw his wounds, they were greatly surprised. The old man had all his ribs broken and his head smashed. Then Seraphim fell down, and again a vision of the Most Holy Theotokos came to him, descending to the sick man with the words addressed to the doctors: “What are you doing. For this is from my generation!” And five months later, after severe wounds, the monk again returned to his cell. People, having learned about the father reborn from death, began to come to him for advice and help.

There are such testimonies of pilgrims coming to holy father for help, when the hermit fed from the hands of a huge bear or other wild animals that did not touch, but loved him. Seraphim, on the other hand, saw people through and through and knew how to recognize their needs without words. He avoided some parishioners, and those who were really in grief and trouble accepted and gave his instructions.

The Holy Wonderworker was visited not only simple people but also famous people. He taught everyone to live with fidelity to the Church and Fatherland. More than once they tempted the elder with the spirit of ambition, offered him to be both an archimandrite and an abbot. But he always strove for true asceticism and rejected all proposals. And only in 1810, when the elder lost the strength to come to the monastery, he forever left the forest cell and returned to the monastery, where he continued to lead a reclusive life.

For five whole years the elder did not go out to the people and the brethren. And even when he opened the door, he still did not talk to anyone, because he took a vow of silence. And in the passage, near the door to the cell, he placed an oak coffin, near which he prayed, preparing for eternal life. Pilgrims have seen more than once how Seraphim, praying to the Lord, suddenly rose above the ground and soared. After ten years of silence, the Monk Seraphim went out to serve the world, but before that, the Mother of God appeared to him, allowing him to stop seclusion.

Once I came to the Sarov monastery deacon, he was from Spassk, and falsely accused another priest. Saint Seraphim immediately recognized the deceit and drove away the covetous man with the words: “Go away, perjurer, and serve no more.” For three years the deacon could not utter a word, his tongue became numb. Until then, he was silent until he admitted his wrong and the false denunciation of another.

What is the miracle of the appearance of the Seraphim spring and the Diveevsky monastery. In 1825, the elder saw the Mother of God by the Sarovka River, who appeared with the apostles John and Peter, struck the ground with her staff and at the same moment a transparent fountain burst out. It was the Mother of God who gave the order to establish the Diveevo monastery in that area. Taking a shovel in his hands, Father Seraphim himself began to dig a well. Until now, unprecedented miracles and magical healings have been happening from this pure water.

Two years before the death of the elder, the Christian Church honored great righteous Seraphim with the celebration of the appearance of the Mother of God. This event was like an omen of the departure from the earthly life of the saint and the acquisition of imperishable glory by him. On the day of January 2, 1833, smoke and the smell of burning were seen from the monk's cell. After all, candles were always burning in his little room, while he said: “As long as I am alive, there will be no fire. But when I die, my death will open with fire. Having opened the doors, the governors found the lifeless body of Father Seraphim.

No one counted how many miracles Seraphim has since performed on behalf of the Lord, and how many more will be performed. In the cell, after his death, numerous unopened letters were found, but people received a solution to the questions indicated in them. This means that the elder, possessing the gift of clairvoyance, answered the letters sent without even opening them. After the funeral, in January 1833, the Monk Seraphim was declared a saint.

Almost 70 years after the death of the elder, on August 1, 1903, his relics were seized, transferred to a beautiful sarcophagus (cancer), and the saint was canonized. Reverend Elder. More than 300,000 believers gathered for that feast. A religious procession from Diveevo to the Sarov monastery took place. Throughout the journey, the participants sang holy hymns, and Bishop Innokenty of Tambov overshadowed the faithful with the sign of the cross and miraculous icon Mother of God, which the elder bequeathed to the sisters of the Diveevo monastery. Orthodox chroniclers claim that Russia did not know such crowded holidays until that day.

In the Diveevo Monastery and the Sarov Monastery, one can read written confirmation of cases of accomplished healings only through the prayers of the reverend Seraphim. The terminally ill returned to life. So, by the power of prayer over the relics of the miracle worker, the landowner Manturov was cured of serious leg diseases. And as a token of gratitude, the landowner abandoned his property, sold everything, remained a beggar, and devoted his further earthly life to serving the Lord.

The relics of the saint were returned to Diveevo in 1991. And again there was a crowded religious procession, which was headed by Patriarch Alexy I. I. And all this thanks to the love for Seraphim of Sarov.

The name of the miracle worker Seraphim is glorified by Orthodox believers twice a year:

• January 15 - the day of canonization of the elder to the saints;
• August 1 - the date of finding the incorruptible relics.

What are they praying for

It has long been known that the righteous of God, endowed with miraculous abilities, do not heal themselves, they send through prayer requests to God, who, loving them, fulfills all petitions. Seraphim of Sarov constantly prays for all of us, his miraculous prayers fulfill wishes, save us in difficult times, and help us overcome adversity.

Who does Seraphim of Sarov help? Believers who honor the personality of the saint pray before his icon:

• not to succumb to sin;
• do not forget in this life;
• be able to overcome temptations;
• find your way;
• find peace of mind;
• help with pride and despair.

People ask the miraculous icon:

• cures for diseases;
• successful marriage;
• protection from ill-wishers and envious people;
• assistance in financial well-being;
• promotion in business and trade.

On the eve of the holiday in honor of St. Seraphim, arranged in Diveevo on the old New Year, pilgrims specially gather to, together with the nuns, walk along the groove of the Virgin at night in a procession. Believers go with reading Mother of God prayer, in which the words “Virgin Mary, rejoice!” are repeated more than a hundred times!

The pilgrims are convinced that it is at this moment that the converts to the saint words and requests help in curing diseases and fulfilling all your wishes. The face of Seraphim of Sarov heals not only the body from wounds, but also the soul. You can pray to a saint if someone has offended you greatly, when your heart is heavy.

Prayers to the saint

There are several prayers to the saint that help in different life situations.

1. To protect against troubles and envious people, they read a prayer for help: “Oh, great saint of God, reverend and God-bearing Father Seraphim! Look at us, burdened with sins, we ask for your help and comfort. Turn your mercy to us and help us by the commandments of the Lord to preserve the Orthodox faith, accept repentance for our sins, which we diligently bring to God, we graciously succeed in Christian piety and want to be worthy of your prayer representation to God for us. Holy saint of God, hear us praying with faith and love, do not despise us, demanding your intercession now and at the hour of death, help us and protect us with prayers from evil slander and the deeds of the devil. How we do not possess those forces, but with your help we inherit the bliss of the heavenly abode. We only trust in you, merciful father. Be our true guide to salvation and lead us to the eternal light of life. Your God-pleasing representation at the throne Holy Trinity, we praise and sing with all the saints the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen".
2. To save yourself or a loved one from illnesses, you need to read a prayer for healing (you can next to the photo of the patient): “Father Seraphim, the great miracle worker, I resort to you, quick helper! I am glad to see your pious face. Hear the voice of my words. Give me the gift of healing, the gift of insight, the gift of weak souls of healing, show your strength. I call you, when I leave earthly labors for heavenly rest, cover with your love, how it is impossible to count your miracles, multiplying like the stars of heaven, so grant me healing. I beseech you boldly, O meek servant of God, turn to Him in prayer, offer up a prayer for me, so that the Lord grants this useful life and spiritual salvation, but protect me from falling and teach me true repentance, unstumbling entry into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, where you are now you shine in glory. And I sing with all the saints of the Ancestral Trinity until the end of time. Amen".
3. They ask for love, family and marriage in such a prayer: “Reverend Father Seraphim, filled with the love of God, Divine unceasing servant, beloved son of the Mother of God, hear me, loving and grieving you. Let me also be a diligent servant of God-pleasing love. That love that endures for a long time, does not envy, is not proud, does not exalt itself, is merciful, does not act outrageously, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Beg the Mother of God to give love from the beginning, and serve on earth with your intercession and prayers to the Mother of God and all the saints, I will also reach the kingdom of love and light, I fall at the feet of the Lord, who gave the commandment of true and eternal love. Father, do not reject the prayer of the heart that loves you, forgive me my sins, voluntary and involuntary, pray to the loving God. Help us bear the common burdens, do not let others do what we do not want for ourselves, let us walk our path in truth, love and patience. This love serves me as being and only with this love, heart song, let me end my earthly life, start with it eternal life in the land of true love. Pray for us, beloved Father and who loves us! Amen".

Today, January 15, 2016, Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Seraphim of Sarov the Wonderworker.

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, in the world Prokhor, was born on July 19, 1759 in the city of Kursk into a pious merchant family. His whole life is marked by the signs of God's mercy. When, as a child, his mother took him with her to the construction of the temple and he fell from the bell tower, the Lord preserved him unharmed. During the illness of the lad, the Mother of God in a dream vision promised her mother to heal him. Soon, the Kursk Root Icon of the “Sign” of the Most Holy Theotokos was carried near their house with a procession, the mother carried the patient out, he venerated the icon, and after that he quickly recovered (kontakion 3). At the age of seventeen, the young man had already firmly decided to leave the world, and his mother blessed him for the monastic feat with her copper cross, with which the monk did not part until the end of his life (kontakion 2). The Elder of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Dositheus (Reverend Dosithea) blessed Prokhor to go to the Sarov Assumption Hermitage, on the border of the Nizhny Novgorod and Tambov provinces, known for the strict observance of monastic statutes and the ascetic life of the inhabitants (ikos 3). After two years of monastic labors and feats of obedience, Prokhor fell seriously ill and for a long time refused the help of doctors. Three years later, the Mother of God appeared to him with the apostles Peter and John and healed him (kontakion 5).

On August 18, 1786, the novice took monastic vows with the name Seraphim (“Flaming”) and in December 1787 was consecrated to the rank of hierodeacon. Already at that time, the young ascetic was honored during divine services to see the holy angels and our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, coming through the air, surrounded by Heavenly Forces (ikos 6). In 1793, Saint Seraphim was ordained to the rank of hieromonk and laid the foundation for the feat of hermitage and solitary prayer in a forest cell on the banks of the Sarovka River (kontakion 6). The devil intensified the battle against the ascetic, and the monk took upon himself the feat of pilgrimage. For a thousand days and nights he prayed on the stone with uplifted hands: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (kontakion 8). Powerless to depose the ascetic spiritually, the devil sent robbers upon the monk, who inflicted mortal wounds on him, but the Mother of God appeared and healed him for the third time (ikos 5).

Upon his recovery, the Monk Seraphim labored the feat of silence for three years, and in 1810, after a 15-year stay in the desert, he opened himself in the monastery cell. For love for God, humility and deeds, Saint Seraphim was vouchsafed the spiritual gifts of clairvoyance and miracle-working. On November 25, 1825, the Mother of God with Saints Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria appeared to the ascetic and allowed him to complete the retreat. The reverend elder began to receive those who came to him for blessing, advice, and spiritual consolation, lovingly calling everyone: “My joy, my treasure” (kontakion and ikos 9).

The Monk Seraphim invariably based the word of edification, as throughout his life, on the word of God, the works of the holy fathers and examples from their lives, while especially honoring the holy champions and zealots of Orthodoxy. He liked to talk about Russian saints. The monk urged all those who turned to him to stand for the steadfastness of faith, and he explained what the purity of Orthodoxy consists in. He convinced many schismatics to leave their errors and join the Church. The reverend plentifully reinforced his teaching word with prophecies, healings and miracles. Many soldiers who received a blessing from the Monk Seraphim testified that, through his prayers, they remained unharmed on the battlefield.

The Monk Seraphim took care of and guided the sisters and, at the direction of the Mother of God, founded a separate Serafimo-Diveevo mill community for the girls. The Queen of Heaven announced to the ascetic in advance of his death, and on January 2, 1833, the Monk Seraphim surrendered his soul to the Lord, during a kneeling prayer before the icon of the Mother of God (kontakion and ikos 10).

Through the prayers of St. Seraphim, numerous signs and healings were performed at his grave. On July 19, 1903, the saint of God was glorified.

Video film about Seraphim of Sarov

Father Seraphim already during his lifetime, the people revered as saints, you can turn to him with prayers on any issues.
In front of his icon, it is very useful to pray for spiritual help in moments of despair or loss of strength due to the troubles that have befallen you. The saint believed that the most serious Christian sins are sorrow and despondency, so sincere prayers to him can help you overcome these adversities and gain strength.
Even during the life of the Monk Seraphim, a large number of people came to him for help in protecting themselves from temptations, and the priest helped them, gave consolation to people who stumbled and hope for solving problems. Until now, he hears us sinners, and with holy prayers before the Lord helps all the penitents.
The oil, which is consecrated by his holy relics, often helps the sick.
There is an opinion about Seraphim of Sarov that his help can be manifested in trade affairs. He helps those people who strive not only for personal enrichment, but primarily do charity work, help their neighbors, the poor, sick people, donate funds to the Holy Orthodox Church.

It must be remembered that icons or saints do not "specialize" in any particular area. It will be right when a person turns with faith in the power of God, and not in the power of this icon, this saint or prayer.
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THE LIFE OF ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROVSKY

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov was born on July 19, 1759 in the city of Kursk into a merchant family. At baptism he received the name Prokhor.
At the age of three, Father Prokhor died, who shortly before his death took a contract for the construction of the church of St. Sergius, all the work to continue the work was taken by his wife Agafya. Once she went to a construction site together with little Prokhor, who, during the inspection, stumbled and fell from a high bell tower. The mother was very frightened, but going downstairs, she saw her son healthy and unharmed, in which she saw the special care of God.
Around the age of ten, Prokhor became very ill, his life was even in danger, but in a dream he had a vision - the Queen of Heaven appeared to him and promised to heal the boy. Then the miraculous icon of the Sign of the Mother of God was carried in a procession around Kursk. Agafya bore her sick son, he kissed the icon from that moment on and began to recover quickly.
His older brother traded and began to teach Prokhor to this occupation, but the boy's soul aspired to God, he visited the temple every day, woke up early in the morning to go and listen to matins. Prokhor early learned to read and write, from childhood his favorite pastime was to read the Holy Scriptures and the Lives of the Saints. His mother saw what her son was doing and was very happy about it.

When the young man reached the age of seventeen, he definitely decided that he would leave the world, asked for blessings from his mother and devoted himself to monastic life.
First, the monk went to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, where he met one perspicacious hermit Dositheus, who saw in Prokhor a faithful servant of Christ. The recluse said that his place was in the Sarov desert and blessed the young man to go there for salvation.
On this advice, the nineteen-year-old Prokhor Moshnin ended up in Sarov on November 20, 1778, where he was received by the elder Pachomius, who was the rector of the desert.
Constantly in prayer, Prokhor was a zealous performer of all the obediences that were assigned to him, he was among the first to come to services, carefully read the holy spiritual books in his cell, especially loved the Gospel, the Apostolic Epistles and the Psalter. He slept a little. But his soul yearned for an even more rigorous life, and one day, having received a blessing from the elders, God's chosen one began to go into the forest for prayers. The brethren marveled at the power of holy deeds that Prochorus showed.
Prokhor was ill for a very long time, almost three years, but whenever the monks offered him treatment, he rejected their offer, relying on God's mercy. And so, when Prokhor's condition became critical, the Mother of God Herself appeared to him and again, as in childhood, healed him. After some time, the cell in which this miraculous visit took place was demolished, and a temple and a hospital building were placed in its place.
On August 13, 1786, at the age of 28, Prokhor was cut into monks with the name Seraphim. In December 1787, Seraphim was consecrated to the rank of hierodeacon. For 6 years he, practically without breaks, was in the ministry. He hardly rested, often forgot to eat, but God gave him special strength.
Once, during the Divine Liturgy, Seraphim received an extraordinary vision: the saint saw the Lord Jesus Christ in glory, shining with inexpressible light. He was surrounded by angels, archangels, there were also cherubim and seraphim around. He passed through the air from the church gates, stopped near the pulpit and blessed everyone with His holy hands.
In 1793, the future saint was ordained to the rank of hieromonk.
After the death of Elder Pachomius, Saint Seraphim, with the blessing of his spiritual father Elder Isaiah, left the monastery.

On November 20, 1794, he went to live in a secluded cell, which was at a distance of 5-6 kilometers from the monastery in the forest on the banks of the Sarovka River. There was only one room in the cell with a stove. Near his dwelling, the monk made a garden, and later he began to breed bees. Seraphim's clothes were very simple, even miserable - a worn kamilavka, a hoodie made of white fabric, leather mittens, stockings and bast shoes on his feet. A cross always hung on his chest, with which his mother blessed him, and behind his shoulders was a knapsack, in which there was always the holy Gospel.

The zealous ascetic of Christ spent all the time in prayer and reading holy books. During cold weather, he prepared firewood to heat his cell, in the summer he worked on the land, growing vegetables in the garden, which he ate.
Before Sundays and feast days, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov went to the monastery, where he listened to Vespers, the All-Night Vigil or Matins and communed the Holy Mysteries. Then he communicated with the monks, then took bread for a week and again returned to his lonely forest cell. At first, he ate dry bread, and later, the holy father Seraphim strengthened the fast even more and refused even bread. The monk ate only vegetables that he grew in his garden.
Various temptations fell to him as a test. Once, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov was attacked by evil people who demanded money, which he allegedly received from the laity. Of course, the old man had no money, he meekly folded his arms in a cross on his chest and said: “Do what you need.” The robbers attacked the ascetic, tied him up and severely beat him. After that, they broke into the cell, where they found some potatoes and one icon. Thinking about the Monk Seraphim that the Sarov hermit had been killed, the villains became very frightened and ran away. When the saint regained consciousness, he immediately thanked the Lord God for this suffering and prayed for the forgiveness of the attackers, somehow freed himself from his bonds, and in the morning bloody reached the monastery. The doctors examined the wounds and were very surprised that the elder was alive - his head was broken, his ribs were broken, he lay exhausted for a long time, refusing even to eat.

And again Father Seraphim had a vision: Holy Mother of God with the apostles Peter and John the Theologian, she approached him and said towards the doctors:

"What are you working on?" but to the monk: “This is from my generation!”

After these words, Father Seraphim refused doctors and left his life in God's hands. On the ninth day, strength began to return to him and the elder was able to get out of bed. But for five whole months he was still in the monastery, restoring his strength, after which he again returned to his cell.
People learned about the Reverend Father, they began to come to him for help. The elder tried to evade some people because by that time he already knew how to recognize the needs, and those who really needed, he accepted and gave advice and instructions. Many people saw how the old man fed from the hands big bear- even wild animals knew about the hermit Seraphim and loved him.
The devil tried very hard to stop the ascetic feat of Seraphim, tempting and plotting him. So he arranged loud animal roars near the cell, or made it seem to the saint as if outside the doors of his dwelling a large number of people were trying to break into him or destroy the hut. Seraphim was saved only by prayer and the power of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
More than once the priest was tempted by the spirit of ambition, offering him to become abbot or archimandrite of some monastery, but he strove for real asceticism and each time rejected such proposals.
For three years the holy reverend did not speak, keeping a vow of perfect silence. For a thousand days and nights he, like St. Semion the Stylite, stood on a stone and prayed to God with the words of the publican:

"God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"

With courage, Father Seraphim endured the winter cold, summer heat, rain, mosquitoes and flies. He left it only to eat.
No one knew about this feat until that very time, until the Reverend himself told about it.
The saint was weakened to such an extent in these exploits that he could no longer come to the monastery himself. Therefore, on May 8, 1810, after sixteen years in the forest, he left the wilderness forever and returned to the monastery, where he began a new feat of seclusion.

During the first five years of his stay in the monastery, he did not go anywhere at all, no one even saw how the elder took the food that was brought to him. Then he opened the door of his cell, but still did not talk to people, taking a vow of silence.
In his cell was an icon of the Mother of God, with a burning lamp in front of it, a stump of a stump was for him instead of a chair. And in the passage stood an oak coffin, near which the elder prayed, preparing for the transition to eternal life.
When 10 years of such silent seclusion had passed, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov opened his mouth again to serve the world and the doors of his cell were opened to people. He was visited by many noble persons, statesmen, to whom he gave instructions and taught how to live with fidelity to the Church and the fatherland.
In November 1825, in a dream, Seraphim had a vision of the Mother of God, who allowed him to leave the shutter. After that, he began to visit the monastery and, in addition, helped raise the female monastic Diveevo community, which was founded in 1780 by the landowner Melgunova.
A year and ten months before the end of his earthly life, Seraphim of Sarov was honored with the twelfth feast in his life - the appearance of the Mother of God, which was like an omen of his blessed death and incorruptible glory.
On January 2, 1833, the monk's cell-attendant, Father Pavel, smelled the smell of burning that came from the cell of St. Seraphim. He always had candles lit, he said:

“While I am alive, there will be no fire, and when I die, my death will be opened by fire.”

When the doors were opened, everyone saw the lifeless body of the Monk Seraphim, which was in a prayer position, and books and other things in the room were smoldering.
The body of the monk was placed in an oak coffin prepared during his lifetime, the burial took place on the right side of the cathedral altar.

For many years from the day of the death of the saint, people came to the place of his burial, and through the prayers of St. Seraphim of Sarov, they received healing from various mental and bodily diseases.

UNDERSTANDING THE RELICES OF SAINT SERAPHIM

In 1903, on August 1, the canonization of St. Seraphim of Sarov took place. On the day of his birth, his relics were solemnly opened and transferred to the prepared shrine.

More than three hundred thousand people gathered in Sarov for this holiday.
On July 16/29, 1903, in the Sarov Hermitage, the All-Night Vigils were performed - Parastases, for the ever-memorable Hieromonk Seraphim.
On July 17/30, a religious procession was made from the Diveevo Monastery to the Sarov Monastery. All the way, the participants of the procession performed the canon of the Mother of God and sacred hymns. Litiyas were celebrated in chapels along the way.
Towards the procession from Diveevo, a procession to the relics of Seraphim of Sarov came out. When they met, Bishop Innokenty of Tambov overshadowed the people on four sides with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness" while singing " Holy Mother of God, save us».
After that, the united procession went to Sarov.
On the evening of July 18/31, at the All-Night Vigil, Saint Seraphim was glorified as a saint. When the coffin was opened, everyone, including the Sovereign Emperor who was present, knelt down. Greatness sounded

“We bless you, Reverend Father Seraphim…”.

Historians say that there have never been such holidays in Russia before this day.
The instructions of Seraphim of Sarov were left to the world, some of which were written down by himself, and some by those who heard them from his lips.
In 1903 was published " Seraphim of Sarov's Conversation on the Purpose of the Christian Life”, which took place in November 1831, shortly before his death.
In addition to the doctrine of Christianity, it contains a new explanation of the holy of many important passages of Holy Scripture.

SOME MIRACLES BY THE PRAYERS OF SERAPHIM OF SAROVSKY

No one knows how many real miracles the Lord God performed through Seraphim of Sarov and how many more will be performed in the future.

First a miracle happened when Prokhor (this was the name Seraphim of Sarov was born by birth) accidentally fell from the high bell tower of the temple, but, as if nothing had happened, got to his feet without any injuries. At the age of ten, the Mother of God appeared to the ill Prokhor in a dream and healed him of a fatal illness.

In the monastery Prokhor fell ill with dropsy, he was all swollen, but after Holy Communion to him in the light, the Most Pure Mother of God appeared in the light and again healed him, touching his thigh with her rod.

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov had a brother Alexei, to whom he foretold for 48 years the exact date his death.

One day a deacon came from Spassk to Sarov, who falsely accused another priest. When he came to the saint, he saw his deceit and drove him away, saying:

"Come, perjurer, and do not serve."

After these words, the deacon could not hold services in the church for three whole years (his tongue went numb) until he confessed to a lie.

Seraphim of Sarov the animals obeyed. Sarov monk Peter said: “Approaching the cell, I saw that Father Seraphim was sitting on a log and feeding the bear standing in front of him with crackers. Startled, I stopped in fear behind a large tree. At that moment I saw that the bear went from the old man into the forest. The Monk Seraphim saw me with joy and asked me to be silent about the bear until he fell asleep.

The miracle of the appearance of the source "Serafimov".
On November 25, 1825, Saint Seraphim saw the Mother of God with the Apostles Peter and John on the banks of the Sarovka River. The Mother of God struck the ground with a rod and a fountain of water sprang out from under the ground, and then She gave instructions on the construction of the Diveevo monastery.
Taking tools from the monastery, Father Seraphim himself dug a well for two weeks, from the water of which miraculous healings occurred and still occur.

At Saint Seraphim of Sarov had the gift of clairvoyance. He repeatedly answered letters without even opening them. After his death, many such sealed letters were discovered.

People have often seen, like Father Seraphim, he began to pray, and then, suddenly, he rose above the ground. Darya Trofimovna, a sister from Diveyevo, once had the privilege of seeing this miracle, but according to the order given by Father Seraphim, she kept silent about it until his death.

There is evidence when, through the prayers of St. Seraphim of Sarov, life returned to incurable patients.

“Reproach - do not reproach. Drive - be patient. Blame - praise. Condemn yourself - so God will not condemn. Submit your will to the will of the Lord. Never flatter. Know good and evil in yourself: blessed is the man who knows this. Love your neighbor - your neighbor is your flesh. If you live according to the flesh, you will destroy both soul and flesh. And if in God's way, then you will save both "

Rev. Seraphim of Sarov

Magnification

We bless you, reverend Father Seraphim, and honor your holy memory, mentor of the monks and companion of the Angels.

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