#seraphim of sarov

[apenitentialprayer]

I don't think I could consistently do Seraphim of Sarov's reading regimen (all New Testament books except Revelation over the course of each week, plus other more varied spiritual writings), but I am feeling convicted about the frequency of which I read Scripture

#me #reading #New Testament #Seraphim of Sarov

[discoveringorthodoxy]

St. Seraphim of Sarov the Wonderworker

Christ is Baptized in the Jordan by John!

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ! I pray that you all continue to have a blessed Theophany and blessed new year! Today I would like to look into the life of St. Seraphim of Sarov, one of the most beloved Saints in recent Orthodox history. I have seen a lot of quotes from this saint but I never knew much about him. I only knew that he was often depicted with a bear. Why is that? Why is he so well loved? Today we're going to find out.

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Prokhor Moshnin (Feast Day: 2 January) was born in the town of Kursk on July 30th in either the year 1754 or 1759. He was born into the family of a wealthy eminent merchant. He lost his father, Isidore, at a young age and was brought up by his pious widowed mother, Agathia. Since he was a child, Prokhor would read the Holy Scripture and go to church services daily. One day, he fell from a bell tower of the church his father had started building before his death. However, a miracle happened and Prokhor was alive and unharmed (St. Seraphim of Sarov).

When Moshnin was around 9 or 10 years old, be became gravely ill. One day, the most holy Mother of God appeared to him in a dream, telling him that she was going to heal him. When Agathia put him up to the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God called "The Sign", he was miraculously healed.

When he was 19, the saint felt a call to follow the monastic path after visiting the monastery of Sarov. So, Agathia blessed him and gave him a large crucifix made out of copper, which St. Seraphim would wear over his clothes until the day he passed. At the age of 20, he joined the Sarov Monastery as a novice.

In 1780, the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he endured for three years, until the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John (Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov).

In 1786, Prokhor was tonsured a monk and was given the name Seraphim, after the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4). St. Seraphim was ordained a hierodeacon and then a hieromonk. He served the Divine Liturgy every day and in his love for God, continually added labours to labours. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy Thursday, he was counted worthy of a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts (Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov). After this vision, St. Seraphim gave himself over to greater labors.

In 1794, St. Seraphim got a blessing from the Monastery's Hegumen Nicodemus to become a hermit. So, he took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest, where he lived in a remote cabin. The Saint devoted most of his time to praying, fasting, reading the Gospel, and working in his vegetable garden (St. Seraphim of Sarov). He spent 1000 successive nights being awake and praying on his knees. This period of extreme asceticism lasted about 15 years and his only visitors were wild animals.

Once while living in isolation, St. Seraphim was assaulted by robbers who severely injured him. They broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Even though he could have defended himself, he did not and completely forgave the robbers for their crime. St. Seraphim began to recover after receiving another appearance from the Theotokos, who was accompanied by the Apostles Peter and John. The Theotokos pointed to St. Seraphim and said to him, "This is one of my kind" (Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov).

In 1810, after being weakened by his more than human struggles, St. Seraphim returned to the monastery, where he lived as a recluse until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all and very little is known about this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors, giving them counsel and consolation to ailing souls.

In 1825, he had another vision of the Mother of God, who blessed him to become an elder. She revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his seclusion. Thousands of people would come to him for advice and blessing. People remembered the elder as extremely meek and joyful, greeting everyone with the words, "My joy, Christ is risen!" It was also at the command of the Theotokos that St. Seraphim undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyvo Convent. The Saint healed "body ailments, foretold things that were to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him" (Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov).

The last time the most holy Theotokos appeared to St. Seraphim was on Annunciation in 1831. She announced to him that he would soon enter into his rest. The holy Virgin was accompanied by twelve-virgin martyrs and monastic saints with St. John the Baptist and St. John the Theologian.

Shortly before his death, St. Seraphim became very ill. And less than two years after his last vision of the Theotokos, he fell asleep in peace on January 2, 1833. He was found asleep by his cell attendant standing on his knees in front of the icon of the Mother of God.

On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage behind his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the holiness of his life, and the multitude of miracles that he performed in life and death, St. Seraphim's veneration quickly spread outside of Russia to the whole world (Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov). And on July 19, 1903, St.Seraphim of Sarov was canonized by the Orthodox Church.

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St. Seraphim of Sarov is often depicted with a bear in his icons. The story behind this is as follows:

One day Matrona, one of the nuns at the monastery, saw St. Seraphim sitting on a tree trunk in the company of a bear. Being terrified, she let out a scream. The elder, seeing her, patted the bear and sent him away. He then invited the nun to sit beside him. But, they had barely sat down together when the bear returned from the wood and came and lay at St. Seraphim's feet. Matrona was terrified but when she saw that St. Seraphim was unconcerned. He was treating the bear like a lamb, stroking him and giving him bread. When Matrona was wholly reassured, the Elder gave her a piece of bread and said: "You needn't be the least afraid of him, he won't hurt you." So, she held out the bread to the bear, and felt great joy as it ate the bread.

Seeing how much Matrona was enjoying feeding the bear, Fr. Seraphim said: "You remember the story of St. Jerome feeding a lion in the desert? Well, here we've got a bear obeying us."

"The sisters would die of fright if they saw such a sight!" Matrona exclaimed.

"They won't see it," replied the Elder.

"I'd be very sad if anyone killed him," Matrona went on.

"Nobody will kill him and nobody except yourself will see him," answered Fr. Seraphim.

Matrona was rejoicing at the thought of telling the sisters about it, but Elder Seraphim, reading her thoughts, said to her, "'No, my joy, you're not to tell anyone until eleven years after my death. Then God will show you whom to tell."

A day came years after St. Seraphim's death where Matrona went past an artist's studio in the monastery. The artist was working on a portrait of the Elder in the forest on a tree trunk. "You really must paint the bear!" Matrona told him. "What bear?" the artist asked in surprise. Then Matrona told him the story and remembered the Elder's words. Eleven years had gone by since his repose (Carlson).

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St. Seraphim of Sarov is indeed a holy and blessed man. His life alone shows the beauty of God's grace and love for all of us. There were many times where St. Seraphim could have fallen to illness, but through the Theotokos, God healed him. He had every opportunity to give up and not fully commit himself to God. For example, the 1000 nights of prayer. If I did that now, I wouldn't make it very long. But St. Seraphim, through the grace of God, did.

I love the words that he greeted everyone with: "My joy, Christ is risen!". I might start doing the same to my brothers and sisters.

And the fact that he reposed while praying to God is the most beautiful thing. If I had to choose how I'd die, that is the death I'd seek.

The story behind the bear is also beautiful. I think it's interesting how his words about revealing the story of the bear came true. And St. Seraphim was so peaceful and holy that a wild bear felt safe to lie at his feet. It is truly a testament to the kind of person St. Seraphim was.

Until next time and may God bless all of you!

Love your sister in Christ,

Joanna

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Works Cited:

Carlson, Kristofer “The Story of St Seraphim of Sarov and the Bear.” Why Mary Matters, 3 Sept. 2017, http://wmm.dormitionpress.org/archives/1285.

“Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov .” Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=366.

“St. Seraphim of Sarov.” Https://Obitel-Minsk.org/, St. Elisabeth Convent, https://obitel-minsk.org/st-seraphim-of-sarov.

#Eastern Orthodox #Orthodox Saint #St Seraphim of Sarov #Seraphim of Sarov #Lives of the Saints #Greek Orthodox #Russian Orthodox #Theotokos #John the Baptist #John the Theologian #Apostles #St Peter #St John the Evangelist #article

[apilgrimsprogress]

Silence is the Cross on which we must crucify our ego.

Seraphim of Sarov

#o #seraphim of sarov #silence #humility

[orthodoxadventure]

You loved Christ from your youth, O blessed one, and longing to work for Him alone you struggled in the wilderness in constant prayer and labor. With penitent heart and great love for Christ you were favored by the Mother of God. Therefore we cry to you: “Save us by your prayers, venerable Seraphim, our father.”

#Saint Seraphim of Sarov #Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Prayer #Saints

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate the Holy and Venerable Seraphim of Sarov the Wonderworker. Saint Seraphim is considered one of the greatest and well known saints of the 19th century. As a young child he fell ill and was visited by the Mother of God herself and healed him. From this time, he decided to dedicate his life to God as a monk. Living in complete obedience to his elders, Saint Seraphim grew exceedingly in virtue and prayer, surpassing many of his fellow monks. He ventured into the Sarov wilderness where he dwelt as a stylite on a pillar of rock for a thousand days in constant prayer. Once when approached by Motovilov and asked about the acquisition of the Holy Spirit, Saint Seraphim transformed before him like Christ on Mount Tabor, filling the young theologian with an indescribable peace and warmth. Saint Seraphim lived to around 70 years of age but prophesied that he would live well over 100. When asked to explain this prophesy, he said that in the last days he will resurrect from the grave like the Seven Youths of Ephesus and preach to the lost sheep of Russia. For his virtuous life, Saint Seraphim was granted the gift of wonder working before and even after his repose. May he intercede for us all + #saint #seraphim #sarov #seraphimofsarov #wonderworker #motherofgod #theotokos #monk #monastic #ascetic #pillar #stylite #wilderness #motovilov #transfiguration #christ #jesus #jesuschrist #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Nizhni Novgorod, Russia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm43DX4ByBC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#saint #seraphim #sarov #seraphimofsarov #wonderworker #motherofgod #theotokos #monk #monastic #ascetic #pillar #stylite #wilderness #motovilov #transfiguration #christ #jesus #jesuschrist #orthodox #saintoftheday

[loiladadiani]

The birth of Tsarevich Alexis is announced in what appears to be the newspaper "The Sphere: An Illustrated Newspaper for the Home and, later, The Sphere: The Empire's Illustrated Weekly. It was a British newspaper published by London Illustrated Newspapers weekly from 27 January 1900 until the closure of the paper on 27 June 1964.

Interesting mention of Seraphim of Sarov, to whom the Imperial Couple prayed for a male heir. The picture of the girls on the train windows, all very young, is one I had not seen.

#Romanov #Romanov dynasty #Tsarevich Alexei #Imperial Russia #Russian history #Saint Seraphim at Sarov #Nicholas II #Empress Alexandra Feodorovna

[orthodoxicons]

53. Endure the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins peacefully, serenely, because you know that God’s mercy is greater than your brokenness. (This is very important. St. Seraphim of Sarov said: “To have the Holy Spirit is to see your own wretchedness peacefully, because you know that God’s mercy is greater than your wretchedness.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Roman Catholic saint who died at 24, she wrote to a friend: “If you are willing to bear the trial of your own wretchedness, serenely, then you will surely be the sweetest dwelling place of Jesus.” We have to bear our own faults, serenely. St. Paul said: “Where sin has abounded, grace has superabounded.” And we cannot let the devil rejoice two times. Pythagoras said: “When we fall, the devils rejoice. When we stay down, the devils keep rejoicing.” And nothing puts the devils more to shame than having fallen, we stand up again. So we must bear peacefully, calmly, our own weaknesses, our own failings. Expect them. Don’t make them happen, but expect them. We are not God.)

55 Maxims of the Christian Life, Fr. Thomas Hopko

(See the full list of maxims here and here)

#Orthodox Christianity #Christianity #orthodoxy #maxims #Fr. Thomas Hopko #inner peace #peace #mercy #brokeness #St. Seraphim of Sarov #struggle

[xristianikiagapi]

#Saint Seraphim Sarov #Άγιος Σεραφείμ του Σάρωφ

[byzantinepainting]

Icoană pictată Sfântul Serafim de Sarov / Saint Seraphim of Sarov

Icoană pictată Sfântul Serafim de Sarov / Saint Seraphim of Sarov

View On WordPress

#atelier de icoane pictate #byzantine icons store #hand painted icons #Holy icon Seraphim of Sarov #icoane ortodoxe #icoane pictate pe lemn #iconography #magazin de icoane pictate #magazin online de arta religioasa #minunile Sfantului Serafim de Sarov #orthodox icon Saint Seraphim of Sarov #Orthodox icons for sale #painted byzantine icons shop #pictori de icoane #Saint Seraphim of Sarov #Sfantul Serafim de Sarov

[bast38]

“‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner’: let all thine attention and training be in this. Walking, sitting, doing, and standing in church before the divine service, coming in and going out, keep this unceasingly on thy lips and in thy heart.”

—St Seraphim of Sarov

#orthodoxy #orthodox church

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Reliquary box with the Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov, late 1800s Moscow, Russia

#1800s #antique #religious #reliquary #iconography

[apenitentialprayer]

The definition of transfiguration is a complete change into a more beautiful spiritual state. Each Holy Moment [each moment of sanctification] is a mini-transfiguration. Holy Moments allow us to see what is possible, even if only for a fleeting moment. Each Holy Moment reveals who you are capable of being[.]

- Matthew Kelly (Holy Moments, pages 30-31)

#sanctification #holiness #Catholicism #Christianity #Transfiguration #Seraphim of Sarov

[cassianus]

“There is nothing better than peace in Christ, for it brings victory over all the evil spirits on earth and in the air. When peace dwells in a man’s heart it enables him to contemplate the grace of the Holy Spirit from within.”

— St. Seraphim of Sarov

[strictlyfavorites]

“Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water.

Lay your bed where the cat sleeps.

Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm.

Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit.

Plant the tree where the mole digs.

Build your house where the snake sits to warm itself.

Dig your fountain where the birds hide from heat.

Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days golden grains.

Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest.

Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in the water.

Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear.

Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.”

- Saint Seraphim of Sarov

[orthodoxadventure]

Icon of Saint Seraphim of Sarov by Hieromonk Silouan Justiniano

#Saint Seraphim of Sarov #Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Iconography #Saints

[solnechnyeveter]

Несчастный, злой человек разрушает всё, обижает даже самых близких и дорогих людей, а добрый человек, излучающий мир и радость вокруг себя, восстанавливает разрушенное, утешает страдающих, помогает нуждающимся.

© Преподобный Серафим Саровский

An unhappy, evil person destroys everything, offends even the closest and dearest people, but a kind person, radiating peace and joy around him, restores what was destroyed, comforts the suffering, and helps those in need.

© Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

#цитата #добротаспасетмир #настоящее