Saint Seraphim of Sarov
Russian hermit of the Sarov forest who received thousands of pilgrims
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Religious, Mystic
- Life
- 1754 – 1833
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 2 January
- Countries
- Russia
Life story
He was born on 19 July 1754 (old style) at Kursk as Prochorus Moshnin, son of Isidore and Agathia. In the late 1770s he entered the monastery of Sarov. After eight years as a novice he was tonsured with the name Seraphim; he became a hierodeacon and in 1793 a priest.
He lived for many years in a cabin in the forest about three and a half miles from the monastery. According to his biographies, three robbers once beat him while he worked in his garden, leaving him permanently bent over. He also prayed at night on a rock for a thousand days and nights. After Abbot Isaiah died in 1807 he lived in silence for three years and returned to the monastery in spring 1810.
From 1825 he received pilgrims; he was believed to have gifts of healing and prophecy, but these are accounts of Orthodox tradition rather than independently verified events. In his last years he devoted himself to the Diveyevo women's community. Nicholas Motovilov is one of his best-known disciples, and a saying often attributed to him is: Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and thousands around you will be saved.
He died on 2 January 1833 (old style), aged about 78, and was found kneeling before an icon of the Mother of God. The Russian Orthodox Church glorified him in 1903. His relics were hidden for about seventy years in the Soviet era and rediscovered in 1991.
Works and witness
- Entered Sarov monastery in the late 1770s; ordained priest in 1793
- Lived as a hermit in the forest, praying for many years
- Received pilgrims from 1825
- Cared for the Diveyevo community; glorified in 1903
Saints from the same country
References
- Orthodox Church in America, Repose of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov (oca.org)
- Orthodox Church in America, Uncovering of the relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov
- Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Herman at the 100th anniversary of the canonisation
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.