The Sarov icon helps with what it means. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

One day, a mother took her seven-year-old son with her to the construction of a cathedral, which his father had begun. The boy was staring, stumbled and fell from the top construction site to the ground, but remained unharmed. This was the first sign - the boy received God’s protection, which then manifested itself throughout his life.

Prokhor was a good student and willingly attended church services, treated prayer with love, read liturgical books. Once, during a serious illness, he saw the Mother of God in a dream, promising him healing. After the boy touched the miraculous icon of the “Sign” of the Most Holy Theotokos, he recovered. This event played a special role in Prokhor’s life - he decided to completely devote his life to God and go to a monastery. The pious mother did not interfere with her son’s decision to completely devote his life to God - to follow the monastic path.

At the age of 17, he and other pilgrims went on pilgrimage to Kiev Pechersk Lavra, and then, on the advice of the perspicacious recluse Dosifei, to the Sarov monastery. Prokhor fulfilled all monastic obediences, rules and regulations with great zeal, never being “idle.” Already in these years, Prokhor, following the example of other monks who retired to the forest for prayer, asked for the blessing of Elder Joseph, who was his confessor, to also go into the forest in his free time for solitary prayer.

In 1780, Prokhor became seriously ill, the illness lasted three years, but not a word of murmur came out of Prokhor’s mouth; he was constantly in prayer. And then she appeared to him Holy Virgin Mary with the apostles John and Peter and, pointing to Prochorus, said: “This one is of our kind!” Then she put her right hand on his head, and soon Prokhor recovered. According to legend, the Mother of God appeared to him twelve times during his life. After his eight-year stay in the Sarov desert, Prokhor became a monk with the name Seraphim.

In 1787, Saint Seraphim was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon; the young ascetic was more than once privileged to see the holy angels and the Lord Jesus Christ during divine services. In 1793 he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk, in the same year the Monk Seraphim began the feat of desert living in a forest cell on the banks of the Sarovka River. Here he indulged in solitary prayer, coming to the monastery only on Saturday, before the all-night vigil, and returning to his cell after the liturgy. The Monk Seraphim earned his own food by planting a vegetable garden and a bee garden near his cell. Sometimes he became so immersed in inner prayer of the heart that he remained motionless for a long time. The hermits, who occasionally visited him, finding the saint in such prayer, quietly withdrew with reverence, so as not to disturb his contemplation.

In the spring of 1810, after his 15-year stay in the desert, the Monk Seraphim returned to the monastery. Without interrupting his silence, he added one more feat to this feat - he shut himself up in a monastery cell, not going anywhere and not receiving anyone, he was constantly in prayer and contemplation of God. While in retreat, the Monk Seraphim acquired high spiritual purity and was granted special grace-filled gifts from God - clairvoyance and miracle-working. The Mother of God with Saints Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria appeared to the ascetic and allowed him to finish his retreat.

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov began to receive those who came to him for blessings, advice and spiritual consolation, lovingly calling everyone: “My joy, my treasure.” The elder saw the hearts of people, and, like a spiritual doctor, healed mental and physical illnesses with prayer and words of grace. People felt his love, affection and were drawn to the elder. They say that there were days when crowds of people came to the cell of Seraphim of Sarov. The Monk Seraphim performed many different healings on the seriously ill. He had the custom of anointing the sick with oil from a lamp that burned in front of his cell icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” (Rejoice Unbrided Bride), prayed, and the sick received healing.

The elder saw the past and the future, outlined a person’s future life in a few words, gave advice that seemed strange, but later they turned out to be saving for those for whom they were intended. Since 1831, the Monk Seraphim foreshadowed the upcoming famine to many, and, on his advice, a large supply of bread was made in the Sarov monastery, so there was no famine in the monastery.

Diveevo monastery

St. Seraphim was a true father for the sisters of the Diveyevo women's community he founded; the sisters turned to him in all their spiritual and everyday difficulties. At the direction of the Mother of God, he separated the maidens from the widows and founded a separate Mill community for the maidens. To support the community, a mill was built, where the girls lived. The Mill community was surrounded by a ditch dug by the sisters at the behest of St. Seraphim. Following instructions Mother of God, Seraphim of Sarov ordered the sisters to dig a ditch along the path along which the Virgin Mary passed. The Monk Seraphim said that this ditch is high to heaven and will always be a wall and protection from the Antichrist.

This work was to be undertaken only by the sisters of the community. St. Seraphim said: “This groove is the piles of the Mother of God. Here the Queen of Heaven herself walked around her.” “Whoever walks the Canal with prayer and reads one and a half hundred Mother of Gods, everything is here: Mount Athos, Jerusalem, and Kyiv!” A legend has been preserved that the monk gave his blessing to take earth from the ditch for healing. According to legend, the Monk Seraphim himself laid the foundation for the Canal of the Mother of God, seeing the negligence of the sisters, who, due to the exorbitant burden of such work, kept putting off digging it.

And in the last period of his earthly life, the holy elder took special care of his beloved child. On January 2, 1833, the Monk Seraphim gave up his soul to the Lord during a kneeling prayer before his icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”.

After the death of St. Seraphim, the communities united into the Seraphim-Diveevo monastery, which 20 years later was transformed into a convent. The Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery is called the fourth inheritance or lot of the Most Holy Theotokos. Her first destiny is called Iberia - this country fell to the Mother of God when the apostles cast lots for who would go to which country to preach the Gospel. Holy Mount Athos is the second lot of the Most Holy Theotokos, the third destiny is the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery.

Like many monasteries, the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery was closed during the years of Soviet power, and only since 1991 it began to be revived and regain its former significance. Thousands of people flock here to walk with prayer along the famous Theotokos Canal and venerate the main shrines of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery - the venerable relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov and the miraculous copy from the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Tenderness,” which belonged to the monk.

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, with his whole life, refuted the words that it is no longer possible to achieve the states that the ancient ascetics had. He always said that at any time, until the end of the world, there can be true ascetics, for “Christ is yesterday and today, the same forever.” All that is required of a Christian is the determination to follow the commandments of Christ and the example of His life.

The spiritual path of St. Seraphim is marked by great modesty, characteristic of Russian saints. Chosen by God from childhood, the Sarov ascetic, without hesitation or doubt, ascends from strength to strength in his quest for spiritual perfection. And with his example and instructions he calls us to do the same.

Instructions of St. Seraphim of Sarov

A huge number of people came to the venerable elder for help. He was all glowing with spiritual joy, saying: “There is nothing worse than sin and nothing more terrible and destructive than the spirit of despondency.” With this quiet, peaceful joy, he abundantly filled the hearts of the people around him, greeting them with the words: “My joy!” And the oppression of the everyday life of many people grieving and seeking God became easier under the influence of grace pouring out from the saint of God.

The Monk Seraphim of Sarov said: “Get peace, and thousands around you will be saved,” he confirmed this truth with his life. This commandment is the most important step on the path of spiritual growth and directs us to the teaching of acquiring the Holy Spirit. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov in his conversation with the future ascetic of the faith - N.A. Motovilov, who was healed of incurable disease according to the prayer of the holy elder, he said: “The goal of Christian life is to acquire the Spirit of God, and this is the goal of the life of every Christian who lives spiritually.<…>The purpose of the worldly life of ordinary people is to acquire, or make money, and for nobles, in addition, to receive honors, distinctions and other awards for state merits. Acquiring the Spirit of God is also capital, but only grace-filled and eternal.”

After the death of St. Seraphim of Sarov in 1833, his memory was carefully preserved among the believing people. Stories and legends about his life, spiritual exploits, instructions and recommendations were passed on from generation to generation. The sisters of the Diveyevo monastery did a lot to preserve the teachings of the reverend elder.

And now his reminder sounds with great power: “The Lord is looking for a heart filled with love for God and neighbor; this is the throne on which He loves to sit and appear in the fullness of His heavenly Glory. ″Son, give Mi your heart“, He says, “and I myself will add everything else to you,” for the Kingdom of God can be contained in the human heart.”

“Fasting, prayer, vigil and all other Christian deeds,” the saint taught, “no matter how good they are in themselves, however, the goal of our Christian life is not in doing them alone, although they serve as means to achieve it. The true goal of our Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.”

The Monk Seraphim considered prayer to be the most effective way to be imbued with the Holy Spirit: “Every virtue done for Christ’s sake gives the benefits of the Holy Spirit, but... prayer most of all brings the Spirit of God, and it is most convenient for everyone to correct it.” And he reminded that prayer should not be formal: “Those monks who do not connect external prayer with internal prayer are not monks, but black brands!” And he further explained: “In prayers, pay attention to yourself - collect your mind and unite it with your soul. First, for a day, two or more, do this prayer with one mind, separately, listening to each particular word. Then, when the Lord warms your heart with the warmth of His grace and unites it in you into one spirit: then this prayer will flow within you incessantly and will always be with you, delighting and nourishing you...” St. Seraphim believed that, by doing this rule with humility, one can achieve Christian perfection in worldly life.

In a conversation with N.A. The Monk Seraphim explained to the Motovilovs: “The warmth of God’s grace is not in the air, but in ourselves. It is precisely this same warmth for which the Holy Spirit, through the words of prayer, makes us cry out to the Lord: warm me with the warmth of the Holy Spirit! Warmed by it, the hermits and hermits were not afraid of the winter filth, being dressed, as in warm fur coats, in grace-filled clothing, woven from the Holy Spirit. This is how it should actually be, because the grace of God must dwell within us, in our hearts, for the Lord said: The Kingdom of God is within you. By the Kingdom of God, the Lord meant the grace of the Holy Spirit. This Kingdom of God is now within you, and the grace of the Holy Spirit shines from the outside and warms us, and, filling the air around us with a variety of fragrances, delights our feelings with heavenly delight, filling our hearts with unspeakable joy. If only we ourselves loved Him, our heavenly Father, truly, in a filial way. The Lord listens equally to a monk and a layman, a simple Christian, as long as both are Orthodox and both love God from the depths of their souls, and both have faith in Him.”

The wise old man continues his instructions through his icon image. One of the visitors to the exhibition of icons of Kuznetsov’s writing says this about the image of Seraphim of Sarov:

Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov, icon painter Yuri Kuznetsov

Veneration of St. Seraphim of Sarov

Popular veneration of “Father Seraphim” began long before his canonization. Not only ordinary citizens, but also the royal family believed in intercession, miracles and the holiness of the pure elder Seraphim.

The first document in which there is a proposal for the canonization of St. Seraphim of Sarov, widely known to the Russian people, is dated 1883 - the year of coronation Alexandra III, 50 years after the death of the holy elder. A letter from the head of Moscow girls’ gymnasiums, Vinogradov, to the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, Pobedonostsev, has been preserved. In this letter he proposes: “to mark the beginning of the reign, before the sacred coronation of the sovereign emperor, the discovery of the relics of the pious saint, revered by all Russia, whose prayers were effective during his life, especially now they will be successful for the great sovereign, when Seraphim stands before the throne The Most High in the face of Seraphim."

Pobedonostsev disapproved of the proposal; it can be said that the proposal for official canonization caused a political scandal. There were many disputes and doubts about whether the Sarov elder was a saint. Archimandrite (later Metropolitan and Hieromartyr Seraphim) L.M. Chichagov wrote the wonderful “Chronicle of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery”, where much space is devoted to the life and posthumous miracles of Father Seraphim. A special commission conducted an investigation into the miraculous signs and healings revealed through the prayers of Father Seraphim to those who faithfully asked for his help. This investigation, begun by the commission on February 3, 1892, was completed in August 1894 and was carried out in 28 dioceses of European Russia and Siberia. According to Count S.Yu. Witte, Nicholas II personally demanded canonization from Pobedonostsev, 20 years after the first conversation and 70 years after the death of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

“The Most Holy Synod, in full conviction of the truth and authenticity of the miracles performed through the prayers of Elder Seraphim, having given praise to the wondrous Lord God in His saints, the ever-blessing of the Russian Power, strong in ancestral Orthodoxy, and now, during the days of the blessed reign of the Most Pious Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich, as of old, who deigned to show through the glorification of this ascetic’s piety a new and great sign of His benefits to the Russian Orthodox people, presented His all-submissive report to His Imperial Majesty, in which he outlined his following decision:

1) the reverent elder Seraphim, who rests in the Sarov desert, is recognized as a saint, glorified by the grace of God, and his most honorable remains are recognized as holy relics and placed in a tomb specially prepared by the zeal of His Imperial Majesty for worship and honor from those who come to him with prayer,

2) to compose a special service for the Venerable Father Seraphim, and before the time of its preparation, after the day of glorifying his memory, to send him a service common to the venerable ones, and to celebrate his memory both on the day of his repose, January 2, and on the day of the opening of his holy relics, and

3) announce this publicly from the Holy Synod.”

Grand processions of the cross preceded and concluded the “minute” of glorification of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Solemnly and touchingly, shaking the soul, the magnification sounded: “We honor you, Rev. Father Seraphim.” The people with tears of joy in their eyes stood along the entire path, seeing how the sovereign and the great princes carried the relics of the wondrous righteous elder on their shoulders, looking at the Diveyevo sisters who carried the beloved icon of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov - the Mother of God “Tenderness” (Rejoice, Brideless Bride ) . The service ended, but the singing did not stop at night: “Singing could be heard from different places - circles of pilgrims were singing church hymns. Without seeing the singers in the darkness, one might think that the sounds were coming from the sky itself. Midnight passed, and the singing did not stop..."

From that time on, the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov was glorified and revered by the Church among the saints of God, and his holy relics were open to public worship. The relics and icon of Seraphim of Sarov are kept in the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Deveevsky convent. The monastery is located near the village of Diveevo, Nizhny Novgorod region.

For twenty-four years, miracles and healings were performed near the holy relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov; people also continued to go to him for help with physical and mental ailments.

On April 5, 1927, in accordance with the regulation on the liquidation of holy relics “on an all-Russian scale,” the holy relics of Seraphim of Sarov were removed from the Sarov Monastery and taken away to an unknown direction. The trail led to Moscow, to the Donskoy Monastery, and then got lost, but all these years Orthodox people kept hope that great shrine of the Russian people cannot be lost irretrievably.

Just as unforgettable were the days of the saint’s canonization in 1903, just as majestic, despite the passing of almost a century, were the days in 1991, when the Russian Orthodox Church a great shrine was returned - the relics of St. Seraphim, the wonderworker of Sarov and all Russia. Both of these events left an indelible mark on the people's soul. Father Nikolai Bulgakov recalls: “We woke up in the Resurrection Cathedral of Arzamas early in the morning. It was already filled with people. And again the line to the holy relics of St. Seraphim went out into the street and kept growing and growing... It was felt that this was an event for all the townspeople. And this was clearly felt as a miracle: the fact that everyone - even those who did not go to church at all - came, came not just to look, but to venerate the relics. Something happened... Something mysterious in the very soul of the people.” As with the first discovery, now many have found faith, found consolation in sorrows, resolution of severe perplexities and doubts of the spirit, indication of the good, true path.

By chance, when the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism was transferred from the St. Petersburg Kazan Cathedral to a separate building, remains were discovered that were not recorded in the museum’s documents. What immediately caught my attention was that the relics had a copper cross and mittens on them. On one is embroidered: “Reverend Father Seraphim,” on the other: “Pray to God for us.” A commission was immediately created, the documents for the canonization of the saint in 1903 and a very detailed act drawn up during the opening of the relics in 1927 were raised. When comparing the relics found in the museum with these documents, a complete match was established down to the smallest detail. There was no doubt that the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov had been discovered. There are those who disagree with the unambiguity of the conclusions made, for example, the “Community in Honor of the Resurrection of St. Seraphim” claims that the holy relics of the saint were hidden by one of the clergy even before the autopsy of the relics took place in 1927, and continue to insist on medical, forensic and genetic examinations for their identification.

Be that as it may, the most important thing is that for more than a century the people’s attitude towards their intercessor has not changed. As before, along the entire route of the holy relics from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and then to the Nizhny Novgorod region, where the Diveevsky Monastery is located, all the stations, adjacent streets, and churches were filled with people with tears of joy in their eyes. In the hands of many were icons of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, hundreds of lighted candles, huge queues to the holy relics, constant thanksgiving prayers, solemn religious processions - all this suggests that the veneration of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov among the Russian people is still great, despite almost a hundred years of atheistic history of the country. Apparently, Archpriest Alexander Shargunov is right in his words when he says that “the people, despite any confusion, never lose faith in Christ God.”

This procession through the cities and villages of Russia, from the Neva banks through Moscow to the Nizhny Novgorod land, was an event of enormous unifying significance. Throughout the entire journey, the reliquary with holy relics was accompanied by Patriarch Alexy II. He said: “We are going through difficult times. A time of confrontation, contradiction, intolerance. And at this time the second discovery of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov takes place. And again with enormous power His instructions come to life: “Obtain a peaceful spirit, and thousands will be saved around you.” St. Seraphim, who taught for so long and meekly about the acquisition of the Holy Spirit, today once again reminds us all of the Christian peaceful spirit.”

Meaning of the icon

The existing lists of icons of St. Seraphim of Sarov are unique, since this is one of those rare cases in the history of icon painting when the image of a saint reflects his lifetime appearance. This makes him even more expressive. All the infinite kindness, all the Divine uncompromisingness of his faith in the Lord is revealed to us in his iconographic images. Pilgrims from all over Russia and from abroad come to venerate the icon and relics of the saint. And before the feast of the repose of the reverend elder on January 15, on the eve of it, in Stary New Year, some pilgrims come to the temple that night to walk along with the nuns of the monastery in a procession along the groove of the Queen of Heaven with the reading of the Mother of God rule, in which the prayer “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice!” is repeated 150 times. Pilgrims believe that this service, overshadowed by the presence of the monk himself, leaves an amazing festive feeling and say: “Another year has passed, thank God! And tomorrow Father Seraphim will bless the New Year too!”

What miracles happened

Russia, XIX century.

2007 A resident of Volgograd, Marina, tells. One day, her son and husband left for training and were supposed to return soon, but they were late, and the woman had a clear feeling that something had happened, as if something dark and heavy was hanging over her family. She immediately stood in front of the icon of Seraphim of Sarov and began to pray to Father Seraphim. Time passed and the doorbell rang. It was a husband and son. It turned out that somehow the police mistakenly identified Marina’s wife as a wanted criminal. He was interrogated at the police station for three hours, the boy waited. And suddenly news came that this was definitely not the one they were looking for, and the man was released. Marina is absolutely sure that help came from Saint Seraphim. And it’s hard not to believe her - such things are always felt, something subtle sounds in the air, but it leaves a completely clear feeling that this is from God, according to His will.

The author of these lines attended obedience at the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery in 2005. We worked in the bishop's garden, which was about a hectare in size. It was autumn, the main harvest of cucumbers had already been harvested, and the vines with the remnants of those cucumbers that had been previously missed by the pickers were picked off and sent to compost. The whips are long and heavy, the pitchforks themselves weigh about two kilograms. Staggering, I carried these whips until Sister Photinia, a young, energetic nun, seeing my torment with the pitchfork, sent me to rest.

Another woman worked with us in the garden; she came to obedience with her daughter, a girl of five or six years old. Do you remember about Father Seraphim’s rye crackers, which the Diveyevo nuns still dry in the same cast iron in which the reverend himself dried them for food? The girl gave these crackers that the nun sisters gave her to us - she played like that.

When I went to sit on the bench, everyone was busy, and only me could play. She poured me some water and gave me some crackers. I drank and took the crackers with prayer. After chewing the last one, I got up and went to the garden, it felt somehow awkward: everyone was working, and I was sitting. And then the incredible happened: I took the pitchfork and did not feel its previous heaviness. Believe it or not: not inferior to the very young workers, she simply flew around the entire plot, collected the lashes at the corner farthest from the compost pit and easily carried them across the entire garden, almost not feeling the weight. Some – physical – part of me knew that this weight was decent, but it was a completely different, joyful force that helped me, as if holding me suspended. I will never forget this feeling. I know that then, as everywhere else in Diveevo, he was present with everything, without fail, he, the Monk Seraphim, helping everyone who resorted to him in prayer, to his quick and faithful help, and I am grateful to God for the great happiness - to truly feel the real presence and action in her life, a wonderful saint, whom Our Lady Herself called with the affectionate word “darling”...

To answer this question, you first need to know the life path of the elder. After all, the name of this saint is widely known throughout the world, and he is especially revered in Rus'. The Lord gave him the ability to heal, as well as talk about the past and predict the future. Prayers with requests to the holy saint work miracles: they fulfill your most cherished desires, heal, and help you find a way out of a difficult situation.

Brief description of the life path of the venerable elder

The heavenly patron Seraphim of Sarov is from Kursk. The exact date of his birth is known - July 19, 1759. At baptism the baby received the name Prokhor.

Miracles began to happen to the boy from the very early age. There was a case when Prokhor could not resist and fell from the bell tower of the temple. Everyone saw the miracle that the boy remained completely unharmed.

In 1776, in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra there was fateful meeting young Prokhor and elder Dositheus, who indicated to the young man that he should take monastic vows

After 2 years, the young man ended up in the Tambov province, where he became a novice in the Sarov Monastery. And 8 years later, in 1786, he did what Dosifei told him - he took monastic vows and became the monk Seraphim.

Seraphim did not need rest at all; the Lord himself gave him the strength to serve. In 1794, he accepted the silent feat and settled in the forest so that he could pray unceasingly.

Father Seraphim spent 16 years in the desert, and in 1810 he returned to the monastery to take another retreat, which lasted until 1825. Everything changed on November 25 of the same year. In a dream, the Mother of God appeared to Seraphim of Sarov and ordered him to stop fulfilling his vows and begin to host people in order to help them with her advice, guidance and healings.

Miracles through the prayers of Father Seraphim

In the Christian world, the face of Seraphim of Sarov is revered, people pray to him, and people turn to him with requests for help.

Seraphim of Sarov - patron of what?

Here we come to the main question. The memory of Holy Father Seraphim is revered by believers twice a year: January 15 and August 1. But this does not mean that they pray to the saint only on these days. Sincere prayer will be effective at any time, the main thing is to believe and think about good.

Whose patron is Seraphim of Sarov? They turn to him with requests for help, and also in despondency under sinful circumstances, they pray to deliver him from demonic temptations. He is asked for the grace of giving love. It helps in the development of memory, relieves diseases of the spirit and body, and helps in solving problems of a material nature.

Prayers to Seraphim of Sarov are effective; if you forgive not only for yourself, you can pray for your loved ones and for your enemies.

Prayer for a Happy Marriage

Seraphim of Sarov is the patron saint of marriages. Lonely girls turn to them with a request to arrange their fate. It has long been known that in order to receive help, prayer alone is not enough. The prayer will be effective if read over water. And for this it is best suited living water- spring.

Taking a liter of water, read a prayer over it, while placing a lit icon and icon of Seraphim of Sarov near the vessel. You should drink the water prepared in this way and also sprinkle it on your bed and room.

Of course, we should not forget that the main attribute of such a request is the confidence that a miracle will happen and you will meet your destiny.

It is believed that Seraphim of Sarov is the patron of late marriages, so those who have already lost all hope of arranging their destiny often turn to him. If you are over 30 years old or more and still single, contact Father Seraphim and be sure that your sincere prayer will be fulfilled.

Very strong help there will be a prayer of a mother who wants her daughter to get married, because the Lord accepts any request of the mother for his dearly beloved child.

How to pray to Seraphim of Sarov

This saint is very loved and revered in Rus'. It has long been the case that people addressed him lovingly: Seraphimushka, elder, father, saint of God, Father Seraphim, wonderworker.

Address yourself in prayer the way you like best, the main thing is that it comes from the heart and is pure with good thoughts.

So, Seraphim of Sarov is the patron of what? Probably, everyone will answer this question for themselves, because it is known that the elder’s faith and reverence for God worked true miracles.

After the saint died, Orthodox people turned to him with faith, and a miracle happened. Back in 1895, a special commission recorded 94 miraculous healings that occurred after prayer to Father Seraphim. This is just a small part real cases the help of a saint who is always ready to support a believer.

The Russian land is filled with righteous people and holy ascetics who carry the Orthodox faith. In many churches there is an icon of Seraphim of Sarov - a saint who, with his unique example, showed miracles of faith. Of course, most of all, he is revered in Diveevo, because the ascetic himself created this monastery and much of his biography is connected with this territory near Sarov. Nevertheless, Saint Seraphim looks from the icon in many lands at believers and listens to the prayers of the Orthodox, many of whom he helps with admonition or even a miracle.

The story of Saint Seraphim

Seraphim of Sarov is the hieromonk of the Sarov Monastery, who became the heavenly patron. This rank is given to saints who are actually elevated to the rank of angels. Many believers choose these saints for their entire earthly journey. They do not choose what to pray for to the icon of Seraphim of Sarov, but ask for everything, both great and small.

Seraphim was born on July 19, 1759 in Kursk in the family of a wealthy merchant. And from a very early age, a variety of miracles began to happen to him. For example, a shining example Such a miracle is that as a child he could not stay on the bell tower of the temple and fell in front of the crowd, however, to the surprise of everyone around him, he was alive and unharmed. After this there were many other miracles, and the saint himself constantly strived for ascetic deeds. Although he could easily make a career as a merchant and enjoy various benefits and pleasures, from his youth he goes to serve as a monk and rejects simple joys for the sake of achieving the highest good.

How does the icon of Seraphim of Sarov help?

Seraphim of Sarov was always distinguished by his special love and reverence for God, and for all his life’s exploits he was gifted. He gained the ability to heal people and began to predict the future. He knew absolutely all the details of future phenomena and events days gone by and gave life advice to everyone in need and helped in solving difficult situations. Therefore, to this day, the icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov brings grace and help from the elder to the house.

There is nothing special about the description of the holy image, but if you know the life, then an idea appears about what to think about and the believer understands what power lies behind this person.

Not all people believed Seraphim’s words and were skeptical about them. However, all those who followed his instructions were convinced of their veracity. Therefore, ordinary people always turned to Seraphim for help and advice, making requests to heal their mortal bodies and prevent impending troubles. Also, the image of Seraphim of Sarov still helps all believers. Especially those who apply with sincere prayer.

His methods seemed simple, because he helped people only with the help of prayer and water from the holy spring. Despite this, he healed even the most seriously ill and sometimes hopeless people. And quite a lot of such miraculous cases of cure have been recorded. The water drawn from the holy spring continued to provide healing effect even after the repose of Seraphim. People who now come to Diveevo give high importance to the icon of St. Seraphim, and many sick people go to bathe in the spring and receive healing.

But his gift was not only healing water, but also in prayer, because people gifted by God do not heal themselves, they send their prayers for healing to the Almighty, who always fulfills their requests. Even after his repose, prayers help people in difficult situations, because Seraphim still prays to God for the healing of those in need.

The meaning and content of the icon

If you trace the iconographic image of Seraphim of Sarov, which appears after the 19th century, then the description of the icon is simple and concise. Almost always the monk is depicted with a blessing gesture and a rosary in his other hand.

In fact, these details reflect the general meaning of the elder’s entire life; he always prayed (often went into seclusion, stood on a stone in prayer for 1000 days and performed other feats) and gave to people various benefits. In addition, there are icons of Seraphim of Sarov with marks, the meaning of which is clear - the most significant details of his life are depicted there, various exploits are described.

Prayers to the Reverend Elder

There are many days when Saint Seraphim is venerated church calendar: January 15, June 27, August 1, August 10.

Prayer to St. Seraphim of Sarov

Oh, wonderful Father Seraphim, great miracle worker of Sarov, quick and obedient helper to all who come running to you! During the days of your earthly life, no one was weary and inconsolable when you left, but everyone received the sweetness of the vision of your face and the sweet voice of your words. Moreover, the gift of healing, the gift of insight, the gift of healing for weak souls has appeared abundantly in you. When God called you from earthly labors to Heavenly rest, your love ceased from us, and it is impossible to count your miracles, multiplying like the stars of heaven: behold, to all the ends of the earth You appeared to our people of God and gave them healing. At the same time, we cry out to you: O humble and meek servant of God, daring prayer book towards Him, deny those who call upon you, offer up your merciful prayer for us to the Lord of hosts, may He gives us everything that is useful in this life and everything that is useful for spiritual salvation, may he protect He will teach us from the falls of sin and true repentance, so that we can enter without stumbling into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, where you are now in everlasting glory, and there you sing with all the holy ones. to us the Life-Giving Trinity until the end of the age. Amen.

Second prayer

Oh, great saint of God, our reverend and God-bearing Father Seraphim! Look down from the Mountain of Glory upon us, the humble and weak, burdened with many sins, your help and consolation to those who ask. Reach out to us with your kindness and help us to preserve the commandments of the Lord immaculately, to firmly maintain the Orthodox faith, to diligently offer repentance for our sins to God, in Christian piety We are blessed to prosper and are worthy of your prayerful intercession to God for us. To her, Holiness of God, hear us praying to you with faith and love, and do not despise us who demand your intercession: now and at the hour of our death, help us and protect us with your prayers from the evil ones. let the power of the devil have no power over us, but May we be honored with your help to inherit the bliss of the abode of paradise. We place our hope in you now, O merciful Father: be truly a guide to our salvation and lead us to the eternal light of Eternal Life by your God-pleasing intercession at the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity Holy Fathers, let us glorify and sing with all the saints the venerable name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit , forever and ever. Amen.

Reverend Hieromonk Seraphim of Sarov, patron and founder, was glorified by the church in 1903 on 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 outside it. Today, his face is worshiped by Christians in different parts of the world.

Seraphim of Sarov gained his fame and the glory of the righteous while still alive. It is surprising that this man was not endowed with clergy, but from an early age he was honored to see the Mother of God with his own eyes. Numerous images of St. Seraphim, located in all Christian churches, are a true reminder of his spiritual exploits and the wonderful opportunities that he uses to this day 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 name Prokhor. His father, the famous merchant Moshnin in the city, was known as a believer and God-fearing man. 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, when his son was not yet born. three years. The merchant's wife, Agafya, took upon herself all the worries regarding the construction of the sanctuary.

One day, a mother took her young son to a construction site. While 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 in this the protection of God.

At the age of 10, due to illness, Prokhor’s health was in danger. But in a dream, the youth saw the Mother of God descending from Heaven to his bed and promising healing. On that day, an icon of the Sign of the Mother of God was carried through the streets of ancient Kursk in a religious procession. 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, Alexey, continuing his father's merchant business, decided to accustom his younger brother to it. However, the boy was not interested in trade; his soul yearned for the Lord. Every morning he went to the temple to listen to the morning prayer. Prokhor learned to read and write early, and then his favorite pastime was reading. And he read spiritual books, Holy Bible, gospel, Lives of the saints. The mother rejoiced at such godly 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 give himself monastic life and first went to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. The recluse Dosifei, who was called perspicacious in the monastery, saw in the young man a true servant of Christ. After two years of the monk’s stay in the monastery, Dositheus advised Prokhor to go to the Sarov Monastery, which was located in the Tambov province, and blessed him on his way.

In 1778, a 19-year-old monk found himself in the Sarov monastery, with its abbot, Elder Pachomius. From then on, Prokhor began to diligently fulfill all the obediences assigned to him, read his favorite spiritual books, the psalter, the Apostolic Epistles every day and remained 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 perform prayers, surprising the monks with his patience.

He practically did not sleep, endured all illnesses on his feet and in prayer, rejected all help, trusting in his suffering only in God. One day, when Prokhor’s condition was so critical that his life was again under threat, the Mother of God appeared to him again and, as in his distant childhood, healed him of his 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 already 28 years old, he was tonsured a monk and named Seraphim . A year later, the monk was ordained a hierodeacon. And he spent six years in this ministry, without 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 deep forest, at a distance of 6 km from the Sarov Monastery, on the bank of the Sarovka River. He lived in a cell where there was only one room with a stove.

One day the monk was attacked by evil people who demanded money, which the hermit, of course, did not have. The bandits tied up and severely beat 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 his suffering and began to pray for the forgiveness of the robbers.

When the ascetic of Christ, covered in blood, came to the monastery, and everyone saw his wounds, they were greatly surprised. The old man had all his ribs broken and his head fractured. Then Seraphim fell ill, and again a vision of the Most Holy Theotokos came to him, descending to the sick man with the words addressed to the doctors: “Why are you working. After all, this is from my family!” And five months after suffering serious wounds, the monk returned to his cell again. People, having learned about their father being 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 hand-fed a huge bear or other wild animals that did not touch him, but loved him. Seraphim saw through people and knew how to recognize their needs without words. He avoided some parishioners, and those who were truly in grief and trouble accepted and gave his instructions.

The holy wonderworker was visited not only simple people, but also notable persons. He taught everyone to live with loyalty to the Church and the Fatherland. More than once they seduced the elder with the spirit of ambition and offered him to be both an archimandrite and an abbot. But he always strived for true asceticism and rejected all offers. And only in 1810, when the elder lost the strength to come to the monastery, he left his forest cell forever and returned to the monastery, where he continued to lead a reclusive life.

For five whole years the elder did not go out to people and brethren. And even after opening the door, he still didn’t talk to anyone, because he had taken a vow of silence. And in the entryway, near the door to the cell, he placed an oak coffin, near which he prayed, preparing for eternal life. Pilgrims more than once saw 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 he had the appearance of the Mother of God, who gave him permission to end his seclusion.

One day I came to the Sarov monastery deacon, he was from Spassk, and falsely accused another priest. Saint Seraphim immediately recognized the deception 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. He remained silent until he admitted that he was wrong and that he had falsely denounced another.

What is the miracle of the appearance of the Seraphim Spring and the Diveyevo Monastery worth? In 1825, the elder saw the Mother of God near 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 instructions for the founding of the Diveyevo monastery in that area. Taking a shovel in his hands, Father Seraphim himself began to dig a well. From this clean water Unprecedented miracles and magical healings still occur.

Two years before the death of the elder, the Christian Church honored great righteous man Seraphim celebrating the appearance of the Mother of God. This event was like an omen of the departure of the holy saint from earthly life and his acquisition of imperishable glory. On January 2, 1833, smoke and a burning smell were seen from the saint’s cell. After all, candles were always burning in his little room, and he said: “As long as I’m alive, there won’t be a fire. But when I die, my death will be revealed by 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 his cell, after his death, numerous unopened letters were discovered, but people received solutions to the questions outlined in them. This means that the elder, possessing the gift of insight, answered the letters sent without even opening them. After the funeral, in January 1833, St. Seraphim was declared a saint.

Almost 70 years after the elder’s earthly death, on August 1, 1903, his relics were removed, transferred to a beautiful sarcophagus (shrine), and the canonization of the holy venerable elder took place. More than three hundred thousand believers gathered for that holiday. A religious procession took place from Diveevo to the Sarov monastery. Throughout the entire journey, the participants sang holy chants, and Bishop Innokenty of Tambov made the sign of the cross and miraculous icon Mother of God, which the elder bequeathed to the sisters of the Diveyevo monastery. Orthodox chroniclers claim that until that day Russia had not known such crowded holidays.

In the Diveyevo Monastery and the Sarov Monastery you can read written confirmations of cases of completed healings only according to the prayers of the monk Seraphim. The terminally ill were brought back to life. Thus, 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 renounced his property, sold everything, remained poor, and further his earthly life dedicated to serving the Lord.

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

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

• January 15 is the day the elder canonized;
• August 1 is the date of the discovery of the incorruptible relics.

What do they pray for?

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

Who does Seraphim of Sarov help? Believers who revere the personality of the saint pray in front of his icon:

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

People ask the miraculous icon:

• cures from 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, held in Diveevo for the old New Year, pilgrims specially gather to walk with the nuns at night along the groove of the Virgin Mary in a procession of the cross. Believers go reading the Mother of God prayer, in which the words “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice!” are repeated more than a hundred times.

The pilgrims are convinced that it was 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 seriously offended you, when your soul 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 consolation. Turn your mercy to us and help us with the commandments of the Lord to preserve the Orthodox faith, accept repentance for our sins, which we diligently offer to God, we graciously succeed in Christian piety and want to be worthy of your prayerful representation to God for us. Holy saint of God, hear us praying with faith and love, do not despise us who require 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. Just as we do not possess those powers, but with your help we will 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. By your God-pleasing representation at the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, we glorify 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 illness, you need to read a prayer for healing (can be next to a photo of the patient): “Father Seraphim, great miracle worker, I come running to you, quick-obedient assistant! 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 healing for weak souls, show your strength. I call on you, when I leave earthly labors for heavenly rest, cover me with your love, just as it is impossible to count your miracles, multiplying like the stars of heaven, so grant me healing. I beg you boldly, O meek saint of God, turn to Him in prayer, offer up an honorable prayer for me, so that the Lord will grant this beneficial life and spiritual salvation, and protect me from falls and teach me true repentance, stumbling-free entry into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, where you are now shining in glory. And I sing with all the saints of the Ancestor Trinity until the end of time. Amen".
3. They ask for love, family and marriage in the following prayer: “Reverend Father Seraphim, filled with the love of God, Divine unceasing servant, beloved son of the Mother of God, hear me, who loves and grieves you greatly. Let me also be a zealous servant of Godly 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 untruth, but rejoices in the truth. Beg the Mother of God to give original love, and serve on earth with your intercession and prayers to the Mother of God and all the saints, I too will reach the kingdom of love and light, I fall at the feet of the Lord, who gave the commandment about true and eternal love. Father, do not reject the prayer of the heart that loves you, forgive me my voluntary and involuntary sins, loving God beg. Help us bear 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 as my being and only with this love, my heartfelt song, let me end my earthly life and begin with it my eternal life in the land of true love. Pray for us, beloved father and lover of us! Amen".

4. Death of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

5. Canonization of the Wonderworker. Relics of the Saint.

5.1. Relics.

6. Celebrations, days of remembrance, worship.

Akathist to St. Seraphim of Sarov the Wonderworker.

Prayer to St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Troparion to St. Seraphim of Sarov, tone 4.

Kontakion to St. Seraphim of Sarov, tone 2.

Greatness to the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

7. Iconography.

7.1. Iconographic images of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

7.2. Life icons.

8. Brief prayer rule of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.

Song of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Virgin Mary, Rejoice, O Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women and Blessed is the Fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.

Symbol of faith.

I believe in one God the Father, Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, the only begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages;
Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to Whom all things were.
For our sake man and for our sake of salvation came down from heaven
and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human.
She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.
And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sat
at the right hand of the Father. And again the future will be judged with glory by the living and the dead,
His Kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the life-giving Lord, who proceeds from the Father,
Let us worship and glorify those who spoke with the Father and the Son.
Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
Tea resurrection of the dead, and the life of the next century. Amen.

“Adhering to this rule,” says Fr. Seraphim, “it is possible to achieve the measure of Christian perfection, for the three prayers indicated are the foundations of Christianity: the first, as a prayer given by the Lord Himself, is a model of all prayers; the second was brought from heaven by the Archangel in greeting to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Lord; the symbol briefly contains all the saving tenets of the Christian faith."
For those who, for various reasons, cannot follow this small rule, St. Seraphim advised reading it in every position: during classes, while walking, and even in bed, presenting the basis for this in the words of Scripture: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord , will be saved."

9. Miracles of Seraphim of Sarov.

Information sources.

http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/182687.html
- http://www.diveevo-tur.ru/moshi_serafima_sarovskogo.html
- http://diveevo52.ru/index26.htm
- http://www.temples.ru/iconography.php?TerminID=702 Icons
- http://www.pravklin.ru/publ/izobrazhenija_prepodobnogo_serafima_sarovskogo/9-1-0-2794 (Author: Zh. A. Kurbatova)
- http://serafimov.narod.ru/bibl/rasnoe/thudesa.htm
- http://www.tsurganov.info/svjatye/svjatoj-serafim-sarovskij-ikona.html