one of those whose name has become a symbol of religious asceticism - St. Seraphim of Sarov, a day of reverence which is one of the favorite Orthodox holidays.For all the works incurred in the name of God, I received from him the gift of foresight, the gift of miracles and the gift of healing the afflicted.He never lived for himself.Since childhood, love the Lord, he ascended from strength to strength, having in front of the supreme goal - the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.And having succeeded in this, generously shared the fruits of his people, in a variety of flow to his cell.Therefore, Remembrance Day is celebrated throughout the Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Russia with a special love.
feat elders
the Lord has laid on him the greatest cross - a feat elders.The monastic life is no higher service.All his old way of life was only a prelude to a future mission.The old man in the Orthodox Church - is not just a monk who has reached old age.This is a person who has received from the Lord the gift of performing miracles.The will of God for this mission to elect whomever he pleases, but the whole history of Christianity shows that the Lord takes His choice only the most deserving.
in his life St. Seraphim followed the example of the ancient ascetics, and managed to refute the conventional wisdom is so often that the tops of their spiritual growth in our time unattainable.He always kept in his heart the words of the Apostle Paul that at all times, and in the past, and now the Lord God is unchangeable.Therefore, and to serve Him must meet the same requirements - the commandments of Christ and imitate the example of His life on earth.
Lifetime reverence for elders
Memorial Day Seraphim of Sarov is celebrated twice a year: January 15 - the day when, standing in prayer in his cell, Saint Seraphim, peacefully departed to the Lord, and August 1 - Day of gaining his relics andcanonization.By the saints, he was canonized in 1903, but his veneration started back in the days of the earthly life.
Father Seraphim's cell, located in the Sarov monastery, was a place of continuous pilgrimage for thousands of people.They carried him their troubles, diseases and everything that could not be resolved in the normal life measures.The time of his elders are not so far from us, so kept alive the memories of people had the good fortune to chat with the elder.
Proceedings of spiritual care
Day of St. Seraphim of Sarov always began and ended with the writings of the spiritual care of everyone who has a need for his words of wisdom.About him write that he literally exuded an inner light.Seraphim taught that there is no greater sin than discouragement - a product of lack of faith in God's mercy.Hence his constant Easter greetings to all who crossed its threshold: "Christ is risen!" The joy that we all experience the day of Resurrection, did not leave him all year.After all, if the Savior was resurrected, then, for us, His children, destined to eternal life.Consequently, everything that happens in this life, so minor compared to theirs will be the kingdom of God for us, that is no reason for tears.He even appealed to the people not only as "my joy"!
The strength in the minds of their infirmities
Showing deep humility, he always called himself a "wretched Seraphim."There was no artificiality and hypocrisy.It is simply the knowledge that all the good in us by God.We are His creation, and our dignity - not our merit.
Tangible whether good or spiritual - it's all him.Yes, we are working to achieve them, but the strength of these works gives us the Lord.Therefore, wisdom consists in awareness of all infirmities and misery before the omnipotence of God.And this consciousness contains a great power.
Posthumous blessings of the holy elder
Even after his death fair in 1833 Seraphim of Sarov brought healing to all who turned to him in their prayers.The story of his ascetic life, stored in numerous legends passed from mouth to mouth.So much for preserving the memory of his father Seraphim did sisters female Diveevo monastery, which was founded and later nourished them.These nuns and novices, we owe many memories of the old man, and the extant of his predictions.They St. Seraphim, with amazing accuracy foretold shocks were waiting for Russia in the next century.
canonization and the celebration associated with it
Memorial Day Seraphim of Sarov, which is celebrated on August 1 established in memory of his canonization, which took place in 1903.It should be noted that the holy elder fans were not only among the common people, but also among the aristocracy and even the royal family.This initiative came from them his identity as a saint.Birthday Seraphim of Sarov was the day when the solemn atmosphere was open and his relics transferred to the silver shrine made for the occasion.
In those days the press widely covered this momentous event in the life of Russia.It was noted that in the celebrations associated with the canonization of a new heavenly intercessor of our Fatherland was attended by over 150,000 people.They were held in the presence of the emperor, the emperor and his family, who personally carried on the shoulders of cancer with precious relics.This great day was made up of advance Akathist, Canon and tropar Seraphim of Sarov.According to Orthodox tradition, the glorification of the saint accompanied by numerous godparents moves.
honoring the memory of the saint during the rebellion
When the period of rebellion, as he presciently predicted, church holidays were a lot of the most staunch supporters of Orthodoxy, Remembrance Day Seraphim of Sarov scrupulously observed in all the churches of the country.Only to worship the holy relics of the Russians do not have the opportunity for nearly seventy years.After the revolution, the authorities have opened godless cancer and seized the shrine, and only in 1990 the relics were uncovered again, and after a while put for worship in general Diveevo monastery - the brainchild of St. Seraphim.
Day of St. Seraphim of Sarov also decided to celebrate on January 15th.This is the day of his death.In the Life of St. very movingly described as lay brother found him already cold body, bowed in prayer before the image of the Virgin.On this day in churches committed memorial service and read tropar Seraphim of Sarov.
Spiritual Heritage of St. Seraphim
can not forget about the spiritual heritage which has left us Seraphim of Sarov.Day of honoring him - August 1, it is also the anniversary of the day, which began with the acquisition of world records with his famous precepts.Before the glorification of St. Seraphim of Sarov, they kept the heirs NA Motovilov, Simbirsk landowner, the first biographer of the saint.Only after the famous Diveevo celebrations became available to the general public.Motovilov himself was cured father Seraphim of serious illness and after recovery remained for years to come with him, performing duties and cell-mate and secretary.
In his instructions Seraphim indicates the main purpose of the acquisition of the Christian life of the Holy Spirit.Seasoned wealth of experience of the ascetic life, he assigns the implementation of religious prescriptions only a supporting role.He points out that no matter how useful fasting, prayer and reading spiritual literature, but they are just tools, with which should be used in the works to achieve the main goal.What is meant by these words, Reverend?He gives this explanation.The Holy Spirit is equated them with the Spirit of Peace.Motovilov quotes him: "Acquire the spirit of peace, and then thousands around you will be saved!"Find peace in himself!
