Feast of Seraphim of Sarov - August 1, 2022

On August 1, 2022, the Day of Remembrance of the Holy Venerable Seraphim of Sarov is celebrated. It is worth noting that three dates are celebrated on this day:

1. Birthday of Seraphim of Sarov (although in fact the saint was born on July 30, 1754),
2. The day of his canonization in 1903
3. The second discovery of the relics of the saint on the Sarov-Diveevo land in 1991.

On July 30, 1754, in Kursk, the future miracle worker and one of the most revered saints in Russia and abroad was born into the family of the respected and pious merchant Moshnin. His mother instilled in him deep piety - after the death of her husband, she continued the construction of the cathedral he had begun.

Prokhor (that was the name of Seraphim of Sarov in the world) visited the construction site with her and once fell from the bell tower of the unfinished temple. The frightened mother, however, found her son unharmed.

Prokhor even then showed strong faith - he went on foot from Kursk to Kyiv to worship the Pechersk saints. In 1778 he came to the Sarov Hermitage, where he was a novice for 8 years. Then Prokhor became a monk and received the name Seraphim, and after that he became a hierodeacon.

In 1793, Seraphim became a hieromonk. Voluntarily retiring to the desert (deserted places), he spends all his time in strict fasting, in work and prayer, imposes a three-year silence on himself, and later - seclusion. Coming out of voluntary imprisonment, Seraphim began to receive the suffering and heal them from physical and mental illnesses. On holidays, thousands of believers came to him. Contemporaries of Seraphim of Sarov especially noted that the saint healed not so much with a gentle word, but with the love and joy that emanated from him.

Seraphim of Sarov died on January 15, 1833 and was canonized in the summer of 1903. According to various sources, from 50 to 300 thousand pilgrims, including Emperor Nicholas II and his family, came to the Sarov Hermitage to celebrate the canonization of the wonderworker. On August 1, 1903, the saint’s birthday, his remains were placed in a specially prepared shrine and kept in the Diveyevo Monastery. In honor of this event, which in the church is called the “finding of relics” and which was accompanied by miraculous healings of the sick, a church holiday was established.

Procession of the cross in the Sarov Monastery with the holy relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov. July 19, 1903 Workshop of the Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery. Museum at the Church of St. Mitrophan of Voronezh. Moscow.

Canonization of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the presence of Nicholas II

In the 20s of the twentieth century, the relics of the saint were removed from the monastery. Until 1991, the location of the shrine remained unknown. In January 1991, the relics of the saint were found in the storerooms of the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism, which was located in the building of the Kazan Cathedral in Leningrad. On August 1, 1991, his holy relics were returned to the Diveyevo Monastery. This was one of the most striking miracles of Russian church history of the 20th century.

Veneration of the Saint

The whole life of Saint Seraphim was filled with love for people and service to God, which is probably why at all times the day of memory of this saint is celebrated with special love and attention. Even during that period in the history of our country, when Orthodox churches were closed en masse and services were stopped, the day of memory of Seraphim of Sarov continued to be celebrated by the majority of churches in Russia.

Holy Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

The biography of Saint Seraphim is quite extensive and well-known; quite a few books tell about the life of this man from birth to old age. It is interesting that the future righteous man was born into a rather rich merchant family and received the name Prokhor by birth, but already at the age of 7 it became clear what the boy’s destiny was. Having climbed the bell tower of the Sergius-Kazan Cathedral, the child fell from it, but, fortunately for his parents, he remained alive.

Read about the saint:

• Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov
• Seraphim-Sarov Monastery in the Voronezh region
• Prayer rule of Seraphim of Sarov for the laity

Believers believed that the boy was saved from death by the Mother of God herself, who then appeared to Seraphim more than once in a dream and saved him from serious illnesses.

Veneration of the Venerable Father Seraphim takes place annually on August 1st. It was on this day that Seraphim of Sarov was canonized, and although this saint was canonized only in 1903, his veneration as a holy righteous man took place already during his lifetime, so people often came to his hermit’s cell asking for help.

It should be noted that in the Russian Church it is customary to venerate Saint Seraphim twice a year:

• August 1, as was said, marks the discovery of the relics of St. Seraphim.
• January 15th is the day when Seraphim of Sarov introduced himself.

Important! The most important date among those listed is August 1, when festive services are held in churches. On this day we especially visit the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevsky Monastery, where the holy relics of Seraphim of Sarov are kept.

Seraphim of Sarov: advice on how to pray, how often to take communion, how to follow the commandments

The Reverend considered prayer to be the most important feat and means of acquiring the Holy Spirit. “Every virtue done for the sake of Christ gives the blessings of the Holy Spirit, but... prayer most of all brings the Spirit of God, and it is most convenient for everyone to correct it.”

The Monk Seraphim advised standing in the church during the Divine Service, either with his eyes closed, or turning his gaze to an image or a burning candle, and, expressing this thought, he offered a wonderful comparison of human life with a wax candle.

If they complained to the holy elder about the impossibility of fulfilling the prayer rule, then he advised them to pray constantly: during work, while walking somewhere, and even in bed. And if anyone has time, said the Reverend, let him add other soul-helping prayers and readings of canons, akathists, psalms, the Gospel and the Apostle. The saint advised to study the order of the Divine Service and keep it in memory.

St. Seraphim considered long prayer rules unnecessary and gave his Diveyevo community a simple rule. The Mother of God forbade Fr. Seraphim to oblige novices to read long akathists, so as not to impose unnecessary burden on the weak. But at the same time, the saint strictly reminded that prayer should not be formal.

“In prayers, pay attention to yourself,” the ascetic advised, “that is, 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...”

The monk said that by fulfilling this rule with humility, one can achieve Christian perfection in worldly life.

“The soul must be supplied with the Word of God. Most of all, one should practice reading the New Testament and the Psalter . From this comes enlightenment in the mind, which is changed by a Divine change,” instructed the holy ascetic of Sarov, who himself constantly read the entire New Testament during the week.

Every Sunday and every holiday, unforgettably partaking of the Holy Mysteries, the Monk Seraphim, when asked how often one should begin Communion , answered:

"The more often the better."

He said to the priest of the Diveyevo community Vasily Sadovsky: “The grace bestowed upon us by Communion is so great that no matter how unworthy and no matter how sinful a person may be, if only in the humble consciousness of his total sinfulness he approaches the Lord, who redeems us all, at least from head to toe covered with sores of sins, and will be cleansed by the grace of Christ, become more and more bright, will be completely enlightened and saved.”

“I believe that according to the great goodness of God, grace will be marked in the generation of the one who receives communion...”

The saint, however, did not give everyone the same instructions regarding frequent communion. He advised many to fast during all four fasts and on all twelve holidays. It is necessary to remember his warning about the possibility of being included in condemnation:

“Sometimes it happens like this: here on earth they commune; but they remain uncommuned with the Lord!”

“There is nothing worse than sin and nothing more terrible and destructive than the spirit of despondency,” said Saint Seraphim. He himself shone with spiritual joy, and with this quiet, peaceful joy he abundantly filled the hearts of those around him, greeting them with the words: “My joy! Christ is Risen!"

Every burden of life became light near the ascetic, and many mourning and God-seeking people constantly crowded around his cell and hermitage, wanting to partake of the grace pouring out from the saint of God.

Before everyone’s eyes, the truth expressed by the saint himself in the great angelic call was confirmed: “Get peace, and thousands around you will be saved.” This commandment about acquiring the world leads to the teaching about acquiring the Holy Spirit, but in itself it is the most important step on the path of spiritual growth.

St. Seraphim, who experienced the entire ancient Orthodox science of ascetic feat, foresaw what the spiritual work of future generations would be like, and taught to seek peace of mind and not to condemn anyone:

“He who walks in a peaceful state draws out spiritual gifts, as it were, with a spoon.” “To preserve spiritual peace... one must avoid judging others in every possible way... To get rid of condemnation, one must pay attention to oneself, not accept extraneous thoughts from anyone, and be dead to everything.”

Description of the holiday

The days of veneration of Seraphim of Sarov are special for a believer. On August 1, anyone who seeks intercessory help from St. Seraphim should definitely attend a service in the church. You can also pray at home, preparing yourself for prayer so that you don’t have to worry about everyday matters. Usually Father Seraphim is prayed for healing from serious illnesses.

Read about prayer to Saint Seraphim of Sarov:

• Akathist to St. Seraphim
• Prayers to the Saint
• Prayers for successful trading

Hagiographic icon of Seraphim of Sarov

You can also turn to him with a prayer of repentance for those who once rebelled against God or blasphemed - the Saint will help strengthen their faith and in the future free themselves from this sin.

Brief life of the saint

The future saint was born in 1754 in Kursk, and was named Prokhor at baptism. His father, Isidor Moshnin, owned brick factories and built buildings. He died suddenly when his son was three years old. Shortly before this, Isidore began to build a temple in his city, but only managed to lay the foundation. His God-loving wife Agathia, like her husband, who was distinguished by her mercy, continued the construction.

Interesting fact

The name of the temple built by Seraphim's parents: Sergius-Kazan Cathedral. Despite the atheistic times, the temple not only survived, but was also operational, except for the period from 1934 to 1942, when it was closed by order of the authorities.

Divine care

The Lord protects the souls of His saints (Ps. 96:10).

When seven-year-old Prokhor and his mother were inspecting the bell tower of the future temple, he, having climbed up, stumbled and fell from a height, but survived without being injured.

A few years later, Prokhor becomes seriously ill, but the Mother of God, who appeared in a dream, predicts healing. When the miraculous image of the “Sign” was carried through the Moshnin yard, the Mother carried out the sick child and brought it to the icon. The prediction came true, and Prokhor quickly recovered.

Meeting with a recluse

At the age of seventeen, he went on foot to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra to honor the founders of monasticism in Rus', Saints Anthony and Theodosius. He also talks with the recluse of the Chinese desert, Dosifei, and receives a blessing for monasticism. Prokhor returns to Kursk, and a few months later leaves for Sarov.

The Life of St. Seraphim describes the instructions of the recluse Dosifei to the future elder:

“Come, child of God, to the Sarov monastery and remain there. This place will be your salvation. With God's help you will end your earthly journey there. Just try to acquire unceasing memory of God and call on His name like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”

First years in Sarov

At the monastery, Prokhor performs various obediences - he bakes bread and prosphora in the kitchen, processes wood in the carpentry, and helps in the cell of Elder Joseph. In his free time, he goes to deserted places to pray.

Miraculous healing

After two years in the monastery, Prokhor fell ill with dropsy. The painful illness lasted three years, but the saint, despite the entreaties of his brethren, refused the earthly help of doctors, trusting in the Supreme Physician. Enduring terrible pain, he never complained. The Queen of Heaven herself, appearing together with the apostles Peter and John, and saying: “This is from Our Race,” heals the saint.

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The day of Prokhor Moshnin's tonsure into monasticism with the new name Seraphim.

Vision of the Lord at the Liturgy

On Maundy Thursday, during the Little Entrance, when Hierodeacon Seraphim overshadowed the worshipers with his oracle, he saw how Christ himself, walking through the air with angelic powers, stopped near the pulpit, blessed the worshippers, and, passing through His image in the iconostasis, disappeared into the altar. The monks, seeing the numb and luminous Seraphim, carried him to the Altar, where he stood for three hours, saying nothing, and his face changed with the delight of what he was contemplating.

September 2, 1793 – Seraphim is ordained as a hieromonk. Seraphim, with the permission of his confessor, goes into the forest and builds a cell, arranges a vegetable garden, where he grows the grass “snot”, which he eats all year round. Once a week he returns to the monastery to receive Holy Communion, and the next day he goes into the forest again.

Standing on a rock and being attacked by robbers

Prayers on the stone of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

The devil brings strong mental abuse to the elder - despondency. To defeat the enemy, stand on a stone for 1000 days and nights, saying the publican’s prayer:

God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

Having lost mentally, the devil sends evil people to him. The robbers, hoping to find money from the old man, beat him severely, but do not find anything valuable. The elder forgives them, persuading the authorities not to punish their offenders. Upon Father Seraphim’s return to the monastery, the Mother of God heals him again. The strengthened old man goes into the forest.

Return to the monastery, eldership

Hieromonk Seraphim spends three years in complete silence. At the request of the new abbot Nifont, Seraphim, after a 15-year hermitage, returns to the monastery, secludes himself in his cell, without leaving it and continuing to remain silent.

However, “a city standing on top of a mountain cannot hide. And when they light a candle, they do not put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matt. 5:14,15).

It is not pleasing to God that those great gifts that Seraphim acquired should be buried in the ground, like the talent from the parable, but serve many people for salvation. By command of the Mother of God, Father Seraphim accepts the responsibility of eldership. Thousands of people of different classes come for advice and consolation. He greets everyone with fiery love, bowing at their feet and lovingly saying:

Christ is Risen! My joy!

Why was Seraphim of Sarov so revered among the people?

Indeed, more important than all the miracles was the spiritual feat that his life became. Having become a monk at the age of seventeen in the Sarov Hermitage, receiving the monastic name Seraphim, he became famous as a great ascetic who performed severe feats. Among them are a three-year vow of silence, and the feat of pillarism, and the miraculous healing of Seraphim of Sarov after an attack on him by robbers.

And perhaps the greatest feat can be considered the fact that, endowed from above with the gift of insight and miracles, the monk became a spiritual mentor for thousands of people who came to him for consolation and advice. He greeted everyone who came to him with the words “My joy! Christ is Risen!".

“During his lifetime, many people came to Seraphim of Sarov,” says Kirill Mozgov. “It was a constant pilgrimage, which, I must say, did not always please the other monks of his monastery. But he was always open to people, always ready to listen to people and share his experience. He consoled people, not just by calming them down, but by giving answers to their inner questions. This was extremely in demand both in the 19th century and now, when many are looking for spiritual life, but often cannot find the spiritual path on their own.”

Among the deeds of Seraphim of Sarov was the gathering of Orthodox communities, which later became monasteries, and the instruction of a variety of people, including very famous ones. “During his lifetime, the monk communicated a lot with people of different ages and positions. There is even evidence that Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin met with the elder during one of the most mature and fruitful periods of his work - the Boldino autumn, says the Orthodox teacher. “I must say that during his lifetime he gave very specific advice to people who came to him.”

Lifetime portrait (1828). Artist Serebryakov

Used materials

• Russian Orthodoxy
  website page :
• “The communal Sarov Hermitage and the memorable monks who labored in it” M.: Sretensky Monastery, 1996, 241 p. pp. 64, 85, 91.
• Monthly page of the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate
• Venerable Seraphim of Sarov // Page of the site “ABC of Faith”
• Menaion-July, part 2, ed. Moscow Patriarchate, p. 36-37, 44:
• and - troparia
• - kontakion

[1] There is a widespread erroneous version of the birth date of Seraphim of Sarov - in 1759. And even this date was carved on the saint’s gravestone. However, numerous documents testify in favor of the 54th year of birth. Mass media

[2] Serpeninov Valentin, “The Holy Spirit Skete of the Pochaev Lavra: the historical path,” official website of the Department of Church History of the Moscow Theological Academy, May 26, 2015,

What does Saint Seraphim help with and how to ask for help

Shortly before the death of Seraphim of Sarov, his icon was painted. The shrine can be found in many Orthodox churches. On the memorable day of January 15, everyone can pray in front of the image of the saint, asking for help. You can pray in your own words, or read special texts. You can turn to the saint any day when you have an inner desire.

Prayers to Saint Seraphim help:

• relieve mental anxieties;
• strengthen faith;
• overcome diseases;
• get married safely;
• get pregnant;
• gain mutual understanding in the family;
• To find a good job;
• receive protection from enemies;
• find spiritual balance;
• get rid of temptations;
• overcome pride;
• improve your relationship with your spouse.