Venerable · 1754–1833
Seraphim of Sarov
Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov
New Calendar January 2 Old Calendar January 15
Why they are a saint
Seraphim of Sarov was a russian hermit and starets of Sarov; greeted all with 'Christ is risen, my joy!' A wonderworker of inner peace and the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. The years given for this life are 1754–1833. Orthodox Christians remember him among the venerable monastic saints.
Life
Saint Seraphim, named Prochorus at birth, was born on July 19, 1754, to Isidore and Agathia Moshnin of Kursk; his father, a merchant, died while he was a child, and his widowed mother raised him in piety. He later entered the Sarov monastery, where he received the name Seraphim.
He lived for many years as a hermit in the forest. When three robbers attacked him, he did not resist, though he held an axe, recalling the Lord's words that those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. For a thousand days and nights he prayed on a rock with upraised hands: 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' He taught, 'Acquire the spirit of peace, and a thousand souls will be saved around you.'
He greeted all who came to him with 'Christ is risen, my joy!' and in his last years devoted himself to his spiritual children, the nuns of Diveyevo. On January 1, 1833, he received the Holy Mysteries for the last time and bade the brethren farewell. He reposed on January 2, 1833. His conversation with N. A. Motovilov was found and printed in 1903, shortly before his glorification.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Traditionally asked to pray for spiritual consolation, Russia, inner peace. The reason for this custom is not recorded here.
Prayer
O holy Seraphim of Sarov, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.