Saint Seraphim of Sarov
By Priest Aleksandar Radunovic
Saint Seraphim of Sarov is one of the greatest Russian ascetics, visionaries, and miracle-workers, whose life shines with sanctity and profound spirituality. He was born on August 1, 1759, in the city of Kursk, Russia, to devout and wealthy parents. At his baptism, he was given the name Prochor. Even as a child, he displayed exceptional piety and a love for prayer, which would later become the foundation of his ascetic life.
At the age of seventeen, Prochor embraced monastic life with his mother’s blessing. Upon their parting, she gave him a small cross, which he wore throughout his life as a sign of her blessing and a reminder of his dedication to God. He first visited the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, where he met Starets Dositheus, who directed him to the Sarov Hermitage, a place that became the setting for his spiritual growth and ascetic struggles.
At the Sarov Hermitage, Prochor devoted himself wholeheartedly to prayer, the reading of Holy Scripture, and physical labor. Seeking deeper solitude for prayer, with the blessing of his spiritual elder, he often retreated into the dense forest to engage in solitary contemplation. Fasting became a regular part of his asceticism—on Wednesdays and Fridays, he ate nothing, and on other days, he consumed only a single meal.
On the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, August 31, 1786, Prochor was tonsured into monasticism and given the name Seraphim, meaning “fiery.” From that moment, his ascetic efforts intensified. Seraphim delved deeply into spiritual contemplation, immersing himself in unceasing prayer and meditation.
Through his labor and prayer, Saint Seraphim was granted great divine grace. Spending days and nights in constant prayer, he often knelt on a granite stone, reciting from the depths of his soul the prayer of the Publican: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” God endowed him with the gifts of clairvoyance, miracles, and healing, which he used to comfort and aid many.
Although he lived a solitary life, he eventually began receiving visitors, offering advice and consolation. His words, imbued with love and humility, warmed even the hardest hearts. Thousands of people visited him daily—monks, the sick, the poor, and the sorrowful—seeking his blessing and spiritual support.
Despite his fame, Father Seraphim remained deeply humble, referring to himself as “poor Seraphim.” His life exemplified true service to God and others. Saint Seraphim reposed in the Lord on January 2, 1833. He was found kneeling before the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness,” wearing his small cross around his neck and with his hands crossed over his chest, completing his earthly life in prayer.
