On August 1, the church celebrates a remarkable event: the acquisition of the relics of Sarov Elder Seraphim.
The fate of Prokhor Moshnin is unusual. The boy showed a desire to remain in prayer and serve the Lord from early childhood. God did not leave His children without His care.
Twice Seraphim was on the verge of death, twice received healing. He survived a fall from a high bell tower. Three years later, he again fell ill and only having attached himself to the icon of the Mother of God the Sign, he recovered.
Already at the age of 17, Prokhor became a novice in the Sarov monastery. For three years he worked in various jobs, and then took tonsure under the name Seraphim.
Saint Seraphim went through all the exploits of monasticism: he was a deserter, a silent man, a columnist, a recluse. The most significant act of Seraphim of Sarov is the foundation and spiritual care of the Diveyevo convent.
The elder died as he lived: quietly and with prayer on his lips. He was buried in the Sarov monastery. In 1903, the grave was opened. The relics of the elder were not damaged by time, fragrance emanated from the body.
With a huge crowd (300,000) in the presence of the imperial family, Seraphim of Sarov was canonized. This happened in 1903, exactly 120 years ago. After the revolution, the monastery was closed, the relics simply disappeared. They were discovered 70 years later in the vaults of the Museum of Religion in Leningrad. It took a whole year for the relics to be handed over to the church.
On July 28, 1991, a procession came out of Moscow, with which the relics of the elder were delivered to Diveevo. On August 1, they were solemnly placed in the Trinity Cathedral of the monastery. Thus the prediction of the saint came true, who was sure that his “sinful flesh … would be transferred to Diveevo.”
Remembrance days
August 1
Charity foundHoly Land.
Soul investment!
