Friday, January 2, 2009

Sources on St. Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov

Greetings!

January 2nd is the feastday of a great Saint of our Church, St. Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov. He lived an exemplary life, mimicking the great Ascetics of old, and even after his death, he works many miracles throughout the world and continues to bring many to Christ. Much has been written about St. Seraphim in many different places, so I though I would include some links to some various sites about St. Seraphim. Also, see July 19th for the feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of St. Seraphim.

St. Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov (Icon courtesy of http://www.eikonografos.com/ used with permission)

-The Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov (in English): http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2012/01/st-seraphim-of-sarov-righteous.htmlhttp://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?FSID=100008.

-The Life of St. Seraphim (in Greek):
http://www.synaxaristis.googlepages.com/2%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%85.

-One of the most famous writings involving St. Seraphim, his conversation with his spiritual son Nicholas Motovilov, "On Acquisition of the Holy Spirit":
http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/sermon_st_seraphim.htm.

-A Vision of St. John of Kronstadt, guided by St. Seraphim:
http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2008/10/vision-of-st-john-of-kronstadt.html.

-A page on St. Seraphim in Greek, with some small pictures and where his Paraklesis in Greek can be downloaded:
http://www.pigizois.net/sinaxaristis/01/sarof.htm.

-A recording of the doxology at St. Seraphim's Holy Relics, made on 10/3/08 at St. Tryphon's Church in Attica, Greece (Recently the Relics of St. Seraphim were brought to Greece where they were venerated by thousands. This Doxology service is a beautiful mesh of Greek chanting and Russian choral singing. It was quite moving to hear and to see the services, the devotion from faithful throughout the world, and most especially, the visiting Russian Hierarch's greeting to the Greek faithful with St. Seraphim's beloved greeting: "My joy, Christ is risen!"):
http://www.pigizois.net/sinaxaristis/01/sarof/agripnia_eleysh_agion_leipsanon_serafeim_sarof.mp3.

St. Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov (Icon courtesy of http://www.eikonografos.com/ used with permission)

Apolytikion of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the Fourth Tone

Thou didst love Christ from thy youth, O blessed one, and ardently desiring to work for Him alone, thou didst struggle in the wilderness with constant prayer and labour; and having acquired love for Christ with compunction of heart, thou didst prove to be the beloved favourite of the Mother of God. Wherefore, we cry to thee: Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim, our holy Father.

Kontakion in the Second Tone
Having left the beauty of the world and what is corrupt therein, O Saint, thou didst settle in the Monastery of Sarov. And having lived there an angelic life, thou wast for many the way unto salvation. Wherefore, Christ hath glorified thee, O Father Seraphim, and hath enriched thee with the gift of healing and miracles. And so we cry to thee: Rejoice, O Seraphim, our holy Father.
(taken from: http://goarch.org/chapel/saints_view?contentid=696&type=saints)

The Theotokos and the Virgin Saints appearing to St. Seraphim and his disciple (http://pravicon.com/images/icon/0360/0360003.jpg)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

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