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St. Seraphim of Sarov

Conversation With Nicholas Motovilov. - Part 2

"However, that does not mean that the Spirit of God was not in the world at all, but His presence was not so apparent [9] as in Adam or in us Orthodox Christians. It manifested only externally; yet the signs of His presence in the world were known to mankind [10]. Thus, for instance, many mysteries ... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

FROM THE LIFE OF ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV

St. Seraphim was born on July 19, 1759, and named after St. Prokhor, whose feast day is celebrated on the 28th day of that same month. His father’s name was Isidore, and his mother’s Agafia. His parents came from respected and wealthy merchant families. Isidore had taken up the task of building a ch... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

Grace is Light

"And I must further explain, your Godliness, the difference between the operations of the Holy Spirit Who dwells mystically in the hearts of those who believe in our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ and the operations of the darkness of sin which at the suggestion and instigation of the devil, acts ... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

St. Seraphim of Sarov

This revelation is undoubtedly of world-wide significance. True, there is nothing essentially new in it, for the full revelation was given to the Apostles from the very day of Pentecost. But now that people have forgotten the fundamental truths of the Christian religion, and are immersed in the dark... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

ST. SERAPHIM ON MONASTIC LIFE

Both monks and nuns came to Fr. Seraphim for counsel; among their number were abbots and abbesses. He expressed to them his thoughts concerning the obligations of a monastery superior. “The superior of the monastery,” he said, “should be perfect in all virtues, and the senses of his soul should be t... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

The Acquisition of Grace

"Yes, father, but what about other good deeds done for Christ's sake in order to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit? You have only been speaking of prayer." "Acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit also by practicing all the other virtues for Christ's sake. Trade spiritually with them; trade with tho... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

The Aim of the Christian Life

"It was Thursday," writes Motovilov. "The day was gloomy. The snow lay eight inches deep on the ground; and dry, crisp snowflakes were falling thickly from the sky when St. Seraphim began his conversation with me in a field near his hermitage, opposite the river Sarovka, at the foot of the hill whic... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

The Presence of the Holy Spirit in History

"Father," said I, "you speak all the time of the acquisition of the grace of the Holy Spirit as the aim of the Christian life. But how and where can I see it? Good deeds are visible, but can the Holy Spirit be seen? How am I to know whether He is with me or not?" "At the present time," the elder rep... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

THE SPIRITUAL PATH OF ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV

In the Orthodox Church saints emerge. No central office in an institution checks, qualifies and certifies a person as a saint. On one reading, we are all saints. The word simply means "set apart" and that's how Christians have understood themselves since ancient times: set apart for service to God i... Read More
St. Seraphim of Sarov

TRANSFIGURATION IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

"But how," I asked Father Seraphim, "can I know that I am in the grace of the Holy Spirit?" "It is very simple, your Godliness," he replied. "That is why the Lord says: All things are simple to those who find knowledge (Prov. 8:9, Septuagint). The trouble is that we do not seek this divine knowledge... Read More

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