Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov remains a true conductor of Orthodoxy even after his death through his literary works, which still bring saving light into the dark souls of people. His books have been translated into different languages of the world. The most familiar to the Russian reader is Elder Silouan of Athos. Among the other most famous works of Archimandrite Sofroniy Sakharov are the works “On Prayer” and “Seeing God as He Is”. By the way, he built the last of these books in the form of a confession of his whole life, in which he tells all the most important things related to the knowledge of God.
In World War I he was a chief officer of the engineering troops, then became a talented artist of the Paris Academy of Arts, who survived two interrogations and arrests of the Cheka and the Lubyanka. He became a monk who got married on Mount Athos and founded the monastery of John the Baptist in the UK.
Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov - biography
He was born in Moscow on September 22, 1896 in an Orthodox landowner's enlightened family. In the world of Sergei Semenovich Sakharov since childhoodloved to read Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy and Gogol. His nanny Catherine often took him to church, as she herself was a pious person. And little Sergei often sat there at her feet. Thus, he felt the need to pray. From early childhood, Sergei was a weak and sick boy, but after walking with the nanny and praying for recovery, he began to gradually recover.
Youth
Sergei was fond of prayer until his youth, but then he began to be drawn to painting, because he really showed a remarkable talent for this art.
During this period, he also begins to get involved in mystical literature, which did not alienate him from Orthodox Christianity. In 1915, the young man entered the Moscow Academy of Arts, where he studied for two years.
In 1918, he was arrested twice by the Cheka. After the revolution and lawlessness that began in Russia, he emigrated to Italy, then to Berlin and Paris.
Abroad, his works of art were appreciated and immediately began to be invited to major exhibitions. But his soul yearned for God.
In 1924, on the Easter holiday, he experienced a blessed vision of the Uncreated Light. From that moment on, he could not live an ordinary worldly life and decided to devote himself to God.
Dedication to God
Now he felt the need to go to a monastery where people pray to God day and night.
First he goes to Yugoslavia, and from there he makes his way to Athos and takes monastic vows in a Russian monastery in the name of the holy great martyrPanteleimon.
In 1930, God made him acquainted with the famous Elder Silouan of Athos, later canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. It is he who becomes his spiritual father, who gives him many wise answers and instructions that have worried him all the past years. Communication with the elder became for monk Sophrony the real foundation of his entire future spiritual life.
Ordination
His ordination took place on April 30, 1932. In 1935, Hierodeacon Sofroniy began to suffer from a serious illness, and he was on the verge of death. Many of his brothers were sure that he did not have long to live in this world. But God had other plans for him. By His great mercy and thanks to the prayers of St. Siluan, Father Sofroniy lived a long life.
On September 24, 1938, a sad event happened for all the monastic brethren and spiritual children - Elder Siluan departed to the Lord. But before his death, he handed over his notes to his disciple Father Sophrony, which became the main material for the printed edition of Elder Siluan.
Desert life and paths of destiny
At the same time, he is writing the first part of a book about the life of Elder Silouan. With the blessing of the monastery abbot, he dooms himself to hermitage and labors in the Karul and other sketes of Athos.
In February 1941 he was ordained a hieromonk. And on Athos, he begins his ministry as the confessor of the monastery of St. Paul.
After the war, all Russians are expelled from Athos for political reasonsmonks. In 1947, Hieromonk Sophrony moved to France, where he began his ministry in Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois as a priest in the Holy Dormition cemetery church. A year later, he publishes 500 copies of the first so-called manual edition of Elder Silouan.
In 1957, the first printed edition of this book was released in Paris. After a few more years, the first edition of this literary creation (abridged) in English appears.
Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov is gradually beginning to be surrounded by spiritual children and disciples preparing for monastic life. Having received a blessing from the church hierarchy, in 1956 he creates a monastic community on the Kolara farm in France. At the same time, the thought of creating an Orthodox monastic cloister, in which he could put into practice the commandments of St. Silouan, does not leave him. But this is still only in the plan, no possibilities were foreseen. But then in November 1958, he, along with some of his spiritual children, moved to live in the UK in Essex, where he acquired an estate that eventually transformed into the monastery of St. John the Baptist.
Establishment of a monastery
The monastery, founded by Father Sophronius, has become one of the most revered in the UK. Orthodox people began to gather there from all over the world from Japan to Canada to receive spiritual enrichment from the Monk Silouan.
In this monastery all the last years of Father Sophrony will pass, who was first his rector, and then hisrevered elder.
Legacy
In the monastery of Essex, Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov passed away to the Lord on July 11, 1993. He lived a long fruitful life, which included the most difficult years of the 20th century with its tragedies, scientific and technological achievements. He lived with dignity for 97 years. The process of canonization of Elder Sophrony is already in full swing.
Now thousands of people are gaining faith by reading his books. In his sayings, Archimandrite Sofroniy Sakharov said that as a person lives, so then the external circumstances of his life develop. This is obtained due to internal errors, correcting which, you can change your life for the better. He also wrote that before doing any deed, one must wait until the Lord gives strength. If God expects something from us, then he gives the energy and grace necessary for accomplishment.
Very wisely noted by his words that life without Christ is tasteless, sad and hopeless.
