Seraphim of Sarov is a real person who was canonized in 1903. Before making a decision on the canonization of the elder, the synod provided the emperor with information about the miraculous healings that Seraphim performed during his lifetime. Nicholas II left a mark on these records: “I read it with a feeling of true joy and deep tenderness.”
Seraphim of Sarov was close to the royal family. The wise thoughts and prayers of the saint are appreciated by believers to this day. The personality of the elder is unusual in the history of the church. His life is distinguished by rigor and amazing willpower. Memorial Day falls on January 15th. August 1 was the day of finding the relics of Seraphim of Sarov.
The elder left a legacy to believing descendants in the form of morning and evening Orthodox prayers and rules. Seraphim of Sarov assumed their appointmentin instilling discipline in church employees. But for the laity, the short morning and evening rules came in handy. During his lifetime, believers complained to the elder about the lack of time for prayer and visiting the temple. This problem does not lose its relevance today. Seraphim of Sarov advised to pray daily from any convenient place. The main thing is that the prayer comes from the heart. For the convenience of this process, the morning and evening prayer rule of Seraphim of Sarov has been created.
Childhood
In worldly life, the elder bore the name Prokhor Moshnin. He was born on July 19, 1759. Place of birth - the city of Kursk. The merchant family to which the boy belonged was not constrained in funds. Isidor Moshnin, Prokhor's father, owned brick factories and was actively interested in and carried out construction activities. Parents adhered to the rules of Orthodox life, participated in the construction of the temple in their native city and were a great example for their son. Prokhor's father left this world early, transferring all his fortune and the business of building the temple to his wife Agafya, an extremely pious woman. She spent most of her life in prayer and helping the poor. At that time, Prokhor was barely three years old.
The first sign of the Lord's grace over Prokhor appeared when the child was about 7-8 years old. When examining the next temple, the mother and son climbed the highest bell tower. The boy, as befits a child at his age, was smart and interested in the world around him. Running along the upper platform of the bell tower, he could not resist and fell. Mother rushed down, thinking that Prokhor was already dead. However boymet her unharmed, standing on two legs.
The second sign happened two years later. Prokhor fell seriously ill, and no treatment helped. In a dream, the Mother of God appeared to him and said that she would visit him and save him from illness. At that time, a service was going on in a nearby church and a religious procession was taking place with the icon of the Sign of the Mother of God. By coincidence, the path of the procession ran through the land allotment of the Moshnins. Then Prokhor's mother decided to take the child out to the people and bow to the icon. And the disease receded. So it became clear that the Lord had chosen the boy for important things and his fate would be connected with the Orthodox faith.
Youth
Prokhor Moshnin had an older brother Alexei. From childhood, both children were taught to manage their father's business, to work in trade. But, unlike his brother, Prokhor was not disposed to making money in this field. Having passed the age of twelve, the boy became more and more interested in reading the Bible, tried to attend all the services in the temple, studied the Ps alter.
Agafya Moshnina, of course, noticed this inclination of her son and did not interfere with his impulses. Since Prokhor did not have the opportunity to attend evening liturgies (he studied trading), he got used to getting up early and going to morning services. At that time, a holy fool lived in Kursk (his name has not been preserved). The holy fool was considered blessed and revered, the boy quickly made acquaintance with him. This man influenced the strengthening of the Orthodox faith inside the young soul. It was then, in his youth, that discipline began to be laid in him, whichled to the creation of the morning and evening prayer rules.
Becoming Faith
Over time, Prokhor began to understand that worldly cares and troubles prevent him from giving all his thoughts to the service of the Lord. Gradually, the realization grew stronger in his head that his life should take place outside the monastery walls. He saw his future in serving the world and people. The young man told his friends about this, who supported him in these aspirations. Over the years, the intention to become a monk was only affirmed in his soul, and Prokhor decided to open up to his mother. Agafya, as always, fully supported her son, whose inclinations had been discovered a long time ago.
Prokhor said goodbye to his family and in the company of five companions went to the Kiev-Pechersk monastery. Before leaving, Agafya let him bow before the icons of Christ and the Mother of God. Then she blessed and hung a copper cross on her chest. Prokhor carried this cross through his whole life and was buried with him.
There was a long way to Kyiv, which had to be overcome on foot. The road of the young man and his companions ran through all the local shrines. In one of them, he met the monk Dositheus, who was distinguished by a deep vision of people and insight. An interesting fact: under the name of Dosifey, the noble daughter Daria Tyapkina was hiding. She hid from her relatives in a male monastery, disguised as a man. This change was not known until after her death. And of course, Prokhor Moshnin did not know about it then. Monk Dositheus saw the grace of God over the young man and ordered him to go to the Sarov Hermitage. There, Prokhor had to carry the word of the Savior into the souls of people.
Life path
After talking with Dosifei, Prokhor returned to Kursk and lived there for another two years. During this period, he strengthened the faith within himself. Gradually, the young man moved away from everything worldly, he no longer took part in trading affairs. And at the call of the soul at nineteen, he got ready to go on the road again. With two companions, with the blessing of his mother, he moved to Sarov.
In 1786, Prokhor Moshnin changed his name forever. Seraphim becomes a hierodeacon, later a hieromonk.
The Hermit
It is known that when he was Seraphim of Sarov, he lived far from the monastery. His cell was located in the forest, the monk led an ascetic lifestyle, as befits a clergyman. Seraphim throughout his life preached the rejection of excesses, strictness in food and life. At any time of the year, you could see the same clothes on him. He got his own food in the forest. Seraphim of Sarov slept a short sleep, prayed incessantly and read the Holy Scriptures. Next to his cell, the monk set up a vegetable garden and set up an apiary. He could eat full for months.
Seraphim chose pilgrimage as a feat for his spiritual path. He stood on the rock for months and tirelessly recited prayers. In this way, the title of reverend, that is, like Jesus, came to him. Since 1807, Seraphim of Sarov practically stopped receiving visitors, and kept a vow of silence for many months. Later, returning to the monastery, he went into seclusion, which lasted fifteen years. After it ended, the monk continued to receive visitors.
Prayer rule
Seraphim of Sarov was a model of piety, spirituality and devotion to the faith of Christ. He supported the exclusion of excesses both in food and in everyday life. He considered it important to accept strict restrictions, the rejection of material we alth. The Sarov elder believed that it was necessary to set aside time for prayer every day. At any time of the day or night, you can find a few minutes to repeat three simple prayers to the Lord. Why read the morning and evening rule? The essence of these appeals is to let go of worldly worries for a while and become spiritually purer. This ritual gives spirituality to the bustle of the day, returns thoughts to God in faith and in the soul.
The daily use of the morning and evening prayer rule is of tremendous benefit to the believer. At the same time, even the busiest will find time to repeat the appeal to the Savior. The main actions of an Orthodox person observing the morning and evening prayer rules are as follows:
1. After awakening in the morning, the believer needs to receive a blessing for the coming day so that things go smoothly and the day goes smoothly. The morning prayer rule marks the primacy of faith in the human soul. The fact that an Orthodox person turns to Jesus first thing in the morning shows that spiritual life is a priority for him.
2. It is desirable to say prayers at the icons, light candles.
3. The sequence of reading prayers must be strictly observed. Note that some are repeated multiple times.
4. During the day, it is important to rememberGod, turn to him. Worldly concerns should not distract from the path of the soul of a truly Orthodox person.
5. If desired and possible, repeat the prayer rule at lunchtime. It is enough to find a quiet place where you can relax and delve into yourself.
Seraphim of Sarov argued that the systematic repetition of the morning and evening rules of prayer purifies the soul, pacifies sins.
Rules
The prayer rules of Seraphim of Sarov consist of the following texts:
• Our Father. Triple repetition.
• "Virgin Mary, rejoice." Triple repetition.
• "Creed". Repeat once.
What is the interpretation of the morning and evening prayers?
The first prayer is known to all Orthodox since childhood. It is used in various life situations. It is short and easy to remember. Used in the morning and evening prayer rule.
The second text is an appeal to the Mother of God. Helps to overcome difficulties throughout the day and eases setbacks after it. The text is also not long, it is easy to repeat, it is used both in the morning and in the evening.
"The creed" is a long prayer word, it is allowed to read it from any medium. Its essence is a display of the main postulates of the Orthodox faith. It is allowed to read it only in the morning. However, the repetition of the text in the evening will strengthen the spirit of the believer, temper for future achievements.
How to pray correctly?
Starting the morning and evening prayer ruleSeraphim of Sarov, you need to get up, cross yourself and start reading the sacred texts. For women in the process of praying, a scarf covering their heads is a necessity. Men must be without a hat. At the end of the morning action, ask for a blessing for the coming day and go to work or school.
In the evening prayer rule, the believer thanks the Lord for the day he has lived. You can add the text of the prayer "Let God rise again" to it. At the end of the ritual, cross the corners of the room you are in.
In the case when there is no time left to observe the entire ritual, Seraphim of Sarov called for reciting a short morning and evening prayer rule during the day as a symbol of connection with higher powers. Words such as “have mercy on me a sinner / sinner” will not be difficult to pronounce in the turmoil of ordinary everyday life. For those who do not find time to cleanse their souls with prayer, these short phrases make it possible to remember that one should not strive for the ideal and should bring goodness to the world.
For whom the rules are useful
Not every person makes sense to use the morning and evening rules of Seraphim of Sarov. A favorable impact will be felt by the Orthodox, who wholeheartedly believe in Jesus Christ. It is important to understand your spiritual path, to strive for its development and growth. Each word of these short texts carries a sacred meaning, which should resonate in the soul of a believer. You should be characterized by spiritual self-improvement. When is the morning and evening rule not read? For those whose faith is not so firm, there is an opportunity to makeappeals to the Lord on the territory of the church, to confess to the priest.
Meaning
The morning and evening rules of Seraphim of Sarov are akin to regular physical activity. Just as exercises train the body, so prayers temper the souls of believers, strengthening them. The holy elder himself called on all his companions and visitors to pray daily, in this way to purify thoughts, completely dedicating their consciousness to the Lord. The interpretation of the morning and evening rule comes down to achieving perfection in the Christian faith. Saying all three prayers every day, a person grows spiritually, his worldview changes.
Miracles of Seraphim of Sarov
After seventeen years of seclusion, the elder abandoned his silence. Having spoken, he addressed everyone only as “My joy!”. Seraphim of Sarov's greeting was the phrase "Christ is Risen!". He founded the Diveevo Convent, for which the daily morning and evening rules of Seraphim of Sarov were originally written. By this action, the elder sought to instill discipline in the nuns and gradually strengthen their spirit in faith in God.
Already in the monastery, visitors begin to come to the holy elder. Some had illnesses, both physical and spiritual. It is known for certain that members of the royal family also visited Seraphim of Sarov. It is believed that thanks to the prayers of the elder, the grand ducal couple had a son, Tsarevich Alexei Romanov.
In the autumn of 1831 Seraphim of Sarov healed a we althy landowner. Nikolai Motovilov subsequently becamebenefactor of the Diveevsky monastery. He also recorded a conversation with him from the words of Seraphim of Sarov, which was later released in a printed version. It is called "On the Purpose of the Christian Life."
After the death of the elder, this book will symbolize his will. Seraphim of Sarov died in 1833 in his cell, bowed down in prayer. The relics of the holy elder and miracle worker are kept in the Trinity Cathedral of the Diveevo Convent. The canonization of Seraphim of Sarov caused a lot of controversy, as it was initiated by the Grand Duchess Alexandra (wife of Nicholas II), in gratitude for her prayers for her son and heir to the throne. But given the life of the elder and the miracles that he worked and life, Alexandra Feodorovna's request was granted.
Predictions
The Elder called all his conscious life to pacify the physical body, to give up the blessings of the world, to lead an ascetic lifestyle. Luxury and we alth, even the smallest, in his opinion, have no meaning in the life of a true Orthodox believer.
Seraphim of Sarov predicted that the royal branch of the princes of the Romanovs would end in the Ipatievs' house. From a young age, the miracle worker foresaw the historical events of Russia. It is known that his first prediction was the uprising of the Decembrists. Later, he was given a sign about the Crimean War (1853-55). The Russo-Japanese and other world wars were also predicted by this great man.
The most famous of his prophecies relate to the royal family. About Nicholas II, he said that he would glorify him. The martyrdom of the entire royal family and the subsequent revolution were predicted by the phrase: “Angels do notwill have time to count souls.”
The elder predicted the canonization of the royal family with the words: "God will magnify the king." About the current time, Seraphim of Sarov said that after the communist government (he called them invaders, rebels and murderers), the country would be given 15 years to repent. During these years, the people should ask for forgiveness from Christ and pray according to the prayer rules of Seraphim of Sarov.
Massive nationwide repentance never happened, perhaps that's why there was a default in 2000. After all, the holy elder predicted troubles and hardships for the country if repentance did not occur. Elder Seraphim also knew about the coming fall of the Orthodox faith. But he warned that discord between people should not be allowed. Otherwise, the collapse of the entire state will come, the people need to learn how to negotiate among themselves.
In conclusion
One of the greatest miracle workers, Elder Seraphim of Sarov remains revered to this day. On the days of commemoration of the saint, it is especially important to observe his morning and evening Orthodox rules. Hieromonk Sergius, a novice of the Diveevo Monastery, collected the main document-memoir of the monk.
The shrine with the relics of the holy elder is stored in the Diveevo monastery, where there is an opportunity for parishioners to come and pray to Seraphim of Sarov. The icon "Tenderness of Seraphim of Sarov" thanks to the lifetime selfless faith of the elder in the Lord and serving him is revered not only in the Orthodox faith, but also in the Catholic one.
The saint is considered a model of piety, asceticism and righteousness. His aspirationattaining spiritual perfection is indicative of many believers. Therefore, the short morning and evening prayer rule of Seraphim of Sarov is recommended for all laity. The firmness of faith, the kindness of a monk is transmitted to believers through the icon. At the image of Seraphim of Sarov, they pray for an end to mental suffering, finding peace. They ask you to guide you on the right path, to find harmony with yourself and the outside world.
Prayer to the elder gives help to fight despair, abolishes pride and vanity. Holy water, drawn from the source, according to reviews, allows you to get rid of leg diseases and some other ailments. A petition to Seraphim of Sarov helps to find a soul mate, create a strong relationship with her and secure the union with a wedding.
