Instructions
Photo: Elitsy.ru
St. Seraphim left us a rich legacy - his instructions, which can be useful at every moment of life, giving the right direction to the thoughts and actions of an Orthodox Christian if any spiritual or worldly difficulties suddenly arise in his life.
The monk himself did not write on paper, but his contemporaries, who had the opportunity to communicate with him, carefully wrote down his sermons, conversations and instructions. As a result, after the death of Seraphim of Sarov, in 1837 his biography was compiled, with the Instructions as an appendix.
The first edition of 1939 included 33 instructions, then they were expanded and supplemented, now their number is 43.
Whatever problem torments a person - about life and death, about love and hate, about work and about rest - all questions will be answered in the works of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
Anyone who wants to be saved must always have a repentant and contrite heart, according to the Psalmist: “The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: God will not despise a contrite and humble heart” (Ps. 50:19).
In such contrition of spirit, a person can comfortably pass through the cunning machinations of the proud devil, whose whole effort is to disturb the human spirit and sow his tares in indignation, according to the words of the Gospel: “Lord, did you not sow good seed in your village? Where do we get the tares from?” He said to them: “Enemy man has done this” (Matthew 13:27–28).
When a person tries to have within himself a humble heart and a thought that is not indignant, but peaceful, then all the machinations of the enemy are ineffective, for where there is peace of thoughts, there the Lord God Himself rests: “In peace,” it is said, “His place is” (Ps. 75). ,3).
The beginning of repentance comes from the fear of God and attention, as the holy martyr Boniface says: the fear of God is the father of attention, and attention is the mother of inner peace, which gives birth to conscience, which does this, and the soul, like in some clean and undisturbed water, sees its own unbeauty , and this is how the firstfruits and roots of repentance are born.
Throughout our lives, through our sins, we offend the majesty of God, and therefore we must always humble ourselves before Him, asking for forgiveness of our debts.
Is it possible for a blessed person to rise after a fall?
It is possible, according to the Psalmist: “I have turned away from the mouth, and the Lord has accepted me” (Ps. 117:13), for when the prophet Nathan convicted David of his sin, he, having repented, immediately received forgiveness.
An example of this is one hermit who, having gone for water, fell into sin with a woman at a spring. But having returned to his cell, he realized his sin and began to lead an ascetic life again, as before. The enemy embarrassed him by presenting to him the severity of sin, denying the possibility of forgiveness and trying to distract him from the ascetic life. But the warrior of Christ stood his ground. God revealed this incident to a certain blessed father and ordered his brother, who had fallen into sin, to please him for his victory over the devil.
When we sincerely repent of our sins and turn to our Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts, He rejoices in us, institutes a holiday and convenes the Powers dear to Him, showing them the drachma that He again acquired, that is, His royal image and likeness. Having laid the lost sheep on his shoulder, He leads it to His Father. In the home of all those who rejoice, God places the soul of the repentant along with those who did not run away from Him.
So, let us not be hesitant to turn to our gracious Master quickly and let us not indulge in carelessness and despair for the sake of our grave and countless sins. Despair is the most perfect joy for the devil. It is “sin leading to death,” as Scripture says (1 John 5:16; St. Antiochus Sl. 77). “And if you do not prevent this by your relaxation and negligence,” says St. Barsanuphius, “then you will be surprised and glorify God, how He will lead you from non-existence to being (that is, from a sinner to a righteous person)” (St. Barsanuphius. Answer 114).
Repentance for sin, by the way, consists in not doing it again.
Just as there is a cure for every illness, so there is repentance for every sin.
So, be sure to approach repentance, and it will intercede for you before God. Continually repeat this prayer of the Venerable Antiochus: “Bearing, O Master, into the abyss of Thy compassion, I offer Thee from unclean lips and unclean lips this prayer: remember, for Thou hast called upon me Thy holy name,36 and Thou hast redeemed me at the price of Thy blood, for Thou hast sealed me by the betrothal of Thy Holy Spirit, and Thou hast lifted me up from the depths of my iniquities, lest the enemy snatch me away. Jesus Christ, intercede for me and be my strong helper in battle, for I am a slave of lust and we fight because of it. But You, Lord, do not leave me on earth, cast down in the condemnation of my deeds: free me, O Master, from the evil slavery of the ruler of the world and teach me in Your commandments. The path of my life, O my Christ, and the light of my eyes is Thy face. God, Master and Lord, do not give me the arrogance of my eyes, and leave evil lust from Me; protect me with Your holy hand. Let not desires and lusts overwhelm me, and do not betray me to a colder soul. Shine in me the light of Your face, O Lord, so that darkness may not overtake me, and whoever walks in it may not snatch me away. Do not, Lord, betray the soul that confesses to You to the invisible beast. Do not allow, Lord, for Your servant to be hurt by strange dogs. Grant me the companionship of Thy Holy Spirit, and the house of Thy Christ, O Holy Father, build me up. Guide of the lost, guide me, so that I do not wander into foolishness. I desire to see Your face, O Lord. God, guide me with the light of Your face. Grant to me, Thy servant, a source of tears, and give the dew of Thy Holy Spirit to Thy creation, so that I may not dry up like the fig tree, which Thou hast cursed: and let tears be my drink, and my prayer be food. Turn my cry, O Lord, into my joy, and receive me into Thy eternal tabernacles. May Thy mercy comprehend me, O Lord, and may Thy compassions embrace me, and forgive me all my sins. For you are the true God, forgiver of iniquity. And do not allow, O Lord, to be put to shame by the work of Your hands through the multitude of my iniquities, but call me, O Master, as Your only begotten Son, our Savior. And raise me up who lies down, like Levi the publican, and give life to me killed by the sins, like the son of a widow. For You alone are the resurrection of the dead, and glory befits You forever. Amen" (St. Antiochus. Homily 77).
Video “The Life and Instructions of St. Seraphim of Sarov”
This video tells about the life and teachings of the elder.
About the post
The saint’s teaching speaks of true abstinence not as a simple pacification of the flesh, but about the opportunity to give one’s piece of bread to someone who needs it. The Wonderworker lived for three years on the edge of the forest, observing strict fasting, but remained in good spirits. At the same time, he fed the wild animals that came to him, never driving the animals away hungry.
About patience
The Monk of Sarov instructed the laity to take everything that happens to them for granted and to thank the Lord for the trials sent down. One day, the elder was attacked by robbers in his forest cell. He was hit on the head, which left the monk hunched over for life. However, the saint did not hold a grudge against these people, believing that only actions deserve condemnation.
About spiritual peace
With his instructions, the miracle worker urged not to hold back anger, not to react to insults, thereby maintaining peace of mind. Father Seraphim showed by his example that these are not simple words. He forgave those who attacked him and even begged them not to punish the robbers.
To tame anger, the Monk of Sarov advised focusing on a joyful spirit rather than a sad one.
Author's advice
About boredom
The saint said that boredom is not alien to a monk - it usually appears around lunchtime, forcing the monk to doubt his chosen path. Usually this bad feeling brings with it sadness, and to prevent this from happening, you need to earnestly pray to the Lord, not forgetting about your obedient duties. Those who are constantly busy with work will not be afraid of melancholy.
About prayer
About forgiveness
About the commandments
About despondency
The meaning and significance of the instructions
The teaching of Seraphim of Sarov contains the only main idea - to show people the righteous path that will lead them to the Kingdom of Heaven. Almost two centuries have passed, but the spiritual commandments have not lost their relevance.
In his teachings, the reverend father appeals to the laity so that they do not give in to temptation, pacify passions, thereby becoming one step higher towards God. He is guided not by fear, but by love, which should be for the Lord and neighbor, and calls it the foundation of the Orthodox faith. The saint speaks of life having no meaning without this all-encompassing feeling.
Seraphim of Sarov argued that the Almighty pays His attention only to hearts filled with love. It makes no difference who turns to Him: a monk or a simple person - He will hear them both equally if they deeply love the Creator. Only in this case can a lay person comprehend the Holy Spirit, which is the true goal of an Orthodox Christian.
The first book was published 6 years after the death of the miracle worker
Prophetic sayings
During his lifetime, Seraphim of Sarov loved to talk about the future, and often his words turned out to be prophetic. Thus, he predicted:
- healing from cholera raging in the Diveyevo monastery;
- Crimean War;
- finding their relics on the Resurrection of Christ and their further movement to Diveevo.
However, there are those that are only destined to turn out to be true. Thus, he predicted the trampling of the Orthodox faith, for which the clergy would certainly suffer God's punishment. The miracle worker told how he prayed to the Almighty so that He would deny him the Kingdom of Heaven, and in return would have mercy on sinners, but God was inexorable. The Reverend Father also said that before the coming of the Antichrist, Russia would face a long, fierce war, churches would be destroyed, a lot of blood would be shed, but in the end the country would gain great glory.
During his lifetime, Seraphim of Sarov liked to talk about the future
Saint Seraphim of Sarov spent his entire life serving the Lord and instructing the laity on the true path. He helped people strengthen their faith, find the true meaning of life and gave advice on how to become closer to God.
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The history of the publication of the elder's teachings
Saint Seraphim never purposefully wrote down his sayings. The works that were published later are based on the memories of his students or people who knew the reverend father closely.
The first book was published 6 years after the death of the miracle worker. The elder's statements were collected and published by the hieromonk of the Sarov Monastery, Sergius (Vasiliev). Initially, it was planned to combine the instructions with the hagiography, but the censorship of that time did not allow such work to pass. Much later, spiritual teachings began to be published as an appendix to the biography of the saint.
Seven teachings of the saint
All his life, Seraphim of Sarov gave people wise advice, guiding them on the true path. He said that without knowing God it is impossible to find peace of mind.
About faith
The saint argued that a true believer is always busy with daily affairs, without knowing laziness. The miracle worker himself lived for three years in the forest, working every day in the beds and apiary, which he built near his cell. He grew his own food, loved to read, spent a lot of time in prayer, and slept very little.
About hope
The Reverend Father said that only those who truly hope in the Almighty become closer to Him and are able to receive the Holy Spirit. When he was little, Prokhor was seriously ill. One day, the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream, promising to heal the boy. When a religious procession passed by their house, the mother touched her son to the holy image, and a little later the illness completely subsided.
About silence
According to Seraphim of Sarov, silence helps to find peace of mind. He also assured that silence breeds modesty and humility. The Reverend Father proved by his example the power of his words, maintaining a strict vow for three years.
It is better to communicate with God or yourself, but limit conversations with others.
Brief life of Seraphim of Sarov
The worldly name of the miracle worker is Prokhor Moshnin. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but researchers unanimously agree on 1754. A boy was born in Kursk to the believing merchant Isidore and the pious Agathia.
From an early age, the child was drawn to spiritual knowledge, and a miracle that happened later assured the mother that her son was predestined to serve God. So, one day little Prokhor fell from a bell tower that was under construction, but did not receive even the slightest injury. The mother was finally convinced by the miraculous healing of her child from a serious illness when he met the icon of the Mother of God during a religious procession.
Appearance of the icon of the Mother of God during the religious procession
The young man began his path of serving the Lord in 1778, becoming a novice at the Sarov monastery. After 8 years, he took monastic vows, acquiring a new name - Seraphim. A little later, the monk was promoted to hierodeacon, and eventually to hieromonk. Miracles often happened to the future saint during his lifetime. One day the Mother of God appeared to him, healing him from dropsy, and during the next service he saw Jesus Christ.
In 1794, the reverend father left the monastery, settling not far from its walls. The hermit built himself a cell, sheltered by a forest, and lived a solitary life for three years, taking a vow of silence. People said that wild animals came to him, and he fed them from his hands. When the silence ended, Seraphim of Sarov returned. He spent 15 years as a monastic recluse, and then began serving as an elder. The elder received people until his death, which occurred on January 2, 1833. In 1903, the miracle worker was officially canonized.
Text of the book “The Spiritual Flower Garden of Seraphim of Sarov. Selected Instructions"
Spiritual flower garden of Seraphim of Sarov. Selected instructions Compiled by Irina Bulgakova
Great holy Russian land
Take the heyday of the exploits of the greatest asceticism of the great Egyptian fathers, add to this the deep sincerity that is marked in most cases by the personalities of our saints;
imagine a person already on earth living, as it were, outside the flesh, a heavenly life; a person for whom the conditions that bind other people have already, as it were, been abolished, to whom all those gifts have been returned that at the end of the universe were abundantly given by God to the first, god-like man; imagine a man who, with one word, heals chronic, serious illnesses, a man before whose eyes the unknown future and the hidden past are equally exposed, who is seen either walking above the earth or rising into the air during prayer, like Mary of Egypt once did in the desert. Imagine a soul burned by the fire of divine love and at the same time expanded by the most boundless, warming, touching sympathy for people; a soul that was elevated while still on earth to the contemplation of the greatest mysteries of the Divine, which will be revealed to the best and most righteous people only beyond the cherished boundary, in another life; imagine a person for whom the supermundane world was native, his own; to whom, surrounded by unspeakable glory, the Lady of the world went to talk as if with a loved one; in a word, imagine the triumphant sky descending to earth, the most daring, daring dream come true about how far the victory of the spirit can go in earthly conditions; imagine a fiery seraphim flying down to people to console them, imagine the highest, most perfect, most beautiful expression of that complex concept that is defined by the word “saint” - and you will get an approximate hint of what Father Seraphim was here on earth.
E. Villager. From the book “Reverend Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker”
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov with his life. Icon. Beginning of the 20th century Moscow. Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after. Andrey Rublev
Where there is God, there is no evil
We are like cheap candles.
And he - like a pound candle - always burns before the Lord, both through his past life on earth and through his present boldness before the Holy Trinity. Saint Anthony, Archbishop of Voronezh and Zadonsk
Venerable Seraphim, Sarov miracle worker. Icon
My joy!
What a never-before-seen revelation of love for people the elder showed! He seemed to tremble all over with this love, this boundless power of sympathy and compassion. She shone in his eyes, sounded in those kind, gentle words and appeals to people. He called everyone so touchingly warmly: “My joy!”
“My joy” can definitely be heard even now from his grave; As if standing, forever remaining indelible in the air of places sanctified by the presence of his holy soul, these precious words - “My joy!” And it is believed that innumerable treasures of grace and joy will be shed upon believers during the glorification of Father Seraphim. Even now, it’s as if that cover of grief and suffering that usually shrouds life - as if this cover has disappeared, and something bright has illuminated my whole life. My soul is so light, so good and reliable, as it seems it has never been before, perhaps in early childhood.
...And how I want to remember, talk, hear, write about him, I want to go out to the people and proclaim his name: “Do you know what great happiness awaits you - run to a gracious new source, ask, call him, demand help - he is everyone If he hears, he will beg everyone for what they need for life and salvation!”
E. Villager. From the book “Reverend Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker”
Stone of the Temple of God
Faith, according to the teachings of the Monk Antiochus, is the beginning of our union with God: a true believer is the stone of the temple of God, prepared for the building of God the Father, raised to heights by the power of Jesus Christ, that is, the Cross, with the help of rope, that is, the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
God shows us His love for mankind not only in those cases when we do good, but also when we offend Him with sins and anger Him. How patiently He bears our iniquities, and when He punishes, how graciously He punishes!
* * *
Where there is God, there is no evil. Everything that comes from God is peaceful and beneficial and leads a person to humility and self-condemnation.
* * *
God is a fire that warms and ignites hearts and bellies. So, if we feel coldness in our hearts, which is from the devil, for the devil is cold, then we will call on the Lord, and He will come and warm our hearts with perfect love not only for Him, but also for our neighbor. And the coldness of a good-hater will flee from the face of warmth.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
In My Father's house there are many abodes
One monk had the good fortune to hear the story of Fr. Seraphim about his rapture to the heavenly abode. The elder said this: “I’ll tell you about the poor Seraphim. I have taken delight in the word of my Lord Jesus Christ, where He says: in the house of My Father are many mansions. At these words of Christ the Savior, I, poor one, stopped and longed to see these heavenly abodes and prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to show me these abodes. The Lord did not deprive me of His mercy. So I was caught up in these heavenly abodes. I just don’t know whether it’s with the body or apart from the body, God knows: it’s incomprehensible. But it’s impossible to tell you about the joy and sweetness that I tasted there.”
O. Seraphim fell silent. He lowered his head, moving his hand over his heart. His face became so bright that it was impossible to look at him. Then he spoke again: “If you knew what joy awaits the soul of the righteous in heaven, you would decide in your temporary life to endure all sorts of sorrows, persecution, slander; if our cell were full of worms and these worms would eat our flesh, our entire temporary life, then we would have to agree to this, so as not to lose that heavenly joy. If the holy Apostle Paul himself could not explain that heavenly glory, then what other human language can explain the beauty of a mountain village?
E. Villager. From the book “Reverend Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker”
* * *
The Fathers wrote when they were asked: “Seek the Lord, but do not try where he lives.”
* * *
To the extent that a person perfects himself here before God, to the extent that he follows Him; in the true age God will show him His face. For the righteous, to the extent that they enter into contemplation of Him, see His image as in a mirror, and there they will be worthy to see the manifestation of truth.
* * *
If you do not know God, then it is impossible for love for Him to be aroused in you. You cannot love God unless you see Him. The vision of God comes from knowing Him, for contemplation of Him does not precede knowledge of Him.
* * *
Do not talk about the affairs of God after your belly is full: with a full belly, how can there be knowledge of the mysteries of God?
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
How faith prevented you from sinning
I knew a young Christian girl. One day she turned to her mother with an extraordinary reproach because she and her nanny Alexandra had taught her to believe. And now this faith prevented her from sinning, and if she sins, her conscience torments her. And she even envies those who, like some of her friends, also sin, but are not at all embarrassed, thinking that there is no other world at all. Not knowing what to answer to her poor daughter in this case, the mother simply said:
- What can I do for you now? I can’t say that it doesn’t exist when I believe that it exists? And if you really want not to believe, then that’s your business, who’s stopping you?
- So you and the nanny got in the way. Now I would be glad not to believe, but I really can’t.
- Why? – the believing mother asks in turn with bewilderment.
– Because you have instilled in us (and her brother) so much about St. Seraphim since childhood that it is impossible to forget. Yes, I myself now know that all this really happened. And most importantly, I can no longer doubt that Father Fr. Seraphim. And since he was, it means that this is all really true: the priest could no longer lie or invent things. So I’m telling you: I can’t help but believe it. I want to and I can’t: nothing comes of it. And I’m suffering myself, and I’m angry with you and the nanny.
“And thank God,” the mother said with relief, “it’s better to sin and suffer than to add the most terrible thing to sins - unbelief, and even when we know that all this really exists.”
Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov). From the book “World Lamp. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov"
* * *
Just as I forge iron, so I have surrendered myself and my will to the Lord God: as He pleases, so I act; I do not have my own will, but what God pleases, I convey.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
Faith without works is dead
“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26); and the works of faith are: love, peace, long-suffering, mercy, humility, rest from all works, just as God rested from His works, bearing the cross and living in the spirit. Only such faith is imputed to the truth. True faith cannot be without works; He who truly believes will certainly have works.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
* * *
First of all, one must believe in God, “as He is, and He is a Rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
Providence of God
God's special providence for Prokhor was expressed in two events in his life. Once, when he was seven years old, his mother, going to the construction of a church, took him with her. She climbed to the very top of the bell tower, where the railings had not yet been installed. The boy, having quickly forgotten where he was, carelessly approached the edge and fell down. The mother, assuming that he had been killed to death and that there could only be his mutilated body down there, hastily ran down the steps. The child stood on the ground unharmed.
E. Villager. From the book “Reverend Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker”
Appearance of the Mother of God to Seraphim of Sarov
The Monk Seraphim of Sarov first saw the Mother of God as a ten-year-old boy - at that time he was seriously ill, and even his family did not hope for his recovery. During the most difficult time of his illness, in a sleepy vision, Prokhor saw the Most Holy Theotokos, who promised to visit him and heal him from his illness.
When he woke up, he told this vision to his mother. Indeed, soon in one of the religious processions they carried the miraculous icon of the Sign of the Mother of God through the city of Kursk along the street where Moshnina’s house was. It began to rain heavily. To cross to another street, the religious procession, probably to shorten the path and avoid dirt, headed through the Moshnina courtyard. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Agathia carried her sick son into the courtyard, placed him next to the miraculous icon and brought it under its shade. They noticed that from that time Prokhor began to improve in health and soon completely recovered. Thus the promise of the Queen of Heaven to visit the boy and heal him was fulfilled.
Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov). Life of St. Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker
If a person does not have excessive care for himself out of love for God and for deeds of virtue, knowing that God cares for him, such hope is true and wise. But if a person places all his hope in his own affairs, and turns to God in prayer only when unforeseen troubles befall him and he, not seeing in his own power the means to avert them, begins to hope for God’s help, then such hope is vain and false . True hope seeks the united Kingdom of God and is confident that everything earthly, necessary for temporary life, will undoubtedly be given.
* * *
All who have firm hope in God are raised to Him and are illuminated by the radiance of eternal light.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
About the life of the ancient ascetics of piety
Once a monk, marveling at the life of Fr. Seraphim asked him:
- Why do we, father, not have such a strict life as the ancient ascetics of piety led?
“Because,” answered Fr. Seraphim, - that we do not have the determination to do so. If they had the determination, then they would live like the fathers who shone forth in ancient times. Because the grace and help of God to the faithful and those who seek the Lord God with all their hearts is now the same as it was before. For, according to the word of God, Jesus Christ is “yesterday and today, the same and forever.”
These words can be considered as a seal of the life of Father Seraphim.
E. Villager. From the book “Reverend Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker”
“Blessed are you that you have such a child”
One “servant of God,” a certain fool for Christ’s sake, who was asceticizing at that time in Kursk, had a beneficial and holy influence on young Prokhor. His name has not been preserved in the memory of history... Many of them were previously scattered across the face of Holy Rus'... And they quietly did a great work, distracting the world from earthly attachments and, better than any books, teaching the gospel renunciation, Christ-like humility, martyrdom of all kinds of hardships, predicting the future, comforting the suffering, and sometimes denouncing the petrified souls of sinful people.
One such “man of God” met Agathia as she walked through the city with both sons. Turning his attention to Prokhor, the holy fool said to his mother: “Blessed are you, widow, that you have such a child, which in time will be a strong representative before the Holy Trinity and an ardent prayer book for the whole world!”
From that time on, he fell in love with the boy and had a beneficial effect on him in later life. Prokhor, like dry earth - rain, absorbed everything holy and good from the servant of God.
Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov). From the book “World Lamp. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov"
Zealot of Orthodoxy
The elder was a great zealot for Orthodoxy. …ABOUT. Seraphim loved to have conversations about what the purity of Orthodoxy consists of, how to protect it, and rejoiced that our Church contains the truth of Christ in its entirety. The ascetic highly revered our Russian saints, spoke about their lives, and took examples from them to follow. In general, the lives of the saints were for him living writings, from which he taught the people.
E. Villager. From the book “Reverend Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker”
* * *
The heart cannot have peace until it gains this hope. She will completely pacify him and pour joy into him. The most holy lips of the Savior spoke about this hope: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), that is, trust in Me, and you will be comforted from labor and fear.
* * *
In order to look to the Holy Trinity, one must ask for this from Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, who taught about the Trinity, whose intercession can attract the blessing of the Holy Trinity to a person, but one must beware of looking directly.
* * *
The purpose of our Christian life is to acquire the Holy Spirit of God. A wondrous spiritual goal!
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
Reasons for the coming into the world of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
1. God’s love for the human race: “For God so loved the world, as He gave His only begotten Son to eat” (John 3:16).
2. Restoration of the image and likeness of God in fallen man, as the Holy Church sings about this: “Having been corrupted by transgression in the image of God, all the corruption that exists, the best fallen Divine life is again renewed by the wise Creator.”
3. Salvation of human souls: “For God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17).
So, we, following the goal of our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, must lead our lives in accordance with His Divine teaching, so that through this we may receive salvation for our souls.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
About the love of God
He who has acquired perfect love exists in this life as if he did not exist. For he considers himself a stranger to the visible, waiting patiently for the invisible. He completely changed into love for God and forgot all other attachments.
* * *
He who truly loves God considers himself a stranger and a stranger on this earth, for in his striving for God with his soul and mind he contemplates only Him alone.
* * *
A soul filled with the love of God, even during its exodus from the body, will not fear the prince of the air, but will fly with the Angels, as if from a foreign country to its homeland.
* * *
He who loves himself cannot love God. And whoever does not love himself for the sake of loving God, loves God.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
“I come from Kursk merchants”
Prokhor's father was a pious merchant and hardworking builder Isidor Ivanovich Moshnin, who was distinguished by his firm faith and devout piety. The mother of the future saint of God, the true servant of the Lord, Agathia Fotievna, was even more adorned with virtues: she was distinguished by her mercy towards the poor; in particular, she helped orphan brides get married. But besides this, she was gifted with both a deep mind and a courageous soul.
After the death of her husband, the young widow humbly took up the difficult cross. The God-loving Agathia, not succumbing to cowardice, took into her courageous arms three young orphans, the entire complex household, and especially the responsible task of building a church in honor of St. Sergius and the Kazan Mother of God.
All this time, Prokhor was inseparable from his loving and beloved mother, whom he sacredly revered to the grave, and helped her in everything.
In addition to the brick factory and the construction of the temple, they also had their own shop in the city. The monk later said: “I come from Kursk merchants, and when I was not in the monastery, we used to trade in goods that were more needed by the peasants: bows, harnesses, iron, ropes, belts, etc.” Young Prokhor did not abandon these works, but his heart was already given to God. However, at first he tried to combine both: early, in winter, even before light, he hurried to the temple for matins, and then devoted the day to trading classes.
But the further time passed, the more the holy young man became convinced of how difficult it is to combine complete love for God with service to the world. “It is impossible,” he later taught, “to be completely and calmly immersed in the contemplation of God, to study His law and to ascend with all your soul to Him in fiery prayer, remaining amid the incessant noise of passions warring in the world.”
Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov). From the book “World Lamp. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov"
About the fear of God
A person who decides to follow the path of inner attention must first of all have the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom.
Let these prophetic words always be imprinted on his mind: “Work for the Lord with fear, and rejoice in Him with trembling” (Ps. 2:11).
He must walk his path with extreme caution and reverence for all that is sacred, and not carelessly. Otherwise, one must be wary lest this terrible decree of God apply to him: “Cursed is [a man] who does the work of the Lord with negligence” (Jer. 48:10).
Reverent caution is needed here because this sea (that is, the heart with its thoughts and desires, which must be cleansed through attention) is great and spacious: “there are vermin there, of which there is no number” (that is, vain, wrong and unclean thoughts are the generation of evil spirits ).
“Fear God,” says the Wise One, “and keep his commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). And by keeping the commandments, you will be strong in everything you do, and your work will always be good. For, fearing God, you will do everything well out of love for Him. But do not be afraid of the devil; He who fears God will overcome the devil: for him the devil is powerless.
[There are] two types of fear: if you do not want to do evil, then fear the Lord and do not do it; and if you want to do good, then fear the Lord and do it.
But no one can acquire the fear of God until he is freed from all the worries of life. When the mind is careless, then it is moved by the fear of God and drawn to the love of God’s goodness.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. Spiritual instructions to monks and laity
“This place will be your salvation”
...Leaving his parents' shelter, Prokhor went to Kyiv...
In the Kitaevskaya monastery, ten miles from Kyiv, the perspicacious ascetic Dosifei took refuge. Prokhor hurriedly directed his steps towards him.
Seeing him, the elder saw the grace of God in him and resolutely blessed him to go to the Sarov hermitage, giving the following covenant: “Come, child of God, and awaken there. This place will be your salvation, with the help of the Lord. Here you and your earthly journey will end. Just try to acquire unceasing memory of God through the constant invocation of the name of God like this: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner! Let all your attention and training be in this: walking and sitting, doing and standing in church, everywhere in every place, going in and out, let this unceasing cry be both in your mouth and in your heart; with him you will find peace, you will acquire spiritual and physical purity, and the Holy Spirit, the source of all good things, will dwell in you and guide your life in holiness, in all piety and purity”...
In these few words, the place of Prokhor’s asceticism was prophetically indicated, but also the main monastic “training” was determined - the internal practice of the Jesus Prayer. And it is especially noteworthy that the Monk Dosifei clearly indicated to him the main goal of his entire spiritual life: “The Holy Spirit will dwell in you.”
Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov). From the book “World Lamp. Venerable Seraphim of Sarov"
