Seraphim of Sarov

Beloved Russian monastic saint, wonderworker of Sarov.

St. Seraphim of Sarov, one of the most beloved saints of Russia, lived from the mid-eighteenth century until 1833. Entering the monastery of Sarov as a young man, he spent long years in seclusion in the forest in fasting, silence, and unceasing prayer, including, according to tradition, a thousand days and nights of prayer upon a rock.

In his last years he opened his cell to all, greeting every visitor as his joy with the paschal greeting that Christ is risen. Pilgrims beyond number received his counsel and healing. He taught that the aim of the Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. His memory is kept on January 2.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Seraphim of Sarov is commemorated on January 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 15 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Serafim, Serafeim, Seraphim

Also commemorated on January 2

• Sylvester of Rome

  Hierarch, Σίλβεστρος

  Pope of Rome in the time of St. Constantine the Great.

  Name days: Sylvester, Silvester, Silvestros, Sylvestros

• Theagenes of Parium

  Hierarch, Θεαγένης

  Hieromartyr Theagenes, Bishop of Parium on the Hellespont.

  Name days: Theagenes, Theagenis

• Theodote the Mother of the Unmercenaries

  Holy Woman, Θεοδότη

  Righteous Theodote, mother of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

  Name days: Theodote, Theodoti, Theodota

• 

  Basil of Ancyra

  Martyr, Βασίλειος εξ Αγκύρας

  Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra, who suffered under Julian the Apostate.

• Juliana of Lazarevo

  Holy Woman, Ιουλιανή η Δικαία

  Righteous Juliana of Lazarevo, a laywoman of Murom famed for her mercy to the poor.

• George the Iberian

  Martyr, Γεώργιος ο Ίβηρ

  New Martyr George of Georgia, martyred at Mytilene in the eighteenth century.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.