Mission Monthly – September 2002
“My joy!”
St. Seraphim of Sarov
One of the most common questions I am asked, especially by non-Orthodox Christians, is, “What role do the Saints play in our lives?” Book answers are pretty straight forward; they pray for us, they reveal Christ to us, and their lives provide for us examples of successful Christian living, often in the face of great persecution. It is this last answer that recently reminded me of one of the most universally venerated and often quoted saints of the last several decades, St. Seraphim of Sarov.
St. Seraphim died in 1833 and was canonized in 1903. Like the majority of our saints, he led a life of faith and love for God from an early age. From the very beginning of his life he was taught to believe in God (unlike many parents in our “enlightened age” who let their children grow without any sort of religious training, leaving the child to one day choose whether or not to believe in God). From an early age his faith was deep and abiding; so much so that he decided to enter the monastery as a very young man. His strong faith led him to ordination and to a remarkable life in the service of Christ; miraculous and beneficial to many souls. Once, while serving as a deacon, St. Seraphim had a vision of angels in the altar, leaving him mute and confirming the true action of the priest’s prayer said before the Little Entrance during Divine Liturgy, “O Master, Lord our God cause that with our entrance there may be an entrance of holy Angels serving with us and glorifying Thy goodness” Every time I pray this prayer during Liturgy I think of St. Seraphim and know that the Angels are indeed ministering with us!
This Saint not only had to face the inner warfare of personal repentance, he also faced physical violence. He had been living as a hermit for ten years when three peasants came to his hermitage seeking money. When he explained that he had nothing they did not believe him and beat him almost to death. He considered defending himself but when he remembered the words of Jesus, “All who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52), he put down his sword (axe) and accepted his calling as a man of peace not to fight back. By God’s grace he recovered from the gruesome attack and eventually returned to his life as a hermit. Even more astonishing is how St. Seraphim, when his assailants were caught, forgave them completely.
St. m’s life was a unique and powerful expression of what God intends for His children. He fit well the description of “true manhood” given by St. Silouan of the Holy Mountain, meaning that St. Seraphim’s uniqueness was fulfilled (not obstructed) in his life of Godly obedience and virtue. It is refreshing to hear this Truth proclaimed when our secular world falsely charges that Christianity “represses” man’s “individuality” and “freedom.” St. Seraphim’s individuality was never lost as this “true man” sought God’s true calling to become solely a reflection of the image of God! This is a lesson we all could learn especially as the ever changing winds of popular cultural (career, family, youth, possessions, hobby, entertainment, preference) often confuse and control our lives like a ship without a rudder, establishing the “treasures of our hearts” on whatever idol or image “flavors the day.”
St. Seraphim had godly freedom. He reflected it in many ways. One of the most impressive qualities he possessed was his simple love for people. His concern was always for the “other.” Most of us are familiar with his famous saying, “Acquire the spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.” St. Seraphim was truly free and possessed this spirit of peace, and many were saved (and are still being saved) through his love. How many of us in this anxious, stressed-out, defensive and self-seeking world can claim this; even with all our attempts to find personal fulfillment and spiritual meaning? His love for the people was seen in the not so subtle way of addressing all people as “My joy!” Whether a stranger, friend or foe, Seraphim always saw Christ in the face of every person. There is much in our world that is spinning out of control: the breakdown of the family; the lack of honesty in government; the loss of integrity in the workplace; the lack of generosity in caring for those in need; tensions between nations, religions, the generations and the sexes; all stemming from a lack of love for the “other.” St. Seraphim was a man of faith, courage, strength, suffering and self-sacrifice; he was a man of love, peace and joy! What role do the Saints play in our lives? St. Seraphim of Sarov teaches us how to love and respect one another, and that our true selves and true joy will not be found in self-service but rather in self-sacrifice.