St. Seraphim of Sarov

Prokhor Moshnin was a merchant’s son from Kursk who became a monk at Sarov. He lived for years in a forest hut, prayed for a thousand nights on a rock, and was beaten nearly to death by robbers, whom he forgave. In his last years thousands came to him, and he greeted each one, “My joy, Christ is risen!” He told his disciple Motovilov that the goal of the Christian life is to acquire the Holy Spirit, and said, “Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved.” He died kneeling in prayer in 1833.

• Feast: January 2 (New Calendar)
• Lived: 1754–1833
• Place: Sarov
• Relics today: Diveyevo Convent