Saint Seraphim of Sarov expressed the aim of the Christian life in these words: to acquire the Holy Spirit. By this, he did not mean a grim ascetic struggle whose purpose is simply to crush the body. He meant the life of love – love that must be learned, guarded, and made our own.
It was for this love that thousands came to him, and he received them. They left strengthened by that love, able to go on living in this world. Many did not understand him, because the Holy Spirit guided him. There was even a time when he was torn away from his beloved little wilderness hermitage. Some said that he was unsettling people; they accused him because he would give those who came to him little loaves and wine, as though he had taken upon himself some kind of role in communing them. But it was simply love – a manifestation of love for people. And, of course, he prayed. He prayed that people would depart filled with the Spirit.
“Do you not know that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit?” says the Apostle Paul.
Saint Seraphim built that temple in his own life. He prayed then, long ago; and even now, after so many years, people still come to Father Seraphim to venerate him and to be strengthened by that same Spirit. They come so that he may uphold them, so that his prayers may sustain them in severe trials.
He also established the women’s monastery at Diveyevo, and this too was done in obedience to the Mother of God.
When we have such saints, we know by what standard to measure ourselves, so that we do not lose the path. We do not give way to anger when we are insulted; we remember how Saint Seraphim was beaten almost to death, left maimed – and yet he said that if his attackers were not released, he would leave the monastery. And they were released. Surely he prayed for them.
Here is our example: a living example of how we ought to treat our neighbour. Sometimes a single careless word is enough for something within us to change, for our attitude toward another person to become distorted. But in Saint Seraphim we see another way. His whole life was an example. He humbly submitted to the hierarchy of the Church, even when this was extremely difficult for him. Yet love prevailed.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov is one of the most beloved and venerated saints of Holy Rus’. And so, of course, we pray to him. The Lord has even granted us a portion of his holy relics.
We ask to live in that same spirit. His spirit was such that he greeted everyone with the words: “Christ is risen, my joy!” One cannot say this artificially. One must live it – live by the Resurrection.
We are so often afraid: afraid of death, afraid of life’s trials and troubles. But if we trust God, whom shall we fear? What shall we fear, if we know that God is leading us into the Kingdom of Heaven? Our task is to follow Him, to be obedient to Him, and to seek His will. This is what one truly needs. All the rest will be added unto us. Seek the Kingdom of Heaven. It is within you.
Sermon by Father Andrey Lemeshonok on Saturday after the All-Night Vigil, July 31, 2021
