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← Life of Saint Seraphim of Sarov/Book 1 · Житие преподобного Серафима, Саровского чудотворца
Chapter 22ChichagovZhitieSerafima.1.22

Житие преподобного Серафима, Саровского чудотворца

The Elder's Consolation and Teaching on Prayer

After the vision, the disciple confesses her fear and failure to pray, and the elder reassures her of his intercession, teaches a simple prayer for a Christian death, and sends her in peace.

When we were left alone with Father, I said to him: "Ah, Father, I thought I would die of fear, and I didn't manage to ask the Queen of Heaven for the forgiveness of my sins." But Father answered me: "I, in my wretchedness, begged the Mother of God for you—and not only for you, but for all who love me, and for those who served me and kept my word; for those who labored for me, who love my monastery—and how much more will I not leave you or forget you!"1 I am your father; I will care for you both in this age and in the age to come. And whoever lives in my wilderness, I will leave none of them, and your descendants will not be forsaken. See what joy the Lord has granted us—why should we become despondent! Then I began to ask Father to teach me how to live and pray. He answered: "Pray like this: Lord, grant that I may die a Christian death; do not leave me, Lord, at Your dreadful Judgment; do not deprive me of the Kingdom of Heaven!" Queen of Heaven, do not leave me! After all this, I bowed down at Father's feet, and he, blessing me, said: "Go, child, in peace to Seraphim's wilderness!"2

The Eldress's Account of the Heavenly Vision

The eldress Evdokia Efremovna provides a detailed description of the angelic and heavenly figures, their garments, and the extraordinary light that filled the cell.

In another account by the eldress Evdokia Efremovna, still greater details appear. So she says: "Two Angels walked ahead, holding—one in his right hand, the other in his left—each a branch set with flowers that had only just bloomed. Their hair, like golden-yellow flax, lay loose on their shoulders. The clothing of John the Forerunner and of the Apostle John the Theologian was white, shining with purity.3 The Queen of Heaven wore a mantle like the one painted on the icon of the Sorrowing Mother of God—shining, though I cannot say of what color, of unspeakable beauty, fastened beneath the neck with a large round clasp (buckle) adorned with crosses decorated in many ways—with what, I do not know; I remember only that it shone with an extraordinary light.4 The dress over which the mantle was worn was green, girded with a high belt. Over the mantle there was something like an epitrachelion, and on her hands were cuffs, which, like the epitrachelion, were adorned with crosses.5 The Lady seemed taller than all the virgins; on Her head was a lofty crown adorned with various crosses—beautiful, wondrous, shining with such light that the eye could not look at it, nor at the clasp (buckle), nor at the very Face of the Queen of Heaven. Her hair was loose; it lay on her shoulders and was longer and more beautiful than the angels'. The virgins walked behind her in pairs, wearing crowns, in garments of different colors, with their hair loose; they stood in a circle around all of us. The Queen of Heaven was in the center. Father's cell became spacious, and the whole upper part filled with lights, as if from burning candles.6 The light was of a special kind, unlike daylight and brighter than the sun.

The Queen of Heaven Speaks

The Mother of God raises the disciple, reassures her, and speaks kindly with St. Seraphim, while the disciple is overcome with joy and confusion.

Taking me by the right hand, the Queen of Heaven was pleased to say: “Rise, maiden, and don't be afraid of Us. Maidens just like you have come here with Me.” I didn’t feel myself get up. The Queen of Heaven was pleased to repeat: “Don't be afraid; We have come to visit you.” Father Seraphim was no longer on his knees, but standing on his feet before the Most Holy Mother of God, and She spoke so kindly, as if with one of her own.7 Overcome with great joy, I asked Father Seraphim, “Where are we?” I thought I was no longer alive, then, when I asked him, “Who is this?” — the Most Pure Mother of God told me to go up to them all myself and ask them, and so on.8

The Virgin Martyrs' Testimony and the Mother of God's Charge

The heavenly virgins testify that their glory came through suffering, and the Mother of God charges St. Seraphim to care for the Diveyevo sisters, promising help and warning of consequences.

so on.9 The virgins all said: "God didn't grant us this glory for nothing, but for sufferings and for insults; and you will suffer too!" The Most Holy Mother of God spoke a great deal to Father Seraphim, but I couldn't catch everything; yet this is what I heard clearly: "Do not abandon My Diveyevo virgins!" Father Seraphim answered: "O Lady!"10 I gather them, but I can't govern them by myself!" To this the Queen of Heaven replied: "I will help you in everything, My beloved!" Lay obedience on them; if they keep it, they will be with you and near Me, and if they lose wisdom, they will forfeit the lot of these My close virgins; there will be neither place nor crown like theirs.✦11 Whoever wrongs them will be struck by Me; whoever serves them for the Lord's sake will find mercy before God!"✦ Then, turning to me, she said: "Look at these My virgins and at their crowns: some of them left an earthly kingdom and wealth, longing for the Eternal and Heavenly Kingdom, having loved voluntary poverty, having loved the One Lord.✦✦

The Vision's Conclusion and Final Exhortation

The vision concludes with the Mother of God blessing St. Seraphim and foretelling his death, after which the elder exhorts the disciple to keep faith, hope, and to overcome the devil.

And you see what glory and honor they've been granted for this! It's the same now as it was before. Only the earlier martyrs suffered openly, while those of today suffer in secret, through heartfelt sorrows, and their reward will be the same."12 The vision ended with the Most Holy Theotokos saying to Fr.13 Seraphim: "Soon, My beloved, you will be with Us!" —and she blessed him. All the saints also took their leave of him; the maidens kissed his hand.14 It was said to me: "This vision has been given to you for the sake of the prayers of Fr.15 Seraphim, Mark, Nazarius, and Pachomius.16 Father, turning to me after this, said: "See, Mother, what grace the Lord has granted us poor ones! In this way I have already had a twelfth appearance from God, and the Lord has granted the same to you.17 See what joy we have reached! We have reason to keep faith and hope in the Lord! Overcome the enemy—the devil—and be wise against him in everything; the Lord will help you in all things!✦

Read the original Russian

Когда мы остались одни с батюшкой, я говорю ему: «Ах, батюшка, я думала, что умру от страха, и не успела попросить Царицу Небесную об отпущении грехов моих». Но батюшка отвечал мне: «Я, убогий, упросил о вас Божию Матерь и не только о вас, но по всех, любящих меня, и о тех, кто служил мне и моё слово исполнял; кто трудился для меня, кто обитель мою любит, а кольми паче вас не оставлю и не забуду. Я отец ваш, попекусь о вас и в сём веке, и в будущем; и кто в моей пустыне жить будет, всех не оставлю, и роды ваши не оставлены будут. Вот, какой радости Господь сподобил нас, зачем нам унывать!» Тогда я стала просить батюшку, чтобы он научил меня, как жить и молиться. Он ответил: «Вот как молитесь: Господи, сподоби меня умереть христианскою кончиною, не остави меня, Господи, на страшном суде Твоём, не лиши Царствия Небесного! Царица Небесная, не остави меня!» После всего я поклонилась в ножки батюшке, а он, благословивши меня, сказал: «Гряди, чадо, с миром в Серафимову пустынь!»

В другом рассказе старицы Евдокии Ефремовны встречаются ещё большие подробности. Так, она говорит: «Впереди шли два Ангела, держа – один в правой, а другой в левой руке – по ветке, усаженной только что расцветшими цветами. Волосы их, похожие на золотисто-жёлтый лён, лежали распущенными на плечах. Одежда Иоанна Предтечи и Апостола Иоанна Богослова была белая, блестящая от чистоты. Царица Небесная имела на себе мантию, подобно той, как пишется на образе Скорбящей Божией Матери, блестящую, но какого цвета – сказать не могу, несказанной красоты, застёгнутою под шеею большою круглою пряжкою (застёжкою), убранною крестами, разнообразно разукрашенными, но чем – не знаю, а помню только, что она сияла необыкновенным светом. Платье, сверх коего была мантия,– зелёное, перепоясанное высоким поясом. Сверх мантии была как бы епитрахиль, а на руках поручи, которые, равно как и епитрахиль, были убраны крестами. Владычица казалась ростом выше всех дев; на голове Её была возвышенная корона, украшенная разнообразными крестами, прекрасная, чудная, сиявшая таким светом, что нельзя было смотреть глазами, равно как и на пряжку (застёжку), и на Самое Лицо Царицы Небесной.

Волосы Её были распущены, лежали на плечах и были длиннее и прекраснее Ангельских. Девы шли за нею попарно, в венцах, в одеждах разного цвета и с распущенными волосами; они стали кругом всех нас. Царица Небесная была в середине. Келия батюшки сделалась просторная, и весь верх исполнился огней, как бы горящих свеч. Свет был особый, непохожий на дневной свет и светлее солнечного.

Взяв меня за правую руку, Царица Небесная изволила сказать: «Встань, девица, и не убойся Нас. Такие же девы, как ты, пришли сюда со Мною». Я не почувствовала, как встала. Царица Небесная изволила повторить: «Не убойся, Мы пришли посетить вас». Батюшка Серафим стоял уже не на коленях, а на ногах пред Пресвятою Богородицею, и Она говорила столь милостиво, как бы с родным человеком. Объятая великою радостию, спросила я батюшку Серафима: где мы? Я думала, что я уже не живая; потом, когда спросила его: Кто это? – то Пречистая Богородица приказала мне подойти ко всем самой и спросить их и т.

д.

Девы все говорили: «Не так Бог даровал нам эту славу, а за страдания и за поношения; и ты пострадаешь!» Пресвятая Богородица много говорила батюшке Серафиму, но всего не могла я расслышать, а вот что слышала хорошо: «Не оставь дев Моих Дивеевских!» Отец Серафим отвечал: «О, Владычица! Я собираю их, но сам собою не могу их управить!» На это Царица Небесная ответила: «Я тебе, любимиче Мой, во всём помогу! Возложи на них послушание; если исправят, то будут с тобою и близ Меня, и если потеряют мудрость, то лишатся участи сих ближних дев Моих; ни места, ни венца такого не будет. Кто обидит их, тот поражён будет от Меня; кто послужит им ради Господа, тот помилован будет пред Богом!» Потом, обратясь ко мне, сказала: «Вот, посмотри на сих дев Моих и на венцы их: иные из них оставили земное царство и богатство, возжелав Царства Вечного и Небесного, возлюбивши нищету самоизвольную, возлюбивши Единого Господа.

И за это, видишь, какой славы и почести сподобились! Как было прежде, так и ныне. Только прежние мученицы страдали явно, а нынешние – тайно, сердечными скорбями, и мзда им будет такая же». Видение кончилось тем, что Пресвятая Богородица сказала о. Серафиму: «Скоро, любимиче Мой, будешь с Нами!» – и благословила его. Простились с ним и все святые; девы целовались с ним рука в руку. Мне сказано было: «Это видение тебе дано ради молитв о.

Серафима, Марка, Назария и Пахомия». Батюшка, обратясь после этого ко мне, сказал: «Вот, матушка, какой благодати сподобил Господь нас, убогих! Мне таким образом уже двенадцатый раз было явление от Бога, и тебя Господь сподобил. Вот, какой радости достигли! Есть нам, почему веру и надежду иметь ко Господу! Побеждай врага-диавола и противу его будь во всём мудра; Господь тебе во всём поможет!»

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩2Tim.4.8;Jas.1.12;Rev.2.10 — From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. Jas.1.12 — Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him. Rev.2.10 — Do not fear at all the things you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will have affliction for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
  2. ↩Matt.25.40 — And the King will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
  3. ↩Matt.19.21-Matt.19.29;Luke.18.22-Luke.18.30 — Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matt.19.22 — But when the young man heard this word, he went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions. Matt.19.23 — Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.' Matt.19.24 — Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Matt.19.25 — When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?' Matt.19.26 — Jesus looked at them and said, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt.19.27 — Then Peter answered him, 'Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will there be for us?' Matt.19.28 — And Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Matt.19.29 — And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. Luke.18.22 — When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke.18.23 — But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was extremely rich. Luke.18.24 — And Jesus, seeing that he had become deeply grieved, said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" Luke.18.25 — For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Luke.18.26 — And those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" Luke.18.27 — But he said, 'The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.' Luke.18.28 — And Peter said, 'Look, we have left our own things and followed you.' Luke.18.29 — And he said to them, 'Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, Luke.18.30 — who will not receive back many times more in this age, and in the age to come, eternal life.
  4. ↩Matt.5.3;Matt.19.21 — Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt.19.21 — Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
  5. ↩Jas.4.7;1Pet.5.8-1Pet.5.9;Eph.6.11 — Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 1Pet.5.8 — Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1Pet.5.9 — Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being accomplished among your brothers throughout the world. Eph.6.11 — Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Source reads «но по всех»; translated as the intended «но и о всех» / «but for all».
  2. 2 ↩Source «Гряди» is archaic/Church Slavonic; rendered as natural solemn «Go».
  3. 3 ↩Иоанн Предтеча rendered as John the Forerunner (standard Orthodox English); Иоанн Богослов as John the Theologian.
  4. 4 ↩образ Скорбящей Божией Матери rendered as the icon of the Sorrowing Mother of God (Our Lady of Sorrows type).
  5. 5 ↩епитрахиль kept as epitrachelion (priestly stole); поручи rendered as cuffs (epimanikia).
  6. 6 ↩«Батюшки» refers to St. Seraphim; rendered as Father's for natural English, matching the affectionate Russian address.
  7. 7 ↩«милостиво» rendered as ‘kindly’ to keep the intimate tone of the simile; the root also carries mercy/graciousness.
  8. 8 ↩Source ends mid-abbreviation «и т.»; neighboring section begins with «д.», completing «и т.д.» (‘and so on / etc.’).
  9. 9 ↩Source unit is only «д.», the second half of the split abbreviation «и т.д.» (и так далее, “and so on”), begun in the previous section’s «и т.».
  10. 10 ↩Владычица rendered as Lady, the traditional English address for the Mother of God as Sovereign Lady; the quoted reply continues in the next sentence.
  11. 11 ↩исправят taken as keeping/fulfilling the imposed obedience; it can also be read as amending themselves. ближних дев = the virgins standing near Her (close/near), not merely neighboring in a geographic sense.
  12. 12 ↩мзда rendered as 'reward' (biblical wage/recompense); 'wage' also possible.
  13. 13 ↩Source ends mid-phrase at 'сказала о.'; 'о.' is almost certainly the abbreviation for 'отцу' (Father), continued in the next sentence with 'Серафиму'.
  14. 14 ↩целовались... рука в руку: farewell kiss exchanged while clasping hands; rendered 'hand to hand' to preserve the source's gesture.
  15. 15 ↩Source ends mid-phrase at 'молитв о.'; 'о.' is almost certainly the abbreviation beginning 'отцов' / 'отца', continued in the next section with the genitive names Seraphim, Mark, Nazarius, and Pachomius.
  16. 16 ↩Fragment continues the prior section's broken quote: «Это видение тебе дано ради молитв о. / Серафима…» — i.e., for the prayers of Father Seraphim, Mark, Nazarius, and Pachomius.
  17. 17 ↩и тебя Господь сподобил has no explicit object; sense carried from the vision/grace just named: the Lord has made you worthy of it too.

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