Festal Service to Our Venerable Father Seraphim of Sarov the Wonderworker, on the 2nd (15th) of January; the Uncovering of his Relics on the 19th of July (1/IX)
At Small Vespers
At “Lord, I have cried”, Tone 4
On this day the Christian people adorn thee with hymns of praise, the earthly angel and heavenly man, and fervently sing to thee: O blessed father Seraphim, great boast of fasters, entreat God for us who with love keep thy holy and precious memory.
Lover of virginity and meekness from thy youth, holy Seraphim of Sarov, who by purity of mind and heart didst find the love of Christ and draw near to Him, entreat Him now, O blessed one, to deliver from our afflictions us who with faith keep thy memory.
On this day the assembly of Christ's faithful venerateth thy holy relics, O all-praised father Seraphim, and, filled with joy, calleth thee blessed and entreateth thee to grant health of soul and healing of body to all who draw near to thy holiness with faith.
Rejoice, ye dwellers of Sarov, for there a new luminary hath shone forth, a guide and teacher, the enlightener of the land of Russia; be glad now and rejoice, thou also, O Church of Christ, for through him thou didst bestow joy upon many and strengthen those who keep the feast in the temple; wherefore they wove a crown of spiritual flowers and cried with David: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Glory… Tone 6
The land of Russia now boasteth, and the holy monastery of Sarov delighteth, and a countless multitude of pilgrims hasteneth today to the convent of Diveyevo, to magnify the great adornment of Russia, the father and teacher of divine wisdom, who planted good morals in many souls and taught sin-loving men the sweetness of self-restraint, the crusher of the designs of Belial and the swift healer of all the sick; wherefore we who trust in thee and love thee cry to thee: By thy prayers save us, O venerable Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov!
At the Aposticha, Tone 1
The power of grace sheltered thee from youth, O all-praised Seraphim, for when thou didst fall from a height the Lord wondrously preserved thee; and when thou wast worn down by sickness, the Queen of heaven and earth herself appeared to thee and granted thee healing; and thy mother, seeing thy yearning for the monastic life, understood the holy divine will of the Lord and blessed thee with her holy cross to run the narrow way of monasticism.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Going forth from thy city, O venerable Seraphim, thou didst come to Kiev to venerate the holy things of the Caves, and didst receive a command from the lips of the venerable Dositheus: “Go to the desert of Sarov”, for he discerned the grace of God upon thee.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he will delight greatly in His commandments.
Having forsaken the world like John the Baptist, thou didst make thy dwelling in the monastery of Sarov, O blessed one, and didst spend all thy days in prayer, fasting and vigil; and going out into that desert place, O venerable one, thou wast there filled with spiritual wisdom, and, ascending the height of the virtues, didst become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Now also quicken my soul, dead through sins, and enlighten the heart and mind of him who trusteth in thee.
Glory…
In accomplishing the monastic struggle, O venerable Seraphim, driving away the temptations of the devil by unceasing prayer and psalmody, thou didst quench his fierce snares and amaze the brethren by thy patience and love; cease not now also to intercede for all of us, that we may be delivered from the trials that beset us and from every temptation.
Both now…, Theotokion.
We sing “Blessed is the man”, the first antiphon.
At “Lord, I have cried”, the stichera
on 8, Tone 5.
To the venerable Seraphim.
O most glorious wonder! When the good ascetic of prayer appeared in the desert of Sarov, Seraphim the great wonderworker was sent to us, a fervent intercessor before God. Rejoice now, O convent of Diveyevo, which treasurest the holy relics of the venerable one; rejoice, ye right-believing who need his help, for he delivereth us from afflictions; and let us cry to him: Rejoice, lamp of goodness, who didst drive away the darkness; entreat God that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
O most glorious wonder! Truly a good ascetic and an unshaken pillar, the blessed Seraphim, having settled in the monastery of Sarov, wisely gathered the faithful there and raised them to spiritual heights; and we fall down before that venerable one, that he may entreat God that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Wondrous are Thy mysteries, O Christ God, for Thou hast sent us a burning lamp, the venerable Seraphim, a guardian and protector of the faithful people, an elder and intercessor for Orthodox Christians, and the glory and strength of this holy monastery; wherefore we cry to Thee, O Lord: Grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
When thou camest, O venerable one, to the desert of Sarov, thou didst at once renounce thine own will and show to all a firm obedience, for with joy thou didst endure sorrow and dejection, and didst endure beatings and wounds from evil men, and didst pray worthily for them; and we who glorify thy precious memory cry to thee: O father, entreat God that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Thy dwelling is greatly glorified and boasteth of thy labours, and those who trust in thee, who honour thy holy relics and behold the countless wonders worked by thee, glorify the Lord who glorified thee: entreat Him now, O venerable Seraphim, that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Blessed are the dwellers of thy monastery, O venerable father, treasury of many gifts and vessel that keepest virginal purity, haven of grace, fountain of healings, unmercenary physician of the sick, helper of true fasters and consoler of the sorrowful, calm harbour for those tossed by the passions of this world: pray, O all-blessed one, for us who keep thy precious memory, that God may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
On the day of thy memory the choirs and assemblies of the Orthodox rejoice, O God-bearing father Seraphim, and cry to thee with a loud voice: For love of Christ thou didst forsake the beauty of the world, and, settling in the desert of Sarov, didst put the passions to death by harsh struggle and count as nothing the opposition of the wicked; now also entreat God that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Come, ye faithful, and let us magnify with hymns of praise the wondrous father and cry out with one voice: O venerable father Seraphim, who didst truly partake of the divine life, and didst blend ascetic struggle with prayer and theology, and didst offer to Christ with a purified spirit thy spotless life as a holy sacrifice, and didst receive from Him the crown of incorruptible glory: entreat Him now, O venerable one, that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.
Glory… Tone 8:
O star of the desert, radiance of divine love and enlightener of monks, unshaken pillar of patience, strength and beam of the Church, all-radiant lamp and luminary of the whole world, treasury of the virtues, we praise thee, O God-bearing father, blessed Seraphim, who didst make thy days radiant by mighty struggle in the desert, whereby thou didst draw near to the divine radiance: ask of Christ the remission of our countless sins and great mercy for those who keep the feast of thy memory.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Who will not call thee blessed, O all-holy Virgin? Who will not praise thine all-pure childbearing? For the only-begotten Son, who shone forth timelessly from the Father, came forth ineffably incarnate from thee, the pure one; being God by nature, and for our sake becoming man by nature, not divided into two persons, but known in two natures without confusion. Entreat Him, O honoured and all-blessed one, for the salvation of our souls.
At the entrance, the prokeimenon of the day
The Old Testament readings of the venerable one.
The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 3 (1–9)
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.
The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon.
Chapter 5 (16–24); chapter 7
But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them. He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise. Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest. Let your desire, O ye men, be toward wisdom, and long to be instructed; for her beginning is love and the keeping of the law. Honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.
The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon.
Chapter 4 (7–15)
But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
At the Litia, the sticheron of the church, then of the venerable Seraphim, Tone 1
With what crown of glory shall we array the great ascetic, the venerable Seraphim? For he is a good teacher, shown forth by firmness of faith and piety, who taught God-inspired doctrine and the apostolic life to all who fled to him, and raised countless souls to imitate him; wherefore we cry to him: Entreat Christ God, O venerable one, to strengthen Orthodoxy and to save our souls.
Come, let us raise praise to the aged monk and honour him with magnificence, who is a true disciple of the Saviour, who forsook the beauty of the world, took the yoke of Christ upon his shoulders and crushed the demons; let us cry to him: Forget us not, O venerable Seraphim, who keep thy holy memory.
Thou didst become a zealous follower of the great fathers who shone forth in fasting and struggle, O venerable one, and didst spend all the days of thy life in prayer, tears and vigil; and having made the empty desert fruitful by watering it with thy tears, illumined by the radiance of spiritual graces, thou didst part the seas of trials like a pillar of fire, O all-blessed Seraphim, and, having finished thy course, didst receive as a gift the grace of wonders for the healing of the sicknesses of those who honour thee with faith.
ვნატრით ღმრთეებრივსა და ნათელსა ჴსენებასა შენსა, ღმერთშემოსილო სერაფიმე, რამეთუ ყოველნი განაკჳრვე, ოდეს ვითარცა უჴორცომან, ხილულნი და უხილავნი მტერნი შენნი არცხვინე და დაამჴუე სილაღჱ ღმრთისმებრძოლთაჲ, ამისთჳსცა იქებიან მხარჱ იგი ტამბოვისაჲ და წმიდაჲ სავანჱ საროვისაჲ და იქადის დივეევოს დედათა სავანჱ წმიდათა ნაწილთათჳს შენთა, რომლისა მიერ სიმრთელჱ მიეცემის ყოველთა რწმენით შენდამი მოლტოლვილთა, და შენ მიერ განათლებულნი, გიღაღადებთ შენ, ნეტარო, აწ დაშრიტე ერსა ჩუენსა ზედა აღძრულნი უკეთურთა ზრახვანი და მწვალებელთა ენანი მოაუძლურენ ძალითა ქრისტჱსითა.
Glory… Tone 5
გიხაროდენ, ნეტარო სერაფიმე, რომელმან იღუაწე სადიდებლად ღმრთისა, ერსა შენსა ანდერძად მიეც დამარხვაჲ ჭეშმარიტისა რწმენისაჲ, და სიყუარული ღმრთისმშობლისა წილხვედრისა ერისა და ქუეყანისაჲ, ამისთჳსცა ევედრე ქრისტესა ღმერთსა, ორნივე ესე მართლმორწმუნენი ერნი აღგვძრას ბილწთა მათ მძლავრთა ბრძოლად და ბოროტთა განზრახვათა მათთა წინააღმდგომად, რაჲთა რომელნი ესე ჴორცითა და სისხლითა თჳსითა მოგჳყიდნა, სიყუარულითა და მშჳდობით ვცხონდებოდეთ და ვაქებდეთ მას დაუცხრომელად.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Rejoice, O Virgin, cloud and chariot of the Word; rejoice, O holy dwelling of God, beyond the mind and beyond every bound; rejoice, O unwedded one, who didst conceive by the Spirit God who is above all gods; rejoice, thou who didst give birth without seed and didst give suck without corruption; rejoice, ever-virgin and blessed one.
At the Aposticha, the stichera, Tone 5
The power of the Most High sheltered thee from youth, O blessed Seraphim, and when thou didst fall from a height kept thee unharmed; and when thou wast worn down by sickness, the Queen of heaven and earth herself appeared to thee and granted thee healing; and thou didst flee from the tumults of this world for love of God, and, going forth from thy city, didst come to the city of Kiev to venerate the holy things of the Caves, and didst receive from the lips of the venerable Dositheus the command: “Go to the desert of Sarov”.
Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Hastening towards the angelic struggle, thou didst forsake the world like John the Baptist, and, settling in the monastery of Sarov, didst live in the spirit and hadst but one care, O saint: to please God; now also be our intercessor before Him, that He may keep the Orthodox peoples from the snares of Satan and deliver those who trust in thee from vain turmoils and evil trials.
Verse: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he will delight greatly in His commandments.
Having put on the monastic habit, thou didst settle in a solitary desert, and by unceasing prayer didst drive away the temptations of the devil, and by reading and singing the Gospel didst quench his fierce snares; and those who saw and heard of thy holy life marvelled greatly and glorified God, wondrous in His saints.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Who now shall number thy wondrous struggle and hardship, or who shall tell of thy severe life in the desert, thy fasting and seclusion, the silence of thy lips, thy constant prayer and vigil? Truly thou didst appear as the adornment of fasters and an intercessor with God who never putteth to shame; wherefore we cry to thee: Rejoice, planter of a holy life; rejoice, great consolation of the sorrowful and afflicted, O Seraphim, fervent protector of all who trust in thee: be our intercessor before God, O venerable one, that He may drive away from us the enemies of truth who have risen against us, and deliver us from strife between brothers and from treachery.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O unwedded Virgin, who didst ineffably conceive God in thy womb, O Mother of God Most High, accept the supplication of thy servants, O all-immaculate one, who grantest to all the cleansing of sins; accept our supplication also, and ask for us grace and mercy.
At the blessing of the loaves, the troparion of the venerable Seraphim of Sarov twice, and “O Theotokos and Virgin” once.
From youth thou didst love God and serve Him alone with burning desire; thou didst cultivate the empty desert with unceasing prayer and struggle, and didst lay hold of the love of Christ with a contrite heart; in song thou didst become like the heavenly seraph, O thou most merciful to those who flee to thee with love, and didst appear as the beloved chosen one of the Mother of God; wherefore we sing to thee: Save us by thy prayers, O our joy, fervent intercessor with God, blessed Seraphim!
არა ვითარცა მრისხანე სერაფიმი ჴრმლითა ცეცხლოვანითა, არამედ ვითარ სასოებითა და ნუგეშინისცემით აღსავსე მდაბალი ბერი, ესრეთ მოხვალ ჩუენდა და შეგვეწევი, მჴურვალეო მეოხო ჩუენო, ტკბილო მამაო სერაფიმე, განწმედილითა გულითა ბოროტ სულთა შემმუსრველო, სასოებასა ჩუენსა დავდებთ შენზედა და გვრწამს, ვითარმედ ერი შენი მარადის მართლსარწმუნოებასა ზედა დამტკიცნების, ხოლო შენ მიერ შეყუარებულისა დედისა ღმრთისა წილხდომილი ქუეყანაჲ ჩუენი ივერიაჲ, აწ დაცემული და ვიდრე ჟამადმდე დამდაბლებული, წმიდითა ლოცვითა შენითა ლაზარესაებრ აღდგების და წინაჲსწარმეტყუელებაჲ შენი აღსრულდების: რამეთუ სთქუ: „მზაკუვარი იგი ანტიქრისტჱ ივერიასა შინა ვერცაღა გამეფდების, ხოლო ქუეყანაჲ ესე უკანაჲსკნელსა ჟამსა მას განბრწყინდების, და ტრაპეზსა ზედა უფლისასა ღჳნოჲ მიერითგან იქმნების“.
Thou didst appear as a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh and a wonderworker, O God-bearing father, holy Seraphim; thou didst gain from heaven the grace of fasting, vigil and prayer, and thou healest the sicknesses and the souls of those who flee to thee with faith. Glory to Him who gave thee strength; glory to Him who crowned thee; glory to Him who worketh through thee wonders for all.
Let us fall down with compunction before the Theotokos, we who are wounded by sins; let us kiss her wonderworking icon called “Tenderness”, and sing with compunction: O Lady, accept the prayers of thine unworthy servants and grant great mercy to us who entreat thee.
At Matins, “God is the Lord”
The troparion of the venerable one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Another troparion
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The mystery hidden from eternity and unknown to the angels, O Theotokos, was revealed through thee to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake, and thereby raised up the first-formed and saved our souls from death.
After the first kathisma, the sessional hymn, Tone 4
Having dispelled the deceits of the evil one by the power of the life-giving Cross and by fervent prayer, thou didst please the Lord by fasting and vigil, and wast made worthy in the temple to behold Christ God with the angels and archangels; and now in heaven thou art blessed again with such a vision and hearest the sweet-voiced singing of the angelic ranks: intercede now for us before God, that He may open the eyes of our souls, blinded by sins, and stir our hardened hearts to sing and glorify Him. (Twice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The mystery hidden from all ages is revealed to the Archangel, that he may declare it with trembling to the Virgin; and he bringeth glad tidings to her who is blessed among women; with him let us cry out: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
After the second kathisma, the sessional hymn, Tone 1
Kneeling for many days upon the stone, thou didst lift up thy hands to the Lord, O holy elder, and, having gained from the Saviour the grace of the Holy Spirit through prayer and vigil, thou didst heal the sick in body and enlighten the souls of the faithful and meek; wherefore we cry to thee, O venerable one: Entreat Christ God to remove all insolence and pride from my darkened mind, and to deliver our people, called by the name of Christ, from the nets of the demons and from the charm and deceit of the antichrist.
(Twice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us all truly entreat the Mother of God and call upon her mercy, we who flee with love to her icons and hope in her as a compassionate protectress, and who through her gain deliverance and life in times of trial.
The Magnification: We call thee blessed, O wonderworker, venerable father Seraphim, and we honour thy holy memory, O guide of monks and fellow-dweller with the angels.
After the Magnification, the sessional hymn, Tone 7
Thy life of good struggle shone forth in the land of Russia, and thou art glorified by all with hymns of praise, for thou didst mount the chariot of piety like Elijah; and when thou wast raised in spirit to heaven, there the radiant crown of righteousness was set upon thee; wherefore we cry to thee with thanksgiving, O blessed Seraphim: Entreat Christ God to send down upon me through thine icons the dew of thy grace, and to grant me the wisdom to discern good from evil and the strength to forgive.
(Twice).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O impregnable wall of Christians, Virgin Theotokos, we who once sinned, but now, trusting and hoping in thee, abide unharmed, O merciful one, cry to thee with thanksgiving: Rejoice, joyful joy of us all!
From my youth unclean passions war mightily against me; therefore I entreat Thee: be my helper and save me, O Good One.
Ye that hate Zion, be put to shame by the Lord, and like withered grass shall Gehenna devour you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
By the Holy Spirit every soul is quickened and exalted in purity, and is made radiant by the Trinity, one in essence, in a manner befitting God and mystically.
Prokeimenon, Tone 4
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Verse: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
Let everything that hath breath…
The Gospel according to Matthew, section 10 (4:25 – 5:12).
After Psalm 50:
On this day of the spiritual festival of the faithful, the feast of the venerable father who rejoiceth in good things, let us now cry to him: Rejoice, O venerable Seraphim, heavenly man and earthly angel; rejoice, thou who didst set many on the path of salvation; rejoice, glory of the righteous and strengthener of the Russian race: be our intercessor before God, that He may keep the Orthodox peoples from the snares of Satan and from the invasion of foreigners, and grant us peace and mercy.
The canon of the Theotokos, on 6
see 28 September
The canon of the venerable one, on 8, Tone 6
Irmos: Israel passed through the sea unharmed as over broad dry land, and beheld the pursuer Pharaoh drowned in the depths, and sang to Thee, O God, a song of victory.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
O Lord, open my unworthy lips and grant me a word of understanding, that I may joyfully praise and worthily adorn the venerable Seraphim as a wondrous wonderworker.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
In the time of thy youth thou didst fall sick, and the diligence of physicians profited thee nothing; but thy mother commended thee to the Theotokos, and the Queen, appearing in radiant array, healed thee and delivered thee from thy pains.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
From thy youth thou didst offer thy spotless life to Christ as a holy sacrifice; and desiring the salvation of thy soul thou didst settle in the desert of Sarov and enter upon a struggle most hard and severe.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Love, humility and meekness, prayer and vigil, and firm faith with hope didst thou acquire, together with the whole choir of the virtues; and, ascending to the summit of perfection, thou didst become a good example to thy kinsmen.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O all-good Lady, who didst bear in the flesh the all-good God, cleanse my heart, grown coarse through the passions, that with faith and love we may magnify thee.
Irmos: Having passed through the water as on dry land and escaped the evils of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us sing to our Redeemer and our God.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Alone in the desert thou didst endure the frost of the night and the heat of the day, and didst become a temple of the Word of God; and, having reached the heavenly Jerusalem, thou intercedest for us with the only Lover of mankind.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Offering supplications to the Theotokos, thou wast many times made worthy to see her walking as one alive and going bodily with the apostles: entreat her now not to forsake those who trust in thy holiness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The ranks of the angels marvelled, beholding thee a recluse monk; the Mother of God appeared to thee and commanded thee to open thy cell and not to forbid the Orthodox peoples.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Hear the voice of the prayer of those who flee to thee with faith and love and cry out with fear, O Lady.
Irmos: None is holy as Thou, O Lord our God, who hast exalted this day the horn of Christians; establish us in oneness of mind upon the rock of faith.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Following with humility the command of the Theotokos, thou didst teach all piety and open the eyes of the soul blinded by sins.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Standing by thy prayer before the Lord with the angels, thou didst send up supplication for the whole world, that they may overcome the adversaries of the truth by right faith and ever gain victory over the cunning enemy.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
From youth thou didst draw near with faith and love to the King of the powers on high, O holy Seraphim, and, shining forth like the sun in the desert of Sarov, thou wast ever a sweet consolation to those who flee to thee with faith.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
Thou didst appear, O venerable one, as an unshaken pillar for those who entreat thee, and, becoming the intercessor of those who pray, didst multiply the flock of Christ and wast a guide to ascetics in holiness.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Eve, the mother of all, heard: “In sorrow thou shalt bring forth”; but thou, O all-holy Virgin, didst hear: “Rejoice, the Lord is with thee”, and by that joyful voice thou didst loose the grief of that first mother.
Irmos: O Lord, who didst fix the vault of heaven and art the Builder of the Church, establish us in Thy love, Thou summit of all joy and strength of the faithful, who alone lovest mankind.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Seeing thee as a new chosen one of God, they hastened to thee, and thou didst not turn away those grieved by trials; thou wast a good counsellor to the ignorant, a teacher to those gone astray, a physician to the sick and one who set the lame upright.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
This report went out into all the earth: “A great wonderworker of Sarov hath appeared; he consoleth the sorrowful, hath mercy on the poor, and poureth forth the gifts of his help upon all who entreat him.”
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst deliver the monastery from evil slanders, and, filled with love and divine grace, thou didst not think of passing earthly care, but by thy prayer didst raise thy heart and mind to heaven.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, propitiation of all sinners, open to us the doors of thy mercy and turn our sorrows into joy, O blessed one, for thou art the gladness of the whole world, O thou full of grace.
Thou didst love the life of the desert more than the sweetness of this passing world, and, having conquered the passions of this world, O venerable Seraphim of Sarov, thou didst enter the calm haven and appear as a vessel of patience and purity; wherefore the Lord gave thee power over evil spirits, and thou didst cast them out, and those whom they had tormented were set free and with joy glorified the power of Christ; cease not now also to intercede for us all, that we may be delivered from the trials that beset us, and may call thee blessed in hymns of praise as a great shepherd and a true father.
Glory… Both now… Theotokion:
My sins have gone over my head, O Lady, and I am defiled, and there is no healing in my flesh; but do thou, the cause of all good things, grant my soul tears of repentance for the cleansing of sins, and heal me from bodily sicknesses, O healer of all and Mother of the Lord.
Irmos: “Christ my God, the Lord, is my strength,” the Church saith with a loud voice, and by the will of God she rejoiceth in faith with divine joy.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Today the Seraphim-Diveyevo convent is glad with joy at thy memory, and the faithful hasten to venerate thy precious relics and ask healing of thee.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Like a palm tree thou didst flourish by thy struggle, and by thy fruitful word and spotless life thou didst fill many with blessedness; now ask mercy for us also from Christ.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
By thy prayer entreat God to drive away from us the sinful gloom of ignorance, and to clothe with dispassion, faith and joy all, O venerable one, who honour thy renowned memory.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos, beauty of the Church, strength and praise of honourable men; ever entreat Christ God to deliver us from every distress through thy prayer.
Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the mystery of Thine ineffable dispensation; I have considered Thy works and confessed Thy Godhead.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Thou art a dweller not only of that holy monastery, O blessed one, but of all the land of Russia, an intercessor and swift helper, and the all-powerful and invincible protector and advocate of all the Orthodox.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Thou wast great in fasting, O venerable one, and didst pass through the severe struggle of the monastic life in the desert, and didst shepherd the flock entrusted to thee with a meek and humble spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Boundless mercy, surpassing sweetness and humility became thy guide on the true way, and thou didst become a father to orphans and a feeder of the hungry, and didst teach all, like Christ, to give generously to the poor and to help the needy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O most holy Theotokos, thou art our haven and refuge: entreat thy Son and our God to drive away trials and the assaults of demons from all the faithful.
Irmos: With Thy divine light, O Glorious One, enlighten the souls of those who rise early to Thee with joy, that they may know Thee as God, the only Deliverer from their sins.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Like the sun shone forth the powers of the wonders worked by thee in the desert by divine grace, whereby thou wast magnified, O venerable one, not only in all the land of Russia but in the whole world.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Thou wast a true guide to all who fled to thee, and a great intercessor with the Theotokos for thy people; and thou didst greatly love her lot, the people of Iberia, and didst pray for the Iberians and for their progress.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
At thy midnight prayer, O venerable one, the devil, as was his wont, was kindled to make war upon thee; but thou, valiant soldier of Christ, didst cut down his deceit and burn up their camps as with fire in the furnace of thy prayers.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, all-holy Mary, ask of Christ for thy lot deliverance from countless afflictions.
Irmos: Enlighten us with Thy light, O Lord, and with Thy high arm grant from heaven Thy peace to us the faithful, O Lover of mankind.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
All the faithful hasten to that monastery wherein the holy shrine containing thy relics, like an unfailing spring, richly poureth forth the fragrance of graces and granteth healing to those who honour it.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
The assembly of Christ's faithful praiseth thee together, O blessed Seraphim, for thou art a calm haven for the afflicted and storm-tossed and a swift physician of the sicknesses of soul and body.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou who didst ever offer the sacrifice of prayer to the Lord, cease not to intercede for us before Him, that He may deliver us from the many snares of the enemy.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Calm my mind, O Lady, held fast by many passions; save us, O Theotokos, who flee to thee, for we know no other help but thee, O holy one.
Irmos: The billow of sin hath compassed me about, and I flee to Thy many mercies: bring me up from drowning, O Good One, O my God, I entreat Thee.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
When thy people heard that thou didst walk blamelessly in the divine places, on the path of the commandments of Christ, and didst live as an angel, they began to come, and delighted greatly in thy teachings.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Having taught thy flock and people the right faith and kept them spotless from heresy, deliver us now also from the tyranny and deceit of the demons, which grievously put our hearts to death.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Great is thy struggle in the desert, and likewise thine enlightenment of the people, for thou didst enlighten many who fled to thee and didst teach them to sing to the consubstantial Trinity.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Now also I flee to thee, O all-holy one: save me by thy prayer and keep me, for thou willest and art able, being the Mother of the Almighty.
Irmos: I will pour out my prayer unto the Lord, and to Him will I declare my sorrows; for my soul is filled with evils, and my life hath drawn nigh unto hades; and like Jonah I cry: Bring me up, O my God.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Through poverty thou didst lay hold of riches, and through sorrow of joy, and these thou didst give generously to those who fled to thee; and now, when remembered in prayers, thou workest wonders and becomest the protector of those who trust in thee.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Digging a well in the desert, thou didst give drink, O venerable one, to all who thirsted, and with that water didst heal many of the sick; and now the multitude of thy wonders watereth the ends of the earth.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Thy wondrous life hath been shown to us, O venerable one, filled with mystical wisdom and the riches of grace, and now thou grantest consolation and courage to those who trust in thee.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Truly thou didst receive the blessed end of the venerable with joy in Christ, having beheld before thine end the Theotokos, who told thee of the coming departure of thy soul and thy going to the Lord.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: We confess thee as the true Mother of God, truly the Theotokos: by thy childbearing thou didst deliver us from corruption, and didst make us partakers of the compassion of God the Lover of mankind and of incorruptible life.
Having forsaken the beauty of this world and all that is corruptible in it, and settled in the monastery of Sarov, thou didst live as an angel and show many the way of salvation; wherefore Christ magnified thee and granted thee the gift of healings and wonders; and so we cry to thee: Rejoice, Seraphim, our venerable father!
Understanding was given thee from heaven, O saint of God, and from youth thou didst meditate unceasingly on heavenly things; and leaving thy father's house, thou didst settle in the desert of Sarov, and didst struggle as one without flesh, and ascend to the summit of perfection, becoming like the seraphim in prayer; with them be our intercessor and grant us a word of wisdom, that we may call thee blessed with longing: Rejoice, heavenly man and earthly angel; rejoice, thou who wast made like Christ in love, and dwelling of the Holy Spirit; rejoice, great joy of the despairing and fountain of healing; rejoice, sweet consolation of sorrowing souls; rejoice, calm haven and wise instructor of monks; rejoice, great boast of the Russian race; rejoice, our venerable father Seraphim, wonderworker of Sarov!
Irmos: The angel of the Saviour made the furnace cool for the holy youths, and the command of God burned the Chaldeans and taught the tyrant to sing; and they said: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Christ God granted thee invincible strength and strengthened thee to overcome evil thoughts: be now our intercessor before Him, that He may deliver us from temptations and evil desires.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Heal our desires, wounded by the passions, which trouble our mind, and still the billows of evil unworthiness; and strengthen, O venerable one, our hearts, grown weak through the cares of this world, that we may glorify Christ God unto the ages.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
A multitude of peoples today, O father Seraphim, venerate thy holy relics, and from them all receive healing, who ever call thee blessed and glorify the Lord: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Virgin Theotokos, who didst bear the Word beyond all word, the Maker of all, entreat Him with the venerable Seraphim for our souls.
Irmos: The youths cast into the furnace in Babylon were not afraid, but, sprinkled with dew, cried out in the midst of the fire: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, and shelter us from every soul-destroying evil through the prayers of Thy saint, the venerable Seraphim, we who cry fervently to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Who will not marvel and glorify the unsearchable depth of Thy mercy, O Lord, for Thou hast shown the world Thy saint Seraphim, our fervent intercessor, we who cry to Thee: Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Entreat, O blessed one, Christ our Saviour to deliver us from famine and affliction, from sudden death, from sin and evil design, that with a pure heart we may cry to Him: Save us through the prayers of holy Seraphim.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Heal the passions of my soul with sweetness, O thou praised by all; calm my life, enlighten my soul and guide me on the divine paths, O Lady, that I may ever bless thee.
Irmos: God, who came down into the furnace to the Hebrew youths and changed the flame into dew, bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and exalt Him unto the ages.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
According to the commandments of Christ our King thou didst travel the narrow and sorrowful way, O venerable one, which leadeth into the Kingdom of heaven, and didst hate the broad and easy way, and didst teach: Praise the Lord, all ye works of the Lord, and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
The holy Church now rejoiceth in thy memory and biddeth all the faithful overcome those who fight the truth by right faith, and praise the Lord by every work and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Seraphim, filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, ask with pious boldness the remission of sins for us who keep thy holy memory, that we may ever sing to the Lord and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: The help of an intercessor hath appeared for us, O Lady, Mother of our King and Saviour; wherefore we entreat thee: calm my life, enlighten my soul and guide me on the divine paths, O spotless one, that I may ever bless thee.
We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, singing and supremely exalting Him unto all the ages.
Irmos: He who spoke with Moses on the mountain through the bush showed forth an image of the birth without harm from the Virgin; Him let us all bless and supremely exalt unto the ages.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Caring for the convent of Diveyevo at the command of the Theotokos, who promised thee its flourishing and the increase of its ascetics, thou didst shepherd the nuns and virgins and guide them on the unerring way that leadeth up to heaven.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
In a vision the Theotokos made known to thee how she loved the convent of Diveyevo and the Kiev Caves Lavra and made them her lot after Athos, to which she gave the incorruptible icon of the Keeper of the Gate by the hand of Gabriel the Georgian; and as a sign of her guidance she will show favour in the last times to Iberia, her lot.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As lightning flasheth under heaven, so the tidings of thy wonders, O venerable one, go through all the world; and we, marvelling at thy glory, cry: Praise, bless and sing to the Lord, and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.
Praying on bended knee before the icon of the all-holy Mother, thou didst commit thy soul to God; and fire blazed up from the flame of a candle, as thou hadst foreseen, and thy death was made known to thy disciples.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Rejoice, fiery throne of the Lord; rejoice, radiance of the unfading dawn; rejoice, cloud that made the Sun shine forth, Christ our Saviour, whom we magnify unto the ages.
Irmos: It is impossible for men to see God, on whom the ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through thee, O Virgin, the Word made flesh appeared to men; blessing Him with the bodiless powers, we magnify thee this day with songs.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Having become like Christ the King by a purified life, thou didst finish that life well and go up, O father Seraphim, to the eternal dwellings, and with the angels thou ever beholdest the radiance of the Lord.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Having been raised from the flesh to God whom thou didst long for, thou didst not forsake those who trust in thee, but thou deliverest from trials those in sorrows and bonds, and grantest relief to those who ask; wherefore we send thee as our intercessor to Christ, that He may deliver us from every affliction
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Thy monastery received thy relics as a royal adornment; it is adorned by them and boasteth, and it shareth out to all the world the riches of thy graces, and crieth: O Jesus Almighty, glory to Thy mercies.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
At the glorification of thy holy relics the monastery of Sarov is filled with joy, and all glorify God: intercede now before Him, that He may plant in us fear and hatred of sin and love of virtue, that by thy help we may boast and ever praise His goodness.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Thou art our strength, our glory and our joy, our guardian and protectress, our haven and invincible intercession, O most holy Theotokos: shelter thy servants.
Irmos: Thee, the Mother who knew not wedlock, the unwedded one, who beyond nature didst bear Him who is without beginning, the Creator, the true God, we magnify with unceasing songs.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
With our unworthy lips we sing to thee a small magnification, O venerable one: disdain it not, but accept it, and deliver all who magnify thee from affliction, sorrow and eternal torment, we who ever sing thy praise.
O venerable father Seraphim, entreat God for us.
Standing now before the throne of God, O venerable one, thou commendest thy land to Him, and for the Christ-loving peoples thou askest strengthening in the faith and deliverance from the charm of the antichrist and from evil temptation.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
რომელი ჟამსა ქუეყნიერისა ცხორებისასა იყავ მოყუარულ ერისა ამის ჩუენისა, ღმრთისმშობლისა წილხვედრისა, ანდერძად დაუდე ერსა შენსა, რაჲთა არცაღა ჰბრძვან მას, რაჲთა არა განარისხონ დედაჲ ღმრთისაჲ. აწცა მოეც გულისჴმისყოფაჲ წინამძღუართა ერთა ამათ ურთიერთას განდგომილთასა, და ერთ-ზრახვად შეამტკიცე სიყუარულითა ღმრთისაჲთა.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of the only-begotten Word and Son, one of the Holy Trinity, O all-holy Virgin, with His venerable and righteous ones entreat Him for thy servants who with faith ask the remission of sins.
Come now, ye faithful, let us praise with holy song the swift helper and most glorious wonderworker, the radiant luminary of the land of Russia, who now, standing with the assembly of angels, rejoiceth and singeth to God without ceasing. (Twice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
We confess thee truly as the Theotokos, O Lady, we who have been saved through thee, for thou didst ineffably bear God, who delivereth from death by the Cross and draweth to Himself the assembly of the venerable, with whom we praise thee, O Virgin.
Delighting in this precious feast of the monastery of Sarov, the memory of the venerable Seraphim, we cry thus: Rejoice, lamp and strengthener of fasters; radiant star of monks, who, as to the Magi, showest the way to the heavenly dwelling; glory of priests, and inexhaustible fountain of love and virginity, enriched with the grace of foresight and glorified by the Lord with many wonders; rejoice, thou who wast armed with unswerving courage in the struggle!
I am drunk with sin, but thy prayers, O venerable Seraphim, rise before God like fragrant incense; wherefore we entreat thee: calm the raging sea of evil unbelief in this world, and ask of Christ, our King and God, the salvation of our souls.
O blessed father Seraphim, from thy youth thou wast a zealous guardian of purity of soul and body; thou didst draw many by thy love for mankind and thy goodness, and by holiness and humility thou didst become for many a teacher of the virtuous life, for the strengthening of the Orthodox faith and as a sign of immortality.
In afflictions and sicknesses we flee to thee, O venerable father, and from the depths of our souls cry to thee: Be for us a calm haven and a swift physician of our sicknesses, and deliver us from all afflictions and trials, that we may ever call thee blessed.
Thee, the herald of truth and the all-radiant luminary of the world, we adorn with praises, and we entreat Him who gave thee wondrous signs, that in temptations and in the furnace of afflictions He may sprinkle us too with the dew of thy grace, so that our heart may not be cold to hear divine teachings and to glorify and hymn God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Tone 6
Come, let us gather, ye monks and fasters, and make haste, all ye Christian peoples, to honour with song the faithful keeper of the holy commandments of the Saviour, and let us cry: Rejoice, unshaken pillar of piety, filled with mystical wisdom and the riches of grace; rejoice, thou who strengthenest by the prayer of thy heart and mind and deliverest from trials those who entreat thee; rejoice, thou adorned with the gift of prophecy, who seest things to come as present: entreat, O venerable Seraphim, for those who with faith and love honour and radiantly celebrate thy holy memory.
Both now…, Theotokion.
The Great Doxology in full, and the troparion of the venerable father
Both now…, Theotokion: “The mystery hidden from eternity…”
And the dismissal.
At the First, Third and Sixth Hours: Glory…; the troparion of the venerable father;
Both now…, the Theotokion of the Hour. The kontakion of the venerable father.
At the Liturgy: at the Beatitudes, from the first canon, Ode 3, on 4; from the second canon, Ode 6, on 4.
At the entrance:
1. If the church is dedicated to the Saviour or to the Theotokos:
The troparia of the church and of the venerable father.
Kontakia:
Glory… — of the venerable father; Both now… — of the church.
2. If the church is dedicated to a saint:
Troparia: of the saint; of the saint of the church.
Kontakia: of the saint of the church. Glory… — of the venerable father.
Both now… — “O hope and refuge…”
Prokeimenon of the venerable one, Tone 4: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
Verse: What shall I render unto the Lord for all that He hath rendered unto me?
The Epistle: Galatians, section 213; 5:22 – 6:2.
Alleluia, Tone 2: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he will delight greatly in His commandments.
Verse: His seed shall be mighty upon the earth.
The Gospel according to Luke or Matthew, section 43; 11:27–30.
Communion hymn: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.
The festal service of the venerable Seraphim was translated from Church Slavonic by the psalm-reader Ketevan Kakhniashvili;
it was rendered into Old Georgian and revised by Tinatin Mchedlishvili.
