Saint
Seraphim of Sarov is one of the pillars of the Orthodox faith in the Russian
lands. Most Orthodox believers know his biography. We have also heard a lot
about the miracles that he made. However, some readers of his biography might
ask: what did he need all those ascetic feats for? After all, he led an absolutely chaste and
pure life, didn't he?
What Does a Pious Person Need Asceticism For?
St. Seraphim himself considered fasting,
alms-giving, prayer, and staying awake to be essential for acquiring the Holy
Spirit.
St. Seraphim of Sarov led a chaste life since
childhood years. Moreover, his entire family was known for its piety and
donations to the Church. In spite of that, Father Seraphim used to say that you
cannot rely solely on your good actions. You should check and see whether they
bring down the grace of the Holy Spirit. He added more spiritual exercises to
his everyday routines, noting, “I exhaust
him who exhausts me.” It means
that there are no actions that can shield us from the attacks of the enemy of
the human race. We are stuck in this battle during our entire lives.
We Cannot Imitate Him Today
Apostle
Paul writes, “Remember
them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God,
whose faith you should follow” (Cf.
Hebrews 13:7) We know how Saint Seraphim imitated Jesus Christ and Saint Paul.
How do “we” do it? We lack both the power and the desire
to do so.
What we
really want is to live happily. We don't want to suffer. We comfort ourselves
by following the external rules and norms of a "godly" lifestyle. We
always attend to our own needs and desires.
So… Are We Damned? How Can We Be Saved?
The Lord
declares, “My
strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor.
12: 9). That is why we should acknowledge our true condition and follow the
Elder's advice by evaluating our actions and thoughts carefully in order to
make our first step on the ladder that leads to the Heaven, to the Kingdom of
God.
Admittedly,
we cannot imitate St. Seraphim
of Sarov today… We should at least do our best to treat the Holy Fathers'
heritage respectfully and honestly and act accordingly. Apostle Paul writes, “So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Cor. 9: 24). If we can't run, let's take
tiny steps towards the Heaven so far as possible…
By Pavel Davydov
St.
Elisabeth Convent
CONVERSATION