Author: PhD. Ionuț-Daniel Barbu (Moscow Theological Academy)
Keywords: Seraphim of Sarov, Paisius Velichkovsky, monachism, hesychast renaissance, Philocaly, Jesus Prayer
Abstract:
The biography of Saint Seraphim of Sarov (1754-1833) became known by the Romanians especially after 1990, due to several translations, and to several hermitages and parish churches being placed under his consecration. However, Saint Seraphim was also known indirectly, through the Hesychast movement of the 18th and 19th centuries. The arrival of the Russian and Ukrainian monastic apprentices of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky (1722-1794) to Moldavia may be the first time Venerable Seraphim of Sarov became known in the tradition of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Slavonic Philocaly of Saint Paisius and the Russian Hesychast monasticism, inspired by his apprentices, were the two main ways of forming Hesychast ascetics in the Slavic countries during the 19th and 20th centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Hesychast monasticism was revitalized by the joint works of the Russian, Ukrainian and Romanian monks living within the Romanian Orthodoxy of Moldavia, from where it spread throughout Russia. Saint Seraphim was one of the most illustrious representatives of the Russian starets, who were closely connected with the Hesychast renaissance. Among others, he was informed about the Slavonic Philocaly by Venerable Nazarius of Sarov and Balaam, a collaborator of Metropolitan Gabriel Petrovich of Novgorod and Petersburg, the official editor of this work. The Hesychast background of Saint Seraphim is also demonstrated by the guidelines he presented to his apprentices. One of the best-known ikons of this saint presents him as a Hesychast man of prayer, with the right hand on his heart and wise features, exhibiting a Philokalic sensitivity. Saint Seraphim of Sarov is a father of the Church who revives the venerable Orthodox tradition, being one of the main agents in the rebirth of Hesychast monasticism.
Pages: 99-112