The Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery holds a tradition to have a procession with the cross to the spring of Venerable Alexandra on the commemoration day of Great Martyr George the Victory-bearer. A prayer service with Lesser Consecration of water was held there followed by the prayer service to bless the seeds, the fields and livestock held there by the monastery’s own Rev. Fr. Daniel Gatin.

Since ancient times, St. George has been considered in Russia as the patron saint of farmers and cattle breeders, and the guardian of livestock. Translated from Greek, his name means “farmer.” On the feast day of the saint, the peasants drove the cattle out to pasture for the first time.

“Do not disregard our prayers, but beseech Christ our God for us to have the quiet and God-pleasing life, bodily and spiritual health, fertility of lands and the abundance in all things, so that we may not turn to evil the gifts you bestow upon us from the most bountiful God, but to the glory of His holy name and to the praise of your powerful intercession,” we prayerfully appealed to the holy martyr.