Early morning on January 2/15, 1833, elder Seraphim fell asleep in the Lord in the Sarov Pustyn monastery in front of the “Tenderness” Icon of the Mother of God. Two years prior to his blessed repose, he had a visitation by the Most Holy Mother of God Who entrusted him not to leave Her Diveyevo maidens and blessed him saying: “Soon, My dear one, you will be with Us.”

In his life, Venerable Seraphim manifested the image of meekness and humility and the life-long struggle for the sake of the Lord. “How can we praise your labors and afflictions or what mouth can ever speak about your life of a hermit?” we sing on this day remembering the prayer on the stone, grave illnesses of the holy elder that he accepted with gladness as if from the hand of God.

In fulfillment of the command of the Mother of God and the request by Matushka Alexandra, the Diveyevo founder, Venerable Seraphim kept the sisters in his care. He so pleased God with his ascetic deeds that he asked fearlessly for the Kingdom of Heaven to all of his “orphans,” like he used to call the sisters of Diveyevo.

The sisters of the monastery had a caring spiritual father and mentor in Father Seraphim, who, upon his death, told them to come to his grave and seek help as if he was alive. At his lifetime, people flocked to him for advice and consolation, while the monks got used to follow his godly example. Even today, the Diveyevo monastery he helped to organize is never short of those honoring and glorifying St. Seraphim.

On the eve of the memorable day, Small Vespers with the akathist and the Vigil were held in the Trinity Cathedral of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery. His Eminence Metropolitan Georgiy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas presided at the liturgy with ten archpastors concelebrating.

The abbesses of the monasteries, clergy and the faithful prayed at the liturgy.

The Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery’s choir headed by Nun Elena (Tsarakhova) sang the festive hymns.

At the end of the service, His Eminence Metropolitan Georgiy congratulated everyone present at the cathedral with the blessed day of remembrance of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. His Eminence remarked that, as we commemorate the righteous death of batiushka Seraphim today, we also celebrate his second birthday and his return home to the Heavenly Mansions, away from the fallen world. As he ascended to Heaven, the Wonderworker of Sarov prays for all of us, admonishing and consoling everyone. The people from the lands of Sarov, Diveyevo, and Nizhny Novgorod are jubilant today for having such a wondrous petitioner before God.

In conclusion of his archpastoral address, the head of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolis wished everyone God’s help through the prayers of batiushka Seraphim.