The Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery prayerfully honored the memory of Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov) on the anniversary of his martyrdom.

Hieromartyr Seraphim is included in the Synaxis of the Saints of Diveyevo, and one of the southern side chapels of the Kazan church in the Diveyevo monastery was consecrated in his honor. The All-Night Vigil service, the prayer canon to the Mother of God with the water blessing prayer service and the early-morning Divine Liturgy were served there.

The commemoration services were also held in the Trinity and Annunciation Cathedrals, and in the Dormition Church of the monastery.

Hieromartyr Seraphim, born Leonid Mikhailovich Chichagov, was a descendant of a prominent noble family, a soldier who displayed courage on the battlefields, a philosopher and a theologian, writer, artist, composer, and physician who created his own treatment system.

This illustrious officer, decorated with many Russian and foreign awards, retired from military service with the blessing of Archpriest John of Kronstadt, and in 1893 he became a priest.

Father Leonid considered his putting together of the “Chronicle of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery” as one of the most important obediences in his life that helped to reveal the history of the Diveyevo monastery and the monastic exploits of one of the greatest saints, the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

Having become a widower in 1898, Father Leonid took monastic vows with the name of Seraphim. A year later, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite, whereas he ended his life in the rank of a metropolitan.

Even before the canonization of the wonderworker of Sarov, Vladyka Seraphim was vouchsafed worthy of the greatest joy and reward. As he himself later recounted, the Elder Seraphim appeared to him: “I saw him as if alive. I did not for a moment think that it was vision, as it was so simple and real. But how surprised I was when I saw Batiushka Seraphim bowing down before me and saying: “Thank you for the Chronicle. Ask for anything you want in return.” With these words, he came to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. I clung to him and said, “Batiushka, dearest, I rejoice so much at the moment that I want nothing else but always remain next to you.” Batiushka Seraphim smiled in sign of consent and has become invisible. Only then did I realize that I had a vision. It filled me with endless joy.”

When the Bolsheviks came to power, Vladyka Seraphim was repeatedly subject to exile and imprisonment. The Soviet authorities were especially enraged for his monarchist convictions and statements that the Russian people are punished for the refusal to support the legitimate Tsar who was overthrown by the revolutionaries.

In 1935, Metropolitan Seraphim celebrated thirty years of service as a church hierarch, and in 1936, the hierarch turned eighty. The elderly Vladyka was ill and infirm, but he remained strong in spirit. While he was in his retirement, he continued to support his spiritual flock: “The Orthodox Church is now undergoing a time of trials. Whoever remains faithful to the Holy Apostolic Church will be saved.”

Metropolitan Seraphim was arrested for the last time at the beginning of December 1937, and a few days later, on the 11th of December 1937, he was executed at the military shooting range in Butovo.