The Church commemorates Saint Seraphim of Sarov, who was born in Kursk, Russia, in 1759. The future saint was baptized with the name of Prochor. From a young age, he decided to become a monk in the Monastery of Sarov, where he ascended with his spiritual struggles on the scale of virtues.
In the forest, in his secluded cell, he spent the night hours praying and fasting. For fifteen years he led a solitary lifestyle as a hermit.
At the end of his departing life, he returned to the Sarov Monastery and retreated to a cell for another fifteen years. Being mature in the spiritual life, he was devoted to serving his neighbor.
With the grace of the Holy Spirit, he performed many miracles while he was alive, and experienced the joy of the Resurrection every day. For this reason, he was always greeting his guests, exclaiming “Christ is risen!”, and calling everyone “My joy.”
He fell asleep in the Lord while praying on January 2, 1833. His reputation for healing powers and gift of prophecy spread throughout the Orthodox world.
Source: Church of Cyprus