Thank
to God's mercy we have witnessed the great celebrations devoted
to 100th Anniversary of canonization of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Definitely,
we have not yet fully realized the significance of this great event.
Great things should be observed from a certain distance for proper
understanding. Here some analogy from the Scriptures is appropriate.
Palm Sunday, Christ's triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Our Lord was
hailed by the masses as the long-expected Messiah-King of Israel.
The crowds greeted him with branches in their hands and called out
to him with shouts of praise: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord! But despite this glorification by the people,
Passion Week has come and Our Lord has suffered terrible tortures
up to the crucifixion. Only few Christ's disciples witnessed His
Holy resurrection and the Lord's appearances within next 40 days.
Only after Pentecost the joyful news have been revealed for the
whole world. At the same day 3000 people have joined the newborn
Church.
Similar things took place during the canonization of St. Seraphim,
Wonderworker of Sarov back in year 1903.
Like on Palm Sunday, about 300 000 of people from all Russia took
place at celebrations. St. Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra
headed the ceremony. The Uncovering of St.Seraphim's Holy Relics
was accompanied by numerous miraculous healings of the sick, who
had gathered at Sarov in large numbers.
In a few years times of unrest came to Russia. Churches and icons
have been destroyed, Christians have been persecuted and murdered
in great numbers up to most dreadful crime - Murder of Royal Family
in 1918. Lots of newmartyrs and confessors appeared in this bloody
period.
70 years after this events revival of Church has begun. Cloisters,
churches and icons have been gradually returned to the faithful,
people began to undergo holy baptism.
The second Discovery of St. Seraphim's Holy Relics in 1991 and their
Transfer into Diveevo (in the fulfillment of prophecy) can be compared
with Christ's Resurrection, yet symbolizing the reborn Church and
giving special significance to the canonization of NewMartyrs and
Confessors of Russia crowned with St. Emperor Nicholas II and His
Family. Till recently, this event has not been fully accepted by
everyone as some people doubted the appropriateness of Royal Martyr's
canonization.
The present celebrations of centennial St.Seraphim's canonization
have opened eyes of those who doubted. "I will glorify the
Tsar that glorifies me" - St. Seraphim has said, and the prophecy
fulfilled as people finally realized the Holiness of Tsar Nicholas,
who has made special efforts to canonize St.Seraphim back in 1903.
We hope that the festivities in Sarov, accompanied with miracles,
will spread and strengthen faith in the world like after Pentecost.
That's why the Church should especially come out for social service.
Our priests visit gymnasia, where special room for prayers is equipped,
hospital and prison, communicate with convicts every week, despite
it was difficult to arrange.
Now we intend to build a new big church with educational complex
near the present little one to involve more people of our district
into life in God, helping to satisfy their spiritual and physical
needs.
Russian version
