What St. Seraphim Meant

St. Seraphim of Sarov St. Seraphim of Sarov
    

“Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved.” This is perhaps the most famous quote of the great Russian saint, Seraphim of Sarov. Many of his icons have this saying on them. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like it. On the other hand, I think there are many who do not understand it. And understanding what he meant can take you to the very heart of Orthodoxy.

“To acquire the Spirit of Peace,” has a wonderful ring to it – and most of us assume that it is the fruit of the great saint’s long years of strict monastic practice. Doubtless many of the gifts of St. Seraphim were manifested in such a powerful fashion on account of his years of silence and prayer.

But his statement on acquiring the Spirit of Peace is not nearly as complicated or mysterious as some might think.

In many ways it is simply an expansion of the Gospel parable of the talents:

For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property;to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth’ (Mt. 25:14-30).

This very familiar parable is quite odd. Christ is alluding to something in the imagery of the “talents” of silver (or gold). Whatever it is, it has been given freely to the stewards – but the stewards are expected to do something with the gift. It is to be given back, with a profit.

First, the parable is not about talents: piano-playing and the like. Nor is it about public-speaking, or even being a good teacher of children. It is not about talents. It is about a sum of money – but is not a “stewardship” parable in the sense that Christ is not trying to tell us to be sure and make money.

It is a parable about grace, about the Holy Spirit.

St. Seraphim, in his own teaching, would be almost crass. He told his disciples to “acquire the Holy Spirit,” and used the gross comparisons of a businessman investing his money in order to make more. His own father was a merchant. He knew what he was talking about – but the imagery was carried over to the spiritual life – and its goal was supremely described as the “acquisition of the Holy Spirit.”

The larger question then (and it applies to the parable as well): How do we acquire grace – or the Holy Spirit?

Please note that I am not speaking about earning more grace and performing works in order to gain the Holy Spirit.

Grace is nothing other than the Life of God. In proper theological terms (of the Eastern Church) grace is the uncreated Divine energies. But that phrase, unless correctly understood can be all to confusing. I prefer to speak either of grace or of God’s own Life, freely given to us.

First, grace is a gift. You don’t have to go anywhere to get what you already have been given. What we need to do is allow the grace of God to work in us what God intends.

St. Paul would urge: “We entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain! (2 Corinthians 6:1)

Each of us (certainly in our Baptism and Chrismation) have been given the grace of God for our salvation – that is to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit and to conform us to the image of God in Christ. The question is what do we do with it?

This is a question particularly about the small things of the day. Do we pray? Do we begin the day by crossing ourselves before our feet ever hit the floor? When tempted to grumble do we refrain and give thanks instead? Do we condemn others, even when we could have been silent? Do we forgive when we could have nursed a grudge?

There is grace for each of these things and thousands more. We are able, because God has made us able. Grace that is put to use in our lives produces dividends of grace. St. Seraphim did not become what he was through a momentary gift, but through a lifetime of ascesis and “reinvesting” the grace given him.

Some words from the great saint for the little things of the day:

You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives.

All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other…instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace.

Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult, and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.

This is what St. Seraphim meant.

See also
St. Seraphim of Sarov. A Sermon by St. John Maximovitch St. Seraphim of Sarov. A Sermon by St. John Maximovitch
St. John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco
St. Seraphim of Sarov. A Sermon by St. John Maximovitch St. Seraphim of Sarov. A Sermon by St. John Maximovitch
St. John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco
It was the same during his earthly life. Cities were being destroyed, kingdoms were being established, Napoleon advanced upon Russia with twelve nations and then left in disgrace, Moscow burned and was again raised from the ashes, Decembrists organized revolts and were then sentenced; but was as if these events did not touch St. Seraphim.
From the Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov From the Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov
Helen Kontsevich
From the Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov From the Life of St. Seraphim of Sarov
Helen Kontsevich
As a beginning, Prokhor set off with five companions to the Kiev Caves Lavra, desiring to receive the blessing of the Kiev Elders. Among the ascetics of that monastery was the famous elder Dositheus (who was found to be a woman after she died). That clairvoyant elder had been in continual contact with the blessed Elder Paisius Velichkovsky, and with those monastics who were of one mind with him. Dositheus gave Prokhor spiritual instruction, counselled him to study the ancient Holy Fathers on the work of interior prayer, and directed him to go to Sarov Monastery and remain there until death, for there he would find salvation.
Great in the Lord is Seraphim Great in the Lord is Seraphim
Father Seraphim and the American Heartland
Great in the Lord is Seraphim Great in the Lord is Seraphim
Father Seraphim and the American Heartland
In literally a few weeks, a group of Orthodox Christians established a parish in the Russian Orthodox tradition. This group included not only Russians but dyed-in-the-wool Americans. Today St Seraphim Parish also boasts Bulgarians, Serbs, Romanians and other Orthodox Christians.
The Spiritual Path of St. Seraphim of Sarov The Spiritual Path of St. Seraphim of Sarov The Spiritual Path of St. Seraphim of Sarov The Spiritual Path of St. Seraphim of Sarov
"He who truly loves God considers himself a wanderer and newcomer on earth, for in him is a striving towards God in soul and mind, which contemplates God alone." Certain people emerge as standouts in the church. Their chief characteristic is the search to live in the presence of God with every fiber of their being, and to recognize God's presence in creation and humanity. Such a saint was Seraphim of Sarov, author of the saying quoted above.
St. Seraphim on Monastic Life St. Seraphim on Monastic Life
From the book, St. Seraphim of Sarov, by Elena Kontsevitch
St. Seraphim on Monastic Life St. Seraphim on Monastic Life
From the book, St. Seraphim of Sarov, by Elena Kontsevitch
Elena Kontsevitch
“One distinguishing characteristic of the superior should be his love for his inferiors: for the true pastor, according to the words of St John Climacus, is shown by his love for his flock. For it is out of love that the Chief Shepherd was crucified on the cross.”
Comments
Patricia Dilgard7/8/2021 8:39 am
I pray a scriptural rosary everyday. For the last few weeks I seem to hear more and more urgently "You should be awake and praying not to be put to the test." While in quarantine God revealed to me many sins I committed which I did not take seriously, especially being judgmental,lack of gentleness and humility, failure to help others to carry their cross. I believe I was led to read this article at this exact moment in time. Come Holy Spirit and fill the heart of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. I have been focusing on my lack of love and should be praying to be filled with HIS love. My love cannot accomplish very much, but if only God's love was kindled inside of me perhaps the words of St Seraphim would become true. Perhaps we could really see God and hear his voice as St. Seraphim said. This is the time to pray for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with the fire of his love.
Seraphima1/5/2017 3:18 am
This is the first time that I have truly understood this parable. Before, I confess, I felt that our Lord was harsh in his judgement of the timid servant. The interpretation of the gift of talents as the Holy Spirit changes everything because it is the gift of Life in God, as you say, that was refused or hidden. Thank you, most sincerely for giving me this knowledge.
Fritz George1/26/2016 11:45 am
Very interesting,I want to read and learn more of your articles. Thank you for this priceless opportunity.
Joseph Bell8/16/2013 9:30 am
'Aquire the Holy Spirit' does not mean to be a 'pushover' in relation to others. It primarily refers to your relationship to God. You strive to do what He says, and when you have striven enough, He begins to give you the free gift of the Holy Spirit, like a breeze that arises.
Now the second part of the saying can take place, 'thousands around you will be saved.'
Ann Pantelopoulos8/2/2013 9:39 am
Thank you so much for ending my day with this beautiful teaching. It seems I am never "full"! Like Jello there is always room for more. I hope I can look forward to more teachings in the near future. There is a dark and terrible storm coming and we must continuer to WATCH AND PRAY...that we may be counted worth to escape the terrors of the Tribulation. We have a small prayer circle separated by time zones and zip codes...but join in prayer on particular days. The first was July 4...the next is set for Aug 6 Transfiguration. Each chooses their own time and place during the 24 hour day. It becomes like a Harp of Prayers rising to God's ears in the hope He will smile at our small efforts. We pray for God's church, the People and Clergy, for the lost and suffering, those with special needs and for whatever the Holy Spirit moves us to pray. (Sometimes i don't know what or how to pray...and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. So THANK YOU more than words can say....for sending me what I needed.
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