Patron Saint Seraphim the Holy: icon, prayer, photo

For the faith in Christ in the days of terrible persecutions, organized by ungodly Roman emperors, many believers suffered from various executions and torments. In this difficult time for Christians, under the rule of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 gg.) Lived an Antiochian citizen, a girl named Seraphim (or in another way - Serapia).

Starting to consider the question "Holy Seraphim - the patroness of whom?", We learn how this saint lived and how she glorified her name.

Life

She was born in a Christian family at the end of the first century in Antioch. After the death of her parents, Seraphima sold all her possessions and gave it to the poor, because she decided to devote her life completely to her God, Jesus Christ. Many men liked her, and they wanted to marry her, but she refused. And then she went to Italy and sold herself to voluntary slavery.

The village where she stayed was called Winden, and she settled in the house of a woman named Savin, descended from a rich and noble family, who began to patronize her in everything. Well-behaved girl Seraphim with her diligence and charity conquered the heart of Madame Savina and after a while also led her to the faith of Christ.

Saint Seraphim: patroness, biography

Such a vigorous activity in the confession of the faith in Christ by the young Christian Seraphima greatly disliked the hetemon Beryl, and then he sent a detachment of his soldiers to take her into custody. Savina could not stand aside and sharply opposed this, but Serafima, trusting in her God, fearlessly followed the soldiers, only before that she asked her mistress to diligently pray for her. But the blessed Savina still did not leave her alone with the wicked and also went with her to the igomona.

He, seeing Savin - a person of noble and influential, came in embarrassment and confusion and soon let her go home with Seraphim.

But three days later the hegemon decided to arrange a trial and ordered the blessed Seraphim to be brought to him. Then the girl was treacherously seized and brought to court. Savina did not want to leave the matter like this and again came with her, but now she no longer had the opportunity to help her, she sobbed, screamed and swore at the cruel Igemon, but everything was in vain, and she had to return home.

Sacrifice to God

Seraphim - holy Antiochian maiden, refused to worship and sacrifice pagan gods, because she believed that these are not gods, but demons, because she was a true Christian. Then the Hedemon Beryl offered to offer her the same sacrifice to her God Jesus Christ, but she said that sacrifice to the Lord is faith in Him, worship and prayer. Igomon asked then, what is its victim and where is the temple of Christ to whom she prays? Seraphima said that there is nothing higher than the knowledge of the God of Heaven, and her sacrifice is in virgin integrity, to this feat with the help of the Lord she brought other girls, and added that in the Holy Scripture it says: "You are the temple of the living God."

Miracle of Saint Seraphim

After the interrogation, Seraphim - the holy maiden of Rome - was given into the hands of the shameless and wicked Egyptian youths, who wanted to stay with her all night. They led her into a dark temple. At this time, Seraphim began to pray fervently to her Lord. Towards one o'clock in the morning, when the young men wanted to abuse her, suddenly a noise and an earthquake began, and they fell to the ground exhausted. Seraphim, seeing that the Lord had protected her, prayed to Him all night with tears of thanksgiving. Early in the morning came the envoys of the igemon and saw that the holy maiden was praying, and the young men like the dead are lying and can neither stand nor say anything, only drive mad eyes. To such a miracle to see a lot of people gathered.

Igemon realized that his plan to seduce the virgin was not successful, Seraphima - the holy virgin and the bride of Jesus Christ, and therefore He did not let the young men do their dirty work. She said that the Lord - the keeper and guardian of her - is always with her.

Then the hegemon, seeing all these incomprehensible miracles for him, and thinking that she was a sorceress, asked her to call her God and make sure that the young men returned their bodily strength and that they themselves tell what happened to them at night, and whether they do not deceive She, that could save her virginity?

The Saving Prayer

Seraphima replied that she can not conjure, the only thing she can do is to pray heartily to God that he sends his mercy to them. But she refused to go to them, because it would look indecent, and she wanted a miracle to come true for all people before her eyes and no one thought she was a sorceress. Seraphim asked the igemon to bring to her these exhausted, dumb young and relaxed young men.

Then the hegemon sent his people for them, and she began to pray, and after the words: "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I command: stand on your feet!" - they stood up and began to speak. Everyone who saw this miracle was horrified. The newly awakened fellows began to tell that when they wanted to do their unclean thing, suddenly an angel-like youth appeared in the glittering light between the girl and the boys, after this vision fear, darkness, horror and complete relaxation fell upon them.

Martyrdom torture

The Igemon could not believe to the last and asked Seraphim to give him his secret of secrets, and then again began to force her to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods, but she answered that she had hated their evil teaching and would not worship demons and Satan's will will not be fulfilled, because she is a believer Christian.

Then the judge gave her new torment, he ordered her body to be scorched by fiery torches, but then those who had to commit this torture fell to the ground and the torches went out. Then they wanted to beat her with sticks, but suddenly there was a strong earthquake. From one of the sticks a cheek bounced and flew straight into the eye of the igomona, and three days later Beryl went blind.

After the incident, he came in a terrible fury and ordered the hated Seraphim, despising the king's commandments and guilty of various atrocities, to kill with a sword.

And then Seraphima - the holy martyr of Christ - was beheaded. After the execution, her body was taken to her pious Savina, who with great reverence and honors committed his burial. As the most precious pearl and great treasure, she laid it in her family crypt, while sending laudatory prayers to the Lord Jesus Christ. In a few years, this crypt will be the burial place and Sabina herself. Their common grave will be adorned and consecrated as a place of prayer.

Icon of "Seraphim"

The prayer of this saint is given below. And the day of her memory the Orthodox Church honors on July 29, according to the old calendar and on August 11 - according to the new calendar.

The relics of St. Seraphim of Rome today are in Italy in the church of Saint Savina, which was rebuilt on the site of her house on the Aventine hill. This church was founded in the 5th century under Pope Celestine I (422-432) and later became a church at the monastery. This holy abode is also known for the fact that Saint Dominic (1170-1221), the founder of the monastic order of the Dominicans, was buried there.

The icon of Saint Seraphim depicts her holding a book, and sometimes together with Saint Savina.

The holy martyr of Savina is also revered as a Roman church and portrayed with a crown and palm branch. She became the patroness of housewives. After all, it was in the house of Savina's widow that St. Seraphim once settled, who received martyrdom on July 29, 119, and her benefactor Savina was also severed her head in time - August 29,

Canonization

Saint Seraphim is the patroness of all the unfortunate and destitute. It was canonized by the Byzantine church and became revered in Orthodox saints.

St. Seraphim's prayer begins with the words: "Bride of Christ's beloved, Seraphim ..." (Troparion, Tone 8), "You loved the Seraphim's love of the Lord ..." (Kontakion, Tone 2).

St. Seraphim herself prayed with the words: "Lord Jesus Christ, the true guardian and guardian of my virginity, I call for help!" Or "God Almighty Lord! You created the heavens, the earth and the sea, and everything that's on them ... ".