Seraphim of Sarov
Russian monastic elder remembered for teaching on repentance, prayer, and the acquisition of the Holy Spirit, especially through the account of his conversation with Nicholas Motovilov.
Historical context
The Motovilov conversation was recorded by Motovilov and published decades after Seraphim's death. It is a mediated witness, not an autograph treatise by Seraphim.
Key points
- Place the language of acquiring the Spirit within Orthodox prayer and sacramental life.
- Distinguish later remembered sayings and hagiography from Seraphim's own surviving words.
Scripture
- 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 — Transformation by the Spirit offers a scriptural point of comparison.
Primary sources
As Nicholas Motovilov records the conversation, Seraphim says:
The Motovilov account presents Seraphim describing the Spirit's presence as a source of inexpressible joy.
When the Spirit of God comes down and confers upon a person the fullness of His presence, the human soul, as does anything else that He may touch, overflows with an inexpressible joy.
Passage context and translation
The OCA introduces the passage as Seraphim's conversation with Motovilov. Motovilov recorded the exchange, which was published decades after Seraphim's death; it is not an autograph treatise.
Before the excerpt
From Saint Seraphim's conversation with Nicholas Motovilov, a married layman
After the excerpt
Yet however comforting this joy which you now feel in your heart may be, it can never compare with that joy of which the Lord Himself spoke