Alexy II sends greetings to St Seraphim festivities in Kursk
20.07.2004, 19.19
MOSCOW, July 20 (Itar-Tass) - Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II has sent greetings to the pilgrims, Church and secular officials participating in the festivities in the city of Kursk, 500 km south off Moscow, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary since the birth of the St Seraphim of Sarov.
One of the most venerated Russian saints, he had a secular given name of Prokhor and was born into the family of simple Russian people, residents of Kursk. He also spent his green years there.
About 20,000 pilgrims gathered in Kursk Tuesday to commemorate the date and join a procession with the saint’s relics, specially brought to the city from a monastery in the Nizhny Novgorod region on the Volga.
Alexy II recalls in his letter of greetings to the festivities that the worldwide congregation of Russian Orthodox Christians celebrated a centenary date since Reverend Seraphim’s canonization last year.
“That event united the Church and society, the spiritual and clerical authorities, regional governors and the bishops of regional dioceses, clerics and simple pilgrims,” says the letter.
During his whole life, St Seraphim displayed a special gift of sharing merciful spirit and Christian love with everyone, Alexy II says.
“Since the days of his earthy life, St Seraphim remains merciful and ready to help the ones calling for his assistance,” the letter says.
Alexy II draws special attention to the fact that the saint’s relics have been brought for this special occasion to his native city. “St Seraphim is visiting the place of his birth, revealing the praise of the Holy Spirit to everyone who accedes the shroud with his relics,” he indicates.
“People are coming in endless flows day and night to venerate St Seraphim’s holy relics and get recovery from spiritual and bodily torments,” Alexy II says.