Archbishop Stefan takes part in the celebrations in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Diveyevo (UPDATED)translated

On July 31, 2026, His Eminence Stefan, Archbishop of Gomel and Zhlobin, takes part in the celebrations taking place at the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Convent on the eve of the day of remembrance of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

This year, the celebrations are dedicated to the 123rd anniversary of the discovery of the relics and glorification of St. Seraphim of Sarov as a saint, as well as the 200th anniversary of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery.

Together with a host of archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Stefan participates in small vespers with an akathist to St. Seraphim of Sarov and an all-night vigil in the Trinity Cathedral of the monastery.

The celebration of August 1 is associated with the glorification of St. Seraphim of Sarov as a saint and the discovery of his holy relics in 1903. After the second discovery of the shrine in 1991, the relics of the saint were transferred in a religious procession to the Diveyevo Monastery, where they remain today.

The Monk Seraphim is considered the spiritual patron of the Diveyevo women's monastery. Every year, on the days of his memory, bishops, clergy and numerous pilgrims gather in the monastery to pray together and venerate the holy relics of the saint.