Архимандрит Сергий (Тихомиров). Письма из Сарова 13–22 июля 1903 года

The letters presented here with slight abbreviations were published in 1999 by the Syntagma publishing house and were erroneously attributed to Archimandrite Sergius (Stragorodsky). The real author of the letters, Archimandrite Sergius (Tikhomirov), was born in the Novgorod province in 1871. He was tonsured a monk in 1895. He graduated from the St. Petersburg Theological Academy (1896). In the rank of archimandrite since 1899. In 1905 he was consecrated Bishop of Yamburg, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese. In 1908, he was sent to Japan as an assistant to the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, receiving the rank of Bishop of Kyoto. After the death of Saint Nicholas of Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles, he was the primate of the Japanese Orthodox Church, Bishop of Japan and head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission (1912). Archbishop since 1921, metropolitan since 1931. Joined the Synod organized by Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky). Retired since 1940. Died August 11, 1945 Before us are the memories of a priest who, among hundreds and hundreds of clergy, was in Sarov and Diveevo in those great days, but was not in the very center of events. In preparation for publication, we tried to shorten the memories: after all, the book contains several more memoirs of priests about the same events and facts. But it turned out that in those “lyrics”, which, it would seem, should be shortened, in the sublime and old-fashioned words of a simple, probably unmemorable priest, such sincerity was imprinted, which bears the stamp of spiritual insight. And we are confident that everyone who will be in Sarov and Diveyevo in 2003, reading these memories of a hundred years ago, will find there a piercing echo of what they themselves experienced and could not convey in words. Turn your attention, gentle reader, to the chapter “Royal Guests at the Monastery Meal.” “Who knew and was aware then of all those present about what alarming clouds were gathering on the horizon of our social life and what sad events were approaching? But was this hidden from the Venerable Seraphim, who, even in his earthly life, had already foreseen and predicted the onset of great sorrow following the bright triumph?.. About the Venerable Father Seraphim! You, who during your life never let anyone leave you without consolation and who anticipated many with your predictions about the upcoming sorrows in order to thereby prepare weak hearts for them, could you now be indifferent to future events that bring so much sorrow to the heart of the King, who showed such great, reverent love for your memory?!” These are the sensations of 1903, recorded in 1904. Two revolutions, the collapse of great Russia, the murder of the Royal Passion-Bearers and many new martyrs who were then present in Sarov - everything is ahead and, of course, is hidden in the darkness of ignorance from the priest from whose soul these words are coming out. But, not knowing what he is saying, he, in the holy place, catches the prophetic breath of the future, the very essence of events... And how modern, revealing and convincing the chapter “The Silence of the Scribes” sounds! There is no doubt that, with tiny factual alterations, it could have been published in any newspaper in 2003 after the celebrations... And finally, the finale of memories, which will be close to the heart of anyone who was at the heart of the celebrations of St. Seraphim... Printed with slight abbreviations. When published, the text is divided into chapters; this breakdown is missing in the original. The anniversary of the bright days of the Sarov celebration is approaching. Again, all his pictures arise in the imagination, one after another, vividly and clearly. Again you experience so lightly and joyfully all those thoughts and feelings with which your soul was filled in those days. It seems that in view of the approaching bright anniversary, it will be timely and useful for every Orthodox Christian to restore in his memory the wondrous pictures of the glorious triumph. I also decide to offer my memoirs to the favorable attention of pious readers.