Seraphim Chichagov
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Seraphim Chichagov | |
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Митрополит Серафим | |
Eastern Orthodox | |
Nationality | Russian |
Monastic name | Seraphim |
Senior posting | |
Based in | Petrograd |
Seraphim Chichagov (9 June
Born into a military family, he enlisted as an artillery officer after finishing his schooling. Influenced by his experiences in the Russo-Turkish War and meetings with John of Kronstadt, he resigned from the military and became a clergyman. He retired in 1933 due to age and ill health. Four years later he was arrested and charged with monarchist propaganda. Sentenced to death by firing squad, he was executed on 11 December 1937 at the Butovo firing range.
Early life
Leonid Mikhailovich Chichagov was born on 9 June 1856 in
Chichagov graduated with honors from the military academy and received the rank of
After the Russo-Turkish war ended in 1878, Chichagov returned to St. Petersburg. There he met John of Kronstadt, at the time a well-known and highly respected minister, who became his mentor. On 8 April 1879, he married Natalia Dokhturov, daughter of General Dmitry Dokhturov, with whom he had four daughters: Vera, Natalia, Leonida, and Yekaterina.[2]
As an officer, Chichagov received a number of foreign decorations. In recognition of his actions as an artillery specialist in maneuvers of French-allied Russian armies, he was awarded the
His war experiences had a profound impact on Chichagov. He studied graduate-level medicine to provide better care for wounded soldiers, and pioneered research on the idea of treating wounds using substances derived from plants. In addition to medicine, he also became interested in theology. Chichagov undertook independent theological studies during which he decided to resign from military service and devote his life to the Church. Though his wife did not initially accept his decision, she was eventually convinced after speaking at length with John of Kronstadt.[2]
Priesthood
Chichagov tendered his resignation from the military on 15 April 1890
He began his pastoral work in the Church of the Twelve Apostles. He paid 15,000
His wife died after a serious illness in 1895.[2][5][6] In 1896 he was appointed military chaplain for the artillery troops stationed in the Moscow garrison,[2] for whom he ministered from the church of St. Nicholas. His personal contributions helped renovate the facility, which had been abandoned for 30 years.[3]
As a priest, Fr. Chichagov made several pilgrimages to
Following the death of his wife, he became a monk at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and received the monastic name Seraphim. He was later appointed Father Superior and Archimandrite of the Monastery of Saint Euthymius in Suzdal, and then of the New Jerusalem Monastery in Moscow. In 1905 he was appointed Bishop of Sukhumi. In subsequent years he was appointed Bishop of Orel (1906–1908), Chişinău (1908–1912), Tver (1912–1917), and Warsaw (1918–1921). In 1928 he was appointed Metropolitan of Petrograd.
Works
Chichagov was also an iconographer: his most famous works are an icon of "The Saviour in a white tunic" and "St. Seraphim of Sarov’s Prayer on the stone". He also wrote the "Chronicles of St. Seraphim" about St Seraphim of Sarov.
Retirement and death
Metropolitan Seraphim retired in 1933 due to old age, ill health, and the threat of potential arrest. He celebrated his last Divine Liturgy on 24 October of that year in
Seraphim's health deteriorated steadily after his retirement. He suffered from
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Серафим (Чичагов) (in Russian). Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Священномученик митрополит Серафим (Чичагов) (in Russian). Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g Житие священномученика митрополита Серафима (Чичагова). Часть первая (in Russian). Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ a b c A. Matreńczyk (August 2003). "Święty Serafim wierny sługa świętego Serafima". Przegląd Prawosławny (in Polish). Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ a b c Священномученик митрополит Серафим (Чичагов) (in Russian). Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ Some sources, however, claim that Natalia Chichagov died some three years later, e.g. Серафим (Чичагов)
- ^ a b Житие священномученика митрополита Серафима (Чичагова). Часть первая (in Russian). Retrieved 2010-07-19.
Further reading
- A History of Russian Christianity: From the Earliest Years Through Tsar Ivan IV By ISBN 978-0-87586-444-0 [1]
External links
- The shrine to the Great Purge
- Saint Seraphim Chichagov (in Russian) by the Book of Memory of Victims of Political Repression "Butovo"