Chronicles of the Monastery of Seraphim-Diveyevo

The Chronicles of the Monastery of Seraphim-Diveyevo

In the Nineteenth Century, deep in the Russian forest, lived a man who, both during his lifetime and in the ensuing years, has been widely recognised as a living witness of a transfigured human being. The life of this witness has continued in a powerful living tradition in the hearts of the Russian people and in particular in the Monastery of Seraphim-Diveyevo. The man is known as St Seraphim of Sarov.

The record of the Saint's life, and his influence on the community that his life touched, was recorded, following his death, in sixty notebooks. Many of these have now disappeared, however a Chronicle was drawn from these notebooks and published in 1896 and again at the time of his canonisation in 1903. At that time the Monastery of Seraphim-Diveyevo numbered over 1000 nuns. By the time of its closure during the communist period, the community numbered over 1600.

Since the re-opening of the monastery, a community has formed which has been perhaps one of the fastest growing monasteries in the world. The Chronicles are foundational for the community. We plan to publish a translation of The Chronicles of Seraphim-Diveyevo, the most important and remarkable text in St Seraphim studies, widely accepted as the key text in any understanding of the Saint.

Why?
A Saint of the East, St Seraphim is increasingly encountered in the West, and is recognised as offering the world a witness of major contemporary relevance in many and profound ways. No English translation of The Chronicles exists.

We plan to publish an English edition of The Chronicles of the Monastery of Seraphim-Diveyevo.

Project Team
The Team who have been working to accomplish this important task,
not including the International Editorial Review Group,
include:
Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Fr John Jillions
Dr Ann Shukman
Mother Seraphima (Monastère Orthodoxe Notre Dame de Toute Protection, France)
Natalia Vakoulenko
Jeanne Knights
Andrew Hickley MCIPR