St. Seraphim of Sarov

By: Jude Namee

Saints come from many backgrounds. Sanctity is not reserved for the children of kings or those with easy backgrounds. Holiness is the one life aspiration open to all. 

Good parenting does matter, however. The knowledge that parenting can be a pathway to sanctify should encourage, not discourage us. As we pray for Christ’s mercy daily, we can hope that joys and sorrows of parenting can lead to our salvation. A good and happy childhood is a wonderful gift to a child, but growing up in a sanctified childhood is a remarkable heritage. Saintly parents oft produce saints. 

Saint Constantine College is happy to publish this series of articles by Jude Namee on the parents of saints. These articles are written by a young person reflecting on one of the many paths the good God has given us to Paradise. I commend these to you as a thoughtful start to many hours of possible meditation. May we read these and be encouraged in our parenting if we are parents, or in our prayers for our parents if we are still young. We ask for the intercession of these saintly parents!

JMNR

Not much is known about St. Seraphim’s parents. Isidore, his father, was an industrious merchant-builder, distinguished by his firm faith and piety. Unfortunately, he died in the process of building a church to St. Sergius, so his wife, Agatha, completed it.

Agatha was widely respected for her goodness and loving care for the needy. She attended particularly to orphans and poor children, acting as a mother to them. She ensured that they were brought up and taught in the Church, and would arrange weddings for the girls and pay their dowries out of her own pocket. Interestingly, she was calm and willing that Seraphim leave her for the monastery at age 17, contrary to most mothers.

This story can be challenging, and in sharing it, we aren’t suggesting that readers should emulate the specific actions of St Iakovos’ parents. While they lived relatively recently, they still lived in a context very different from our own. Yet, their story can be an inspiration to those of us raising children today, to see an example of a family that was wholly dedicated to Christ, even if in a manner unique to them.