14. Destruction of the Sarovskoy Abode
and the Theft of the Saint Seraphim Relics



T
he Sarovsky Uspensky Monastery is small and remote, but along with Holy Trinity-St. Sergius and Solvetsky monasteries, it is proclaimed as one of the most revered places by Orthodox Russians. The name of Sarovsky is connected with the execution of Saint Seraphim, a great 19th Century devotee. In 1927 the monastery was closed and Saint Seraphim's relics were stolen. In this icon, the general distribution of Sarovsky Monastery is well represented. Against the pink background of the belfry, two soldiers take away the coffin with the relics while another one, facing the opposite side, chases a group of abode residents away. Compositionally, this image resembles the fifth scene on this icon, "Destruction and theft of one of the greatest holy Russian relics at Sergey Monastery.".











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