Seraphim Chichagov
Encyclopedia
Seraphim Chichagov born Leonid Mikhailovich Chichagov, was a Metropolitan bishop
of the Russian Orthodox Church
who was executed by firing squad and subsequently canonized as a New Martyr
.
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. Following the death of his wife, he entered 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
, and later the New Jerusalem Monastery
. In 1905 he was appointed bishop of Sukhumi
. In subsequent years he was appointed Bishop of Orlowski
(1906–1908), Chişinău
(1908–1912), Tver
(1912–1917), and Warsaw
(1918–1921). In 1928 was appointed Metropolitan
of St. Petersburg
.
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 December 11, 1937 at the Butovo firing range
.
to artillery Colonel Mikhail Nikiforovich Chichagov and Maria Nikolaevna. He was born into a minor noble family from the Kostroma
area with a strong military background. His great-grandfather participated in a study of the Arctic Ocean
during the reign of Empress Catherine the Great, and his grandfather, Admiral
Paul Chichagov, fought in defense of Russia during the French invasion of Russia
. Leonid Chichagov was baptized on October 20, 856 in the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky at the Mikhailovsky military school.
Chichagov graduated with honors from the military academy and received the rank of lieutenant
in 1875. He was assigned to the artillery and fought in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). He was awarded the Cross of St. George
for courage displayed at the Siege of Plevna. He also received the Order of St. Anna
and Order of St. Stanislaus.
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 April 8, 1879, he married Natalia Dokhturov, daughter of General Dmitry Dokhturov
, with whome he had four daughters: Vera, Natalia, Leonida, and Yekaterina.
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 Legion of Honour. He received additional military honors from various countries, including the Romania
n Iron Cross, Bulgaria
n Order of St Alexander
, and Montenegrin
Order of Prince Danilo I
, and was promoted to Stabskapitän
in 1881. During his military service, he published his memoirs, Дневник пребывания императора Александра II в Дунайской армии, reflecting his experiences with the artillery in various engagements.
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
.
, a minor cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin
. Two days later, he was ordained a priest.
He began his pastoral work in the Church of the Twelve Apostles. He paid 15,000 rubles out of pocket to renovate the dilapidated church. He was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik
and skufia
vestments in recognition of his work in restoring the church.
His wife died after a serious illness in 1895. In 1896 he was appointed military chaplain for the artillery troops stationed in the Moscow garrison, for whom he ministered from the church of St. Nicholas. His personal contributions helped renovate the facility, which had been abandoned for 30 years.
As a priest, Fr. Chichagov made several pilgrimages to Serafimo-Diveevsky Monastery
and the Sarov monastery in Sarov
. During these visits he wrote a history of the Sarov monastery and a biography of the monk Seraphim of Sarov
based on interviews with nuns who had known the saint. This work would later contribute to the canonization
of St. Seraphim. His extensive history of the Diveevsky monastery was published in 1896. Natalia Chichagov was buried at the Diveevsky monastery, alongside an empty grave intended for Fr. Chichagov.
He also wrote the "Chronicles of St. Seraphim of Diveyevo" about St Seraphim of Sarov
.
, after which he travelled to Moscow
. He stayed briefly at the residence of the Patriarch locum tenens, Metropolitan Sergius, before moving to an apartment.
Seraphim's health deteriorated steadily after his retirement. He suffered from hypertonic dehydration
and heart disease
, and gradually lost all mobility. Despite his condition, he was charged with monarchist propaganda and arrested on November 30, 1937. Upon his arrest, the NKVD
officers carried him from his home on a stretcher. He was imprisoned in Taganka Prison and sentenced to death by firing squad. He was executed at the Butovo firing range
on December 11, 1937.
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
who was executed by firing squad and subsequently canonized as a New Martyr
New Martyr
The title of New Martyr or Neomartyr of the Eastern Orthodox Church was originally given to martyrs who died under heretical rulers . Later the Church added to the list those martyred under Islam and various modern regimes, especially Communist ones, which espoused state atheism...
.
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
John of Kronstadt
Saint John of Kronstadt was a Russian Orthodox archpriest and member of the synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was a striking and somewhat unconventional figure in his personality but was deeply pious and immensely energetic...
, he resigned from the military and became a clergyman. Following the death of his wife, he entered the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and received the monastic name Seraphim. He was later appointed father superior and Archimandrite
Archimandrite
The title Archimandrite , primarily used in the Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Catholic churches, originally referred to a superior abbot whom a bishop appointed to supervise...
of the Monastery of Saint Euthymius
Monastery of Saint Euthymius
The Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius is a monastery in Suzdal, Russia.The monastery was founded in the 14th century, and grew in importance in the 16th and 17th centuries after donations by Vasili III, Ivan IV and the Pozharsky family, a noble dynasty of the region...
, and later the New Jerusalem Monastery
New Jerusalem Monastery
The New Jerusalem Monastery or Novoiyerusalimsky Monastery , also known as the Voskresensky Monastery, is a male monastery, located in the town of Istra in Moscow Oblast, Russia....
. In 1905 he was appointed bishop of Sukhumi
Sukhumi
Sukhumi is the capital of Abkhazia, a disputed region on the Black Sea coast. The city suffered heavily during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in the early 1990s.-Naming:...
. In subsequent years he was appointed Bishop of Orlowski
Orlowski
Orłowski is a Polish surname, and may refer to:* Aleksander Orłowski , Polish painter* Alice Orlowski , German SS official* Andrew Orlowski , British columnist...
(1906–1908), Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
(1908–1912), Tver
Tver
Tver is a city and the administrative center of Tver Oblast, Russia. Population: 403,726 ; 408,903 ;...
(1912–1917), and Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
(1918–1921). In 1928 was appointed Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of St. Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
.
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 December 11, 1937 at the Butovo firing range
Butovo firing range
The Butovo firing range is the name of a location where more than 20,000 political prisoners were shot during the Great Terror of the Soviet Union and thereafter from 1938 to 1953. It is located in the Yuzhnoye Butovo District of Moscow, near the village of Drozhzhino...
.
Early life
Leonid Mikhailovich Chichagov was born on June 9, 1856 in St. Petersburg, RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
to artillery Colonel Mikhail Nikiforovich Chichagov and Maria Nikolaevna. He was born into a minor noble family from the Kostroma
Kostroma
Kostroma is a historic city and the administrative center of Kostroma Oblast, Russia. A part of the Golden Ring of Russian towns, it is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers...
area with a strong military background. His great-grandfather participated in a study of the Arctic Ocean
Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean, located in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Arctic north polar region, is the smallest and shallowest of the world's five major oceanic divisions...
during the reign of Empress Catherine the Great, and his grandfather, Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Paul Chichagov, fought in defense of Russia during the French invasion of Russia
French invasion of Russia
The French invasion of Russia of 1812 was a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. It reduced the French and allied invasion forces to a tiny fraction of their initial strength and triggered a major shift in European politics as it dramatically weakened French hegemony in Europe...
. Leonid Chichagov was baptized on October 20, 856 in the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky at the Mikhailovsky military school.
Chichagov graduated with honors from the military academy and received the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1875. He was assigned to the artillery and fought in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). He was awarded the Cross of St. George
Cross of St. George
thumb|Original Cross of St. George.Ist and 2nd class were in gold.The Cross of St. George ', or simply the George's Cross, was, until 1913, officially known as the Sign of Distinction of the Military Order of St. George....
for courage displayed at the Siege of Plevna. He also received the Order of St. Anna
Order of St. Anna
The Order of St. Anna ) is a Holstein and then Russian Imperial order of chivalry established by Karl Friedrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp on 14 February 1735, in honour of his wife Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great of Russia...
and Order of St. Stanislaus.
After the Russo-Turkish war ended in 1878, Chichagov returned to St. Petersburg. There he met John of Kronstadt
John of Kronstadt
Saint John of Kronstadt was a Russian Orthodox archpriest and member of the synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was a striking and somewhat unconventional figure in his personality but was deeply pious and immensely energetic...
, at the time a well-known and highly respected minister, who became his mentor. On April 8, 1879, he married Natalia Dokhturov, daughter of General Dmitry Dokhturov
Dmitry Dokhturov
Dmitry Sergeyevich Dokhturov was a Russian Infantry General and a prominent military leader during the Patriotic War of 1812....
, with whome he had four daughters: Vera, Natalia, Leonida, and Yekaterina.
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 Legion of Honour. He received additional military honors from various countries, including the Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n Iron Cross, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n Order of St Alexander
Order of St Alexander
The Order of St Alexander was the second highest Bulgarian order during the Kingdom of Bulgaria. It was established by Knyaz Alexander I and named after his patron saint .-History:...
, and Montenegrin
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
Order of Prince Danilo I
Order of Prince Danilo I
The Order of Prince Danilo I of Montenegro was an order of the Principality, and later Kingdom, of Montenegro...
, and was promoted to Stabskapitän
Stabskapitän
Stabskapitän is a historic military rank, used in the Prussian and Russian armies. It ranked between the Premierleutnant and Hauptmann/Rittmeister in the Prussian army, and between lieutenant and captain in the Russian army...
in 1881. During his military service, he published his memoirs, Дневник пребывания императора Александра II в Дунайской армии, reflecting his experiences with the artillery in various engagements.
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
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
. Though his wife did not initially accept his decision, she was eventually convinced after speaking at length with John of Kronstadt
John of Kronstadt
Saint John of Kronstadt was a Russian Orthodox archpriest and member of the synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was a striking and somewhat unconventional figure in his personality but was deeply pious and immensely energetic...
.
Priesthood
Chichagov tendered his resignation from the military on April 15, 1890 or 1891. He moved to Moscow with his family where he commenced his ecclesiastical studies. He was ordained a deacon on February 26, 1893 in the Church of the Twelve ApostlesChurch of the Twelve Apostles
The Church of the Twelve Apostles is a minor cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, commissioned by Patriarch Nikon as part of his stately residence in 1653 and dedicated to Philip the Apostle three years later....
, a minor cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin
Moscow Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin , sometimes referred to as simply The Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River , Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square and the Alexander Garden...
. Two days later, he was ordained a priest.
He began his pastoral work in the Church of the Twelve Apostles. He paid 15,000 rubles out of pocket to renovate the dilapidated church. He was awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik
Nabedrennik
A Nabedrennik is a vestment worn by some Orthodox priests. It is a square or rectangular cloth worn at the right hip, suspended from a strap attached to the two upper corners of the vestment and drawn over the left shoulder....
and skufia
Skufia
A skufia is an item of clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian and Eastern Catholic monastics or awarded to clergy as a mark of honor...
vestments in recognition of his work in restoring the church.
His wife died after a serious illness in 1895. In 1896 he was appointed military chaplain for the artillery troops stationed in the Moscow garrison, for whom he ministered from the church of St. Nicholas. His personal contributions helped renovate the facility, which had been abandoned for 30 years.
As a priest, Fr. Chichagov made several pilgrimages to Serafimo-Diveevsky Monastery
Serafimo-Diveevsky Monastery
Serafimo-Diveevsky Monastery, or Saint Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery, or Holy Trinity-Saint Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery near Sarov , and near the city of Nizhny Novgorod , in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It is situated in a region considered to have immense spiritual significance...
and the Sarov monastery in Sarov
Sarov
Sarov is a closed town in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia. Until 1995 it was known as Kremlyov ., while from 1946 to 1991 it was called Arzamas-16 . The town is off limits to foreigners as it is the Russian center for nuclear research. Population: -History:The history of the town can be divided...
. During these visits he wrote a history of the Sarov monastery and a biography of the monk Seraphim of Sarov
Seraphim of Sarov
Saint Seraphim of Sarov , born Prokhor Moshnin , is one of the most renowned Russian monks and mystics in the Orthodox Church. He is generally considered the greatest of the 19th century startsy and, arguably, the first...
based on interviews with nuns who had known the saint. This work would later contribute to the canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
of St. Seraphim. His extensive history of the Diveevsky monastery was published in 1896. Natalia Chichagov was buried at the Diveevsky monastery, alongside an empty grave intended for Fr. Chichagov.
Works
As an iconographer Chichagov's icon of The Saviour in a white tunic and "St. Seraphim of Sarov’s Prayer on the stone" is his most famous icon.He also wrote the "Chronicles of St. Seraphim of Diveyevo" about St Seraphim of Sarov
Seraphim of Sarov
Saint Seraphim of Sarov , born Prokhor Moshnin , is one of the most renowned Russian monks and mystics in the Orthodox Church. He is generally considered the greatest of the 19th century startsy and, arguably, the first...
.
Retirement and death
Metropolitan Seraphim retired in 1933 due to old age, ill health, and the threat of potential arrest. He celebrated his last mass on October 24 of that year in LeningradLeningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
, after which he travelled to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. He stayed briefly at the residence of the Patriarch locum tenens, Metropolitan Sergius, before moving to an apartment.
Seraphim's health deteriorated steadily after his retirement. He suffered from hypertonic dehydration
Dehydration
In physiology and medicine, dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluid. It is literally the removal of water from an object; however, in physiological terms, it entails a deficiency of fluid within an organism...
and heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
, and gradually lost all mobility. Despite his condition, he was charged with monarchist propaganda and arrested on November 30, 1937. Upon his arrest, the NKVD
NKVD
The People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the public and secret police organization of the Soviet Union that directly executed the rule of power of the Soviets, including political repression, during the era of Joseph Stalin....
officers carried him from his home on a stretcher. He was imprisoned in Taganka Prison and sentenced to death by firing squad. He was executed at the Butovo firing range
Butovo firing range
The Butovo firing range is the name of a location where more than 20,000 political prisoners were shot during the Great Terror of the Soviet Union and thereafter from 1938 to 1953. It is located in the Yuzhnoye Butovo District of Moscow, near the village of Drozhzhino...
on December 11, 1937.
Further reading
- A History of Russian Christianity: From the Earliest Years Through Tsar Ivan IV By Daniel H. Shubin Published by Algora Publishing, 2004 ISBN 0875864449, 9780875864440 http://books.google.com/books?id=9LY0wXC3nEAC&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=Seraphim+Chichagov&source=bl&ots=oVJwr7ivMm&sig=tW67_A0UII9Mqw-yivkDBtDevhk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PPA133,M1
External links
- The shrine to the Great Purge
- Saint Seraphim Chichagov (in Russian) by the Book of Memory of Victims of Political Repression "Butovo"