St. Seraphim of Sarov (1754-1833), one of the greatest luminaries of XIX c., was probably the first one to foresee the future disaster of the anti-Christian takeover of the Holy Russia. During his lifetime hardly anyone could imagine his prophesies of golden domes falling down from the churches and angels unable to receive innumerable souls of martyrs for the Faith so literally and speedily coming true.

The influence of Emperor Nicholas II expedited his canonization in 1903. Remarkably, St. Seraphim's words were remembered: "That Tsar who will glorify me, I will also glorify him." Legacy of St. Seraphim of Sarov was instrumental for survival and strengthening of the Orthodox faith both in Russia and in diaspora in the godless XX cnt.; re-interment of his holy relics, which had been stolen by Bolsheviks and recovered after the fall of Communism, has become a major milestone of the Russian spiritual rebirth.