With the revival of spirituality in the Orthodox world, one can increasingly hear about new churches under construction, old churches being restored. What was destroyed during the years of atheism and the atheism is now being reborn with new strength and redoubled energy of parishioners. One of these small islands of Orthodoxy is the settlement of Raevo, where on the banks of the Yauza a magnificent church is being erected in honor of one of the most revered saints among the people - the Monk Seraphim of Sarov.
Clean prayer place in the north of Moscow
Raevo is an ancient village in which the Orthodox were originally inhabited. Initially, the Church of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary functioned in this settlement. Over time, it became dilapidated, and believers were assigned to other parishes in the district, leaving only a chapel in Rayev. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was decided to build a new temple on this site, in 2005 a worship cross was placed , the first prayer service was completed and the foundation was laid. Thus began the existence of the temple of Seraphim of Sarov in Rayev. The interest of the parishioners in the construction of a new church is reflected in numerous charitable donations for the construction.
The great ascetic of the Russian Church - the guardian of Orthodoxy
Its name is the temple of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Rayev received an ulterior motive. The holy elder, whose name is named for this parish, is considered one of the most revered in the Orthodox world. During his holy ascetic life, he revealed many miracles of providence and healing to believers in the glory of the Lord. But even after death, many miraculous healings from the icon of this saint were recorded. A lot of them happened among the residents of Moscow and the Moscow region, therefore the arrival of the Monk Seraphim of Sarov in Raev is deservedly named after the holy elder known throughout Russia. The true keeper of the Orthodox faith and Christian traditions is the great saint, in whose honor the temple under construction in Rayev of the administrative district Northern Medvedkovo is named.
Parish temples of the complex in Raev
The main church of the parish is the church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, whose lower throne is dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Divine services are regularly held here. Since the main church is named after the great holy elder, the entire parish of the church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Raev is also named in his honor. The baptismal temple of the complex in Raev is the Church of the Introduction to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first Divine Liturgy in which was celebrated in 2006. The first existing building of the complex is considered to be the chapel of St. Nicholas, consecrated back in 1995. The expanded complex accommodates a sufficient number of active circles, departments of Sunday and correspondence schools.
Social Parish Ministry
The temple of Seraphim of Sarov in Raev is the source of many social Orthodox initiatives. The current group "Mercy" helps the weak and elderly people at home, every Saturday a moleben is performed for the healing of the Orthodox from harmful habits. After the prayer, pastoral talks are held, a helpline is functioning. Conversations with parishioners are held regularly, not only collective, but also individual. Participants of the charity group are ready to provide assistance to infirm people in hospitals, which were successfully implemented until 2013, providing support to patients in the therapeutic department.
Schools for adults and children
An Orthodox Sunday school for parishioners also functions on the territory of the complex. Traditionally, instruction in Sunday schools covers children of preschool and school age, but in this islet, Orthodoxy went a little further, opening a school for adults. Upon arrival, classes are held for an adult audience throughout the week: on weekends in the morning, after service and prayer, and weekdays in the evening.
The temple of Seraphim of Sarov in Rayev and the kids opens its doors . Children's Sunday school operates on weekends, the course is designed for two years. Classes of the choir and the Orthodox theater are held. Numerous circles for children also function : church embroidery, art studio, drama club. Children and adolescents are actively involved in spending free time in the church of Seraphim of Sarov, since the modern world is full of temptations and temptations. Where the child does not know where to direct his energy, the gateway and street direct it, unfortunately, not always along the correct and positive path.
Support for stumbled and lost souls
At the end of the 20th century, with the blessing of the archpriest, correspondence began among students of Sunday schools with convicts serving sentences in penal colonies. As a result, prayer support and Orthodox instruction came to correctional labor colonies , which provides the convicts with the church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Raev. Moscow and the Moscow region are not a territorial restriction for Orthodox communication, therefore, inmates at the church of Seraphim of Sarov are visited by convicts from the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk colonies. Classes are held in the form of academic correspondence, for two years men are taught in absentia the course "Fundamentals of Orthodox Creed." Such invaluable support and assistance provided remotely by the temple of Seraphim of Sarov in Raev, promotes the opportunity for the condemned to participate in the Sacraments of the Church, to study the basics of Orthodoxy in Sunday school. After being released from the colony, the majority of prisoners are affirmed in Orthodoxy: they become zealous parishioners of churches at their place of residence, some choose a monastic path, and begin labor deeds in the monastery.
The practice of joint singing as a means of unity of the Orthodox
The Orthodox faith is not so long ago fully reviving on Russian soil, many parishioners are not fully aware of the importance and necessity of unity with the Lord and living according to God's laws in the world. Joint prayer is a means of uniting believers as a single idea, it makes it possible to feel direct involvement in the Christian community. Since the time of the first Christians, joint prayer for the glory of the Lord has been practiced, today joint participation in worship is carried out during the Divine Liturgy. The temple in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Raev is one of those where prayers are given out prayer texts at joint prayers. It is here that the primate’s prayer is sealed with the solemn “Amen” of the entire Orthodox community, and it is here that “Peace to All” sounds a powerful and solemn exclamation of the Orthodox world.