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Saint Serapion of Zarzma: Founder and Wonderworker · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints in Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Thursday, October 29th, 2026.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Saint Serapion of Zarzma.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was the son of a wealthy and generous aristocrat from Clarjeti.
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  SPEAKER_00: Serapian had two brothers, and they lost their mother when they were still young.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their father passed away soon after.
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  SPEAKER_00: From his childhood, Sarapian desired to live as a hermit.
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  SPEAKER_00: With his younger brother John, he went to Periqui Monastery.
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  SPEAKER_00: There they sought the guidance of Saint Michael of Perici, known as the spiritual father and teacher of orphans.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Michael saw Serapian's true zeal for serving God and blessed him to become a priest.
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  SPEAKER_00: One day, Saint Michael received a vision instructing him to send Serapian and John to Samski to found a monastery.
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  SPEAKER_00: Though Serapian was afraid of this great responsibility, he obeyed his spiritual father and set out with companions.
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  SPEAKER_00: He carried with him a wonderworking icon of the transfiguration of our Lord.
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  SPEAKER_00: The monks climbed a high mountain and decided to settle there to build the monastery, but the local villagers chased them away.
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  SPEAKER_00: They then found the exact place Saint Michael had seen in his vision.
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  SPEAKER_00: At that time, a nobleman named George Chorcinelli ruled the area.
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  SPEAKER_00: While hunting, he saw smoke from the monks' fire and sent a servant to investigate.
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  SPEAKER_00: When he learned about the monks, he went to meet them, greeted them humbly, and honored the wonderworking icon.
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  SPEAKER_00: Inspired by Serapian's preaching, George promised to help establish the monastery.
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  SPEAKER_00: He gave the monks land and a deed for all the territory they could cover on foot in one day.
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  SPEAKER_00: A servant accompanied them to mark the land.
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  SPEAKER_00: The brothers walked through dense forests and rocky paths, guided by two local god fearing men named Aya and Garbonelli, but not all locals welcomed them.
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  SPEAKER_00: The people of Siskvili tried to block their way.
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  SPEAKER_00: That night a miracle happened.
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  SPEAKER_00: An earthquake split the rocks holding back Lake Satakve, washing away the village of Siskvili.
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  SPEAKER_00: Only two brothers survived.
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  SPEAKER_00: The place became known as Zarzma, a name linked to tragedy.
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  SPEAKER_00: The monks looked for a place to build their church.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sarapian wanted a high hill, but John and the others thought it was too cold and difficult for the poorly dressed brothers.
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  SPEAKER_00: To decide, they each placed an oil lamp, Serapian's on the hilltop, John's near a stream, and prayed.
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  SPEAKER_00: By morning, Serapian's lamp had gone out, but John still burned until midday, so they built the church where John chose.
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  SPEAKER_00: Building was hard.
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  SPEAKER_00: The area was forested, and stones were only found in the river.
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  SPEAKER_00: George suggested they use stones from a church destroyed by the earthquake.
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  SPEAKER_00: After three years, the monastery was finished.
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  SPEAKER_00: The wonderworking icon of the Transfiguration was placed in the altar.
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  SPEAKER_00: The monks built cells, and Serapian set the monastery's rule.
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  SPEAKER_00: When Saint Michael of Pyrechi was near death, he sent disciples to Serapian and John.
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  SPEAKER_00: Hearing the monastery was complete, he blessed George Chorchinelli and gave him a withered box tree branch.
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  SPEAKER_00: He told George to plant it near the church, and if it blossomed, it would show God's will to continue the work.
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  SPEAKER_00: The branch did blossom, and the miracle became widely known.
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  SPEAKER_00: When Serapian felt his death approaching, he said farewell to the brothers and appointed Haremonk George as abbot.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was buried with honor on the eastern side of the altar in the monastery church.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Serapian's life shows us the power of faith, obedience, and perseverance in building God's kingdom.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help us to follow the example of Saint Serapion, to serve with humility and zeal, to guide us to trust in your will and to persevere in our calling.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, grant us the faith and courage of Saint Serapion.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to serve you with humble hearts and steadfast spirit.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.