Fr. The Reverend '''Serafim Alexivich Slobodskoy ''' was born on September 11th, 1912 in Chernstovka in the Penzen oblast where his father served as rector [[priest]] of the parish church. Growing up in the [[ROCOR|Russian Orthodox Church, Serafim served as an altar boy as well as becoming an expert Outside Russia]] in the art of bell rining With the advent of Bolshevek rule, the family experienced persecution. Father Alexi, Seraphim’s father, was forced to go into hiding, serving the spiritual needs of his parishioners from the homes of the peasants United States who his him. Eventually Father Alexi moved to the town is noted for preparation of Petushka in catechical works for the Vladimirska provoince until he was exiled without right education of correspondence. He is believed to have died in the Gulags, one of the many neo-martyrs under the communist regimeOrthodox youth.

Because his father ==Life==Fr. Serafim was a priest and he himself was faithful to the Orthodox faithborn on [[September 11]], Serafim was denied 1912 in Chernstovka in the privilege Penzen oblast where his father served as [[rector]] of a higher educationthe [[parish]] church. NeverthelessGrowing up in the Church, upon graduating from middle school he was allowed to train Serafim served as an altar boy as well as becoming an artist (painter). expert in the art of bell rining With the invasion advent of Bolshevek rule, the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany in 1939 he entered the militaryfamily experienced persecution. Sent to the frontFather Alexi, Seraphim’s father, he was captured and sent forced to a German P.O.W. camp where he spent go into hiding, serving the rest spiritual needs of his parishioners from the war. It was while in this P.O.W. camp that Seraphim began to dream homes of building a church should God preserve the peasants who housed him. Although he was supposed to be repatriated Eventually Father Alexi moved to the Soviet Union, he managed to avoid returning to Russia and ended up living town of Petushka in Munich. There the Vladimirska provoince until he met Princess Elena Alexeevna Lopukhina, who became his wifewas exiled without right of correspondence. While He is believed to have died in Munich he organized a youth group devoted to discussing religion and philosophy from an Orthodox perspective. The popularity of this group led to Archbishop Benedict (Bobkovsky) the Gulags, one of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia to encourage him to consider ordination. After prayerful thought, Father Serafim was ordained by many neo-martyrs under the Archbishop on April 22nd, 1951communist regime.

Shortly after Because his ordinationfather was a priest and he himself was faithful to the Orthodox faith, Father Seraphim Serafim was sent to denied the United States privilege of a higher education. Nevertheless, upon graduating from middle school he was allowed to serve train as an artist (painter). With the second priest at Holy Fathers Church invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany in New York City1939 he entered the military. A short Sent to the front, he was captured and sent to a German P.O.W. camp where he spent the rest of the war. It was while later in this P.O.W. camp that Seraphim began to dream of building a church should God preserve him. Although he was transferred supposed to Holy Protection Community be repatriated to the Soviet Union, he managed to avoid returning to Russia and ended up living in NyackMunich. There he met Princess Elena Alexeevna Lopukhina, who became his wife. While in Munich he organized a suburb youth group devoted to discussing religion and philosophy from an Orthodox perspective. The popularity of New Yorkthis group led to [[Archbishop]] Benedict (Bobkovsky) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia to encourage him to consider [[ordination]]. After prayerful thought, Fr. Serafim was ordained by the Archbishop on [[April 22]], 1951.

It was here that Father Seraphim was to fulfill Shortly after his wartime dream of building a church both physically and spiritually. Physicallyordination, Fr . Seraphim joined his parishioners was sent to the United States to serve as the second priest at Holy Fathers Church in working on the construction, laying cement blocks, hauling wheelbarrows, etcNew York City. More importantly, A short while later he devoted his time and energy was transferred to nurturing the spiritual needs Holy Protection Community in Nyack, a suburb of his parishioners and the community, especially among the youthNew York.

A zealous pastor, It was here that Fr . Seraphim rarely took a vacation and when he did, he was not idle but worked towards educating youth as the spiritual father to fulfill his wartime dream of Camp NORR. As the parish grew, he and Matuska Elena developed building a parochial school to educate the children and youth as Orthodox Christians church both physically and Russian Americansspiritually. Probably the most significant of his endeavorsPhysically, however, was the writing of Fr. Seraphim joined his catechetical work Zakon Bozhij (Закон Божий = The Law of God). Working late at night, he described the faith of parishioners in working on the Orthodox Church with simple and profoundly lucid explanations. Published in 1966construction, this waslaying cement blocks, and remainshauling wheelbarrows, an influential catechetical text for Russians both abroad and in the Soviet Union where numerous copies were smuggled and copied by handetc. Intended originally for youth and children, it became a respected work among adults as wellMore importantly, he devoted his time and was finally translated into English in 1992. According energy to Patriarch Alexi II of Moscow, “the legacy created in nurturing the Diaspora was republished in Russia in enormous editions—Protopriest Seraphim Slobodskoy's "Law spiritual needs of God" alone, for instance, is used by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of children in Sunday schools, while teenagers use this book to prepare for seminary.” Many believe that it is one of the finest simple overviews of the Orthodox faith written in modern times.For his work in producing this book, Father Serafim was awarded a gold pectoral cross. Elevated to parishioners and the rank of protopriestcommunity, he also received especially among the kamilavka for his pastoral work, a palitsa for 20 years service as a priestyouth.

A zealous pastor, Fr. Seraphim rarely took a vacation and when he did, he was not idle but worked towards educating youth as the spiritual father of Camp NORR. As the parish grew, he and Matuska Elena developed a parochial school to educate the children and youth as Orthodox Christians and Russian Americans. Probably the most significant of his endeavors, however, was the writing of his catechetical work Zakon Bozhij (Закон Божий = The Law of God). Working late at night, he described the faith of the Orthodox Church with simple and profoundly lucid explanations. Published in 1966, this was, and remains, an influential catechetical text for Russians both abroad and in the Soviet Union where numerous copies were smuggled and copied by hand. Intended originally for youth and children, it became a respected work among adults as well, and was finally translated into English in 1992. According to Patriarch [[Alexei II (Ridiger) of Moscow|Alexei II of Moscow]], “the legacy created in the Diaspora was republished in Russia in enormous editions—Protopriest Seraphim Slobodskoy's "Law of God" alone, for instance, is used by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of children in Sunday schools, while teenagers use this book to prepare for [[seminary]].” Many believe that it is one of the finest simple overviews of the Orthodox faith written in modern times. For his work in producing this book, Fr. Serafim was awarded a gold pectoral cross. Elevated to the rank of [[protopriest]], he also received the kamilavka for his pastoral work, a palitsa for 20 years service as a priest.  Constant exertion in the service of his parishioners undercut the strength of Father Fr. Serafim, and in 1971, at the age of 59, he reposed. [[Category: Priest]]