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Hieromartyr17th century

Hieromartyr Seraphim Archbishop of Phanarion

mid-16th century – 1601

Also known as Seraphim of Phanarion and Neochorion

A Greek hierarch who entered monastic life and later became archbishop, suffering martyrdom under Ottoman rule.

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Commemorated as

The Holy New Hieromartyr Seraphim, Archbishop of Phanarion and Neochorion

Life

Seraphim was a Greek hierarch of the late sixteenth century who served as Archbishop of Phanarion and Neochorion in Ottoman-occupied Greece and died a martyr's death on December 4, 1601. He is numbered among the new martyrs of the Turkish period and is commemorated on December 4.

By tradition he was born in the mid-sixteenth century in the village of Mpizoula, in the Agrapha region of Greece, to pious parents named Sophronios and Maria. He embraced the monastic life at the Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos at Korona, where he received the name Seraphim, was ordained to the priesthood, and in time came to serve as abbot of the community.

According to the synaxarion, he was accused of taking part in the rising led by Metropolitan Dionysios the Philosopher of Larissa against Ottoman authority. He was arrested, and his captors attempted in vain to make him renounce Christ for Islam. When he steadfastly refused, he was subjected to severe tortures and finally put to death by impalement near the marketplace of Phanarion, surrendering his spirit on December 4, 1601.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide
KontakionTone 2

Adornment of Agrapha and lamp of Phanarion,
support of the faithful, and glory of Hierarchs,
hasten now to intercede for us, O champion.
Crush the evil machinations of demons, that we may celebrate your contest joyously,
O praiseworthy Seraphim.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 1

(Podoben: “O citizen of the desert...”) Let us praise Seraphim, the offspring of Agrapha,
leader of Phanarion, and glory of Korona Monastery,
for he struggled magnificently for Christ,
and freely pours forth miracles,
delivering from corrupting diseases, those who cry out with faith:
“Glory to Him Who strengthened you.
Glory to Him Who made you wondrous.
Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healings for all.”

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline2 momentsReadHide
  1. 1587Elected archbishopBy one account he was elected Archbishop of Phanarion and Neochorion in 1587, following the death of his predecessor.
  2. 1601MartyrdomArrested in connection with the rising of Dionysios the Philosopher, he was tortured and impaled, dying on December 4.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

Martyrdom

The sources relate that the rebellion of Metropolitan Dionysios the Philosopher in 1601 was suppressed harshly, and that Seraphim was accused of complicity in it. He was imprisoned and pressed repeatedly to convert to Islam, which he refused to do.

The tradition records that he endured grievous tortures, including the severing of his nose, and that he was finally impaled near a cypress tree in the vicinity of the marketplace of Phanarion, dying of his wounds. His death is dated to December 4, 1601.

Relics and Veneration

After his martyrdom the faithful recovered his head, which is venerated as a relic bearing the marks of his sufferings. By tradition it is preserved in connection with the Monastery of Panagia Korona in the region of Karditsa, where he had lived as a monk.

Liturgical canons in honor of Saint Seraphim were composed for all eight Tones by Christophoros of the Monastery of the Forerunner.

Companions1 figureShowHide
Leader of the 1601 rising in whose suppression Seraphim was implicated and martyred.
Metropolitan Dionysios the Philosopher of Larissa
not commemorated
Related SaintsShowHide

Browse other saints who share his calling and place.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints