Saint Seraphim, in the world Ivan Romanovich Romantsev, was born on 28 June 1885 in the village of Voronok, in the Kursk Governorate. He grew up into a peasant family. He graduated from the local parish school. In 1910, he entered the Glinsk Hermitage, initially as a novice. In 1919, he received the monastic tonsure and was given the name Juvenal. In 1920, he was ordained a hierodeacon.
After the monastery was closed, he moved to Sukhumi in search of refuge. In 1926, he was ordained a hieromonk and given the name Seraphim. In 1928, he was forced to leave his new brotherhood once again and spent some time in hiding in the mountains, living among other hermits. He later moved to the Alma-Ata region, where he worked as a beekeeper’s assistant. In 1930, he was arrested and exiled, where he was forced to work on the construction of the White Sea–Baltic Canal.
From 1934 to 1946, he lived in Kyrgyzstan, celebrating Divine Liturgies and devoting his time to prayer. In 1946–1947, he was in Tashkent, where he served as a spiritual father at the local cathedral. On 30 December 1947, he returned to the Glinsk Hermitage, where he served as a spiritual father.
Father Seraphim devoted himself courageously to the spiritual care of the brotherhood and pilgrims, often taking on administrative responsibilities. He was an experienced spiritual guide, gifted with the ability to listen to people with compassion and encourage them to remain sincere in the Sacrament of Confession. The faithful came to him seeking counsel and guidance, as he supported them through the difficulties of their lives.
In 1961, Glinsk Hermitage was closed once again and Father Seraphim moved to Georgia, where he continued his spiritual struggle. He frequently visited hermits, travelling along difficult and remote paths. In 1975, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite.
On 18 December 1975, he suddenly felt unwell and realised that the end of his earthly life was approaching. He bade farewell to his fellow monks and, on the 1st of January 1976, he reposed in the Lord. He was buried at the cemetery in the city of Sukhumi. On 2 January 1976, his body was publicly venerated and on 4 January, his funeral service was formally conducted by Metropolitan Ilia.
On 21 August 2010, a service of celebration was held at the Glinsk Hermitage for three of the holy ascetics of the 20th century. Among them was Saint New Martyr Seraphim. On 30 November 2017, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church officially canonised him, establishing 22 September as his feast day.
