Nikolay Motovilov

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Nikolay Motovilov
Nikolay Motovilov

Nikolay Alexandrovich Motovilov (Russian: Николай Александрович Мотовилов; 3 May 1809 - 14 January 1879)[1] was a Russian landowner[1], Justice of the Peace[1], businessman[2] and Fool for Christ[3]. He is primary known as the first biographer of Saint Seraphim of Sarov. In Russian Orthodox tradition he is often referred as the Servant to Seraphim and Theotokos[3]

Motovilov was born in Simbirsk to a noble family of Motovilovs. He graduated from Kazan University. According to his notes he once tried to commit suicide by drowning in Chyornoye Lake near Kazan but was stopped by the apparition of Theotokos who led him ever since[1]. Motovilov became acquainted with Saint Seraphim of Sarov and became one of his pupils.

Cover of Motovilov's book Serafim Talk On the Purpose of the Christian Life shows how the event is usually depicted in the modern icon tradition
Cover of Motovilov's book Serafim Talk On the Purpose of the Christian Life shows how the event is usually depicted in the modern icon tradition

Motovilov wrote down many of his talks with Father Seraphim including his favorite Talk On the Purpose of the Christian Life that happened November 1831 in the forest near Sarov. The talk is one of a themes for the icons of St. Seraphim.

In 1827 Motovilov started government work in Simbirsk. He had a conflict with Simbirsk Freemasonry and in 1832 he was arrested and imprisoned on the trumpeted-up charges (according to Motovilov the charges were fabricated by his Freemason enemies including Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov, )[1]. In 1833 Motovilov was released from prison by the order of Nicholas I of Russia[4] but lost all the chances for the employment with the government[1].

In 1840 Motovilov married Yelena Ivanovna Melnikova, a nephew of a pupil of father Serafim, schemo-nun Marfa, and settled down in his estate near Simbirsk[5] working on glorifying name of Seraphim. He wrote numerous letters to all the powers including the Emperor Nicholas I demonstrating the depths of Seraphim's divination and philosophy. Motovilov organized large business ventures like establishing Svyato-Preobrazhensky Bank or assisting of migrations of "millions of peasants" from Central Russia to Siberia[2]. He spends proceeds of his ventures on Serafimo-Diveevsky Monastery. Getting the nickname The breadwinner of Diveevo Monastery (Питатель Дивеевского Монастыря)[1]. He increasingly behaves as a fool for the Christ with neighbors considering him mentally ill[1]. In 1879 Motovilov died and was buried in Serafimo-Diveevsky Monastery.

Motovilov manuscripts were mostly not published and were stored in disarray in baskets in the ceiling of his house. In 1903 Motovilov's widow passed the baskets with the manuscripts filled with feathers and chicken droppings to the religious writer Sergei Nilus. Nilus eventually found his way in understanding of the materials and published them[5]. Motovilovэы materials were the main source for the biography and teaching of St. Serafim, the teachings of St. Anthonius of Voronezh, the founder of Serafimo-Diveevo Monastery, nun Alexandra of Diveyevo[1]. Motovilov's writings also strongly influenced works of Nilus.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Vladimir Melnik Servant to Seraphim Dukhovny Sobesednik 2(46),2006 (Russian)
  2. ^ a b Nikolay Motovilov as an ideal of Russian businessman by hegumen Peter Pigal (Russian)
  3. ^ a b Nestlings of Seraphim's nest: Motovilov and Mansurov review of the book by Vladimir Melnik
  4. ^ Letter of Motovilov to Nicholas I of Russia (Russian)
  5. ^ a b Ревнитель веры православной by Viktor Trostnikov

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

  • Nikloay Motovilov Беседа Преподобного Серафима Саровского о цели христианской жизни, Фонд "Христианская жизнь",2001
  • Записки Николая Александровича Мотовилова; Отчий Дом, 2005