Seraphim Kalmykov

Seraphim Kalmykov was a Russian schemamonk of St Panteleimon Monastery, born in 1809 in the Lebedyan district, Tambov province, a collector of gifts and builder of a church of the Kazan Icon. He reposed on 22 October 1900. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

Named Sergei Pavlovich in the world, nothing is known of his earlier life; his letters show that he was well educated. He reached Athos in 1869, at sixty, and the elders at once noticed his piety and gentleness. After a year he was tonsured a rassophore with the name Seraphim and given one of the hardest obediences, going to Russia to gather gifts; probably the high position he had held in society was known. He gathered large sums for the monastery. He served the monastery thirty years, laboured much on the building of the church dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, and reposed in peace on 22 October 1900, a Sunday, on the very day this icon is kept.