On January 2 the Orthodox Church remembers Seraphim of Sarov (1754-1833), a monk and one of Eastern Christianity's greatest spiritual fathers.  He was born into a Russian peasant family and entered the monastery of Sarov at an early age.  Following ordination to the priesthood he lived as a hermit for many years.  His only companions were wild animals, including bears, whom  he fed on a regular basis.  Following his return to the monastery, he quickly became known as a starets or spiritual teacher.  He would be visited in his cell every day by dozens, even hundreds, of pilgrims.  He tirelessly shared with them the spiritual insights gained during the years of solitude. 

He is probably best known for an incident in which he manifested the uncreated divine light to his disciple Motovilov.  Of more direct relevance to us are his wise words, some of which are quoted below.  A hat-tip to The Orthodox Pathway

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Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve the indispensible means of reaching this end.  The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.  As for fasts and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy spirit of God.

Without sorrows there is no salvation.  On the other hand, the kingdom of God awaits those who have patiently endured.  And all the glory of the world is nothing in comparison.

Maintain a spirit of peace and you will save a thousand souls.

Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God should practice the remembrance of God and uninterrupted prayer to Jesus Christ, mentally saying:  Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. .