Orthodox Parables and Stories: "The Smell of Roses"

The smell of roses.

We were visiting my parents' house out of town.

Above the couch, where I slept with my one-year-old baby and my daughter, hangs a large icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. I must admit that at the time I treated the icon without reverence, all the time worried that it might fall on us, moved away from the couch, took off the lamp for the time of our stay, for fear that it may fall.

The night after my children received communion , in a dream I smelled a very special smell of roses, which is not as bright and pure and rich in my normal life. The smell was so wondrous that in my dream I was surprised by this extraordinary fragrance, and I decided to wake up to see if I was actually smelling it or in a dream. When I woke up I noticed the fragrance was real, I began to sniff, looking for the source. The fragrance was concentrated in front of the icon and it seemed the baby also smelled of roses. I woke up my daughter and she also smelled the fragrance of roses.

After some time the fragrance began to dissipate, but a slight presence remained and I fell asleep in a very peaceful and gracious frame of mind.

Later on, while we were there, looking at the image of the saint, I very briefly felt the fragrance of roses, as if the elder was reminding me of what had happened. I often prayed to the saint took a small icon to the hospital, and the saint helped me.

That is how I came to know our soon-to-be intercessor and helper before the Lord, Father Seraphim of Sarov.