Saint Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833) is one of the most renowned Russian monks in the Orthodox Church and is generally considered the greatest of the 19th century elders. Seraphim is most remembered today for the monastic teachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson, and he taught that the purpose of the Christian life was to acquire the Holy Spirit. Seraphim was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1903, and Pope John Paul II referred to him as a saint in his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope. On Acquisition of the Holy Spirit is a short narrative full of...