Monument to Saint Seraphim of Sarov

The monument looks unconventional: it features the saint with animals: birds on his hands, a squirrel on his knees and a bear next to him. According to his hagiography, wild animals, including a bear, ate out of hands of the holy man. Saint Seraphim of Sarov was from Kursk, he was canonized in 1903. Some time later, the Church of Saint  Seraphim of Sarov was built in Rostov-on-Don at Portovaya Street 72.  The monument to Saint Seraphim was inaugurated  near the church. Saint Seraphim of Sarov is also known for his practice of stylitism: he stood on a rock in continuous prayer for a long period of time, he was severely wounded by a gang of thieves, but managed to recover and pledged for mercy on their behalf.