Influenced by his experiences in the Russo-Turkish War and meetings with John of Kronstadt, he resigned from the military and became a clergyman.

[4] Leonid Chichagov was baptized on 20 October 1856 in the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky at the Mikhailovsky military school.

In recognition of his actions as an artillery specialist in maneuvers of French-allied Russian armies, he was awarded the Legion of Honour.

[3] During his military service, he published his memoirs, Дневник пребывания императора Александра II в Дунайской армии, reflecting his experiences with the artillery in various engagements.

Chichagov undertook independent theological studies during which he decided to resign from military service and devote his life to the Church.

Though his wife did not initially accept his decision, she was eventually convinced after speaking at length with John of Kronstadt.

He was ordained a deacon on 26 February 1893 in the Church of the Twelve Apostles, a minor cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

[2][5][6] In 1896 he was appointed military chaplain for the artillery troops stationed in the Moscow garrison,[2] for whom he ministered from the church of St. Nicholas.

[2][5] Natalia Chichagov was buried at the Diveevsky monastery, alongside an empty grave intended for Fr.

Chichagov was also an iconographer: his most famous works are an icon of "The Saviour in a white tunic" and "St. Seraphim of Sarov’s Prayer on the stone".

Metropolitan Seraphim retired in 1933 due to old age, ill health, and the threat of potential arrest.

He stayed briefly at the residence of the Patriarch locum tenens, Metropolitan Sergius, before moving to an apartment.