Attributed to Seraphim of Sarov
«"This is the Christian way of crossing oneself! […] Crossing oneself with two fingers is contrary to the holy statutes."»
Misattributed
Verdict
It is not in Seraphim of Sarov's work
A condemnation of the Old Believer rite that first appears in the 1863 life (Elagin), written by a censor; the episode of the four Old Believers had been expanded in the 1844 life. Mikhail Novoselov held that Seraphim's polemic with the priestless Old Believers of Nizhny Novgorod became anti-ritual under the pen of synodal censors; the question remains open.
What they did say
Verified words of Seraphim of Sarov
«The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God.»
Conversación con Motovílov (noviembre de 1831), en Nilus, Великое в малом (1903). Atribución sujeta a las dudas sobre la literalidad del manuscrito.
«Fasting, vigil, prayer, almsgiving and every good deed done for Christ's sake are means for acquiring the Holy Spirit of God.»
Conversación con Motovílov, a continuación de la anterior.
«The acquisition of the Spirit of God is also a capital, but a capital of grace and eternal.»
Conversación con Motovílov, respuesta a «¿Cómo adquirir?».