Metropolitan Serapion (Fadeev Nicolae) was born on May 27, 1933, in Moscow.
He studied at the Moscow Theological Academy. In 1957 he was ordained a hierodeacon, and in 1965 a hieromonk. From 1969, he served as a referent of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church. Between March and May 1971, he ministered at the Patriarchal Metochion in Tokyo. In 1972, he was consecrated Bishop of Podolsk, serving as vicar of the Moscow Diocese. Between 1975 and 1980, he was Bishop of Irkutsk and Chita. From 1980, he served as Archbishop of Vladimir and Suzdal.
On May 12, 1987, he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan, and on May 17 he received the decree appointing him as head of the Diocese of Chișinău. During his tenure, he oversaw the reopening of Căpriana Monastery and of several other places of worship. Owing to a shortage of clergy, the Metropolitan ordained a number of young men who lacked sufficient education and preparation. In order to address this shortcoming, he established a theological school for priests at Căpriana Monastery.
On July 6, 1989, he was transferred to the Diocese of Tula and Belev.
On November 19, 1999, Metropolitan Serapion reposed in the Lord and was buried in the village of Piatnița, Vladimir Region.