Fr. Seraphim Rose’s 40th anniversary, Georgian bishop calls for his canonization

Platina, California, September 5, 2022

Met. Nikoloz of the Georgian Church with an icon of Fr. Seraphim gifted to him by the St. Herman's Brotherhood. Photo: Fr. Seraphim Rose - A Tribute (Telegram) Met. Nikoloz of the Georgian Church with an icon of Fr. Seraphim gifted to him by the St. Herman's Brotherhood. Photo: Fr. Seraphim Rose - A Tribute (Telegram)     

Friday, September 2, marked the 40th anniversary of the repose of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose).

In honor of the occasion, pilgrims from across America and beyond made their way to St. Herman’s, the monastery founded by Fr. Seraphim in Platina, California.

Among the distinguished guests were His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth (OCA), former abbot of St. Herman’s and a spiritual child of Fr. Seraphim, and His Grace Bishop James of Sonora (ROCOR), who also knew Fr. Seraphim.

Liturgy at Fr. Seraphim's grave, celebrated by Met. Nikoloz (left), and Bps. Gerasim and James (right) and a number of priests and deacons Liturgy at Fr. Seraphim's grave, celebrated by Met. Nikoloz (left), and Bps. Gerasim and James (right) and a number of priests and deacons     

Also present at the pilgrimage was His Eminence Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo and Kari, who traveled to America from Georgia with a special mission—to inspire the formal glorification among the saints of Fr. Seraphim, who is widely loved and venerated in the Georgian Church, as he is in many Orthodox countries.

    

The hierarchs encouraged the faithful to venerate and pray to Fr. Seraphim.

Additionally, a document composed by a priest of the ROCOR Western American Diocese calling for the creation of a commission to formally begin the process of canonizing Fr. Seraphim was read out.

Fr. Paul Volmensky (left) with the Hawaiian Iveron Icon, and Bp. James of Sonora (right) Fr. Paul Volmensky (left) with the Hawaiian Iveron Icon, and Bp. James of Sonora (right)     

The pilgrimage was also blessed by a surprise visit of the wonderworking and myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, and reminiscences of Fr. Seraphim shared by Bp. Gerasim, Bp. James, and Fr. Martin Person.

And after the pilgrimage, Met. Nikoloz instructed his driver to take him 3.5 hours out of the way to Jackson, California, so he could briefly meet with His Grace Bishop Maxim of Los Angeles (Serbian Orthodox Church) to discuss his proposal to canonize Fr. Seraphim. St. Herman’s Monastery has been under the jurisdiction of the Serbian Church since 2000.

Met. Nikoloz serving at Fr. Seraphim's grave Met. Nikoloz serving at Fr. Seraphim's grave     

Pilgrims report that the pilgrimage was a very moving and inspiring event.

Photos: Punks and Monks Books (except where otherwise noted)

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9/5/2022

See also
Counsels of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) to Young Converts Counsels of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) to Young Converts
Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) Counsels of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) to Young Converts Counsels of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) to Young Converts
Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose)
Young converts to Orthodox Christianity were especially drawn to Fr. Seraphim (Rose). His down-to-earth approach, elevated by the spiritual discernment he earned through the guidance of his spiritual mentors, his study of patristic writings, and mainly, his own podivgs and suffering in life, made him a true harbor from the storms of youth and a wise instructor to those having zeal without reason. Nurtured by the Holy Fathers: Lessons from the life and works of Fr. Seraphim Rose Nurtured by the Holy Fathers: Lessons from the life and works of Fr. Seraphim Rose
Bp. Daniil (Nikolov), Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen) Nurtured by the Holy Fathers: Lessons from the life and works of Fr. Seraphim Rose Nurtured by the Holy Fathers: Lessons from the life and works of Fr. Seraphim Rose
Bp. Daniil (Nikolov), Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen)
Fr. Seraphim’s writings came out of his life. His authentic presentation of Patristic teaching to modern man was borne out of his own ascetic struggle against the passions. He was uncompromising with himself in his own spiritual life and he was uncompromising at the same time in his adherence to the Orthodox Patristic teaching, never watering it down to make it palatable to the modern mentality. Fr. Seraphim never published anything about his own personal spiritual struggle, but his printed words covering a multitude of topics, which touch the lives of people every day, breathe that struggle. Souls searching for the unadulterated truth of Christ in our Church sense in Fr. Seraphim one who did fight the good fight and who finished victorious by Christ’s grace. "Fr. Seraphim Was a Whole Man, and Therefore He Was a Healed Man"
A Conversation with Fr. Ambrose Young and Mother Theadelphi On Fr. Seraphim Rose "Fr. Seraphim Was a Whole Man, and Therefore He Was a Healed Man"
A Conversation with Fr. Ambrose Young and Mother Theadelphi On Fr. Seraphim Rose
Jesse Dominick, Fr. Ambrose Young, Mother Theadelphi
"I think he was probably the closest we will ever get to seeing or knowing someone like St. John or St. John of Kronstadt who was also a whole person. I think there are just so few of us in the Church, much less outside of the Church. We’re just very broken and wounded in this culture and in this society. And so it was wonderful to see someone who was healed because he just accepted everything, believed it and did it."
Comments
Michael K9/7/2022 8:28 pm
It's puzzling why the ruling Serbian Bishop of the Western U.S. didn't make the three hour trip from Jackson to Platina when Hierarchs of three jurisdictions celebrated at a Serbian monastery in his diocese. Holy Father Seraphim pray to God for us!
Marina Logunov9/5/2022 10:47 pm
I should have added my sons name. Archpriest Alexander Logunov.
Marina Logunov9/5/2022 10:43 pm
I wanted to say 57 yrs ago Fr Seraphim is the one who taught me my orthodoxy and 56 yrs ago I became orthodox. He also became my godfather and my son's also. In 1997 my son and his godson became a Russian Orthodox priest and now is the Rector of the Reigning Mother of God Church here in Charlotte NC. He is over the mission in Hickory NC. I am Marina Logunov.
Anne9/5/2022 7:11 pm
Father Seraphim Rose should definately be canonised. His legacy is broad and deep. He has spoken of Christ to a lost generation; and reached them. For that he should be venerated as a Saint. Pray to God for us Father Seraphim!
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