Akhalkalaki, Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, Georgia, September 28, 2023
Photo: punksandmonks.com
An international conference dedicated to modern holy men and women was held earlier this month in Georgia.
The Luminaries Summit, dedicated to Fr. Seraphim (Rose), Fr. George Calciu, Matushka Olga of Alaska, Br. José Muñoz Cortés, Abbot Gregory (Zumis) of Docharious Monastery, and others was hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolozi of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo, and Kari, in Akhalkalaki, September 15-16.
Met. Nikolozi locally canonized Fr. Seraphim in his diocese in February, and has openly spoken about the need to canonize Br. José and others.
The conference gathered a number of speakers, including spiritual children of Frs. Seraphim, George, and Gregory, and others whose lives have been touched by the holy men and women of our times.
His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth of the Orthodox Church in America, who was a monastic under Fr. Seraphim, spoke about the ecclesiology of his spiritual father, while Mary Mansur, who worked closely with Fr. Seraphim for many years in Platina, shared personal memories and reflections. A number of reflections on the life and works of Fr. Seraphim were also offered, including Met. Nikolozi’s presentation on the missiology of Fr. Seraphim, and a talk from Fr. John Valadez entitled, “A Call to Ascend: The Path of Fr. Seraphim Rose.”
Khouria Frederica Mathewes-Green spoke about Fr. George Calciu, who was her spiritual father for the last seven years of his life, Schema-Archimandrite Gabriel of Dochariou spoke about Elder Gregory, the long-time abbot of the monastery who reposed in 2018.
The program also included a monastic vigil and Liturgy Saturday morning, with the All-Night Vigil that evening and the Divine Liturgy again on Sunday morning.
Videos of several of the talks have been published on Met. Nikolozi’s YouTube channel, with more to come.
Watch, for example, Mary Mansur’s personal remembrances and reflections on Fr. Seraphim:
Also watch Frederica Mathewes-Green’s reminiscences of Fr. George Calciu:
The text of a number of the talks is also available on Google Drive.
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