New York, December 13, 2025
The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has formally begun the process towards the possible canonization of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose).
According to the Synodal report from its December 9-11 session, “A commission was established by the Synod of Bishops to study the life, legacy, and veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), headed by His Grace Bishop James of Sonora, Vicar of the Western American Diocese.”
Such an investigation is an early step in the canonization process, that will provide documentation for consideration at a later date. For example, in 2017, the ROCOR First Hierarch Metropolitan Hilarion reported that a commission was created to draft and gather documents on the guardian of the Montreal Iveron Icon Br. José Muñoz-Cortes that would then give the gathered materials to a Synodal commission for further consideration.
In the years since his repose on September 2, 1982, Fr. Seraphim’s veneration has spread throughout the Orthodox world, especially in lands that suffered under the communist yoke. He is also known and venerated on the Holy Mountain.
Fr. Seraphim was locally canonized in the Akhalkalaki Diocese of the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2023. The ruling hierarch His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolozi said he hoped it would encourage other hierarchs and even Churches to follow his example.
See OrthoChristian’s materials by and about Fr. Seraphim.
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