Nairobi, Kenya, December 29, 2025
Photo: Etsy
Archbishop Makarios of Kenya of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria called upon his flock to follow the teachings of “Saint Seraphim Rose” in his Nativity 2025 encyclical.
“This Christmas finds many of our families in Kenya and across Eastern Africa facing difficult economic times… Yet the birth of Christ in a humble cave reminds us that God is closest to us in our poverty and struggle… I therefore urge you, my beloved, to be your brother’s and sister’s keeper. Let us share what little we have, support one another, and ensure that no one is forgotten at our festive tables,” the Archbishop writes.
He continues:
As Saint Seraphim Rose taught, true Christianity is lived not in words alone, but in repentance, humility, and love that flows outward to others. A heart touched by Christ cannot remain closed to the suffering of a neighbor.
Fr. Seraphim’s veneration is already widespread throughout the Orthodox world among those who appreciate his fidelity to Church Tradition and his ascetic labors. Earlier this month, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russian established a commission to officially study his life and veneration, with the possibility of formally canonizing Fr. Seraphim at some point in the future.
His Eminence Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou of the Church of Cyprus has also publicly referred to Fr. Seraphim as a saint, and he was even locally canonized in one diocese of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Most recently, a book dedicated to Fr. Seraphim was translated and published by a diocese of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
