Seraphim Rose

Seraphim Rose, born Eugene Dennis Rose (August 13, 1934-September 2, 1982), was a hieromonk or priest-monk of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in the United States, whose writings have helped spread Orthodox Christianity throughout modern America and the West. Although not formally canonized, he is venerated by some Orthodox Christians as a saint in iconography, liturgy, and prayer.

Early life

Born to Frank and Esther Rose in San Diego, Eugene was raised in California, where he would remain for most of his life. He was baptized in the Methodist faith when he was fourteen years old, but later became an atheist, losing all belief in God. Rated at genius level in formal IQ testing, Eugene attended Pomona College where he studied Chinese philosophy. Having spent much time in San Francisco, he entered a beatnik phase in his life and practiced Buddhism.

Orthodoxy

While studying under Alan Watts at the American Academy of Asian Studies after graduating from Pomona College in 1956, Eugene discovered the writings of Rene Guenon. Through Guenon's writings, Eugene was inspired to seek out an authentic, grounded spiritual faith tradition. Gregerson, a practicing Russian Orthodox at the time, introduced his friend to Orthodoxy. As Gregerson was choosing to abandon his Orthodoxy, Eugene, instead, was inspired to learn more about the faith. This culminated in Eugene's decision to enter the Church through chrismation in 1962.

Eugene opened an Orthodox book store next store to the San Francisco Russian Orthodox Church. It eventually became a community of Orthodox booksellers and publishers who called themselves Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood. The community, by that time consisting of Eugene and his co-laborer Gleb D. Podmoshensky (later Abbot Herman), eventually decided to flee urban modernity into the wilderness of northern California to become monks in 1968. Eugene's parents put the down payment on the Platina mountaintop, where a monastery was eventually built beside a printing press shed where he published "The Orthodox Word." At his tonsure in 1970, Eugene took the name "Seraphim", and studied for the priesthood during his first years in his rustic cell.

Following his ordination as hieromonk, Father Seraphim began writing several books, including God's Revelation to the Human Heart, Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, and The Soul After Death. He also founded the magazine The Orthodox Word, still published today by the Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood. Father Seraphim's published writings quickly proliferated throughout America upon Father Seraphim's death and later in Russia and Eastern Europe after the fall of atheist Communism.

Death

After feeling acute pains for several days while working in his cell in 1982, Father Seraphim was taken by his fellow monks to a hospital for treatment. When he reluctantly arrived at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, 45 minutes from the town of Platina, he was declared in critical condition and fell into semi-consciousness. After exploratory surgery was completed, it was discovered that a blood clot had blocked a vein supplying blood to Father Seraphim's intestines, which had become a mass of non-functioning dead tissue. Father Seraphim slipped into a coma after a second surgery. Hundreds of people came to visit the hospital and celebrated the liturgy regularly in the chapel, praying for a miracle to save their beloved Father's life. Reaction from throughout the world was great, with thousands of prayers said for the ailing hieromonk. He died on September 2, 1982.

After being dead for several days and while lying in repose in a pauper's coffin at his wilderness monastery, visitors claimed that Father Seraphim did not succumb to decay and rigor mortis. His body remained supple while several claimed he smelled of roses. A cause for canonization was begun after Father Seraphim's burial. He eventually attained the title of Blessed after several miracles were attributed to him and now he awaits canonization into sainthood by an Orthodox synod.

External links

Biographical information about Fr. Seraphim.

Death to the World - A Compendium of Fr. Seraphim Rose's writings on-line.

Resources

Seraphim Rose: The True Story and Private Letters ISBN 1928653014 An in-depth biography of his life, his letters and his works, compiled by his niece, author Cathy Scott.

Not of This World: the Life and Teaching of Fr Seraphim Rose ISBN 0938635522 An extensive biography by one of his disciples, now out of print.

Father Seraphim: His Life and Work ISBN 1887904077 Revised and expanded version of the above.