DTTW Issue #32 dedicated to Fr Seraphim Rose

• SPECIAL COLOR EDITION - AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW
• 100+ page Commemorative Issue crowns Year of Progress towards Glorification of Fr Seraphim Rose

The 44th Anniversary this year of the Repose in the Lord of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina is a very special one, to be sure. The last year has seen several official announcements and events by the ROCOR Synod of Bishops advancing the cause of the glorification of Father Seraphim and his eventual addition into the Calendar of Saints. 

In addition, several Orthodox writers, filmmakers, and creatives have published or announced works with the express purpose of advocating for his glorification.  

Taken in sequence, we have seen the following (follow links for more info):

December 2025: 

• ROCOR establishes commission 'to study the life, legacy, and veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), led by Bp James of Sonora.

March 2026:

• Holy Virgin Cathedral (in San Francisco) Lenten Retreat dedicated to the Life, Teachings, and Legacy of Fr Seraphim Rose, featuring Bp James of Sonora 
• Interview with Abp. Gabriel of Montreal & Canada
• Director Yelena Popovic Teases Film Project on Fr. Seraphim Rose
• New Book Calls for Glorification of Fr. Seraphim Rose 

May 2026:

• The ROCOR Synod after their Spring meeting in Berlin, issued a statement blessing "the process of preparing [Father Seraphim Rose's] ecclesiastical glorification among the ranks of our venerable Fathers."
• Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, who was present at the Synod’s gathering, set forth the process going forward in an interview following the statement from the Synod, noting "that the Council of Bishops recognises even now, at this point in the process, the righteous way of life of Fr Seraphim," and that "We look forward to ecclesially proclaiming it more fully... so that what we already taste might become the source of spiritual nourishment for so many…"

Which brings us to this Special Color Edition of Death To The World.

A special edition and the latest DTTW issue. This issue is printed in full color and dedicated to Father Seraphim Rose, featuring new and past DTTW articles about his life, works, and miracles. 

The issue is over 100 pages in length and printed as a perfect bound booklet. For the first printing, everyone will receive a printed card of a new icon of Fr Seraphim. 

Tier 3+ Patreon members will receive a free copy by a special link and code provided through Patreon.

Follow the links above to pre-order Special Issue #32, or to become a Patreon supporter of DTTW.

These are the articles included in the issue:

Introductory Article: 

• "Encountering Fr. Seraphim" by Fr John Valadez

Past DTTW articles colorized:

• Original 1994 article entitled "The Last True Rebellion: The Radical Catacomb Teaching of Fr Seraphim Rose" by Fr Damascene Christensen
• "A Suffering Heart: A Saint Amidst A Dying Materialistic Age" (2007)
• "A Holy Beacon" by Fr Turbo Qualls (2008)

Other Articles:

• "The American Acquisition of the Patristic Mind" by Fr Maximos (Vincent) Rossi
• "California Son: Patron Saint of Lost Western People" by Paul Kingsnorth

Fr Seraphim's Work:

• "Raising the Mind and Warming the Heart"
• "In Step with Saints Patrick and Gregory of Tours"

PLUS these personal testimonies:

QR Codes to recorded interviews by Bishop Gerasim Eliel and Abbot Damascene Christensen on their experiences with Fr Seraphim

Submissions from readers on miracles and encounters with Fr. Seraphim's life and works.

And much more!

Looking at Fr Seraphim Rose through 'fresh eyes'

 Revisiting Paul Kingsnorth's 2025 essay, 'California Son'

Hieromonk Seraphim Rose aat Platina, Bright Week 1981

Over at my still relatively new Substack, I have been posting more frequently about the Glorification process for Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim Rose. 

Today I felt it would be helpful to share an April 2025 essay by author Paul Kingsnorth, who, as a recent convert to Orthodoxy, brings a fresh and even bold perspective on Father Seraphim.

The Glorification of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina

Years of anticipation lead to the announcement from the ROCOR Synod. What's next?

Christ is Risen!

So much speculation since we learned in April that the ROCOR Synod of Bishops would be considering the work of the Commission on the Glorification of Father Seraphim Rose, shared by Bishop James of Sonora, at their recent Spring meeting.

Then, on Monday this week the Union of Orthodox Journalists ran a story announcing the canonization of Father Seraphim. This set off volleys of social media celebrations and criticism, as well as private emails and text messaging, as an official statement from the Synod had not yet been released. The Synod did indeed confirm the pre-announcement by the UOJ on Tuesday, March 5, and another wave of celebrations (and more subdued criticisms) ensued.

I know within our parish circles there were still questions as to what the wording of the Synod’s letter meant, and what would happen next. Before sharing my own thoughts, I would strongly recommend reading the Synod’s Epistle, which is signed by all the bishops present. 

Secondly, I would just as strongly recommend reading this excellent interview with His Grace, Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, who was present at the Synod’s gathering, and who sets forth the process going forward. This excerpt gives a sense of how His Grace approaches the glorification:

I can say that I rejoice in my heart that we have been able so to state — that the Council of Bishops recognises even now, at this point in the process, the righteous way of life of Fr Seraphim. That is to say, the task of preparing for his glorification is not being undertaken as if we do not already concretely feel his holiness and recognise it, not only amongst ourselves, but in a way we feel a desire to share with others. We look forward to ecclesially proclaiming it more fully, should God so bless us — and we have blessed the continuation of the work towards this.

This is no small thing! The holiness is tangible! We do not hide this, or pretend otherwise. We now seek to do all that is right and proper so that what we already taste might become the source of spiritual nourishment for so many…

Recent Interviews, Cathedral Retreat, build momentum for Glorification of Fr. Seraphim Rose

Plus new book, proposed film project, also add to groundswell of anticipation over Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim's entry into the calendar of saints.

There have been so many recent news stories and announcements regarding Father Seraphim Rose that it seemed best in this post to provide an overview, with links for further reading.

Included below:

1. Report on the Holy Virgin Cathedral Lenten Retreat w Bp James of Sonora
2. Interview with Abp. Gabriel of Montreal & Canada
3. Director Yelena Popovic Teases Film Project on Fr. Seraphim Rose
4. New Book Calls for Glorification of Fr. Seraphim Rose 

1. Great Lenten Retreat Dedicated to Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose); (ROCOR Western American Diocese, March 24, 2026) — This extensive report on the retreat, by Timothy Honeycutt, features highly edifying summaries and quotes from the speakers, plus an extensive photo gallery of the event. Believe me, the excerpts below, lengthy as they may seem, are just the tip of the iceberg:

The XV Annual Lenten Retreat at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, California, was held on Sunday, March 22, 2026. This year’s retreat was titled: “Hieromonk Seraphim Rose of Platina: His Life, Teachings & Legacy”. Over 100 people were in attendance, many of whom attended the English-language Divine Liturgy in the morning. They came to hear from Bishop James of Sonora and Archpriest Martin Person, Rector of the St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Sunnyvale, California. Both clerics knew Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) personally during the last few years of his earthly life, which ended in 1982. 

The first talk, titled “Biography of a Man Transformed in Christ,” was given by Fr. Martin. He provided a detailed overview of Fr. Seraphim’s life, adding throughout stories of his personal experiences with Hieromonk Seraphim. Father Martin was a student at UC Santa Cruz when Hieromonk Seraphim was invited to the university to give two talks. For Bishop James and other friends of theirs, encountering Father Seraphim struck something deep in their hearts, changing the entire course of their lives. Many of these young men became bishops, priests, and monks... 

Holy Virgin Cathedral in SF to host Lenten Retreat on life and legacy of Hieromonk Seraphim Rose of Platina

ONE DAY ONLY - SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2026

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY BISHOP JAMES OF SONOMA

The announcement plus full schedule, online registration, and extensive photo gallery was recently posted on the website of the ROCOR Western Diocese, and includes the following:

We are pleased to announce that our XV Annual Lenten Retreat at Holy Virgin Cathedral will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, – it will be a very special one. At the 2025 December session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia it was resolved to establish a commission to study the life, legacy and veneration of the ever-memorable Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina: ascetic, theologian, priest, missionary, translator, profound Orthodox thinker, apologist, spiritual writer, and one time chanter-reader at Holy Virgin Cathedral.

Our talks will be presented by Bishop James of Sonora, Chairman of the new Commission, and Archpriest Martin Person, Dean of the Western American Diocese San Francisco Deanery – two clergymen who personally knew Fr. Seraphim, and for whom he played a significant role in their conversion to Orthodoxy. Besides the talks there will be beautiful fellowship, a Q&A period, and wonderful lenten meals.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

7:30 – 9:45  Divine Liturgy (in English)

10:00–10:45  Breakfast 

10:45 – 12:15  THE BIOGRAPHY OF A MAN TRANSFORMED BY CHRIST - Archpriest Martin Person

Can one speak of holiness in our age? How does the transformation of an atheist to Orthodox Christian take place? Our first speaker, a convert to Orthodoxy himself, with many years of service to the Church, – Fr. Martin – will delve into the life of Hieromonk Seraphim and reveal the "mystery" of this holy man.

12:15 – 1:30  Lunch Break

1:30 – 3:00  KEYNOTE ADDRESS: REFLECTIONS ON FR. SERAPHIM’s THEOLOGICAL, PASTORAL & PROPHETIC LEGACY – Bishop James of Sonora

Vladika James is an excellent and engaging speaker, with exceptional spiritual insight and a special way of connecting with people and helping them discover the concept of Orthodox phronema – the Orthodox mindset, or outlook. His reflections will certainly open to us the meaning and place of Fr. Seraphim in the XX and XXI centuries.

3:00 – 4:00 CLERGY ROUND TABLE Q&A

4:00 — End of Retreat

Much more info, with links to register, on the website of the ROCOR Western Diocese.

See this special article on the retreat by the Union of Orthodox Journalists.