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.