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!

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.

ROCOR establishes commission 'to study the life, legacy, and veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose)'

This marks the first definitive action taken by the ROCOR Synod of Bishops towards considering the possible glorification of Fr Seraphim Rose.

This is most welcomed news. Not only that the ROCOR Synod has established such a formal commission to consider the life, legacy, and veneration of Fr Seraphim Rose, but that it affirmed Bishop James of Sonora to head the task. 

His Grace, Bishop James (Corazza) converted to Orthodoxy during the same period in the late 1970s and early 80s at UC Santa Cruz which also saw the conversions of several other key figures of Orthodoxy in North America, including Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), Bishop Gerasim (Eliel), Abbot Damascene (Christensen) of Platina, and others who were all positively influenced by the life and work of Father Seraphim. Bishop Gerasim and Abbot Damascene of course began their monastic lives under Fr Seraphim.

During this period, James Paffhausen, the future Abbot and Metropolitan Jonah, formed an Orthodox fellowship, drawing many to the Orthodox Church:

“In the St. Seraphim of Sarov Fellowship, the conversions had a domino effect, with converts bringing other young seekers to their new-found faith.

"The students in the fellowship loved the books published by the St. Herman Brotherhood, including those by Fr. Seraphim. One student, James N. Corazza [now Bishop James of Sonora] recalls: 'I shall never forget the evening — after a year and a half of difficult searching — when I finished Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future and everything fell joyously into place, and I knew beyond all doubt and vacillation that my future was to be in Christ’s Church'.” [1]

In short, Bishop James is warm to the task, and is the ideal figure to lead this process. May it be blessed!

Much more to say about this soon, God willing, but for now, let us say ‘Amen!’, and rejoice today on the feast (New Calendar) of St Herman of Alaska, and pray for the imminent glorification of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina. 

For more reports on this news, and the official statement from the ROCOR Synod, see these links:

• ROCOR Synod Establishes Commission to Investigate the Life of Fr. Seraphim Rose - UOJ
• ROCOR studying life and veneration of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) towards possible canonization - OrthoChristian.com
• Press Release: ROCOR - Report of Meeting of the Synod of Bishops, December 2025

[1] Excerpt From Chapter 95 - Santa Cruz,  Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works, Hieromonk Damascene, Ebook Edition, St. Herman Brotherhood, Platina CA, 2010.

New Video Interview with Fr John Valadez

The YouTube Channel 'Roots of Orthodoxy' presents a one-hour interview with Fr John Valadez, priest at St Timothy Orthodox Church (Antiochian Archdiocese) in Lompoc, California, speaking about Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim Rose. 

Of the many recent videos about Father Seraphim done by a variety of channels, this is one of the most significant and helpful interviews yet presented, as Fr John is the "second generation" editor and publisher of the Death To The World  'zine, and has been deeply impacted by Fr Seraphim's life and "leaven." He relates aspects of Fr Seraphim's life, teachings, and pastoral approach clearly and with appreciation, sharing the impact of Fr Seraphim on his own life and his conversion to Orthodoxy.

Perhaps because of his punk background and the remarkable intervention of Father Seraphim during his conversion, Fr John Valadez "keeps it real," and always draws the listener back to Fr Seraphim's pastoral heart, to the "one thing needful," to the "Royal Path," and "God's Revelation to the Human Heart."

'Saints often come in pairs...'

Remembering Hieromonk Seraphim Rose on the feast (July 2) of his mentor and spiritual father, St John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco

Fresco of St John Maximovitch, Brother José Munoz & Fr Seraphim Rose, Holy Dormition Church in northern Moscow, Russia.

In a new article advocating for the glorification of Blessed Father Seraphim (which I intend to cover more in a future post), I came across this important affirmation:

Another theme we see with saints, often times they come in pairs. St. Gregory of Nyssa was a disciple under his brother St. Basil the Great. St. Augustine was the disciple of St. Ambrose of Milan. St. Justin Popovich was the disciple of St. Nikolai Velimirovich. St. Sophrony was the disciple of St. Silouan the Athonite. St. Ephraim was the disciple of St. Joseph the Hesychast. There’s countless more examples. 

Who was Fr. Seraphim Rose a disciple of?  St. John Maximovitch.

The connections between St John and Fr Seraphim began early in then Eugene's life in the Orthodox Church:

“Gleb, as we have seen, had been much more privileged than Eugene in having known a whole host of great “living links” with Orthodox tradition. In December of 1962, however, Eugene met the greatest of them all: the future Saint, Archbishop John Maximovitch. Interestingly, Archbishop John arrived in San Francisco one year to the day after Eugene had first met Gleb: the Feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple.” [1]

After Archbishop John's arrival in San Francisco, “Eugene was immediately aware of the change." As Hieromonk Damascene describes it in his epic biography of Father Seraphim:

When he attended services in the Cathedral, he saw the new bishop wholeheartedly taking part, sometimes pulling out services to relatively unknown saints, especially those of Western European lands. There was something unearthly in this tiny, bent-over old man, who by worldly standards seemed hardly “respectable.” Archbishop John’s hair was unkempt, his lower lip protruded, and he had a speech impediment that made him barely intelligible. He sometimes went about barefoot, for which he was severely criticized. Instead of the glittering, jeweled mitre worn by other bishops, he wore a collapsible hat pasted with icons embroidered by his orphans. His manner was at times stern, but a playful gleam could often be seen in his eyes, especially when he was with children. Despite his speech problem, he had a tremendous rapport with children, who were absolutely devoted to him...  [2]

Fr Paul Baba relates how Fr Seraphim saved a troubled youth from committing suicide (VIDEO)

Archpriest Paul Baba, of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, relates a powerful story of how a troubled youth was brought to repentance and hope through the miraculous intervention of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim.

See below for more reflections on Bl Hieromonk Seraphim by Fr Paul Baba.

For more of Fr Paul Baba's recollections of Blessed Father Seraphim, see the following:

Commemorating the Repose of Blessed Father Seraphim Rose (VIDEO)

Should Fr Seraphim Rose be glorified as a Saint? (VIDEO)

Commemorating the Repose of Blessed Father Seraphim Rose

Monday, September 2, 2024, marked the 42nd anniversary of the repose in the Lord of Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina.  

"Over one hundred pilgrims arrived at the hillside desert monastery of St. Herman of Alaska, co-founded by Fr. Seraphim (Rose). All wished to prayerfully commemorate the day of Fr. Seraphim’s repose in the Lord. Serving the Liturgy were Hieromonk Paisii of St. Herman Monastery, Priests Gregory Schultz, and Nectarios Rozadilla, and Deacon Benjamin."  -  From the photo essay at OrthoChristian.com, shared by the Platina Brotherhood.

To further honor the anniversary, a second interview (embedded below) with Archpriest Paul Baba sharing more of his recollections of Father Seraphim, has been posted on YouTube. His first interview from September 2023 was wonderful, and filled with insights from and about our beloved father among the saints, Hieromonk Seraphim Rose.

May we have his blessing!

Should Fr Seraphim Rose be glorified as a Saint? (VIDEO)

Archpriest Paul Baba, a spiritual son of Fr. Seraphim Rose, shares his thoughts on the anticipated glorification (canonization) of Fr. Seraphim Rose and his significance for us today. 

"What's the hesitation?...I believe it’s time to glorify this holy, righteous man!... There are many saints, but here is one right here for us. It’s time, and the people are longing for it.”  - Fr. Paul Baba

Excerpt from the FULL INTERVIEW here:

Experiences with Fr. Seraphim Rose - from Archpriest Paul Baba

Originally posted on the Orthodox Wisdom YouTube Channel

Bishop Gerasim: 'The Ecclesiology of Fr Seraphim Rose' (VIDEO)

This talk by His Grace, Bishop Gerasim (Eliel) of Fort Worth, Texas, was delivered in person at the recent Luminaries Summit in Akhalkalaki, Georgia. 

The transcript is available for download in English, Russian and Georgian, on the Summit's Google Drive. For more info, videos and links to transcripts of the many presentations at the Luminaries Summit see my earlier post. 

The Ecclesiology of Fr Seraphim Rose: Praxis and Teaching

Conference on Fr. Seraphim Rose, other Modern Saints, held in Georgia (VIDEO)

Some videos are already being posted, and over a dozen transcripts and texts of the talks are available for free download. Our thanks to Metropolitan Nikolozi of Georgia for posting this wealth of material, and to OrthoChristian.com for sharing the news and links.

UPDATE 09/30/23: Some of the conference talks specifically about Blessed Father Seraphim are being posted by the podcast, Homilies of Fr Seraphim Rose.

Conference dedicated to Fr. Seraphim Rose, Fr. George Calciu, other Modern Saints, held in Georgia

OrthoChristian.com, September 28, 2023

An international conference dedicated to modern holy men and women was held earlier this month in Georgia.

The Luminaries Summit, dedicated to Fr. Seraphim (Rose), Fr. George Calciu, Matushka Olga of Alaska, Br. José Muñoz Cortés, Abbot Gregory (Zumis) of Docharious Monastery, and others was hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolozi of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo, and Kari, in Akhalkalaki, September 15-16.

Met. Nikolozi locally canonized Fr. Seraphim in his diocese in February, and has openly spoken about the need to canonize Br. José and others.

The conference gathered a number of speakers, including spiritual children of Frs. Seraphim, George, and Gregory, and others whose lives have been touched by the holy men and women of our times.

NEW VIDEO: Experiences with Fr. Seraphim Rose, by Archpriest Paul Baba

Greetings on the Anniversary of the Repose of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim Rose!

I was delighted to find in my email this morning a message from the YouTube channel, Orthodox Wisdom, announcing the Premiere of a new video, Experiences with Fr. Seraphim Rose, by Archpriest Paul Baba. 

From the Orthodox Wisdom video description:

Archpriest Paul Baba shares his experiences with his spiritual father, Fr. Seraphim Rose, during his over 100 visits to Platina before Fr. Seraphim's repose in 1982. Also, he reveals the heavenly visitations from the great saint after his repose. We also hear about Fr. Paul's bookstore in San Francisco, St. John Maximovitch's miraculous help and visitations, and how Fr. Seraphim has influenced Fr. Paul's experience as a parish priest. Lastly, Fr. Paul tells us his thoughts on the anticipated canonization of Fr. Seraphim Rose and his significance for us today.

Unlike most videos from Orthodox Wisdom, this is an interview where you hear Fr. Paul himself, not the narration by Timothy Honeycutt as in other videos.

The complete description includes helpful, time-stamped headings. Other helpful links, including to Fr Paul's parish church, are included.

Fr. Paul's comments on Fr Seraphim's eventual glorification as a saint of the Orthodox Church are transcribed below the time stamps, and they are so edifying that I reproduce them here:

“I believe it’s time to glorify this holy, righteous man!... There are many saints, but here is one right here for us. It’s time, and the people are longing for it.

“Somehow, by God’s grace, the heavens came upon him and filled this man with wisdom. This Southern Californian, good looking man, who had all the attention. He could have been a famous actor, a celebrity. He opens up a bookstore on Geary Boulevard, because he found God and discovered the purpose of life. He acquires the Holy Spirit and spent his whole life doing it, and everyone’s jumping on that bandwagon with him. Arabs, Greeks, Russians, Serbians, you name it! Atheists are coming on board…atheists! ‘I read his writings and I could touch this man’s heart. I could see it, how pure… I want that!’”

My comments below the break:

New Talk by Bp Gerasim of Ft Worth: 'Fr Seraphim Rose: Truth and Legend' - UPDATED 050223

In this recent talk, Bishop Gerasim (Eliel) discusses Fr Seraphim Rose in the context of the times in which he lived, wrote and served the Orthodox Church. Vladyka Gerasim provides helpful insights into how some of Fr Seraphim's books were written and why, and also briefly discusses the process of glorification of a saint in the Orthodox Church, which begins organically, on the local level.

UPDATE May 2, 2023: The original podcast recording seems to have been deleted from the podcast channel feed. However, I did find it on YouTube, and am embedding it immediately below.

Bishop Gerasim: Fr Seraphim Rose - Truth and Legend (24th March, 2023)

See also this podcast interview with then Abbot Gerasim, from the 25th anniversary of Fr Seraphim's repose: 

Fr. Seraphim Rose - Prayer and Orthodox Spirituality - Interview of then Abbot Gerasim (Eliel) by Kevin Allen of The Illumined Heart Podcast (AFR), Sept. 2, 2007.

Reminiscences of Fr Seraphim Rose, by Bishop Gerasim (VIDEO)

Bishop Gerasim, of the OCA Diocese of the South, shares his reminiscences of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim, and discusses the importance of understanding Fr. Seraphim Rose's work correctly, dispelling common misunderstandings about his talks and writings.

Recorded at St. Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California, on Friday, September 2, 2022, the 40th anniversary of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Rose. Bishop Gerasim was abbot of the monastery from 2000 to 2009, and a spiritual son of Fr. Seraphim Rose from mid-1981 until the time of the latter's repose on September 2, 1982.

Special thanks to Punks and Monks YouTube Channel for posting this and other videos connected with the 40th Anniversary Pilgrimage of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim.

The Veneration of Father Seraphim Rose

Posted in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the repose of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) of Platina.

Father Seraphim serving the Divine Liturgy, Saint Herman Monastery, Platina CA.

The Veneration of

Father Seraphim Rose

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

~ Psalm 115 (LXX) 

Excerpted from the booklet, AKATHIST to our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim of Platina. You can learn more details about this unique publication and order here.

Those familiar with the edifying life story of Father Seraphim Rose know how the popular veneration of him began immediately upon his death, and has spread all over the globe these nearly thirty years since.