UPDATED 9/11/21: My original attempt to embed the video here failed when it was blocked by YouTube on copyright grounds, so I am simply posting the link to Russian Faith website for you to view it there.
There is still some worthy info below if you care to scroll down and explore.
My apologies for any inconvenience:
https://russian-faith.com/saints/american-monk-who-inspired-russians-video-documentary-fr-seraphim-rose-n2330
This organic and heartfelt growth in the veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina, by monasteries, parishes and the faithful touched by his life and intercessions, points to his eventual glorification as a saint by the Orthodox Church... if the Lord doesn't return first.
Russian-Faith.com, July 26, 2019:
Russians have long appreciated Fr. Seraphim Rose, the beloved Orthodox monk who started a monastery in northern California. This documentary was produced in Russian, and is available here for the first time with English subtitles.
He was a Protestant in California, an atheist genius at Berkeley, a practicing Buddhist, and finally — a Russian Orthodox Monk in the American wilderness. Fr. Seraphim Rose became a legend in Russia, where many now recognize him as a Saint.
This fascinating film was produced by NEOFIT.TV, a quality production company that creates numerous documentaries about Orthodox Christian saints, apostles, prophets, well known preachers, and Church history. Many excellent films are available on their website.
Fr. Seraphim Rose documentary on the "Russian Culture" TV Channel
English translation crowdfunded by readers of Russian-Faith.com
If you would like to see English subtitles on another video, please write to us, and tell us you are interested in English subtitles.
In the late 1960s, in California, near the small town of Platina, where gold miners had formerly worked, an American named Eugene Rose founded an Orthodox monastery.
From collapsed huts left by pioneers, the monastic cells of pioneering monks have been built. The monastery is still flourishing here.
Here are all the monastic cells. Each cell has its own name. Fr. Seraphim's cell is called "Optina".
Here in this roughly built cell, using a typewriter by candlelight, Fr. Seraphim Rose wrote books that made him famous throughout the world and especially well-known in far-away Russia.
This table is where he wrote his books. He had a little typewriter here. He prayed in this corner. And here is his suitcase, on which is written, "Eugene Rose - San Francisco".
This man intentionally converted to Orthodoxy. He was very critical of the world around us, and he rejected it, at a time when many of our compatriots viewed it almost like an earthly paradise.
This gentleman from San Francisco, Eugene Rose, who became an Orthodox monk and priest, was able to live his short life according to the canons of ancient Russian monasticism and he revealed the beauty of Orthodoxy to many thousands of Americans.
Eugene Rose was born in San Diego, California, at the height of the Great Depression, in the family of a bankrupt shopkeeper. He graduated from school as valedictorian, and then went to college.
He was a striking young man, blue eyed and six feet tall, but even then he was very modest, as he devoted himself to the search for truth.
His long journey began with a denial of Christianity.
As he related, he had rebelled against something he considered weak and ineffective: Protestant Christianity in the heart of America.
At the same time, he had the feeling that "No one will change me!"
Continue reading the transcript (also with embedded video) at Russian Faith...
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| Icon of Hieromonk Seraphim from Mt Athos |
September 2 is the anniversary of the Repose of Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim Rose in 1982. Visit our Special Resource Page to learn more about this extraordinary figure in contemporary Orthodoxy.
I return to Father Seraphim Rose on this blog again and again because of his clear warnings against ecumenism and syncretism, against the tendency in our age for even well intentioned Orthodox Christians to compromise the True Faith in Jesus Christ in their confused efforts to appeal to other Christians or even to non-Christians.
Blessed Hieromonk Seraphim is widely venerated as a saint in traditional Orthodox nations such as Russia, Greece, Romania, and Serbia, and is considered by the Monks of Mount Athos as one of their own, as evidenced by photographs and icons of him seen by pilgrims to the monastic republic in northern Greece.
Pilgrims to Orthodox monasteries across North America will likewise notice photographs and the occasional icon of Father Seraphim at numerous monasteries, both men's and women's, under various jurisdictions, and there are a growing number of parishes which openly venerate Father Seraphim. Some, with direct ties to the St Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina CA, which Father Seraphim co-founded, have secondary relics such as his vestments or other items which they make available for the faithful to venerate.
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Fr. Seraphim Rose on Islam - Fr Seraphim didn't write much about Islam, or did he? A look at Fr Seraphim's teaching on the Monotheistic Religions, and how he might have approached the challenge of Islam.
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This organic and heartfelt growth in the veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina, by monasteries, parishes and the faithful touched by his life and intercessions, points to his eventual glorification as a saint by the Orthodox Church... if the Lord doesn't return first.
VIDEO: A Legendary American Monk Who Inspired Christians in Russia - Fr. Seraphim Rose
Russians have long appreciated Fr. Seraphim Rose, the beloved Orthodox monk who started a monastery in northern California. This documentary was produced in Russian, and is available here for the first time with English subtitles.
He was a Protestant in California, an atheist genius at Berkeley, a practicing Buddhist, and finally — a Russian Orthodox Monk in the American wilderness. Fr. Seraphim Rose became a legend in Russia, where many now recognize him as a Saint.
This fascinating film was produced by NEOFIT.TV, a quality production company that creates numerous documentaries about Orthodox Christian saints, apostles, prophets, well known preachers, and Church history. Many excellent films are available on their website.
TRANSCRIPT:
Fr. Seraphim Rose documentary on the "Russian Culture" TV Channel
English translation crowdfunded by readers of Russian-Faith.com
If you would like to see English subtitles on another video, please write to us, and tell us you are interested in English subtitles.
The primary characteristic of the spirit of the age is a Mickey Mouse atmosphere. They say, "Relax, take it easy... Whatever happens, don’t take it seriously."
- Hieromonk Seraphim Rose
In the late 1960s, in California, near the small town of Platina, where gold miners had formerly worked, an American named Eugene Rose founded an Orthodox monastery.
From collapsed huts left by pioneers, the monastic cells of pioneering monks have been built. The monastery is still flourishing here.
Here are all the monastic cells. Each cell has its own name. Fr. Seraphim's cell is called "Optina".
Here in this roughly built cell, using a typewriter by candlelight, Fr. Seraphim Rose wrote books that made him famous throughout the world and especially well-known in far-away Russia.
This table is where he wrote his books. He had a little typewriter here. He prayed in this corner. And here is his suitcase, on which is written, "Eugene Rose - San Francisco".
This man intentionally converted to Orthodoxy. He was very critical of the world around us, and he rejected it, at a time when many of our compatriots viewed it almost like an earthly paradise.
This gentleman from San Francisco, Eugene Rose, who became an Orthodox monk and priest, was able to live his short life according to the canons of ancient Russian monasticism and he revealed the beauty of Orthodoxy to many thousands of Americans.
Eugene Rose was born in San Diego, California, at the height of the Great Depression, in the family of a bankrupt shopkeeper. He graduated from school as valedictorian, and then went to college.
He was a striking young man, blue eyed and six feet tall, but even then he was very modest, as he devoted himself to the search for truth.
His long journey began with a denial of Christianity.
As he related, he had rebelled against something he considered weak and ineffective: Protestant Christianity in the heart of America.
At the same time, he had the feeling that "No one will change me!"
Continue reading the transcript (also with embedded video) at Russian Faith...