BREAKING: ROCOR Officially Preparing for Glorification of Fr. Seraphim Rose

Hieromonk Seraphim Rose. Photo: basilica.ro

MUNICH — Following the UOJ's report on Monday that — according to sources — the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) had voted to canonize Hieromonk Seraphim Rose, the Council's epistle released on Tuesday has made the news official.

"Responding to the numerous appeals of the faithful, the Council of Bishops, having recognized the righteous course of life of the ever-memorable Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), has blessed the process of preparing his ecclesiastical glorification among the ranks of our venerable Fathers," the epistle stated.

Traditionally, this means that materials on Fr. Seraphim's life, hymns and liturgical texts, iconography, and similar offerings can be prepared. It can also be assumed that the eventual glorification service will take place at St. Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California.

In a separate communique issued on the work of the Council overall, ROCOR stated that on Saturday, May 2, the Council considered the report of Bp. James of Sonora, chairman of the commission for the study of the life, legacy and veneration of Fr. Seraphim. The communique continues:

"On the basis of this report, the following determination was made: 1) To receive the report; 2) Having recognized the righteous course of life of the ever-memorable Hieromonk Seraphim, to bless the process of preparing his ecclesiastical glorification among the ranks of our venerable Fathers; 3) To invoke God’s blessing upon the further work of the aforementioned commission under the chairmanship of His Grace Bishop James."

Another notable announcement was made by the Council regarding commissions for potential future canonizations. On Monday, May 4, the Council heard Metr. Mark of Berlin and Germany's report on saints encountered in the course of his life, which advocated for the opening of a conciliar discussion on the "glorification of the pious strugglers of the Russian Church Abroad, who embody her spirit and heritage."

Thus, the following decision was made:

"Following His Eminence’s presentation and the ensuing discussion, the task of preparing materials on Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), Archbishop Tikhon (Troitsky), and a number of other pious individuals venerated in the Diaspora, presenting them for consideration by the Synod of Bishops by the end of the year, was entrusted to Archbishop Kyrill and Bishop Luke."

Metr. Philaret served as First Hierarch of ROCOR from 1964 until his repose in 1985. His relics are reported to be incorrupt and reside in a vault under the altar at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York.

The incorrupt relics of Metr. Philaret, which were transferred in 1998. Photo: monasterypress.com

Abp. Tikhon served as St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's immediate predecessor in the see of San Francisco and Western America. He is also laid to rest under the altar at Holy Trinity Monastery.

Other important updates from the ROCOR Council's deliberations will be reported on in a timely fashion by UOJ-America.

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