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

NOTE: This story has been edited to reflect the most current information and subsequent conversations with ROCOR leadership.

MUNICH — Following the UOJ's report on Monday that — according to sources in the sobor — 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 given additional context to these initial reports.

"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. But ROCOR claims this is only partially the case.

In a subsequent interview published on the website of the Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe, Bp. Irenei of London stated that the sobor "did not" canonize Fr. Seraphim Rose, but rather that the process was moving forward with the hope of such an eventuality. "All of this is entirely normal when the Church approaches such a matter," he said.

"At the Council we expressly confirmed that the work of the commission should continue on its path, studying the life of Fr. Seraphim, together with his writings; examining his legacy; collecting testimonies from those who knew him, or those who have experienced the grace of his intercessions, and so on. And the commission is also, of course, examining liturgical texts to Fr. Seraphim that already exists, iconography, and so on, as well as considering what will be needed in future as we draw closer to the glorification. And since we want that glorification to take place, we entrust the commission to do this in earnest."

UOJ-USA reached out to Fr. Seraphim Gan, Recording Secretary for the Holy Synod of ROCOR, with a clarifying question: Is there an additional vote which needs to take place — an up or down vote — which would determine whether or not Fr. Seraphim is a saint of the Church?

To this Fr. Seraphim stated, "of course," and pointed to the glorification of St. John of Kronstadt and St. Xenia of St. Petersburg.

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 Rose. 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."

"But I would say that something very important did in fact take place in our conciliar meetings, and this was shared with us in our own words, conveyed in the traditional way — via our epistle, with our names attached, signed by our own hands," Bp. Irenei said in his interview. "And this was our stating clearly — and I can say that I rejoice in my heart that we have been able so to state — that the Council of Bishops recognizes 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 recognize 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."

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.

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.