Seraphim Rose
Seraphim Rose (actually Eugene Dennis Rose, born August 13, 1934 in San Diego; † 2 September 1982) was an Orthodox priest monk in the U.S., who belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. His writings contributed greatly to the spread of the Orthodox faith in the U.S. and the Western world. After the upheaval in the countries of the former Eastern Bloc its publications also found there a wide distribution. Although he was not formally canonized, he was worshiped since his death, with icons, prayer and liturgy.
Early life
Born as the youngest of three children of Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Esther Rose, he grew up in California, where he wanted to spend the rest of his life. His mother was a famous American painter. As a Methodist, he was baptized at the age of fourteen, he later became an atheist, lost his faith. After testing at the High School of San Diego, he was considered to be far above average intelligence. He then studied Chinese philosophy at Pomona College in San Francisco and graduated in 1954 with a degree magna cum laude. In 1961 he graduated with a masters in oriental languages at the University of California at Berkeley. After this time in California, he then had a wild phase in his life, he devoted himself to Buddhism and trying to learn many other religions.
Family
Seraphim Rose was the brother of Eileen Rose Busby, an author and expert on antiques, and Frank Rose, a businessman. He was the uncle of the author and scientist J. Michael Scott and the mystery author Cathy Scott.
Orthodox faith
In the course of his studies at the American Academy of Asian Studies with Alan Watts, after he had made his degree at Pomona College, Seraphim Rose discovered the works of René Guénon. By Guenon Works Rose was inspired to look for authentic, down to earth spiritual faith tradition. In the summer of 1955, when he was still with Watts, he met the Finnish -born Jon Gregerson, who was a practicing Russian Orthodox Christian at that time. Through him, Rose had the first contact to the Orthodox faith. Rose identified himself as a homosexual after his mother had discovered letters corresponding content. As an Orthodox Christian, he rejected the practice of homosexuality from however and ended such relationships. 1962 Rose was inducted into the Orthodox Church. A year later, in 1963 Rose founded with the blessing of the Bishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, together with the Russian Orthodox seminarians Gleb Podmoshensky a religious book publisher with shipping, they called Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska. For this in the course of time, the monastery of St. Herman of Alaska.
Importance was his book " Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future " in which he dealt with later intellectual and spiritual currents, the influence of Eastern religions, yoga, the New Age thinking, as well as topics such as UFO sightings. Rose leads from that of the followers of these flows reported "experiences" can certainly be real, that such experiences, however, are not suitable as a measure of the truth claim of these flows, because always as real to comprehending evil spirits as the cause of such experiences come into question. Similarly, he referred in this book is also very critical position to the so-called charismatic movement. In recent times, this book underwent a wide distribution in Russia.
Publications
- The soul after death. Today's "post- death " experiences in the light of the orthodox doctrine of the afterlife. Monastery of Saint Job of Pochayiv, Munich 1999, ISBN 3-926165-92-8.
- The Royal in postmodernism. Contributions from the " Orthodox world." Edition Hagia Sophia, Straelen 2009, ISBN 978-3-937129-61-7.
- Nihilism: the ideology of the Antichrist - The belief in nothingness as the source of doom ". Edition Hagia Sophia, Straelen 2010, ISBN 978-3-937129-62-4.
- The Holy Fathers of Orthodox Spirituality -. For a proper understanding of their writings. " Edition Hagia Sophia, Straelen 2010, ISBN 978-3-937129-29-7.
- Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future ". Edition Hagia Sophia, Straelen 2010, ISBN 978-3-937129-60-0.