Seraphim Rose: Encyclopedia II - Seraphim Rose - Orthodoxy

Seraphim Rose - Orthodoxy

While studying under Alan Watts at the American Academy of Asian Studies after graduating from Pomona College in 1956, Eugene discovered the writings of René Guénon. Through Guénon's writings, Eugene was inspired to seek out an authentic, grounded spiritual faith tradition. Gregerson, a practicing Russian Orthodox at the time, introduced his friend to Orthodoxy. As Gregerson was choosing to abandon his Orthodoxy, Eugene, instead, was inspired to learn more about the faith. This culminated in Eugene's decision to enter the Church through chrismation in 1962.

Eugene opened an Orthodox book store next store to the San Francisco Russian Orthodox Church. It eventually became a community of Orthodox booksellers and publishers who called themselves Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood. The community eventually decided to flee urban modernity into the wilderness of northern California to become monks in 1986. Eugene's parents put the down payment on the Platina mountaintop, where a monastery was eventually built beside a printing press shed where he published "The Orthodox Word." At his tonsure in 1970, Eugene took the name "Seraphim", and studied for the priesthood during his first years in his rustic cell.

Following his ordination as hieromonk, Father Seraphim began writing several books, including God's Revelation to the Human Heart, Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, and The Soul After Death. He also founded the magazine The Orthodox Word, still published today by the Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood. Father Seraphim's published writings quickly proliferated throughout America upon Father Seraphim's death and later in Russia and Eastern Europe after the fall of atheist Communism.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Orthodoxy", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki