Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works [Paperback]

Hieromonk Damascene (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2003

This epic biography of Hieromonk Seraphim Rose tells the unique story of a man who, having grown up in a typical American home in southern California, became one of the greatest teachers of Orthodox Christianity in our times, loved and revered throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.

Quoting at length from his letters, journals, manuscripts, recorded lectures and published writings, this book traces Fr. Seraphim’s intense search for truth and his philosophical development, setting forth his message and offering a glimpse into the soul of a man who lived, even while on this earth, in the otherworldly Kingdom of God.

A greatly revised version of Not of This World, this new Life of Fr. Seraphim incorporates years of new research and includes much additional material. Because it deals closely with events in the recent history of Orthodoxy in America, the book has been reviewed prior to publication by clergy, monastics and laypeople from most of the Orthodox jurisdictions represented in this country. New edition includes: 1.)New, previously unpublished material by Fr. Seraphim. 2.)New reminiscences by those who knew Fr. Seraphim. 3.)63 new photographs. 4.)Expanded and updated bibliography and source notes.

1160 pages, 234 illustrations, paperback, Smyth-sewn binding for greater durability.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hieromonk Damascene presents this Life in words so clear and inviting that the reader eagerly follows, page after page." -- Frederica Mathewes-Green, National Public Radio commentator, author of At the Corner of East and Now and The Illumined Heart

"THIS is the Fr. Seraphim I remember.... A truly exceptional book, worthy of the noble and righteous Fr. Seraphim!" -- Hieromonk Ambrose (formerly Fr. Alexey Young), author of Letters from Father Seraphim

"This excellent book is both a challenge and an inspiration to all who are searching for intellectual and spiritual integrity." -- Hieromonk Jonah, Abbot of the Monastery of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, editor of Divine Ascent

Product Details

• Paperback: 1160 pages
• Publisher: Saint Herman Press (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887904077
• ISBN-13: 978-1887904070
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near Perfect 2nd Bilography of Blessed Seraphim Rose, February 17, 2004

By 

John D. Dooley "PhiloX" (Southern California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works (Paperback)

When is a book a newer edition or completely new? Is there something in the middle of this question? Yes, there is the fantastic second biography of Eugene Rose called "Father Seraphim Rose: His Life & Works", by Hieromonk Damascene. First published under the title "Not of This World: The Life & Teachings of Fr. Seraphim Rose" when the monastery book publisher 'St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood' was in between jurisdictions which caused a near perfect first biography to self destruct at the ending with questionable motives. Now corrected under the supervision of the Serbian Orthodox Church with the blessings of several Orthodox jurisdictions, this renewed almost resurrected book has added unpublished writings from Fr. Seraphim, new reminiscences with photographs, & updated expanded source notes.

The book is well made for a paperback but because of its size, over 1000 pages, one should be careful when reading. On the front cover is a great facial color photograph of Fr. Seraphim Rose in his monastic robe, looking over his shoulder with his long hair & bread. The rest of the photographs within the book are black & white, taken from Eugene's childhood throughout the years to his priesthood & finally death.

As with the pervious book, it's well written & very easy to read that the amount of the pages doesn't become a factor. Orthodox or Russian terms that can't quite be translated into a single English word are totally explained for the average reader. The chronological order is very organized & doesn't mix up the time periods as much as other biographies.

HIS LIFE: Eugene Rose was born on 1934 in San Diego California, the third & last child of the Rose family, which later moved to Caramel California. Eugene's Father was a non-practicing Roman Catholic & his Mother a church hopping Protestant. When Eugene came of age, his mother saw his great promise of a mind & she tried to encourage him with the American Dream, but Eugene rebelled within the beatnik movement of the 1950's because he saw the underlying Nihilist currents overtaking the society. Eugene graduated from Pomona College & then studied under Alan Watts, the Ex-Anglican Priest turned pop culture Zen Buddhist, & finally Chinese philosophy & language under the University of California Berkeley. Eugene never became a professor because of the westernized limitations of the University system, but instead took up odd jobs so that he could write his opus "The Kingdom of Man and the Kingdom of God" (which he never finished)after he converted to Russian Orthodoxy. Later under the guidance of Archbishop John Maximovitch (a few years after his death he became an Orthodox Saint in North America) & with Gleb Podmoshensky, a Russian immigrant, they started a brotherhood called "St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood" where Eugene & Gleb owned an Orthodox bookstore & published the magazine "Orthodox Word". After the death of Archbishop John Maximovitch, they left everything behind & started their own 'Skete' (small monastery) in the middle of the forest near Platina California following the Russian Optina & Valaam traditions. Here they wrote many books & letters to encourage the Orthodox Christians trapped behind the iron curtain (communist lands of eastern Europe & Russia) & influence many Americans to reconsider the cultural limitations of western Christianity. Within a few years both become monks & later priests, Eugene became Fr. Seraphim Rose (after St. Seraphim of Sarov Russia) & Gleb became Fr. Herman (after St. Herman of Alaska). Sadly Fr. Seraphim died in 1982 at the young age of 48.

HIS WORKS: Fr. Seraphim Rose wrote many books & this biography goes over the general topics & the reasons why they were written. These books include "Genesis, Creation & Early Man", "Orthodoxy & the Religion of the Future", "The Soul After Death", as well as many others.

What makes this book so profound is to learn of the insight, the commitment, & the cross carrying power of Fr. Seraphim Rose. His prophetic vision of what was to become of American culture & the means of transformation to overcome it. A magnificent spiritual journey captured in just over a 1000 pages.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A big bite to chew but so worth it., October 6, 2005

By 

M. Harrington "M.A. Harrington" (Walla Walla, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works (Paperback)

This book literally changed my life. It reads like a fast paced novel and has wealth of spiritual treasures in it. The Life of Fr. Seraphim Rose of Blessed Memory planted the burning in my heart to go to seminary. If you are not like me and can take your time reading I am impressed. I myself could not put it down. The historical and modern roots of American Orthodox Monasticism written in a very lucid style that makes the material attainable for anyone. The book needs no defense, if you read it you will understand the importance of Fr. Seraphim Rose in America and in the former Soviet Union.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For spiritual seekers and "know-it-all" Orthodox Converts, November 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works (Paperback)

This is a quite edifying read, and is filled with interesting stories about his years before he became Orthodox, his conversion, his monastic tonsure and the establishment of a monastery in the "desert" of Northern California. No matter what anyone says about Fr. Seraphim Rose, there is no denying that he changed after he became Orthodox and was truly serious about the monastic life. The story that Fr. Damascene puts together even comments on the various ideological, ecclesiastical and spiritual predicaments that Orthodox converts have found themselves in the last 30 years. There is an enormous depth to what is found here, as well as a large variety of topics that Fr. Seraphim addressed in his publication: The Orthodox Word. It also talks about how wide his influence has spread. It is remarkable how much fruit one person's commitment can bring, and that from someone who lived in the woods, far from "civilization"! The footnotes are quite good, and there are wonderful photos as well. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this recommendation.