Fact 2.
Apostolate of Fr. Seraphim
Archimandrite James (Corazza).
Interview 12.10.2019.
Old Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Cathedral, San Francisco, USA.
«The fact that the books of Fr. Seraphim spread throughout the world, were translated into many languages: Russian, Greek, Romanian, as well as the resulting fact that many people were enlightened by the light of Christ's truth and came to the Orthodox faith - is solid evidence of divine grace action through the personality of Fr. Seraphim as an "instrument of grace" and his own holiness».
«Fr. Seraphim had a very inquisitive mind, and as such, initially devoted himself entirely to the study of Western philosophy, hoping to find the truth. But he did not find nourishment for his heart there.
In his search he did not stop in the field of Western philosophy only, and turned to Eastern pagan philosophy, and in particular to Buddhism and Confucianism. There he saw only some external framework of what can be called knowledge of the spiritual world, but he also did not find answers to his questions.
After that, he came to the Russian Orthodox Church and began to absorb into himself, with all the thirst of his searching soul, the fullness of the offerings of ecclesiastical abundance.
All this is obvious from his writings.
He was grateful to God that he finally found the source of the truth of life not in some abstract philosophy, but in the Church of Christ, in which God became man. He was so grateful that in return he dedicated his whole life to God.
He asked the Lord and the Mother of God to give him enough time to thank God for the gift of this faith. And subsequently, he tried not to waste a single moment of his life, but use it only to gain divine grace.
And he received this treasure.
Subsequently, it was observed, for example, that when he spoke - he did not speak much, but his every word was extremely balanced, as well as his very presence radiated peace, and such a state «as if you had taken a sedative…».
He was erudite and exceptionally educated both in the field of philosophy and ecclesiastical thought and deeply knowledgeable on the entire Western way of thinking with all its limits and limitations, the Western character of life as well as the offerings and value of Orthodox church life and tradition. Thus, he wrote many books wishing to pass this treasure to the Americans and all of his contemporaries.
The fact that his books spread throughout the world, were translated into many languages: Russian, Greek, Romanian, as well as the fact that as a result many people were enlightened by the light of Christ's truth and came to the Orthodox faith - is solid evidence of divine grace action through the personality of Fr. Seraphim and his own holiness.
And all this with the extreme modesty of Fr. Seraphim, and without any vanity in his works. All his books were published not so much by his own efforts (except for the journals that they class="on-page"5 printed themselves), but mostly without his involvement.
According to Fr. Jacob, theology of Fr. Seraphim is not a theology that is addressed to reason only, but is a word that reaches the spiritual depths of human nature, and it is such because it is abundantly filled with divine grace.
«Saint Nicholas Velemirovich said about Fr. John of Shanghai, when he was a monk: “If you want to see a living saint - go look at Fr. John". People saw and recognized the holiness of Fr. John even during his lifetime ..., and after his death it has been recognized by the whole world and even by those people who had never seen him or knew him, and who turn their prayers to him. The same applies to Fr. Seraphim, not to the same extent as a miracle worker (although there are undoubtedly miracles), but as an enlightener who wrote books that change people and lead them to faith».
Some examples of changes in lives as influenced by the personality and works of Fr. Seraphim Platinsky.
To illustrate the above, we will briefly give several examples of the change in people's lives in the direction of turning (spiritual movement) to God, as influenced by both the personality of Fr. Seraphim and his written works. Or even what is more specific for us - the posthumous influence of his works, comparable to that of his very personality.
Fr. Martin Person
Interview 13.10.2019
Sunnyvale, CA, USA.
Fr. Martin, when he was not yet in Orthodoxy and during his spiritual search, was especially interested in Buddhism. He was led to the Orthodox faith by Fr. Seraphim. He came to Platina and lived there for a week, having daily conversations with Fr. Seraphim. That was their first meeting.
The second time Fr. Martin saw Fr. Seraphim in the hospital at his death bed: “I remember this picture when Fr. Seraphim was in a hospital bed and suffered a lot. He was after a difficult uterine surgery”
Fr. Herman and Fr. Alexey Young have finished a prayer service and wanted to offer the Gospel for veneration to Fr. Seraphim. Despite of the severity of his state, he leaned forward to meet them, trying to stand up by himself and kissed the Gospel, and he shed tears. Every person was also in tears”.
It was at that moment that the future Fr. Martin decided to be baptized and become Orthodox.
Thus, at their first meeting, Fr. Seraphim opened the doors of Orthodoxy for him, and taught him living in faith.
And at the second one, he showed how to die in faith.
Therefore, he can say without a doubt that Fr. Seraphim was one of the main people who influenced his spiritual choice and spiritual life.
Now he is a priest.
Monk Paisios (Levakov) beekeeper.
Interview 25.10.2019
Jordanville, NY, USA.
At the very beginning of my spiritual path, during my ideological search, I was strongly influenced by the books of Fr. Seraphim. One of the first such books was a collection published by the Russian publishing house "Pilgrim" "The Offering of an Orthodox American".
I was helped greatly by the thoughts of Fr. Seraphim on eastern spiritual practices, which I initially considered as alternatives to spiritual life in the process of my spiritual quest. In the book he speaks very clearly about this subject. After readings his works along with other sources, I stopped looking in this direction.
The second obstacle on the way of my movement to faith was the "Theory of Evolution" that got stuck in my head. Here I also came across a book of collected conversations by Fr. Seraphim with patristic commentaries on the book of "Genesis" ("Genesis for creation")6.
This book helped me a lot. I studied the materials given, rechecked all the references cited in the book, and the picture became obvious to me. This idol, as a result, fell away immediately and instantly.
After that I got acquainted with one more book by Fr. Damascene about Fr. Seraphim "Not of this world", where his life path is depicted. There he very clearly showed the beauty of monastic life.
After reading that book, along with other ones of course, I was irrevocably moved to monasticism.
Thus, I must say that his books, along with other patristic ones, had a strong ideological influence on me, and as a result, they inspired me to change my life and brought me to the monastery.
Matyshka Natalia (Vinogradova)
Interview 29.10.2019
Novo-Diveevo, NY, USA
Natalia (Vinogradova) was born in a village of Konakovo district, Tver region (Russia) in a communist family. By the age of 35, when she was baptized, her life had already reached such a state of despair that, in her words, she "did not want to live."
“The book of Fr. Seraphim "Soul after Death" was given to me by an acquaintance of mine, Sergei Pravdolyubov, then a student, later a master of theology.
When I read this book, it just "turned me over ...". ... I had a revival then - and I went to get baptized."
Then I lived in Moscow and worked as a pianist at the academy until my retirement. There, I met Fr. Dionisiy Pozdnyaev and his family, who were planning to go on an Orthodox mission to China in the late 90s. I was 55 years old. When I was invited to join this mission, I agreed and, as a result, I lived in China for 10 years.
In 2009, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), I was tonsured and returned to China, and in 2015 I arrived at Novo-Diveevo.
Likewise, my two friends from my homeland in Russia, also read the books by Fr. Seraphim - we passed them on to each other ... Both of them have joined the Orthodox church.
It can be added that besides those two close friends there was also a larger, like-minded Orthodox group of acquaintances in our area - about twenty people. And we all passed these books to each other, and then we would gather and exchange our thoughts.
Thus, I can testify that the influence of Fr. Seraphim (Rose) through his works, even by my example and the example of people I know, was tremendous. His books changed our worldview.
– We thought ... That’s it ...! It’s only this life, and then there is nothing… Besides that, all the women who have gathered were lonely and unhappy in life ... And, suddenly - he opened another life for us! " ...
It can be also noted that around Platina, namely around Fr. Seraphim, a group of his spiritual children and followers was formed (Fr. Vladimir Anderson, Fr. Alexey Young, Fr. Alexei Poluektov), who, after his death continued the work of Fr. Seraphim - preaching the word of God, print magazines, publish books (Mary and Catherine Mansur), hold conferences (Sicily Andersen), become clergy of the church (Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral)), Archimandrite Luke (Murianka), Archimandrite James (Corazza), Father Martin Person, Abbot Damascene) (Christensen)) ... and others, pursue asceticism in monasteries. All of them have dedicated their lives to God.
5Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) and Abbott Herman (Podmoshensky).
6«Genesis for creation»