Seraphim Rose

Seraphim Rose
Rose in monastic dress
TitleHieromonk
Personal life
BornEugene Dennis Rose
August 13, 1934
DiedSeptember 2, 1982(1982-09-02) (aged 48)
ParentEsther Rose
Notable work(s)
EducationPomona College (BA) University of California, Berkeley (MA)
RelativesEileen Rose Busby (sister), Cathy Scott (niece), J. Michael Scott (nephew)
Religious life
ReligionEastern Orthodoxy
ChurchRussian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Founder ofSaint Herman of Alaska Monastery
Monastic nameSeraphim
OrdinationTonsured a monk in October 1970
Ordained a priest in 1977 by Bishop Nektary of Seattle

Seraphim Rose (born Eugene Dennis Rose; August 13, 1934 – September 2, 1982), also known as Seraphim of Platina, was an American priest and hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia who co-founded the Saint Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California. He translated Eastern Orthodox Christian texts and authored several works. His writings have been credited with helping to spread Eastern Orthodox Christianity throughout the West; his popularity equally extended to Russia itself, where his works were secretly reproduced and distributed by samizdat during the Communist era, remaining popular today.

Rose's opposition to Eastern Orthodox participation in the ecumenical movement and his advocacy of the contentious "toll house teaching" led him into conflict with some. Though he has not been formally canonized by any synod, many Eastern Orthodox Christians hold him in high esteem, venerating him in iconography, liturgy and prayer.

Rose's monastery is currently affiliated with the Serbian Orthodox Church and continues to carry on his work of publishing and Eastern Orthodox missionary activity.