ROCOR sets commission for canonization of Seraphim (Rose)
Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose). Photo: robinmarkphillips.com
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) announced the creation of a commission to study the life, legacy, and veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) as a step towards possible canonization. This was reported by the website synod.com.
The decision was made at the meeting of the Synod of Bishops, held at the synodal residence in New York from December 9 to 11, 2025. The commission is headed by Bishop Iakov of Sonora, Vicar of the Western American Diocese.
As clarified in church media, the study of materials by the commission is an early stage of the procedure: the collected testimonies and documents will be presented for further consideration in due course.
In the years since the passing of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) on September 2, 1982, his veneration has spread throughout the Orthodox world, especially in countries that suffered under the communist yoke. He is also known and revered on Mount Athos. Father Seraphim was canonized in the Akhalkalaki Diocese of the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2023.
The final message also states that the December session was timed to coincide with the feast of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. In addition to personnel and disciplinary issues, the Synod focused on preparations for the Bishops' Council in Munich, which is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the German Diocese; a church conference is planned following its acts.
The work of the Synod concluded with a joint service on the feast of the Kursk Root Icon at the Cathedral of the Sign in New York, with the participation of ROCOR hierarchs and representatives of local Churches.
As reported by the UOJ, the First Hierarch of ROCOR commented on meetings in Washington on the protection of UOC believers.
Read also
Metropolitan Onuphry leads Liturgy at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's skete
The Primate of the UOC performed a diaconal ordination and prayed for peace in Ukraine on the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repressions.
Ministry of Culture shows Soviet space museum in Orthodox church of Pereyaslav
On the territory of the Pereyaslav Reserve, there is a Soviet space museum based at St. Paraskeva's Church.
Prayer processions on Family Purity Day held in Georgia
In ten cities across the country, believers participated in prayer processions under the leadership of the newly-elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III.
Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil concelebrates with Patriarch Shio in Georgia
A hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church concelebrated with Patriarch Shio at the Liturgy on Day of Family Purity at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Georgian Church.
Dumenko congratulates Patriarch Shio and assures him of his prayers
In a message to the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the head of the OCU Dumenko asked for prayers for Ukraine.
Filaret: In 2008, I secretly agreed with Bartholomew on recognizing UOC-KP
In a 2017 interview published only now, the UOC-KP head admitted he personally held secret talks at the Phanar, even though Constantinople officially regarded him as anathematized – and the Phanar was offering not autocephaly but the "acquisition" of the UOC-KP.