This is Life!: Revolutions Around the Cruciform Axis

Fr. Seraphim (Rose) of Platina: His Turning to Orthodoxy, Pt. I

At Jon's recommendation, Eugene [N.B.: the future Father Seraphim] went first to the Cathedral of the Russion Orthodox Church Abroad in the heart of San Francisco, dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow." Having formerly been an Episcopal church, the Cathedral had tall stained glass windows in front and along the walls. Its vaulted ceiling had been made from boards taken from old sailing vessels; and indeed, standing beneath its arches one felt as if one were inside some great ark.

Eugene arrived at the Cathedral in time for the Vespers service. Red oil lamps flickered before a gold iconostasis, illumining holy images of Christ and His Mother. From the left side of the Cathedral and from the choir loft came beautiful antiphonal singing in a language foreign to Eugene's ear. On a small platform in the middle of the nave stood a crippled, bent-over old man with a white beard and purple vestments. This was Archbishop Tikohn Troitsky. Totally immersed in the service, he kept his eyes closed in a state of utmost attention. Whenever he would open them, they would be stern and command complete alertness from those who served with him.

The small figure of Archbishop Tikhon made a tremendous impression on Eugene. Perhaps Eugene saw even then that he was not just performing according to a carefully choreographed ritual, but was in a state of deep prayer. What Eugene did not know then was that Archbishop Tikhon had been a man of prayer all his life, having received his spiritual training from the God-illumined Elder Gabriel of Kazan and Pskov in Russia. In his small quarters attached to the Cathedral, Archbishop Tikhon spent more time in prayer than anything else, and would keep vigil whole nights through.

In the Cathedral, the intensity of all that was happening around him touched the soul of Eugene--this seemingly incidental visitor. He witnessed the beauty of the traditional art and music, but, even more, he sensed the fulfillment of his longing to leave this world--since what he beheld was otherwordly.

--Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works, pp. 81, 82 Posted by Clifton at December 16, 2003 05:00 AM | TrackBack