Father Seraphim Rose Quotes

“I was becoming more miserable, and Thou nearer. Thy right hand was continually ready to pluck me out of the mire, and to wash me thoroughly, and I knew it not. —The Confessions of Blessed Augustine”
― Hieromonk Damascene, Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works

“No one has rightly sought the truth who has not encountered at the end of this search — whether to accept or reject Him — our Lord, Jesus Christ, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” Truth that stands against the world and is a reproach to all worldliness. —Eugene Rose”
― Hieromonk Damascene, Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works

“Accepting this as an obedience, Fr. Seraphim went to his cell to write out some notes. On one page he jotted down the following “convert pitfalls,” or what he called “obstacles in the Orthodox mission today”: A. Trusting oneself, samost. Remedy: sober distrust of oneself, taking counsel of others wiser, guidance from Holy Fathers. B.  Academic approach — overly intellectual, uninvolved, uncommitted, abstract, unreal. Bound up with A. also. C.  Not keeping the secret of the Kingdom, gossip, publicity. Overemphasis on outward side of mission, success. Danger of creating empty shell, form of mission without substance. Remedy: concentrate on spiritual life, keep out of limelight, stay uninvolved from passionate disputes. D. “Spiritual Experiences.” Symptoms: feverish excitement, always something “tremendous” happening — the blood is boiling. Inflated vocabulary, indicates puffed up instead of humble. Sources in Protestantism, and in one’s own opinions “picked up” in the air. Remedy: sober distrust of oneself, constant grounding in Holy Fathers and Lives of Saints, counsel. E.  Discouragement, giving up — “Quenched” syndrome. Cause: overemphasis on outward side, public opinion, etc. Remedy: emphasis on inward, spiritual struggle, lack of concern for outward success, mindfulness of Whom we are followers of (Christ crucified but triumphant). F.  A double axe: broadness on one hand, narrowness on the other.”
― Damascene Christensen, Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works