It's necessary for me to interrupt my silence this week again, this time to make an apology and humbly ask forgiveness for possibly misleading others.
An OCA priest who has visited my blog(s), graciously expressed his concern that my use of the title "Saint" for Fr. Seraphim Rose could mislead others. I brought the matter to my own parish priest, who concurred with the former's assessment.
I should explain that in Orthodoxy there is not the formal process as there is in Roman Catholicism for determining the status of a saint. The titles "Elder," "Blessed," and "Saint" though distinct are used somewhat interchangeably (especially if the person is a monk). Further, sainthood is not conferred by synod, but officially recognized. So, a saint is known (in prayer and worship, through the evidence of miracles) as such before the Church grants official recognition of the sanctity.
I have been exercising what I perceived to be a freedom in Orthodoxy to refer to Fr. Seraphim as St. Seraphim, convinced as I am of his sanctity.
But the Church's official recognition is not unimportant, and my speaking in the way I have--well-intentioned though it has been, to honor Fr. Seraphim--has been presumptive.
I have made the appropriate corrections on this blog. Forgive me, and pray for me, a sinner.
Posted by Clifton at April 6, 2004 11:11 AM | TrackBackThe correction is, itself, part of the process, you know. My own patron was revered as a Saint by many in the Church long before his glorification. One bishop is known to me to have had a chapel named "Raphael" - even with an Icon, although the Chapel's patron was the Archangel Raphael.
We are in an odd place - bloggers, that is - we publish, even though it may seem to be only for ourselves. So, yes, I see the point. We have an icon of the Blessed Elder in our church. Some may be confused thereby, I guess: but the only icon we have of our (now new) patron is from the afore-mentioned Bishop's chapel and it still says "bishop" and hasn't a halo.
Here is one place where I think the Romans have a good tradition: pray to the one whom you feel is a Saint and ask him to guide you - and others - to his glorification.
If I ever have a chapel in my back yard (like the Bishop) it shall be dedicated to St Seraphim of Sarov.