Experiences with Fr. Seraphim Rose - from Archpriest Paul Baba

Archpriest Paul Baba shares his experiences with his spiritual father, Fr. Seraphim Rose, during his over 100 visits to Platina before Fr. Seraphim’s repose in 1982. Also, he reveals the heavenly visitations from the great saint after his repose. We also hear about Fr. Paul’s bookstore in San Francisco, St. John Maximovitch’s miraculous help and visitations, and how Fr. Seraphim has influenced Fr. Paul’s experience as a parish priest. Lastly, Fr. Paul tells us his thoughts on the anticipated canonization of Fr. Seraphim Rose and his significance for us today. Unlike most videos from Orthodox Wisdom, this is an interview where you hear Fr. Paul himself, not the narration by Timothy Honeycutt as in other videos. 0:00 Intro 1:09 Fr. Paul opens, talks about his youth 4:01 How Fr. Paul first learned of the St. Herman Monastery in Platina, CA 11:36 First visit to Platina, meeting Fr. Seraphim in his cell 16:53 With Fr. Seraphim and Fr. Herman in the trapeza 21:46 Back home 25:41 Second visit. Fr. Paul wants to join ROCOR, St. John appears to him 30:30 A trip to catch fish; many Jesus Prayers, digging holes for God 36:09 Fr. Seraphim’s funeral 38:05 Fr. Paul moves to LA and prays for guidance 43:25 Bookstore in San Francisco 48:50 “You’re the one St. John told us would come.” 50:21 Fr. Paul sees St. John again 52:15 The miracle of the fire extinguisher 53:56 The glorification of St. John 57:00 A saint walks into the store during the glorification 58:13 Fr. Seraphim and St. John walk in to the bookstore together 1:00:31 Ordination to the priesthood 1:01:58 Fr. Seraphim knew Fr. Paul would be ordained a priest 1:05:27 The final days of the store 1:07:40 The birth of Fr. Paul’s son, Nathaniel 1:09:27 The anticipated glorification of Fr. Seraphim and his significance for us today 1:21:31 Outro This interview took place in August 2022 at Holy Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in West Sacramento, CA where Fr. Paul is rector. _______ “I believe it’s time to glorify this holy, righteous man!... There are many saints, but here is one right here for us. It’s time, and the people are longing for it.” “Somehow, by God’s grace, the heavens came upon him and filled this man with wisdom. This Southern Californian, good looking man, who had all the attention. He could have been a famous actor, a celebrity. He opens up a bookstore on Geary Boulevard, because he found God and discovered the purpose of life. He acquires the Holy Spirit and spent his whole life doing it, and everyone’s jumping on that bandwagon with him. Arabs, Greeks, Russians, Serbians, you name it! Atheists are coming on board…atheists! ‘I read his writings and I could touch this man’s heart. I could see it, how pure… I want that!’” _______ Buy Fr. Seraphim’s books here: Intro and Outro is Fr. Seraphim and pilgrims in Platina singing the troparion to the Theotokos “Joy of All Who Sorrow“: Readings of Fr. Seraphim’s writings from Orthodox Wisdom: Archpriest Paul Baba is the rector of Holy Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in West Sacramento, California. Parish website: _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!