
THE APOCALYPSE In the Teachings of Ancient Christianity An Orthodox Commentary by ARCHBISHOP AVERKY TAUSHEV
THE APOCALYPSE
In the Teachings of Ancient Christianity
An Orthodox Commentary by
ARCHBISHOP AVERKY TAUSHEV
Translated and edited, with annotation,
an Introduction, and a Life of the Author by
FR. SERAPHIM ROSE
THERE IS nothing of which it is more dangerous to speak than the Apocalypse. Futile and over-literal speculation on apocalyptic events is an only too obvious cause of spiritual harm; and no less so, I think, is the facile way in which many of our contemporaries refer to the “apocalyptic” character of the times, and in so doing raise in others deep fears and hopes which their own vague pronouncements are far from satisfying. If a Christian is going to speak of the Apocalypse at all, it is quite clear that—in this as in everything else—his words must be sober, as precise as possible, and fully in accord with the universal teaching of the Church.
—Fr. Seraphim Rose
Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina
1934-1982
Preface
The present book is the first complete Orthodox commentary on the Apocalypse (Revelation) to be published in the English language. Originally written in Russian by Archbishop Averky (†1976), it is now accessible to English-speaking readers through the efforts of Fr. Seraphim Rose (†1982). Unlike Archbishop Averky, Fr. Seraphim was born into a culture and society devoid of the timeless Orthodox world view, outside of what he termed "the saving enclosure" of the Church. He converted to the Orthodox faith as a young man, but his conversion did not stop there. During the years that followed he continued to deepen his experience of the mystery of Christ's teaching. Penetrating into the wisdom of the Holy Fathers of the Church, trying to live, think and feel as they did, he grew to acquire their mind and became a genuine transmitter of Patristic spirituality to the modern world. He was successful in this not only because of his ability to distinguish the true from the false and the real from the artificial, but also because of his love and respect for those rare men and women of our times who have passed on the spirit and pathos of Orthodox sanctity. Realizing how the attitude of "knowing better" prevents people from fully entering into the spirit of Orthodoxy, he regarded his preceptors as a devoted son would regard his father, never exalting his own opinions over their living witness of Christian truth. As one such preceptor, Archbishop Averky, was being attacked and criticized by some younger clergy who, with a narrow and legalistic mentality, claimed that he was "not Orthodox enough," Fr. Seraphim championed him in print, defending what he knew to be a spiritual giant, one of the greatest Orthodox teachers of the century.
In Archbishop Averky, Fr. Seraphim saw an example of complete faithfulness to the Church of Christ; from his writings he learned that Orthodoxy is more than just the "correct" set of beliefs --- it is a transforming power that can rejuvenate all those who truly seek Christ in these last days of apostasy. Both he and his preceptor devoted their lives to making this power known to a world that walks in darkness, to people who had never been exposed to the fullness of Christ's revelation. The present book is a fruit of their combined labors. It is appropriate that this work by a modern link with ancient Christian tradition, Archbishop Averky, should be presented to the English-speaking world through the hand of an American-born link with the Holy Fathers, Fr. Seraphim.
In a sense this book can be seen as a culmination of Fr. Seraphim's life work -- the first installment of it being published in The Orthodox Word only a few months before his repose. The subject of the Apocalypse was so important to him that he would have probably begun writing a Patristic commentary on it himself, had not such an excellent one already been written in Russian by Archbishop Averky. In providing his readers with this commentary; he was giving them a last bit of spiritual food by which they could strengthen themselves against the trials ahead.
CONTENTS
Preface
About the Author by Fr. Seraphim Rose
Translator’s Introduction by Fr. Seraphim Rose
Introduction by Archbishop Averky
The Apocalypse of St. John: An Orthodox Commentary
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Appendix I: On “Neo-Chiliasm” by Archbishop Averky
Appendix II: Before the Face of Antichrist by Archimandrite Constantine
Appendix III: A Pilgrimage to the Cave of the Apocalypse
General Index
Scripture Index