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