Damascene (Christensen)

This article forms part of the series Orthodoxy in America

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Hieromonk Damascene (Christensen) is a priestmonk and deputy abbot of St Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, California.

Biographical notes

Raised as a nominal Christian.
Came to believe that personal deities were a less enlightened truth than trans-personal experience (a la Buddhism).
Practised Zen Buddhism, with some spiritual experiences.
Studied at University of California Santa Cruz.
c.1980: Met Fr Seraphim (Rose), who gave a lecture at UCSC.
Developed a dialogue with Fr Seraphim, who taught him that Truth was personal and Person (rather than abstract concept). Met Christ through this.
Eventually, Fr Seraphim became his spiritual father. Less than two years later, he was at Fr Seraphim's bedside at his repose.
Fr Damascene joined St Herman of Alaska Monastery, where he has lived for over 25 years.