One of the sweetest men we have ever known, Fr. Seraphim Scheidler, reposed in Our Lord, January 17, 2011. He had struggled with a weak heart condition for many years. We first met him in 2003 at our inaugural icon-painting workshop in Lexington, KY. Father became a regular at the Six Days of Creation workshops, sponsored by Hexaemeron non-profit organization, and led by Ksenia Pokrovsky.
Fr. Seraphim loved the Orthodox mission in Indonesia, which he visited twice in an official capacity. In fact, he was ordained to the sub-diaconate at Holy Apostle Thomas Orthodox Church in Jakarta, February 23, 2006, and was initially assigned to work with Fr. Daniel Byantoro, founder of the Indonesian Orthodox Church. Fr. Seraphim’s poor heart-health held him back from realizing his desire to serve in Indonesia along side Fr. Daniel.
Truly, an un-self-conscience servant of love, Fr. Seraphim’s focus was always on the person before him. What a shining light of kindness he was, he is, even more brightly now! Fr. Seraphim was (and is) loved by everyone who has been blessed to know him. We at Hexameron are honored to be among this blessed company. We will greatly miss him.
Memory Eternal, our dear Father and friend!
Read more about Fr. Seraphim Scheidler’s life:
http://journeytoorthodoxy.com/2010/07/18/the-story-of-fr-seraphim-scheidler/#axzz1BKwjYNll
- Fr. Seraphim and Marek Czarnecki taking a break from icon painting, June 2005, St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Lexington, KY
HEXAEMERON 
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January 18, 2011 at 4:48 am
Fr. John A. peck
Memory Eternal!
Fr. Seraphim’s inspiring story is one of the most popular on our Journey To Orthodoxy website.
I’m deeply sorry to hear of his repose. Now we have another intercessor in heaven for us.
January 19, 2011 at 1:16 am
hexaemeron
Fr. Seraphim is what all saints are, the gentlest, kindest and love-generous of all things our Lord created.
January 20, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Ariane Trifunovic-Montemuro
Father Seraphim exuded kindness and humility in all he did. He always saw the positivity in all situations and people. My family was blessed to call him “our friend”,- Father Seraphim. Father gave me so many tangible heartfelt gifts as well as spiritual gifts. He showed me how to let go of anger and accept people as they are and just pray, pray, pray for all. I always took so much comfort when he said, “I am praying for you and your family.” I knew he really was! He gave me the gift of introducing me to three world class iconography teachers, Ksenia, Anna and Marek! What a treasure in my life still unfolding!!! As unworthy as I am, he encouraged me to believe I could take the iconography class and trust God and pray that I would find someone to care for my kids while I was gone, even though I was not sure I could at all! I knew when something troubled me he would think about how to solve it and help me. Then he would offer a suggestion…I felt he was like an angel on my shoulder. His encouragement led to many other gifts… I never thought from an iconography class I would be introduced to so many beautiful people and make several deep friendships–all from the thread of love he took time to share with me. All I can say is I feel so happy that God brought Father Seraphim into my life and the life of my family. We are all the better for knowing him and all his gentle, loving ways! Memory Eternal dearest Father Seraphim our friend! The Montemuro family, Ariane, Tony, Ana and Tony, Brentwood, Tn 2011
January 21, 2011 at 12:52 am
hexaemeron
Beautiful tribute, Ariane! We who knew him can all testify to the truth of what you say here. I cried a lot when I received news of his repose and every time I looked at the pictures I took of him over the years. It was not so much grief as gratitude for having known such a godly man.
Marek sent me this message. I don’t think he will mind me sharing it.
“How sad for us all! I will miss him, and thank you for posting that hysterical photo of us on the swings at St. Andrew’s.”
“Fr. Seraphim would send me books every once in a while; he sent me a biography of Dorothy Day in October, I sent him a copy of “Hidden and Triumphant”. I have an olive wood rosary he sent me. I put a small medal of St. Seraphim of Sarov on it. I said my rosary for him this morning, but I smiled the whole time. I am sure he is with the Lord.”
January 22, 2011 at 3:58 am
Memory Eternal: Fr. Seraphim Scheidler, of Indonesia, Australia, and America « To the Ends of the Earth
[…] From Hexaemeron: […]
January 26, 2011 at 4:56 am
Miguel Muelle
He is one of the godliest men I have ever known. He taught Lynne and me many things about God, about life, and about Love. I will miss him dearly. Dearly. But I rejoice with him because he is in the presence of the Lord. I know he will pray for us. Fr. Seraphim Scheidler, of Austria and Australia, may your memory be eternal.
January 29, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Jennie Gelles
I agree with you that Fr. Seraphim’s presence is with us and that he prays to God for us.
I think it was very special that we were all able to be together at his funeral and witness the beautiful impact he had on so many people in the short 17 years that he lived in this country.
This experience was yet another gift to all of us because of the privilege we’ve had to study iconography with Ksenia, Anna and Marek.
Thanks to you, Mary and Nancy, for starting Hexaemeron and the workshops which have united many of us in a deep friendship while learning under a great Master. Our love of God & iconography brought us all together.
I myself feel very blessed to be one of many who has received this gift which continues to teach me so much and which has given me very special friends with whom we share this common bond.
Fr. Seraphim has touched all of our lives and I believe he will continue to do so forever. May his memory be ETERNAL !
With much love,
Jennie