Archpriest Seraphim Stephens

Fr. Seraphim Stephens, Raphael Weller Stephens III, died peacefully at his home on August 9, 2024. He was born September 22, 1940, in Charlotte, NC to Raphael W. Stephens Jr. and Helen Dorothy Lutes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, C. Russell Stephens, and his niece, Heather Denise Henry.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Anita Hening Stephens, Matushka Zenobia; four daughters, Dominica Taylor (boB), Renee Torgler, Danielle Wilfong (Kevin) and Gabrielle Brewer (Jay); grandchildren, Erik Taylor (Becca), Bayley Patterson (Zach), Kirsten Flood, (Dom), Zak Taylor, Asher Torgler, Fiona Wilfong, Jason Brewer, Jordan Brewer and Genna Brewer; great-granddaughters, Alli and Emma Taylor, Dahlia Peck; great-grandsons, Jack Patterson and Maddox Taylor. He is also survived by his sister, Susan Stephens Henry (Kent); and nephews, C. R. Stephens Jr and Jason Henry (Meg). Fr. Seraphim is a founding member of St. Joseph of Optina Russian Orthodox Church in Va Beach. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1992. Over the years Fr. Seraphim helped start several missions including All Saints of North America in Middlebrook, VA and the Akathist Chapel in Clearbrook, VA. He was also an avid supporter of the Southern Deanery and St. Seraphim Orthodox Youth Camp. With over 40 years of service before his retirement in 2009, Fr. Seraphim served as an educator in the public school system as well as a college administrator and an adjunct instructor for several local university programs. He completed a Doctorate in Administration in Higher Education from The College of William and Mary and specialized in working with disadvantaged youth. In 2012 he was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Holy Resurrection Orthodox Theological Seminary.
A Pannykhida Service will be held during the visitation between 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, 736 Sheppard Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23518. A funeral service will be held at the church on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10 am with burial to follow at 1 pm at Colonial Grove Memorial Park, Va Beach. Graham Funeral Home will be caring for arrangements. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph of Optina Russian Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 23467, Va Beach, VA 23467 or paypal account: donations@russianchurchvb.org.