Русская Версия

August 11, 2010
St. Panteleimon’s Day in Holy Cross Monastery

When Holy Cross Monastery was founded and dedicated to the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was chosen as the monastery’s chief intercessor. Every morning, a moleben is served before the relics and icon of St. Panteleimon, for the healing of the sick and suffering. The monastery has often received help from St. Panteleimon, and zealously honors his memory.

On Sunday evening the 8th and Monday morning the 9th of August, the rector of the monastery, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, led the festive divine services in the monastery’s main church for the feast of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. His Grace was co-served by a multitude of clergy.

During the polyeleos, all of those present participated in the singing of an akathist to the Great Martyr. The following morning, during the reading of the Sixth Hour, His Grace tonsured Zacchaeus Nifong, longtime parishioner of St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher, NC, a reader. During the Divine Liturgy, about 70 clerics and laymen received the Holy Mysteries.

After the Liturgy, a festive moleben was served to the Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon, during which hundreds of sick and suffering around the world were commemorated. All of the pilgrims were sprinkled with holy water, and upon completion of the service received icons of St. Panteleimon.

A festive luncheon was served after Liturgy, during which Bishop George thanked all those who worked to prepare for the feast day, as well as those who came to pray with the brethren and honor St. Panteleimon. It is worth mentioning that the monastery church and refectory were filled to capacity, demonstrating the necessity of building new facilities.

After the luncheon, Archpriest Victor Potapov led a very interesting discussion in the monastery guesthouse on the life and martyric death of Brother Joseph Muños-Cortes, custodian of the wonder-working Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. Fr. Victor and Matushka Maria brought a photo exhibit, a piece of the Life-Giving Cross, relics of St. Callinicus the Martyr, and other holy relics and items that belonged to Brother Joseph. His Grace thanked Fr. Victor for his wonderful lecture, and expressed his desire to see Fr. Victor in Holy Cross Monastery once again.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese