August 6, 2015
Wayne, WV: Brethren of Holy Cross Monastery celebrate Feast St. Seraphim of Sarov

On Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August, the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV joyously celebrated the feast day of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

This feast is dear to the hearts to the brethren not simply as it is the namesday of their abbot, Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel), but because St. Seraphim stands as a luminary of the Russian Church and a guide for monastics in these last days. Through his example of quiet joy, tremendous faith, and simple love for God and for all around him, St. Seraphim stands as a guide and example for all, and a powerful intercessor before the Lord.

On Friday evening, an All-Night Vigil with an akathist to St. Seraphim was served. The following morning, Divine Liturgy was served, with Fr. Seraphim as the main celebrant, along with the monastic clergy: Hieromonks Alexander (Frizzell; deputy abbot), Andrew (O’Leary), Hilarion (Heagy), and Gabriel (Hooten) and Hierodeacons Sergius (Wilson) and Paisios (Laiblin), as well as clerics of the local Christ the Savior Church in Wayne: Priest Jonah Campbell (rector) and Deacon Jeremiah Davis.

Schemamonk John (Dezorzi), who is currently gravely ill with cancer and spending his last days at the monastery, was blessed to be able to receive Holy Communion. After Liturgy, the Rite of the Panagia was performed. The brethren and pilgrims were then treated to a festal meal, which included a number of delicious Lebanese dishes cooked especially by friends and benefactors who attend the local Holy Spirit Antiochian Church in Huntington, WV.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese