August 31, 2015
Wayne, WV: Brethren of Holy Cross Monastery celebrate Dormition of Most Holy Theotokos

On Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th of August, the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV celebrated the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Divine services in the monastery’s main church were led by the abbot, Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel), who was co-served by monastery clergy: Abbot Alexander (Frizzell; monastery dean), Hieromonks Andrew (O’Leary), Hilarion (Heagy), and Gabriel (Hooten), and Hierodeacons Sergius (Wilson) and Paisios (Laiblin), as well as Archpriest John Dixon (rector of neighboring Holy Spirit Antiochian Church in Huntington, WV) and Priest Justin Havens (rector of Sts. Peter & Paul Antiochian Church in Salt Lake City, UT). Praying in church were the brethren and many pilgrims.

During the All-Night Vigil, the Jerusalem Burial Rite was served, and toward the end of the service, the clergy and faithful processed across the monastery grounds with the holy shroud.

The following morning, the above-mentioned clergy (excepting Fr. John Dixon) concelebrated the Divine Liturgy. Upon conclusion of the Liturgy, the Rite of the Panagia was performed, after which the brethren and pilgrims enjoyed a festal luncheon in the monastery refectory.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese