May 6, 2016
Wayne, WV: Divine Services for Passion Week & Pascha in Holy Cross
Monastery
In
the final days before Holy Pascha, the Lenten services at
Holy Cross
Monastery in Wayne, WV were led by the monastery’s abbot –
Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel), co-served by monastic clergy.
On
Great Thursday, April 28, Fr. Seraphim celebrated the Divine Liturgy
in memory of the Mystical Supper. He was co-served by Hieromonks
Andrew (O’Leary), Nektarios (Merry), Hilarion (Heagy), and Gabriel
(Hooten), Archdeacon Sergius (Wilson), and Hierodeacon Paisios
(Laiblin). That evening were read the Twelve Passion Gospels,
commemorating the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord.
On Great Friday, the Royal Hours were read in the monastery church,
followed by Vespers and the brining out of the Shroud. That evening,
in accordance with Church tradition, Matins was served with the rite
of the Burial of the Savior’s body, at the conclusion of which were
heard those long-awaited words, so near to the hearts of the
faithful: "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered!"
The
following morning, Vespers and the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
were served, during which were read aloud the Old Testament readings
that prophesy Christ’s Resurrection and the salvation of the people
of God from the enemy of man and from eternal death. In accordance
with Greek tradition, the priests threw rose petals around the
church in anticipation of Christ’s Resurrection. Upon completion of
the Liturgy, the monastics all departed for their cells, to await in
serenity and prayer the coming radiant night, when the Resurrection
of Christ would be proclaimed.
On the night of Saturday, April 30, into Sunday, May 1, the monastic
community greeted the Feast of feasts – Christ’s Glorious
Resurrection. The Paschal divine services were led by Fr. Seraphim,
co-served by the above-mentioned clergy. The monastic brethren and
pilgrims performed the midnight procession joyously and to the peal
of bells. Red flares burned across the monastery property, while the
faithful – in accordance with Greek tradition – set off fireworks.
After the singing of the stichera and the Paschal proclamation
"Christ is Risen!", Matins and Divine Liturgy were served in the
main church.
All
those present communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries, thereby reaching
the conclusion of the preparatory Lenten journey to the joyous night
of Pascha. Upon completion of the service, everyone gathered in the
refectory to break the fast at the Paschal meal.
The following day, on Bright Monday, the feast of Pascha continued:
the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, after which the brethren and
pilgrims held a procession around the monastery property with icons
and banners, while the clergy sprinkled the faithful with holy
water.
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
