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August 10, 2011
Wayne, WV: St. Panteleimon's Day celebrations at 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 Monday the 8th and Tuesday 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 clergy from local parishes.

Part of the monastery’s uniqueness lies in its being one of the few places in the world where pilgrims can hear Znamenny chant, sung in English. The prayerful singing of the monastic choir creates a spiritual tie between the modern era and the rich legacy of the ancient, grace-filled singing of Russia’s monasteries.

During the Polyeleos, all of those present participated in the singing of an akathist to the Great Martyr, in which all those present gladly participated.

The following morning, during the Divine Liturgy, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, Bishop George elevated Priest Onouphry Keith (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher, NC) to the rank of archpriest, and awarded monastery cleric Hierodeacon Sergius (Wilson) the right to wear the double orarion. 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. Upon completion of the service, everyone received icons of St. Panteleimon.

Taking official part in the St. Panteleimon’s Day celebrations was an honored dignitary and guest of the Eastern American Diocese, Valery S. Balakirev, chairman of Russia’s National Awards Committee, visiting America with the blessing of Schema-Archimandrite Iliy (Nozdrin).

Upon completion of the moleben, Archpriest Serge Lukianov introduced Mr. Balakirev, then read aloud a letter from the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, to the National Awards Committee, formally requesting that the Abbot and Deputy Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery be awarded the "Triumph of Orthodoxy" medal:

I hereby request that the National Awards Committee bestow the "Triumph of Orthodoxy" medal upon His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese and Abbot Seraphim (Voepel), Deputy Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery.

Bishop George is abbot of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV, the largest monastery in the Eastern American Diocese. Since his appointment as rector of the monastery in 2009, Bp. George has overseen the extensive growth and expansion of the monastery. With over 20 brethren, Holy Cross Monastery is not only the largest monastery in the diocese, but has also become an important spiritual center for thousands of Orthodox Christians living in America.

Abbot Seraphim (Voepel) has been a member of the brotherhood at Holy Cross Monastery for 19 years. In 1998, he was elected deputy rector, a post which he still holds today. 15 years after the founding of Holy Cross Monastery, the monks relocated from the American Midwest to the rural mountains of West Virginia, where they built a monastery from the ground up. Fr. Seraphim oversaw the construction of the monastery in its current location in West Virginia.

Fervently preserving the traditions of Russian monasticism, the monastery is attracting candidates and pilgrims from every canonical Orthodox jurisdiction in America. In this time of tribulation for Orthodox Christians living in America, Holy Cross Monastery remains a safe spiritual haven where countless souls come for spiritual nourishment and direction.

Holding in high esteem the labors and enormous contributions of Bishop George and Abbot Seraphim to the Holy Russian Orthodox Church, and on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Monastery, celebrated in 2011, I recommend that they become the recipients of the medal of the "Triumph of Orthodoxy."

Turning to His Grace, Bishop George, and the brethren of the monastery, Mr. Balakirev replied:

Your Grace, Reverend fathers, dear brothers and sisters!

I greet you on behalf of the Russian people!

Russia’s National Awards committee was founded with the blessing of His Holiness, Patriarch Alexey II of Moscow and All Russia, and runs the Patriarchal Awards Project, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the spiritual rebirth of Russia and unity within the Russian world.

The first recipient of the National Award was His Holiness, Patriarch Alexey himself who, upon receiving the award, called it "among the highest of awards." Patriarch Kyrill, upon receiving the award, noted that awards bestowed by the people are the most honorable of all awards, and confer a weighty responsibility. Award recipient Metropolitan Laurus, First Hierarch of the Church Abroad, upon receiving the award, called the National Awards Committee "a trustworthy instrument of national diplomacy." Hierarchs and priests of the Russian Orthodox Church feel strongly that the voice of the people is the voice of God, and accept the National Award as an award from the Lord.

On this, my first visit to America, I fulfilled the expressed will of the people: I presented His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, with the National Award on behalf of the Russian people. I have more good news: the National Awards Committee received a request from Metropolitan Hilarion concerning further candidates for the Award.

The following candidates have been approved to receive the Russian National Award ‒ the "Triumph of Orthodoxy" medal: His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, Vicar Bishop of the Eastern American Diocese and Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery, and Abbot Seraphim (Voepel), Deputy Abbot of the Monastery.

Many and blessed years to the recipients of Russia’s National Award!

V.S. Balakirev then presented the distinguished awards to Bishop George and Abbot Seraphim on behalf of the people of Great Russia.

Upon receiving the award, Bishop George expressed his gratitude for the attention paid and high marks given to the monastic labors of the monastery brethren. His Grace announced that he accepted the award not for himself, but on behalf of the entire brotherhood. It was, he said, truly touching to see the love shown by the Russian people to the monastics of Orthodox America.

A festive luncheon was served in the monastery refectory, during which the monks and guests were offered traditional Lebanese cuisine, prepared by the monastery’s faithful Lebanese Christian neighbors.

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.

That evening, after the Small Compline, the monks held a special reception for the newly-awarded recipients of the National Award and their honored guests.

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