GRAMOTAS
Presented on the 25th Aniversary of Holy Cross Monastery

To His Grace GEORGE, Bishop of Mayfield
and all the Brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery

This gramota is granted on the day of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Monastery. Founded in 1986 by the ever-memorable Hieromonk Kallistos, Holy Cross Monastery has become a spiritual jewel for the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Having moved from the American Midwest to the rural mountains of West Virginia in the year 2000, Holy Cross Monastery has grown to become one of the largest monasteries in the Eastern American Diocese and a vital spiritual center for Orthodox Christians living in America. Thousands of pilgrims come from all over the country in search of spiritual nourishment, guidance, and inner peace, which they find within the walls of this sacred hermitage.

In the years following the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion, Holy Cross Monastery has set an example of love and unity for the entire Diocese. The Hermitage quickly became a sacred place where clergy and faithful from all canonical jurisdictions could come together in the spirit of brotherly love, glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through prayer, fasting, and repentance. Fervently preserving the traditions of Russian monasticism, the monastery is attracting candidates from every jurisdiction who have come here in search of a life of prayer and solitude. Through Holy Cross Monastery, the Orthodox faith is spreading throughout our land, and the Holy Orthodox Church, the raiment of Christ, is being strengthened and preserved.

Holding in high esteem the prayers, monastic labors, and enormous contributions of the brotherhood towards the preservation and strengthening of the Holy Orthodox Faith in America, we express to you our profound gratitude and heartfelt congratulations on the monumental occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Monastery, and call upon you the blessing of Almighty God.

In witness thereof we grant you this gramota, duly signed and imprinted with the diocesan seal in the God-preserved town of Wayne, West Virginia, on October 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2011.

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

 

To the Very Reverend Abbot Seraphim (Voepel)
Deputy Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery

In a report from the rector of Holy Cross monastery, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, we have learned of your many years of faithful and dedicated service to the brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery. Under your spiritual direction, your beloved hermitage has flourished and become a spiritual center not only for the Eastern American Diocese, but for the all Orthodox Christians living in America.

St. Seraphim of Sarov teaches us that we must “acquire the spirit of peace, and thousands around us will be saved.” You have heeded the words of your patron saint, and for 19 years you have faithfully carried your monastic cross in service to God and His Holy Church. Having given yourself entirely to your brotherhood and spiritual children, they have come to know you as a wise and humble shepherd who embodies the very principles of love and compassion taught to us by Our Savior. Countless souls that flock to you in search of spiritual guidance always leave this monastery with a renewed feeling of hope and the strength to battle with their passions and the temptations of this world.

Highly esteeming your many years of monastic service, witnessing your love for God and His Holy Church, we express to you our profound gratitude and heartfelt congratulations on the monumental occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Monastery, and call upon you the blessing of Almighty God.

In witness to this we grant you this gramota, duly signed and imprinted with the diocesan seal in the God-preserved town of Wayne, West Virginia, on October 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2011.

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

 

To the Reverend Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell)
Dean of Holy Cross Monastery

In a report from the rector of Holy Cross monastery, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, we have learned of your many years of faithful and dedicated service to the brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery. The Lord said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). With God’s help, you have heeded these words of our Savior and have faithfully carried your monastic cross in service to God and His Holy Church.

As the Dean of Holy Cross Monastery, you work tirelessly to assure that the administrative affairs of the Brotherhood are in order, thus giving peace of mind to your brethren so that they may continue their fervent prayers for the salvation of the world. Through your ceaseless efforts and care for the brotherhood, the monastery has been able to expand its missionary outreach to thousands of faithful all across this great nation.

As the faithful assistant to the abbot and deputy abbot, you have taken upon yourself the tremendous task of successfully organizing the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of your beloved hermitage. This was not merely the celebration of an anniversary, but the celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. By opening its doors in loving embrace to all Orthodox Christians of every canonical jurisdiction, Holy Cross Monastery has indeed become a Triumph of Orthodoxy in our times.

Highly esteeming your many years of monastic service, witnessing your love for God and His Holy Church, we express to you our profound gratitude and heartfelt congratulations on the monumental occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Monastery, and call upon you the blessing of Almighty God.

In witness to this we grant you this gramota, duly signed and imprinted with the diocesan seal in the God-preserved town of Wayne, West Virginia, on October 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2011.

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad