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Wayne, WV: On Bright Monday, Bishop George leads Final Services as Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery

On Bright Monday, April 13, the clergy of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV, led by His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy. A multitude of Orthodox faithful and clergy from areas surrounding the monastery came for this Liturgy and the festal meal following in order to bid farewell to Bishop George, as this was his last Divine Liturgy at the monastery before leaving for his new appointment as Bishop of Canberra in the Diocese of Australia & New Zealand. His Grace departed for Australia on the following morning, Bright Tuesday, April 14.

During the Liturgy, His Grace was co-served by monastery clergy: Abbot Seraphim (Voepel; deputy abbot, elected to assume the abbacy following Bishop George’s departure), Hieromonks Alexander (Frizzell; dean), Andrew (O’Leary), Nektarios (Merry), Hilarion (Heagy), and Gabriel (Hooten), Hierodeacon Sergius (Wilson), and Deacon Jeremiah Davis. Also co-serving with His Grace was Priest Jonah Campbell (rector of Christ the Savior Church in Wayne), and Priest Mark Tyson (rector of Holy Dormition Carpatho-Russian Church in Bluefield, WV). Also praying in church during the liturgy were Archpriest John Dixon (rector of Holy Spirit Antiochian Church) and Priest Mark Elliott (rector of St. George Greek Church), both of Huntington, WV.

During the Little Entrance, Abbot Seraphim was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite, and after the Eucharistic Canon, Subdeacon-Monk Paisios was ordained to the diaconate.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop George officially installed Archimandrite Seraphim as Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery and handed over to him the Abbot’s staff. After offering several words of gratitude to Bishop George for the many years of love and care shown to the monks of the Hermitage of the Holy Cross, Abbot Seraphim presented Bishop George with a beautiful Panagia, saying: "You will always be a part of the Hermitage of the Holy Cross." Bishop George likewise addressed the Holy Cross brotherhood and the multitude gathered in the church with words of love and gratitude, and gave his blessing to all present.

The feeling of the monastery brethren and the assembled friends and pilgrims during this festal Bright Monday was one of exuberant Paschal joy and triumph, mixed with sadness at the departure of Bishop George, who has been such a significant part of the monastic community, and the Orthodox community in North America at large, for so long a time. His Grace’s care and support will be sorely missed, and the prayers of the monks of Holy Cross – and of all the faithful of the Eastern American Diocese – will surely accompany him during his time as the shepherd of the Australian flock.

Photos

Bright Monday @ HCM - 04/13/15

(38 images)


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Eastern American Diocese | Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia