On Friday, August 16, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese gathered to serve the funeral of Archpriest Seraphim Stephens (former rector of St. Joseph of Optina Church in Virginia Beach, VA), who reposed on Friday, August 9. With the blessing of His Eminence Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas & the South of the OCA, the funeral was held in Holy Dormition Church in Norfolk, VA.

Archimandrite John (Townsend; dean of Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi) officiated the full rite of the Funeral for a Priest, co-served by Archpriests David Straut (rector of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ), Alexis Duncan (rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY), and Onouphry Keith (cleric of St. Thomas the Apostle Mission in Tobaccoville, NC; retired). Also praying at the service were Archpriest Joh Johnson (rector of St. Thecla Church in Kensington, MD), Priest Eugene Antonov (rector of Our Lady "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Church in Cumming (Atlanta), GA), and Priest John Diamantis (rector of Holy Dormition Church).

Fr. David, who was Fr. Seraphim’s last confessor, delivered the eulogy, in which he touched on the first Gospel reading from the Funeral of a Priest ‒ John 5:24-30 ‒ in which our Lord says: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Fr. David also shared some of his remembrances of his times with Fr. Seraphim over the last 25 years at diocesan events and especially at St. Seraphim’s Camp, where they both were active. Over the last four years, from the time of the COVID pandemic, they got to know one another very well through hour-long weekly telephone calls. Fr. Seraphim knew that he was reaching the end of his life, and he used that time to prepare for death. We too must prepare for our own deaths, which could come at any time, by repentance and spiritual struggle to become close to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fr. David also read the Prayer of Absolution at the end of the funeral.

Fr. Alexis Duncan brought holy oil from the Tomb of the Lord. He covered the body of Fr. Seraphim with a shroud, poured the holy oil over him, and sprinkled ashes over him before the casket was closed.

Following the funeral, Fr. Seraphim was interred at Colonial Grove Memorial Park. Archimandrite John blessed the grave and read the burial prayers.

Memory Eternal to the newly reposed Archpriest Seraphim!