On the week of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross ‒ the patronal feast of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV ‒ Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) and the brotherhood received an archpastoral visit by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen).

On Thursday, September 26, His Eminence officiated the festal All-Night Vigil, at the conclusion of which he performed the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross. A reception was offered afterward for the brotherhood and pilgrims in the monastic refectory.

The next day, despite the wind and rains lashing the monastery from Hurricane Helene, many local clergy and faithful joined Metropolitan Jonah and the brotherhood for the hierarchal Divine Liturgy. At the Little Entrance, Hieromonk Gabriel (Hooten), the monastery dean, was elevated to the rank of abbot.

After the dismissal, Metropolitan Jonah delivered a homily on the meaning of the Cross. Quoting the Holy Apostle Paul, His Eminence emphasized that the Cross will always be foolishness and a scandal to the world, whose "wisdom" and "power" are built on hatred, as evidenced in the terrible conflicts and atrocities convulsing today’s world. However, our Lord Jesus Christ is the true power of God and the wisdom of God. This divine power and wisdom are most perfectly expressed in His Cross, which is a symbol of His love. Thus, when we embrace our own cross, we commit ourselves to a life of sacrificial love for God and neighbor. Thereby, we are gradually transformed and so liken ourselves to Christ, that we may be found like Him when He comes in His glory.

Following the thanksgiving prayers, a festal banquet of traditional Lebanese fasting cuisine was served by beloved monastery friends and benefactors Julian and Jihad Saad, parishioners of nearby Holy Spirit Antiochian Church. May God reward them, and may He ever compass us about with power of His Precious and Life-Giving Cross, preserving us from every evil!