Our dear brother Schemamonk John peacefully departed this life at 11:50pm on Sunday, August 9, the feast of the Holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon, the patron of our monastery. The Canon for the Departure of the Soul was being read when he reposed. The whole community gathered immediately at his bedside, and the first pannykhida was then served by Archimandrite Seraphim, Archdeacon Sergius and the monastic clergy.
With the Psalter being read continuously, his body was cleaned and dressed in his monastic clothing and the Great Schema, and was then placed in a beautiful red oak coffin that had been specially made by a friend of the monastery. The monks carried his coffin from the infirmary into the monastic church, where the Psalter readings continued throughout the night until the funeral, which took place at 11:30am on Tuesday, August 10. On this day the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness, before a large copy of which Schemamonk John had spent the last two weeks praying in the monastery’s infirmary and before which he reposed in the Lord.
Please pray for the soul of our departed brother, Schemamonk John.
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As of Monday, July 26 one member of the brotherhood has tested positive for COVID-19 and a good number of others have fallen ill. Therefore Fr. Seraphim has decided to close the monastery to visitors temporarily, and unfortunately we will have to cancel the public celebration of St. Panteleimon's Day on August 8/9.
Because we are very shorthanded, we will also be closing the store through the end of this week. Orders can continue to be placed either online or via phone message, and will be fulfilled as quickly as possible beginning Tuesday, August 3.
Regarding live-streaming, please make note of the abbreviated liturgical schedule for this week.
Unfortunately, due to the recent appearance of COVID-19 at the monastery, the celebration of St. Panteleimon's Day will have to be closed to the public this year. However, we will continue to live-stream the divine services online.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy there will be a special Festal Moleben to St. Panteleimon, as well as for eight days following the feast. We invite everyone to submit the names of those in need of his aid for commemoration during these services. Please use the form below to submit these names.