Festal Celebration of Archimandrite Seraphim's Namesday
On Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August, the brotherhood of the Hermitage of the Holy Cross joyously celebrated the feast day of St. Seraphim of Sarov with an Akathist and Divine Liturgy.
This feast is dear to the hearts to the Hermitage brethren not simply as it is the Name Day of their abbot, Archimandrite Seraphim, but because St. Seraphim stands as a luminary of the Russian Church and a guide for monastics in these last days. Through his example of quiet joy, tremendous faith and simple love for God and for all around him, St. Seraphim stands as a guide and example for all, and a powerful intercessor before the Lord.
On Friday evening, an All-Night Vigil with litia and an Akathist to St. Seraphim was served. The following morning Divine Liturgy was served, with Fr. Seraphim as the main celebrant, along with the monastic clergy, as well as Priest Jonah (Campbell), the pastor of the local Christ the Savior parish (ROCOR) in Wayne, WV. Schemamonk John (Dezorzi), who is currently gravely ill with cancer and spending his last days at the Hermitage, was blessed to be able to receive Holy Communion in church and was present for a group photo of the Hermitage brethren in West Virginia. After Divine Liturgy, the brotherhood and all pilgrims were treated to a festive meal, which included a number of delicious Lebanese dishes cooked especially by friends and benefactors who attend the local Holy Spirit Antiochian Church in Huntington, WV.
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