Brotherhood Celebrates Feast of St. Panteleimon (2026)

On Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August, Abbot Gabriel and the brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV celebrated the feast day of their beloved patron saint, the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.

The festivities were officiated by his Grace Bishop James of Sonora, whom the monastic brotherhood was honored to welcome for his first visit to the monastery. A multitude of pilgrims also traveled from near and far to be present for the feast.

On Saturday evening, an All-Night Vigil with Akathist to St. Panteleimon was served. Vladyka James presided, accompanied by Abbot Gabriel and monastery clergy, Archpriest Jonah Campbell from nearby Christ the Saviour Church in Wayne, and Priest Jeremiah Davis from St. Matrona Mission in Winchester, KY. Praying in the nave were Archpriest John Dixon and Deacon John Paise of Holy Spirit Antiochian Church in Huntington, WV, and Priest Mark Elliott of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Huntington.

Following the Vigil, a reception was offered for Vladyka, the fathers, and pilgrims after the joyous labors of the divine service.

On Sunday morning after the Service of the Lesser Blessing of the Waters, Bishop James was greeted by monastery and local clergy, and he officiated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. Vladyka gave a stirring homily for the feast on how every choice in our lives is in fact a response to our Lord’s question to each one of us, similar to His question to Peter: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15).

A festal Moleben was served to the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon at the conclusion of the Liturgy. All those whose names had been submitted for commemoration were prayed for before the icon of the monastery’s heavenly patron. Vladyka, the fathers, and pilgrims were then treated to a festal meal and a blessed time of feast day fellowship.

Later in the afternoon, Bishop James led a graveside pannykhida for the previous abbot and monastery builder Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon and others. Afterwards, Vladyka gave a brief word. Pointing out that our prayer for eternal memory for the departed is a supplication that the Lord would put away their sins and remember their spiritual labors and good works, we should pray this prayer with all our hearts, since it is precisely their spiritual labors which made it possible for us to be where we are today.

Bishop James continued his very active schedule that evening, hosting a spiritual conference with the brotherhood. On Monday, Vladyka joined some of the fathers in the bakery to make prosphora together, breaking only for trapeza and a mid-day pannykhida for blessed Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) on the 90th anniversary of his repose.

It was with full hearts and a hope for a future visit that Abbot Gabriel and the brotherhood bid farewell to Bishop James on Tuesday. May God reward his labors in honor of St. Panteleimon and on behalf of the Holy Cross brotherhood!

Troparion to St. Panteleimon
O Holy Passion-bearer and healer Panteleimon * intercede with the
merciful God * that He grant unto our souls * forgiveness of offenses.

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