On Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of July, 42 pilgrims from St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC, led by cathedral cleric Priest John Johnson, made their second annual pilgrimage to Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV. Departing from the nation’s capital early Saturday morning, the group arrived in Huntington early afternoon and rested briefly before continuing on to the monastery. For the final, shorter, leg of their journey, they were joined by monastery dean Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell), who met them at their motel and escorted them to the monastery.

Upon arriving at the monastery in the late afternoon, the pilgrims were greeted by Abbot Seraphim (Voepel), the monastery’s deputy abbot. After affording everyone a few minutes to stretch their legs and to browse the gift shop, Fr. Alexander took the group into the monastery church, where they venerated the icons and lit candles. Fr. Alexander gave an overview of the monastery’s history and the significance of its patron saint, the Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. He also spoke of the monastic vocation, and related at length the significance of many of the holy icons and relics in the church, among them the icon of St. Alexander of Svir, the Port Arthur Icon of the Mother of God, and the relics of the saints of the Kiev Caves Lavra.

Following the tour of the church, His Grace, Bishop George of Mayfield, met and blessed the pilgrims, leading them into the refectory for the evening meal. After the blessing of the meal, Bishop George, the monks, and the pilgrims ate in silence as is customary for meals taken in a monastery, listening to the reading of the lives of the saints. After a short break, the Hierarchical Vigil for Sunday and the Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos at Blachernae was served, with His Grace presiding, the monastic clergy concelebrating, and Deacon Damian Dantinne (cathedral cleric) serving with the monastery’s hierodeacon and deacon. During the Vigil, confessions were heard by Fr. Alexander and Fr. John.

On Sunday morning, the Hours and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were presided over by Bishop George, with the monastic and visiting clergy concelebrating. A prayerful spirit reigned in the church as the Liturgy was sung by the monastic choir, and a large number of pilgrims communed of the Holy Mysteries. Following Holy Communion, His Grace gave a wonderfully uplifting sermon.

After the midday meal in the monastery refectory, the group separated into two smaller groups for a tour of the monastery grounds, farm, and workshops. The pilgrims learned about the various obediences assigned to the monastics, the daily routine at the monastery’s livestock farm, and how the monastery prepares the incense, soap, and candles which have become its hallmarks. After the tour and time spent in the monastery’s gift shop, the pilgrims once again assembled in the church for a final moleben to the Cross of Christ, the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia, and St. Panteleimon. After all of the brethren and pilgrims were anointed with oil from the lamp of the monastery’s shrine to St. Panteleimon, the pilgrims boarded their bus to return to Washington, much enriched by their visit to the Hermitage.

Priest John Johnson

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