Bsp. Luke Installs Igumen Gabriel As Abbot Of Holy Cross Monastery

Clergy, monastics, and faithful at Holy Cross Moanstery. Wayne, WV.

WAYNE, WV — Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, presided over the services for the Feast of St. Panteleimon, patron of the Brotherhood at Holy Cross Monastery. Bsp. Luke and the brothers were joined by a number of concelebrants and pilgrims from across the country, including Archimandrite John (Townsend) and monastics from the Holy Elders of Optina Skete, in Roswell, GA.

Saturday morning, during the hierarchical liturgy, His Grace blessed the Copulas (Onion Domes) and three bar crosses for the monastery's new Catholicon. 

After the blessing, the Crosier (Abbots Staff) was given to Igumen Gabriel, and he was officiated as the new Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery.

Following the festive meal, UOJ-America sat down with Igumen Gabriel for an exclusive interview — to be released Monday, Aug. 18. Speaking of this next chapter in the monastery's history, Fr. Gabriel spoke of the brotherhood's plans to move into the new church this fall, after which they will look towards building new dormitories to facilitate the growth of the brotherhood itself. Currently, the brotherhood is in the process of building the iconostasis and negotiating with iconographers. Asked what the faithful could do to help in the completion of the Church, Fr. Gabriel emphasized the need for prayer. Those who feel led to help materially may donate at holycross.org

Saturday afternoon, Vladyka Luke led a graveside pannykhida for the ever-memorable Archimandrite Panteleimon (Nizhnik), founder and builder of Jordanville Monastery, as well as for the former abbot of Holy Cross Monastery, Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon (Voepel), who reposed during Bright Week of this year.

The Holy Cross Monastery was initially founded in 1986 in House Springs, Missouri. In 2000, the brotherhood shifted to West Virginia, settling in the Christ-haunted hollows of Appalachia. As our Lord says, "a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel" [Mt. 5:14-15]; and so is the case with Holy Cross. After the release of viral documentaries like "Appalachian Orthodoxy" and "New Men," the thick canopies of West Virginia could no longer hide this remote outpost of ascetic struggle.

Holy Cross is significant as it is one of the few Orthodox Monasteries which conducts all its services in English. Steeped in the rich traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, it surprises many to learn that the Brotherhood is composed exclusively of American converts. The monastery, fully integrated into the community and culture of Appalachia, gives us a glimpse of what an Orthodox America might one day look like. 

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