Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery (ROCOR) Takes the Great Schema Amid Health Struggles
One Soul Ascends in Stillness, Another Rises in Stewardship
Recently, UOJ-America reported on the Brotherhood's plea for prayers for the health of Archimandrite Seraphim, after doctors discovered what they believed to be an aggressive primary brain tumor.
With his bodily health waning and having long desired to end his days in the Great Schema, Fr. Seraphim asked the monastery's bishop, Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, to tonsure him into the schema.
Despite his innumerable duties and responsibilities as the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Vladyka Nicholas showed his great archpastoral love for Fr. Seraphim and the brotherhood by coming to the monastery on very short notice.
Vladyka traveled to the monastery on Great Monday to perform the sacred rite.
Following Bridegroom Matins, in the quiet sanctity of his cell, Fr. Seraphim was reborn in Christ as Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon, Schemamonks Anthony and Ignaty standing as his sponsors.
On Palm Sunday, the entire brotherhood gathered in the church to serve a moleben. With prayer and careful discernment, the senior fathers elected Igumen Gabriel as the monastery’s next abbot. This election now awaits the blessing of the Holy Synod.
Please continue to keep our beloved father in Christ, Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon, in your prayers, and pray likewise for all our brotherhood as we go through this time of transition. Glory to God for all things!
For more information and photos of the tonsure of Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon, click here.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Thy servant, the Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon. Amen.
