Archimandrite Seraphim, the abbot of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia, peacefully reposed in the Lord early on April 24th, just after 3 a.m., the monastery announced.
The late Fr. Seraphim, abbot of the Holy Cross Monastery under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, served the brotherhood as its leader for over 10 years until earlier this month when he stepped down in light of his failing health, hence tonsured into the Great Schema.
Announcement of Seraphim’s repose by Holy Cross Monastery
On the official website of the monastery, they wrote;
With great sadness but also with joyful faith in the Resurrection of our Lord, we announce the repose of our beloved father in Christ, Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon (Voepel). He fell asleep in the Lord early this morning, April 24th, just before 3 a.m.
He died peacefully at home, in the kellia where he has welcomed monks, clergy, and pilgrims for many years, surrounded by his devoted spiritual children. As he was nearing the end, his cell attendant read the Canon for the Departure of the Soul, and at the conclusion of the final prayer, Fr. Panteleimon quietly gave his soul back into God’s hands.
Please pray for the repose of the ever-memorable servant of God, Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon. May his memory be eternal!
Christ Is Risen!
The funeral of the late abbot will take place on Bright Saturday, April 26th, with a more detailed schedule of events to be forthcoming shortly.
Igumen Gabriel elected Abbot after Seraphim took the Great Schema
Owing to his lifelong desire to end his life in the fullness of the monastic life, on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025, due to Archimandrite Seraphim’s ailing medical conditions characterized by an aggressive brain tumor, as confirmed by doctors, the brotherhood elected Igumen Gabriel as new Abbot.
The next day, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR, arrived to tonsure the ailing Fr. Seraphim into the Great Schema with the new name Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon.
