Wayne, West Virginia, April 16, 2025
Photo: eadiocese.org The brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) in Wayne, West Virginia, elected a new abbot on Palm Sunday.
This decision was made in light of the 
Prayers requested for Abbot Seraphim of Holy Cross Monastery in West VirginiaThe brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, West Virginia (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) is requesting prayers for its beloved abbot Archimandrite Seraphim.
“>medical condition of the previous abbot, Archimandrite Seraphim, whom doctors believe has an aggressive brain tumor, the monastery reports.
On Sunday, the whole brotherhood gathered in church for a moleben, after which the senior fathers prayerfully elected Igumen Gabriel as their next abbot. This choice must be ratified by the ROCOR Holy Synod.
The next day, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR, arrived to tonsure the ailing Fr. Seraphim into the Great Schema, as it has been his lifelong desire to end his life in the fullness of the monastic life.
Photo: holycross.org
Thus, following the evening Bridegroom Matins service, Fr. Seraphim was tonsured in his cell with the new name Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon.
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