Honoring and Saying Goodbye to Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon

"With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting." 

- Prayer from Orthodox Funeral Service

The early morning clouds gave way in small sporadic windows to a blue sky beyond after several hours of dark rain on Bright Saturday, April 26, 2025.

The gravel road leading up to the monastery was busy with vehicles marking the arrival of many who loved Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon (Voepel) and wished to say their final goodbyes.  For us spiritual children, for the clergy and monastics who were touched by his love for God, his spiritual direction, his life of prayer, generous hospitality and friendship, he was known affectionately as Fr. Seraphim.  Archimandrite Seraphim, Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery, formerly.

In the last weeks of his life, he realized a lifelong desire to spend his final days as a Great Schema monk, the fullness of the monastic life.  He was tonsured by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Vladyka Nicholas and was reborn in Christ as Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon.

As pilgrims made their way into the new church at Holy Cross Monastery on Saturday, the sight of many colorful flowers, including Easter Lilies, roses, hydrangeas, ferns and daisies brought a delicate beauty to the large open space.  The flowers adorned the casket and many icons with relics that had been placed on analogia  (wooden lecterns) draped eloquently with richly embroidered cloths.   The candle stands placed alongside the Resurrection Icon as well as other areas in the church lent a continual warmth and reminder of ceaseless prayer and thanksgiving.

A quiet murmur was heard as friends and loved ones greeted each other in whispers, wiped away tears and shared many comforting embraces just prior to the Paschal Hour & Divine Liturgy at 8am.   It was the first service in the new church and, although it isn’t fully completed, it provided a wonderful grace-filled space to celebrate the Liturgy and funeral service.  The architecture of the building itself, with central dome and vaulted ceilings, offers a powerful synergy with human voices raised in song and chant to God and the Saints.

The main decorative wooden doors opening to the covered porch in addition to the smaller side doors were propped open throughout the services.  This allowed not only comfortable air flow and the quiet arrival of worshippers throughout the morning, but also the sounds of sweet melodic refrains from the songbirds perched in trees and on power lines just outside the church. 

The thoughtfully designed windows with specialty glass, particularly encircling the high central dome, permitted radiant light and the sight of spring-green trees moved by a calm breeze to enter the sacred space.  

Fr. Panteleimon’s casket, which appeared to be a simple, possibly pine structure, was placed in that radiant light beneath the dome, facing east toward the altar.  He was laid to rest arrayed in his Great-Schema garments, with an embossed metal Gospel resting on his waist and a wooden cross held in his hand.  His arms were crossed and his face covered with a special cloth, reminiscent of the sudarium, a traditional shroud covering the face mentioned in Holy Scripture, in the Gospel of John chapter twenty, verse seven.

The congregation formed long queues on multiple occasions throughout the services to offer respect and demonstrate their love for Fr. Panteleimon and thanksgiving to God.  Each person made small metanias (reverent bows) before his casket, signing the cross and kissing the Gospel at his waist, his hands and covered head.  Some also venerated the small icons placed at each side of his head, one of the Theotokos and one of St. Panteleimon.

Although all were in mourning, the Divine Liturgy for this Bright Saturday was joyful, with Paschal hymns, chants with praises and frequent loud proclamations between the clergy shouting “Christ is Risen!” and the congregants offering thunderous responses of “Truly He is Risen!”  in multiple languages.  The fragrant incense smelled of roses and the smoke wafted gently upwards among the people like the prayers of the saints mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

Tall tapered beeswax candles were distributed to all the congregation for the funeral service and the flame for each was passed lovingly from one person to another.  Everyone stood, as is common in Orthodox services, but a few seats were made available for intermittent rest and for the family members in a place of honor.

Witnessing the assembly of clergy serving together for this unique occasion as they encircled Fr. Panteleimon, with lit candles while listening to the monastery choir sing the funeral hymns, was something otherworldly.  The scene beckoned the ancient tenth century words of Prince Vladimir of Kiev’s emissaries when he sent them to explore religious practices in other parts of the world.  When they went to Greece they encountered Orthodox worship for the first time and reported back to the Prince:

“Then we went to Greece, and the Greeks (including the Emperor himself) led us to the edifices where they worship their God, and we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor or such beauty, and we are at a loss how to describe it. We only know that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer than the ceremonies of other nations. For we cannot forget that beauty.”

A very personal eulogy was read by Abbot-Elect, Igumen Gabriel, entitled “The Mystery of Christian Love”.  He stressed how Fr. Seraphim/Panteleimon showed great love and generous hospitality to everyone he met, providing a living example for all to remember to greet every guest as if they were Christ Himself.  He spoke of Father Panteleimon’s  love and devotion to the Theotokos and how the special icon, Softener of Evil Hearts, brought him so much consolation in his last days. 

Around one o’clock, there was a procession from the church to the gravesite near the Outdoor Chapel and next to the monument for Hieromonk Kallistos, the founder of Holy Cross Monastery.  Leading with tall decorated candles, censors and solemnly singing the Paschal Troparion, Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life”,  the pallbearers carried Fr. Panteleimon’s casket and others from the Brotherhood and visiting clergy followed carrying candles, lanterns, banners and the cross.

A brief graveside service was held with singing and prayers and the casket was lowered into the ground.  All gathered were invited to place a shovelful of dirt into the grave, including the many children present, who were offered a small garden trowel suitable for small hands.

Afterwards, all were invited to a very generous meal in the new trapeza (kitchen).  An elegant expansive tent was erected just outside the entrance to accommodate the hundreds who were gathered to honor the beloved former Abbot of Holy Cross Monastery.  

Although tired from the previous weeks of Paschal services, hosting pilgrims, keeping vigil with Fr. Seraphim, the adjustments involved with electing a new Abbot, and making funeral arrangements, the Brotherhood at Holy Cross did not fail to emulate their former Abbot in welcoming everyone at this special occasion as if they were Christ. Glory to God for this beacon of the Ancient Faith in our West Virginia hills. 

May Father Panteleimon’s legacy in leading the monastery at Holy Cross and overseeing the construction of the new church be honored by continual growth and support for the completion of the church. 


May Fr. Panteleimon's memory be eternal †

Amy Thornton is a spiritual daughter of Fr. Seraphim/Panteleimon; receiving much advice, consolation and friendship from him over the past 16 years.