Prayers Fervently Requested for Archimandrite Seraphim

For the past month or so, our abbot Archimandrite Seraphim has been experiencing certain symptoms: loss of peripheral vision, some lack of coordination etc. On Friday, March 14^th he visited his ophthalmologist to have his vision checked; the doctor suspected a possible stroke and immediately sent him to the emergency room. A stroke was ruled out, but at the hospital they did discover an approximately two-inch edema in Fr. Seraphim’s brain. He was promptly admitted, and spent the last week at the hospital undergoing various tests. While we are still waiting to learn the final biopsy results, based on the MRIs and other scans performed his physicians strongly suspect an aggressive primary brain tumor.

Fr. Seraphim was discharged from the hospital on the Sunday of the Cross, and is now home recovering at the monastery. Throughout this entire process, the brotherhood has been extraordinarily moved by Fr. Seraphim’s constant cheerfulness of spirit, and even more so his patient, humble, and obedient acceptance of God’s providence in his life — even as he ascends this new and unexpected cross. Fr. Seraphim has experienced much spiritual consolation during this time, especially from the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts,” our beloved patron St. Panteleimon, and the inspiring spiritual example of Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra.

The whole brotherhood is of course fervently praying for Fr. Seraphim’s health of spirit, mind, and body, and asks that all of you join your holy prayers to ours. We are planning to arrange a public moleben service (with Akathist to St. Panteleimon) as soon as possible, given the constraints of the Lenten special services as well as Fr. Seraphim’s medical appointments. We will announce a date for this service as soon as possible, and we invite everyone who wishes to come and pray alongside us for our beloved abba.

In the meantime, we ask everyone’s understanding of the fact that Fr. Seraphim is currently quite exhausted by this ordeal, and his availability will likely be limited for the foreseeable future. He has appointed deputies within the monastery to attend to his various duties during his illness. Therefore, we ask that everyone not direct any correspondence to Fr. Seraphim directly but rather to the monastery porter at (304) 849-2072 or porter@holycross.org, and the porter will pass the message along to the appropriate monk.

Fr. Seraphim wishes to express his great love for each and every one of you, and to thank you wholeheartedly for your prayers for him and for the brotherhood during this trial.

May God bless you all!