ST. CROIX — At about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, St. Croix residents started gathering at Fort Christianvaern for a prayer event organized by Dynel Lang, a popular figure in the St. Croix community and host of the Dynel Amore Show. The idea was to galvanize Virgin Islanders for one purpose: to seek God’s face in what is arguably the most heinous crime committed in the territory’s history.
The tragedy of Lyana Serieux and her two young boys, 10-year-old Jordan Serieux and 5-year-old Jeremiah Serieux, whose bodies were discovered disposed on the south shore near the Ha’Penny Beach area, rocked the U.S. Virgin Islands to its core. Grieving is continuing to this day, and search parties continue to organize as residents persist in looking for the boys’ mother, Ms. Serieux, who had yet to be found as of this morning.
At about 5:45 p.m. clouds began to consume the sky above, as if mirroring the mood in the territory. It was around the same time that those gathered at the fort held hands and started to pray. One by one a mix of civilians and church leaders lifted their voices in prayer. A group of thousands had joined them from around the world via a Consortium live stream of the event, they too praying in the comments.
The moment represented a unity the likes of which have been seldom in the territory. Over 100,000 people had seen the post, and over 30,000 joined in viewing and praying themselves. “I stand with you in prayer from Jerusalem,” said Hannah Jasmine McCoy. “Prayers from the Santos family from East Tennessee,” said Mario N. Wendy Santos. “Praying and standing in agreement in Indianapolis,” said Claire James.
The prayers on the ground, however, in the rain and with hands joined, came with raw emotion and passion.
“Hear the cry of your people, oh God. God we come before you asking just to see your face, oh God; just for you to show up and answer our prayers, oh God… We are standing in authority, God, because we know that you are our king,” prayed Shermaine Springer, whose community activism grew urgent following the death of her 18-year-old son, who was gunned down at the Altona Lagoon during a party just over a year ago while attempting to help his friend.
By then, heavy rain had caused some to seek shelter on the porch of the fort’s Danish Customs House, but others braved the rain, formed a smaller circle and continued to pray — a moment of significance during the event that touched hearts of those gathered along in prayer via the live stream around the world.
“We stand here in the rain, Lord, not because we want to show face but because we believe in you,” prayed Irene Ali. “I pray against the spirit of unforgiveness that sets its place in the thrown of people’s hearts. And we ask Lord that you heal our hearts so that we can love each other freely, God.”
Eventually all those who attended the prayer moved to the porch of the fort’s Danish Customs House, where they continued to sing and pray and even read scripture from the Bible.
The incident, which is still unfolding as the mother remains missing and those responsible for the unthinkable act remain elusive, also represents a tipping point that calls for intervention, according to Senate President Myron Jackson. “This is not an acceptable manner for our society to operate in,” he said. “With God’s help and all the resources available to us inside and outside of this territory, we should get every assistance needed to bring this crime against humanity to resolution.”
Governor Kenneth Mapp, who is out of the territory, has not issued a statement on the tragedy. Acting Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter during a press conference on Tuesday, expressed confidence in the V.I.P.D.’s ability to bring those responsible to justice.
The search for Ms. Serieux continues today.
All photos in this article were provided by Live Wise.
Tags: 10-year-old Jordan Serieux and 5-year-old Jeremiah Serieux, Lyana Serieux
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