Just got back from St. Anthony's

[Theophorus]

An opportunity presented itself so I ran off for a "quick" 2 day trip to St. Anothony's monastery. Though I spent 2 days driving there, and two days driving back. I would recomend the visit. The services and chanting were extraordinary. I spent most of my time attending them. It seemed as if I was there much longer than two days. Here are some pics.

[Theophorus]

two more

[Vasya Davidovich]

Is that your family, Theophorus? Wife, daughter, two sons?

[Kolya]

Is that your family, Theophorus? Wife, daughter, two sons?

Yes, we'd like to know. Also, is that Southern California? I'm ignorent of where all the monastaries are. I get envious when I see your pics when one of you has been to one. :P I live so far from organised Orthodoxy. :(

Thanks for sharing those pictures with us Theophorus.:)

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Theophorus,

Thank you for sharing these WONDERFUL pics! The face your son is making in the picture by the fountain is priceless! J

I get envious when I see your pics when one of you has been to one. I live so far from organised Orthodoxy.

Who ever said Orthodoxy was organized? lol

I once heard someone say, “I don’t believe in organized religion. I’m Orthodox.”

In XC,

Maureen

[HandmaidenOfGod]

St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery (http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/) :liturgy:

[Theophorus]

Yes, we'd like to know. Also, is that Southern California? I'm ignorent of where all the monastaries are. I get envious when I see your pics when one of you has been to one. :P I live so far from organised Orthodoxy. :(

Thanks for sharing those pictures with us Theophorus.:)

It's south of Pheonix AZ. That is my wife, eldest daughter 13yrs, and two sons, 5 and 9 yrs. I also have a 2 and soon to be 4 yr old that we left with grand parents for the trip.

[Rilian]

How did your kids like it?

[Theophorus]

How did your kids like it?

They liked it. With the trip, 24hr drive and the stay, you could notice a change in their demeanor. It was good for them to be away from television, playstations, and computers. They became "almost normal" :D .

My 9yr old enjoyed helping the monks in the kitchen. He enjoyed talking to some of the people we stayed with in the house, and he ran around a little with a couple of other boys. My daughter read and sketched in her book, and Haralambous (the little one) napped alot.

[_Petros_]

Thats wonderful you visited a monastery with your family, did you by chance meet Fr. Ephraim?

[Theophorus]

Thats wonderful you visited a monastery with your family, did you by chance meet Fr. Ephraim?

Yes.

[MariaRegina]

Yes.

So, you did meet the saintly hieromonk.

Please tell us something about your meeting.

I hear that he can read souls

[Theophorus]

So, you did meet the saintly hieromonk.

Please tell us something about your meeting.

I hear that he can read souls

I think that he can read souls also. My meeting was very brief and I asked him one question, but he asked me several that were pertinent to my circumstances. He nodded at my answers and was silent.

That night at Vespers, I recieved an answer to my plea, and God granted me a morsel of grace. I believe Geronda is a saint.

[Shubunkin]

Very nice pictures! It is nice meeting you, Theophorus.

[Vasya Davidovich]

The Fr. Ephraim?

I don't know if this is the best place to enquire on this subject, but what thoughts do you have, Theophorus, on the challenge made towards the Ephraimites, that they are not in keeping with traditional monasticism?

Ie. that Fr. Ephraim's monasteries resemble more a RC order with Fr. Ephraim as the Abbot of the order, than an Orthodox group of monasteries where each is independent of each other under their own abbots, and where no one man is responsible for all and has authority over all.

[Llauralin]

Nice pictures!

Interesting time of year to choose to visit central Arizona though...I"m confused; you're profile says you live in Scotland; Are you currently in the US?

[Photini]

The Fr. Ephraim?

I don't know if this is the best place to enquire on this subject, but what thoughts do you have, Theophorus, on the challenge made towards the Ephraimites, that they are not in keeping with traditional monasticism?

Ie. that Fr. Ephraim's monasteries resemble more a RC order with Fr. Ephraim as the Abbot of the order, than an Orthodox group of monasteries where each is independent of each other under their own abbots, and where no one man is responsible for all and has authority over all.
This is a criticism I've never heard before. Elder Ephraim used to be the Abbot of the Vatopedi (I think) Monastery of Mt Athos right? It is my understanding that his monasteries here in the US are set up exactly as the cenobitic (I don't know if I spelled that right) monasteries of Mt Athos. The one that I visit here in Florida is cenobitic.

[micheal7]

Glory Be To God,,,,i Was There A Couple Years Ago...a Great Place..beautifull...i To Wonder If You Got To See The Elder..and How Many Monks Are There Now??...any Way ,,thanks For Sharing...your Time At A Blessed Place In Amercia...micheal

[Theophorus]

The Fr. Ephraim?

I don't know if this is the best place to enquire on this subject, but what thoughts do you have, Theophorus, on the challenge made towards the Ephraimites, that they are not in keeping with traditional monasticism?

Ie. that Fr. Ephraim's monasteries resemble more a RC order with Fr. Ephraim as the Abbot of the order, than an Orthodox group of monasteries where each is independent of each other under their own abbots, and where no one man is responsible for all and has authority over all.



I am well aware of the many controversies over these monastaries. I can say that most of the allegations are completely false, and this is from personal experience. And I am not the easily pursuaded, pentacostal, emotional type.
The RC "order" has a different purpose than the Orthodox idea of the purpose of a monastery. It is quite obvious that in the "Ephraim" monasteries, the vocation of the monastics is prayer and liturgy. As to the "government" of the monasteries, to my knowledge, it is left to the abbots. However, the Elder is a spiritual father to thousands, both lay and monastic. That is a bond that is eternal.
There were many from all over the world that came to see the Elder, both monastic and lay. My impression was never, since I have been aquainted with these monasteries, one of control. The emphasis has always been the preservation of tradition in its purest form. The purpose of these monasteries in a word is, Orthodoxy. And economia is exercised at every opportunity, the souls of everyone are considered.

[Theophorus]

Nice pictures!

Interesting time of year to choose to visit central Arizona though...I"m confused; you're profile says you live in Scotland; Are you currently in the US?

It was actually more comfortable there than in Illinois. I am from Scottish descent.

[micheal7]

GLORY BE TO GOD...Forgive me ...do u speak greek??..and did u get any pitures of the elder??...i have a tape{cassate of him ..talking on prayer i think ]..but its in greek...so i can`t know it ..any way any thing more you can share on the Elder would be a blessing to us all...i keep his book near me ...thanks again ..micheal

[Vasya Davidovich]

Scriptures say, "By your fruits you shall know them." Are the fruits good?

[Theophorus]

Scriptures say, "By your fruits you shall know them." Are the fruits good?

They are excellent. I am unworthy of them.

[Theophorus]

GLORY BE TO GOD...Forgive me ...do u speak greek??..and did u get any pitures of the elder??...i have a tape{cassate of him ..talking on prayer i think ]..but its in greek...so i can`t know it ..any way any thing more you can share on the Elder would be a blessing to us all...i keep his book near me ...thanks again ..micheal

No, I do not speak greek and I did not take any pictures of Geronda, or the monks. But about 1/3 of the people there were converts.

As for the Elder, I will give you this picture in words; He is the smallest man there, he seems to be the weakest man, as is if you blew on him he would collaspe, but his presence is more than he is.

He knows who speaks greek and who does not. He told me "God bless you" in english.

He looks like he carries a heavy burden, but he smiles at the families, and seems to especially like children. He laughs at them and pats them on the head.
He is full of mercy for those who do not know the "way", or praxis. Most of all he seems very kind and gentle. Yes that is how I would describe him, kind and gentle.

[micheal7]

Glory be to God ....thank you for sharing ...He is a man i will never forget seeing ...and i dream of him often.i have a few pitures of him ...but none that i took ...all but a couple seemed so at peace when i was there...I pray ..as unworthy as i `am,, i pray for him...we need elders...sooooo bad ...any way thanks for sharing ...if you ever want to talk of the elder...please contact me at orthodoxlove@yahoo.com.....God bless you and your beautifull family ..may they be blessed..+ + +.micheal

[MariaRegina]

Glory be to God ....thank you for sharing ...He is a man i will never forget seeing ...and i dream of him often.i have a few pitures of him ...but none that i took ...all but a couple seemed so at peace when i was there...I pray ..as unworthy as i `am,, i pray for him...we need elders...sooooo bad ...any way thanks for sharing ...if you ever want to talk of the elder...please contact me at orthodoxlove@yahoo.com.....God bless you and your beautifull family ..may they be blessed..+ + +.micheal

Dear michael:

Is it possible that you can scan one of those photos and post it here?

thanks.
Elizabeth