Monastery visiting suggestions

[Nick S.]

Greetings,

Does anyone have any suggestions for a male monastery in USA to visit with the intention of staying? I've already visited Holy Archangels in Texas and I am thinking about going to visit St. John of Shanghai and SF monastery in California. My spiritual father wants me to visit a few more before I decide on one.

Thanks,

Nick

[Eugene]

Dear Nick,

You may want to try St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood in Platina founded by Fr. Seraphim (Rose). I love this monastery.
http://www.stherman.com/

In Christ,
Evgeny

[Herman Blaydoe]

You can find some general information about monasteries at:

Orthodox Monasteries of North America http://omna.malf.net.

[Father David Moser]

You will also definitely want to visit the Hermitage of the Holy Cross in Wayne, W Va. http://www.holycross-hermitage.com/

Alternatively you may wish also to visit the All Merciful Savior Monastery on Vashon Island in Washington - it is a small monastic brotherhood with very big dreams.
http://vashonmonks.com/index.php

Fr David Moser

[David Naess]

If you are looking for something a bit on the rustic side, you might want to
visit:

St. Issac of Syria Skete
http://www.skete.com/

in Boscobel, Wisconsin (near the tri-state intersection of Wisconsin, Minnisota and Iowa.)

They are actively looking for candidates.

To quote from their site:



St. Isaac's is currently very interested in talking with men who either have monastic experience about opportunities at St. Isaac's, or men who are interested in the prospect of becoming a monastic novice. There are wonderful opportunities for men who feel the monastic calling to live and work and worship in a truly traditional Orthodox Christian monastery right here in America.

Send enquiries to:
stisaac@skete.com

[Paul Cowan]

I've never heard of such a thing as a monastery recruiting. Perhaps they are appealing to the American style of advertising? I don't know that this is a beneficial thing as they are opening themselves up to all kinds of potential weirdo problems.

I am in a nonprofit. I rely on actively recruiting volunteers. The absolute worst type of recruiting is to stand in front of a group of people and say "who wants this particular job?" Either 1) no one raises their hand or 2) the WRONG person raises their hand and you have to find a way NOT to pick them.

Paul

[David Naess]

Howdy Paul!

That "men who have monastic experiece" part struck me as a bit odd...

Guess the fact that they don't have electricity and are thinking about getting rid of the running water and using the well instead must be driving potential recruits off in droves.

I used to live in Milwaukee and I'm wondering what they are going to do when the prairie winter freezes the well water! (One year we went for 10 days with a high temp. of -20 F!)

[Herman Blaydoe]

St. Isaac has a rather successful icon selling business. No doubt they need more hands to keep up with the volume without sacrificing their prayer life, but they are not "hiring off the street".

[Maria Murray]

My husband and I have never visited a monastery but we would like to do it very soon. I have found some monasteries in our area but feel very lost and confused - how do we decide which one to visit? What can we expect in a monastery? What will we do there? Do we need to bring anything? Is it appropriate to bring children? Do we each go to a women's and men's monastery respectively? We are completely new to this and hopeful someone can explain this on a very basic level.

Maria

[Herman Blaydoe]

My husband and I have never visited a monastery but we would like to do it very soon. I have found some monasteries in our area but feel very lost and confused - how do we decide which one to visit? What can we expect in a monastery? What will we do there? Do we need to bring anything? Is it appropriate to bring children? Do we each go to a women's and men's monastery respectively? We are completely new to this and hopeful someone can explain this on a very basic level.

Maria

Check here for some rather basic information:

Orthodox Monasteries of North America (http://omna.malf.net)

Particularly you might want to check out this:

Important Information for Visitors (http://omna.malf.net/attire.htm)

I hope you find the information useful.

[Tessa Miljanic]

If I were a man, I would try Panagia Vlahernon, in Florida. The Fathers there are super nice. Or Panagia Pammakaristos in North Carolina, ok I'm partial because that's where my spiritual Father is. But good luck to you in your search.

In Christ,
Tessa

[Eric Peterson]

A nice monastery to visit would be St. Anthony's in Arizona. I've never been there, but from what I hear they appear to be the largest one in the country. They also allow extended stays. Your best bet, I'd say, would be summer. I've heard that they're pretty full up in winter, but talk to the abbot. A hurdle there would be the Greek language, if you don't know Greek. So, perhaps St. Tikhon's in South Canaan, PA. There's a seminary there, too. There's a small men's monastery in Harvard, Ill., the last stop on the train from Chicago. They might not be able to provide accommodation though.

As for what to expect when visiting a monastery, I would advise not having expectations of anything but a new experience, an adventure. As such, it could be a positive or negative experience. You won't know unless you visit. And you won't know that your first impression is truly indicative of the monastery unless you go back a few more times.

Each monastery's atmosphere is different. Each has different goings on, different offerings. At some of them, the monastics will not appear friendly. Whether or not this is actually real unfriendliness or just perceived unfriendliness requires more than just a first impression to measure.

Whatever monastery one wishes to visit, however, it's best to do a few things:

--Definitely call ahead of time. If no one answers the phone, leave a message. Explain briefly who you are and what you'd like. (Example: My name is so and so. I'd like a blessing to visit your monastery for the day on Saturday. I'll be coming with my family. We are Orthodox. My phone number is.....) You've introduced yourself, stated your purpose, given your contact info, and, most importantly, asked a blessing. You could also ask if there's anything they need at the monastery, if they have any work you could do, if you can go to confession there, if you can talk with Fr. X. It gives the monastery a chance to prepare for your arrival or to let you know if a certain day would not be convenient for such a purpose as you have planned.

--Do some research on the monastery. Maybe they have a website or are known to local clergy. You may get various opinions on the monastery and its monastics. Use your judgement here. Perhaps this monastery is known for something in particular--icon making, publishing, living in "primitive" conditions (no plumbing), fomenting heresy, making candles, having an experienced elder or confessor, etc.

--Once you've gotten a blessing to visit, consider what to take with you. Will it be a long trip in the car? Perhaps some nice church music would be good to take to listen to on the way. Think of a way to make the trip "special," since it's a pilgrimage. You're going to a holy place, after all. You'll want to consider things like appropriate attire and how much you want/need to be "plugged in" to the outside world. If you're going to confession or an extended stay, a prayer book may be in order and perhaps an edifying spiritual book. Perhaps some money for a donation and for purchases at the gift shop. A list of questions and/or sins.

I wish I could say that a pilgrim could expect certain basic things, like a lunchtime meal, whilst visiting a monastery. Sadly, this has not always fit my experience, albeit this only happened once. A good monastery should be hospitable, in my opinion.

Not all monasteries have room to accommodate guests overnight, and many will not have lodgings for the opposite sex.

Definitely bring your children, once you've found a monastery to visit. It's very important for children to get exposure to those holy places and the monastic way of life. Many monasteries are on beautiful grounds and provide excellent opportunities to give your children an experience of peace and quiet in natural surroundings.

[Irene]

As for what to expect when visiting a monastery, I would advise not having expectations of anything but a new experience, an adventure. As such, it could be a positive or negative experience. You won't know unless you visit. And you won't know that your first impression is truly indicative of the monastery unless you go back a few more times.

Definitely bring your children, once you've found a monastery to visit. It's very important for children to get exposure to those holy places and the monastic way of life. Many monasteries are on beautiful grounds and provide excellent opportunities to give your children an experience of peace and quiet in natural surroundings.


Good post Eric, I miss the days when I stayed at the monastery with my children. They loved it, modern worldly people may find this strange, after all in those days (only about 10 years ago) the monastery had no electricity, I found this comforting myself, I felt that I had stepped back into another world.

We found that it was a good idea (perhaps along with the donation of cash) to bring donations of long-life items that the monks might need, it's usually best to check, but even large bags of dog food if they have a dog at the monestry. Or boxes of large tins of food like tomatoes or tuna or .... etc., Large bags of flour, rice, pasta etc. It is best to check though, everyone might have the same idea and they'll end up with enough flour to start a commercial bakery.

[Kypreos]

A nice monastery to visit would be St. Anthony's in Arizona. I've never been there, but from what I hear they appear to be the largest one in the country. They also allow extended stays. Your best bet, I'd say, would be summer. I've heard that they're pretty full up in winter, but talk to the abbot. A hurdle there would be the Greek language, if you don't know Greek.

Just about everyone speaks English there. Language will not be a problem. The summer heat in the desert, however, is another story.

[Nina]

Just about everyone speaks English there. Language will not be a problem. The summer heat in the desert, however, is another story.

Yes, that is true. My fiance, who is not Greek and does not know Greek, had no problem communicating at the monastery.

Actually because my fiance does not look Greek at all, and also I do not look Greek, the fathers there approached us and spoke in English to us. :) And then when one of them learned that I am Orthodox and speak Greek, he started speaking in Greek to reprimand me but not humiliate me in English in front of my finace. It was because I showed up with a skirt that was above the knee etc. But my fiance, although not Greek, and not Orthodox had the appropriate and required attire :) and entered immediately in their "good" list :). I, on the other hand did not dress with the appropriate attire, because it was very hot (in Phoenix it was about 104 F that day in February) and we were on road trip (and we do not like the AC, but prefer the fresh air) in the area before going to the monastery, so I thought to change at the monastery - and that was very stupid on my part... but what can I do? I loved everything there though! Even the reprimand, because I deserved it and it was just. :)

[Marie A.]

We visited St. Anthony's last June and it was pretty hot. We are from the south so it was ok for us but our friends from Chicago suffered from it. This year we will be going in March. I thought it is cooler then...70 F. But from what you say, Nina, this may not be so. Was it really like that in February when you visited? Just want to know so as to bring appropriate clothing. I thought it would be a bit cool.
Thanks for your help.

[Nina]

We visited St. Anthony's last June and it was pretty hot. We are from the south so it was ok for us but our friends from Chicago suffered from it. This year we will be going in March. I thought it is cooler then...70 F. But from what you say, Nina, this may not be so. Was it really like that in February when you visited? Just want to know so as to bring appropriate clothing. I thought it would be a bit cool.
Thanks for your help.

Dear Marie,

We flew in Phoenix, last days of February, and Phoenix was really hot. But maybe it was an exception for those days - I do not know, since I do not live in that part of the country... I know very well that when we were there the temperatures in the city of Phoenix were between 100-104 F (depending on the time of the day), because we kept checking the temperature in the weather station of the car. Also I can't be confusing F with C since in Celsius that would have meant boiling point for the water :) and also I checked with my fiance. The reason that we kept an eye on the temperature is because we rented a convertible because we love fresh air, but it was too much heat in that city - even in FL we have had no problems driving with an opened roof in equally hot temperatures. When the car was not moving because of the traffic in Phoenix, I felt like a turkey in the oven being roasted (also because of the sunscreen, I think). I love hot weather and also I have lived and been in hot temperatures, but Phoenix was something else for me and very memorable in this aspect.

We experienced very diverse and varying temperatures and all types of weather in the areas all over AZ we drove to. For instance, in the areas surrounding Phoenix (when we visited pueblos, and other places of interest) there were not so high temps and often very pleasant, but still I would classify them as summer temps and you had to have summer clothes on. We also drove up to Sedona, which is not very far from Phoenix and it was summer-like weather but not at all as hot as in Phoenix during the couple of days we stayed there. Then we drove to Flagstaff, we were in our summer clothes and when we arrived it was actually snowing in Flagstaff! :) We did not expect it all, although we had prepared and had winter clothes with us. We spent the night there and the next day Flagstaff and the mountains around it were all covered in snow, but when we drove to the Grand Canyon (which is not very far from there) we found out that it was completely snow-free and much more warmer. :) Then we drove to Zion National Park and it was very beautiful early spring weather. And so on.

So, dear Marie, I have no idea how hot it may be when you plan to visit. We always check with www.weather.com (http://www.weather.com/) about the exact city where we go and about the days when we go and prepare. Also try to look at weather.com very close to the time you plan to travel because they have the forecast for only the next ten days. Or maybe if you will spend the entire time in the monastery of St. Anthony, call the fathers there and ask them also.

[Michael Stickles]

It would have been a bit unusual - Phoenix temperatures in late February average in the low 70's for highs, with lows around 50. The official records for late February days are in the low-to-mid-90s, but I know from experience (not in Phoenix) that actual in-city temperatures can exceed the "official" ones by 5-10 degrees on very hot days.

St. Anthony's is near Florence; the closest meteorological station I can find temperature history for is Casa Grande, about 30 miles WSW (Phoenix looks to be about 55-60 mi NW). Their averages for early/mid/late March are:

- Early: High ~65, Low ~40, Record highs mid-70s, record lows around freezing.
- Mid to late: High ~75, Low ~45, Record highs around 90, record lows mid-30s.

If you want weather history for a given area on a specific day/date, Weather Underground (http://www.wunderground.com/) is a great site (that's where I got these numbers). For current weather and forecasts, I like AccuWeather (http://www.accuweather.com/index.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1) better than weather.com, but that's just personal preference; I haven't seen any significant difference in forecast accuracy. Maybe I just prefer them because their HQ is in my town and I've known a couple of people who work there.

Mike

[Nina]

St. Anthony's is near Florence;

Mike

:) Yes. But the whole discussion came because of clothing. And it was about Phoenix because we stayed there (Scottsdale) and left from Phoenix to go to the monastery. In Phoenix is where I got dressed in the morning and thought to change at the monastery, since the previous day was really hot in Phoenix and we wanted to visit a couple of things before heading to the monastery. Also I do not think the weather station of the car might have been wrong because it was accurately showing temperature according to whatever we felt during the entire trip. But of course there are many times where I live and my car shows a higher or lower temp and some other one from a building shows a different temp (+- a couple of degrees). Also as you say in the city is always hotter, be that from traffic, or other factors. So the bottom line is if you stay in Phoenix and do not dress appropriately for the monastery prepare to dress with the required clothing before you leave your car. I did not know this, since in Greece where it is very hot in summer in the monasteries where I have been they allow people to put something else on at the door (entrance) area.

[Nina]

A comment from Anthony reminded me about this, Phoenix and ashes. :) I should not go there for Ash Wednesday.

[Michael Stickles]

True, though I didn't know if it would be relevant to Marie because I didn't know if she'd be staying any amount of time in Phoenix before going to the monastery. If so, the historical data shows Phoenix "official" highs run about 2 degrees warmer than Florence (probably need to add in the extra 5-10 on top of that if it's hot), and Phoenix lows are around 8-9 degrees warmer.

At least it's not like northern New Mexico. When I went to Philmont Scout Ranch back in June 1980, we stayed at a military base overnight on the way down from Denver (forget which one - might have been the National Guard base near Raton). It was just dropping below 100 when we pulled in, and the low almost hit 40 that night - to the dismay of those of us who slept on top of our sleeping bags instead of climbing into them!

Mike

[Nina]

Yes :) and by the way -'cause I did not mention explicitly- at the sunset the temps dropped always. Just in case someone might get the impression from my words that 104 F was 24 hours. Also I was not making a point that it was hot, or cold at the monastery. My original message here was to support the fact that Fathers at that monastery speak English and address one in English. And the heat part came when I said that one Fr. was reprimanding me in Greek for showing up with inappropriate clothing since I was making excuses for my short skirt (but really it was really hot that day :) ). I did not claim I am a weather expert :), or an expert in the weather of the area there. Actually, I know nothing and I do not obey the rules of the monastery (because of the weather conditions of course).

[Marie A.]

Thanks Nina and Mike, for your help. Yes, I have been checking the temperature in Arizona online occasionally and will do so even more as our date of departure approaches. Acually I realized that we won't even be going to Phoenix!! We are flying into Tucson and going directly to St. Anthony's. Afterwards we will drive to St. Paisios Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Safford.
Yes, even when we were there in June the temp still dropped at night...especially in Safford.
Sorry to have derailed this thread....

[John E.]

Hello Nick,

I have never been, but a friend's son has visited St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood in Platina on a few occasions and absolutely loved it.

Also, this question may be a bit off topic, and forgive my ignorance on this, but is it ok to write the brothers in monasteries?

Have a good day all.


John E.

[Paul Cowan]

It is ok to write them, but don't necessarily expect a response. Many of the monastics are in obedience to someone else and may not have permission to coorespond to you. They may or may not even be given permission to read them.

I read a story once of an elder who received sacks and sacks full of mail. He never read any of them. Near his death, he told his disciple to go out back and burn them all with out reading them. The people writing them had unloaded their hearts to him already in the mail. There was no need in keeping them as they had served their purpose.

But you could always ask permission of the abbott first.

Paul