Monastery recommendations

[Robin Elizabeth]

Hello to all,

I am currently looking to visit several monasteries in the next few months. I am thinking of following, have any of you visited any of them? Can you let me know what you thought of them? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Holy Protection Monastery - White Haven, PA
Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos - Saxonburg, PA
St Mary of Egypt - Cleveland, Ohio
Monastery Marcha - Richfield, OH
St Paul Skete - Grand Junction, TN

Thanks so much.

[Nina]

Hello to all,

I am currently looking to visit several monasteries in the next few months. I am thinking of following, have any of you visited any of them? Can you let me know what you thought of them? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Holy Protection Monastery - White Haven, PA

Thanks so much.

Dear Elizabeth,

Yes, I have visited this monastery and I highly recommend it. The sisters, the service, the bookstore, the atmosphere, the monastery itself and the area were simply amazing. Call ahead to make plans and schedule accordingly.

I visited there this past May (day visit) and at the same time I was also (day visit) at the monastery of 'Saint Kosmas Aetolos' north of Toronto. Both monasteries were wonderful and I have some photos which I can upload on monachos.

I was planing to visit also the other monastery, that you inquire about, in Saxonburg, PA 'The Nativity of the Theotokos'; and another one in Montreal, 'Panagia Parigoritissa'=(Consolation= that consoles), however there was a change of plans because of insufficient time, and I could not.

However I have heard wonderful words for both of these monasteries from friends and also whenever I have called for different reasons the sisters are... you can tell that God is there and with them. So much divine love and peace! Most of the sisters are at least bilingual. The majority of the sisters I met, are American/Canadian born. Please let me know if you have further questions.

[Peter G.]

I highly recommend Saint Anthony monastery in Arizona if you haven't been there. Other than that from your choices, the one in Saxonburg P.A

[Theodora E.]

I'd like to add the recommendation of the Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery in Rives Junction, MI. It's a women's monastery under the OCA Romanian Episcopate. When I've been there on weekends (although it's been a few years), the services were primarily in English. It's about 1.5 hours west of Detroit. Jackson, MI is the closest town of any size. Amtrak goes into Jackson (on the route between Chicago and Detroit) and arrangements can be made for you to be picked up at the station.

Mother Gabriella, the abbess, is wonderful.

[Anthony Stokes]

Hello to all,

I am currently looking to visit several monasteries in the next few months. I am thinking of following, have any of you visited any of them? Can you let me know what you thought of them? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Holy Protection Monastery - White Haven, PA
Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos - Saxonburg, PA
St Mary of Egypt - Cleveland, Ohio
Monastery Marcha - Richfield, OH
St Paul Skete - Grand Junction, TN

Thanks so much.

Robin,
the Skete in TN is very small, I believe just one nun who has some trailers on a property. But, my children's godparents visit there often and enjoy it. It is probably just a place to make a day visit.

The Saxonburg monastery is very nice. I visited there when I was younger, about 17 years ago. My former priest is the priest there now, and the monastery has nice grounds and buildings. I definitely recommend it. If I'm not mistaken, there is a smaller women's monastery not too far away as well.

Sbdn. Anthony

[Niko T.]

I have visited Holy Protection Convent in White Haven, PA many times, and it comes very highly recommended. The Gerontissa (Olympiada) is a very blessed person, as is her synodeia. The priest, Fr. Mark, is a blessed person too, and many have him as spiritual father. The monastery is very beautiful with respect to the natural surroundings, architecture of the churches and buildings, etc. The services are very special and compunctionate with beautiful, traditional chanting. The Convent also produces many icons, handicrafts and baked goods also. Well worth a trip in my opinion.

[Alice]

Dear Niko,

Are the services in Greek or English? Thank you.

Alice

[Niko T.]

The services are in Greek, but I'm pretty sure that most of the nuns and Fr. Mark speak English.

[Alice]

Dear Niko,

I guess this is one of the holy monasteries founded by Elder Ephraim? I now remember that my parish had an organized trip there (I was unfortunately unable to go) and they enjoyed it very much. I love visiting these monasteries...Though I am of Greek heritage, I kind of wish, that some of the services could be in English...I pray that in time they might be enlightened to, but in the meantime, it is not for me to say, but to just be thankful that they exist for our spiritual edification and spiritual refreshment. May God bless all of them!

Thank you, by the way, for your quick response! :)

Alice

[Andrew Duncan Comb]

Hello to all,

I am currently looking to visit several monasteries in the next few months. I am thinking of following, have any of you visited any of them? Can you let me know what you thought of them? Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Holy Protection Monastery - White Haven, PA
Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos - Saxonburg, PA
St Mary of Egypt - Cleveland, Ohio
Monastery Marcha - Richfield, OH
St Paul Skete - Grand Junction, TN

Thanks so much.

Well I don't know much about these sacred places, if I ever get to USA I know where to go. However, there are some monasteries in UK and if God wills I will try to visit them.

[Nina]

The services are in Greek, but I'm pretty sure that most of the nuns and Fr. Mark speak English.

Yes! And also I agree with your description of the monastery and the Gerondissa Olympiada. Also the services I have experienced there are amazing. The Liturgy at 3AM is something else - I do not usually enjoy getting up at that time of the night, but Liturgy at that time was so beautiful that I pray we had a monastery nearby such as that.

[Niko T.]

Dear Niko,

I guess this is one of the holy monasteries founded by Elder Ephraim? I now remember that my parish had an organized trip there (I was unfortunately unable to go) and they enjoyed it very much. I love visiting these monasteries...Though I am of Greek heritage, I kind of wish, that some of the services could be in English...I pray that in time they might be enlightened to, but in the meantime, it is not for me to say, but to just be thankful that they exist for our spiritual edification and spiritual refreshment. May God bless all of them!

Thank you, by the way, for your quick response! :)

Alice

Yes, this is one of the Monasteries founded by Elder Ephraim. For the full list, see: http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/map.php .

As for the language, this is a different issue and I'm not really in a position to make a judgment . I must say that I've seen many English-speaking Orthodox not only visit the Monastery, but many use it as their primary church, i.e. they attend there for Sundays and Feast Days. And I've heard it said and I would definitely agree that almost all monasteries, regardless of their own typikon or practices and traditions, are still nonetheless receptive towards the needs of the people. Thus many of the elders, spiritual fathers and monastics speak English, there are many excellent books and CDs available, etc.

And a great idea for a post, by the way. Though they were not mentioned originally, I must also highly recommend St. Nektarios Monastery in Roscoe, NY, and of course, St. Anthony's Monastery in Arizona.

[Alice]

Yes, dear Niko...St. Nektarios in Roscoe is a frequent place for spiritual refreshment for many of us in the New York area...

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. By the way: a most earnest WELCOME to you! :)

[Marianthy]

Yes, dear Niko...St. Nektarios in Roscoe is a frequent place for spiritual refreshment for many of us in the New York area...

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. By the way: a most earnest WELCOME to you! :)


Niko,

I must agree with my dear sister in Christ Alice....St Nektarios certainly is a place of spiritual renewal and refreshment....and only a short, beautiful 2.3 hr drive from NYC!

Marianthy