Planning a road trip to various monasteries in the USA

[Justin Farr]

In a year and a few months when I turn 18, I want to take a road trip. I was thinking I could take 2-4 weeks during the summer, save money, and go on a road trip all over the USA and say a day or two at various monasteries. Is this feasible?

Thanks! :)

[Paul Cowan]

Hi Justin,

I wish I was in Tennessee when I was 17. I had to wait until I was in my 30's before work brought me there. Truly God's country. As compared to Texas, you actually have distinguishable seasons. Here in Houston, we have one season and it lasts all year long. It is called "winfallspumer". :)

To answer your question. YES. Herman Blaydoe in this forum who maintains a website with all the North American monasteries (http://omna.malf.net)regardless of jurisdiction.You will need to plan your trip well as I don't think the Bible belt has an over abundance of Orthodox anything in it.

Please keep us informed on your progress. There is a St. Paul's Skete in Grand Junction not too far from you. I think it is an Antiochian convent.

Paul

There are many monsateries in the NE and we have 2 here in Texas. And of course a few on the west coast as well.

[Herman Blaydoe]

In a year and a few months when I turn 18, I want to take a road trip. I was thinking I could take 2-4 weeks during the summer, save money, and go on a road trip all over the USA and say a day or two at various monasteries. Is this feasible?

Thanks! :)

Many Orthodox monasteries practice the ancient tradition of offering up to three days of hospitality, although it is always a good idea to call ahead. They are not hostels, however, those who stay are expected to take an active part in the life of the monastery by participation in the cycle of services and sometimes help out around the monastery. The directory Paul provided a link to can provide locations and contact information and give you some idea of what kind of facilities might be available.

I hope you find it useful and that God grants you the opportunity.

Herman

[Effie Ganatsios]

Here in Houston, we have one season and it lasts all year long. It is called "winfallspumer". :)

.

Paul, as you sure you don't live in Melbourne, Australia????? The above is a perfect description of the weather forecast for a normal day in Melbourne.

[Justin Farr]

I adore Tennessee! It is my opinion that the South is one of the best places a body could ever live! :D The monastery I want to join has to be in the South. ;) Or Alaska. Cause I like the cold. :P

You see, I want to be a monk. So I figured a typical woohoo I am out of high school and am an official adult road trip would be a perfect time to go to different monasteries to see if A) Monasticism is for me and B) Which I would want to join. My SF, Fr. Ambrose, is in Ohio at St. Gregory Palamas monastery.

It's great to know that someone who posts here put up that amazing website! :D I go there all the time to go to different monastery websites so I can daydream about what it will be like! ^_^;

[Irene]

Justin, You will have a molieben done before you go, have your car blessed etc.,


Paul, as you sure you don't live in Melbourne, Australia????? The above is a perfect description of the weather forecast for a normal day in Melbourne.

Yes, In Melbourne you can be sitting in a car feeling really hot, only to feel a really bad chill in the air as soon as you get out. I guess the city's inhabitants are used to it and don't notice.

[Michael Stickles]

Yes, In Melbourne you can be sitting in a car feeling really hot, only to feel a really bad chill in the air as soon as you get out. I guess the city's inhabitants are used to it and don't notice.

This reminds me of my college years in Melbourne Florida, but with rain rather than temperature. I remember running into block-long thunderstorms when I lived there (stop at the first traffic light and it's raining on the windshield but not the back window; at the second light, it's raining on the back window but not the windshield). It was not uncommon for me to leave the dorms with the sun shining and few clouds, get soaked halfway to class, and have the sun back out and the clouds mostly gone by the time I arrived at class (it was only a 10-minute walk at worst).

Justin, if you plan to visit any of the Florida monasteries, my advice would be to double-check that your rain gear is packed, and even if the weather report calls for clear skies and sun, watch out for those commando rain showers that sneak up, dump on you, and run away.

(Sometimes you will get the opposite - the forecast said 100% chance of rain, but you're sitting in an island of clear skies surrounded by storms and don't get a single raindrop - but that's a lot more uncommon)

Mike

[Andrew]

I adore Tennessee! It is my opinion that the South is one of the best places a body could ever live! :D The monastery I want to join has to be in the South. ;) Or Alaska. Cause I like the cold. :P

You see, I want to be a monk. So I figured a typical woohoo I am out of high school and am an official adult road trip would be a perfect time to go to different monasteries to see if A) Monasticism is for me and B) Which I would want to join. My SF, Fr. Ambrose, is in Ohio at St. Gregory Palamas monastery.

It's great to know that someone who posts here put up that amazing website! :D I go there all the time to go to different monastery websites so I can daydream about what it will be like! ^_^;

Check out Holy Archangels Monastery in Texas... the abbot is Geronda Dositheos, who is truly a very humble, fatherly man who is a disciple of Elder Ephraim. PM me and I can tell you more about the monastery. I have a good friend from Church who is probably going to become a monk here.

[Justin Farr]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I am particularly interested in more rural monasteries, with limited technology, etc. I know some monasteries keep a "park-like" appearance. I am looking for monasteries that are more... natural, so to speak. More surrounded by nature and such. :)

[Justin Farr]

Are there any male monasteries that raise farm animals and get their dairy from there and grow and can most of their own food? I know there are many wonderful women's monasteries like this, but I do not seem to find any for males.

There is this one female monastery in new york that has all sorts of animals.. even raise their own sheep for wool and make prayer ropes! :D

[Andrew]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I am particularly interested in more rural monasteries, with limited technology, etc. I know some monasteries keep a "park-like" appearance. I am looking for monasteries that are more... natural, so to speak. More surrounded by nature and such. :)

You might want to look into Saint Herman's in Platina.

[Silouan Howard]

In the US at least there are not going to be many, if any, monasteries who are completely self sufficient, mainly because of the size of the brotherhoods (which tend to be smaller). They simply dont have the manpower to raise animals, farm, clean, cook, work, pray, etc. It takes a lot of time and hands.

[Herman Blaydoe]

St. Herman Monastery, Platina CA SOC (no electricity or running water)
Glorious Ascension Monastery, Resaca GA JP (very rural setting)
Burning Bush Hermitage, Ellis MS ROCIE ("primative" facilities)
St. Michael's Skete, Cañones NM OCA (very rural setting)
Holy Cross Hermitage, Wayne WV (very rural setting)

More specific information on these and other monasteries can be found at the Orthodox Monasteries of North America (http://omna.malf.net) website.

[Justin Farr]

[quote=Herman Blaydoe;59182]Burning Bush Hermitage, Ellis MS ROCIE ("primative" facilities)/quote]

Thanks for the suggestions. I need electricity and water though... LOL.

The one I quoted, though, is one of those "others" of the "True" Orthodox Church of Romania or some such.

[David Naess]

Sounds like a great idea to me!

You should definately plan your trip:
Contact the monastaries before hand.
Make reservations for specific dates.

You don't want to arrive at the door of a monastary only to find that they are hosting a retreat (or something like that) and that there is no room.

There are quite a few monastaries in New York State.

See the site:

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

to plan your trip.

If you are not already a member, you might even want to consider joining AAA and having them plan your trip for you. They can be a big help writing out a TripTik for you with specific directions to obscure locatons!

[Kseniya]

In a year and a few months when I turn 18, I want to take a road trip. I was thinking I could take 2-4 weeks during the summer, save money, and go on a road trip all over the USA and say a day or two at various monasteries. Is this feasible?

Thanks! :)
Holy Protection Monastery in White Haven, PA is one of the places I would recomend. As well as St.Nectarios Monastery in Roscoe,NY. You can find more information on the website of St.Anthony's Monastery in Arizona.
Kseniya

[Anthony Stokes]

Hi Justin,

I wish I was in Tennessee when I was 17. I had to wait until I was in my 30's before work brought me there. Truly God's country. As compared to Texas, you actually have distinguishable seasons. Here in Houston, we have one season and it lasts all year long. It is called "winfallspumer". :)
Paul


Paul,
I just saw your post, but I have had the joy to live in both places (in fact, I went to the same high school and churches as Justin). You are correct, I liked the weather in Tennessee much more, and the landscape. But there are many things I like about Texas, such as the opportunities and more metropolitan areas. And the huge number of Orthodox churches. I think we have 15 in the DFW Metroplex, while the whole state of Tennessee has less than 10 churches, I believe.

Subdeacon Anthony

[Alice]

Sounds like a great idea to me!

You should definately plan your trip:
Contact the monastaries before hand.
Make reservations for specific dates.

You don't want to arrive at the door of a monastary only to find that they are hosting a retreat (or something like that) and that there is no room.

There are quite a few monastaries in New York State.

See the site:

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

to plan your trip.

If you are not already a member, you might even want to consider joining AAA and having them plan your trip for you. They can be a big help writing out a TripTik for you with specific directions to obscure locatons!

St. Nektarios Monastery in Roscoe, NY is a lovely place, in the mountains, with land as far as the eye can see.

As David said, you need to call in advance. They have very nice overnight accomadations, and tasty meals! If you would like a meeting with the Elder for confession, you will definitely need to plan in advance, as even his own spiritual children often have to wait a couple of months for an appointment. The number of spiritual children he has taken on is incredible. Busloads of faithful come from as far away as Canada.

Remember, for any monastery you visit, that it is customary to bring a food gift....as they feed anyone who is visiting at meal times. Some Costco sized boxes of pasta, cans of beans or tuna, nuts, fruit, peanut butter, etc. would be most appreciated...if you are so inclined, you might even ask the Father who answers the phone, what food stuff they might be needing.

And remember the dress code: men must wear long sleeves, long pants, and should not wear sandals without socks.

In Christ,
Alice

[Ken McRae]

If you would like a meeting with the Elder for confession, you will definitely need to plan in advance, as even his own spiritual children often have to wait a couple of months for an appointment. The number of spiritual children he has taken on is incredible.

Would you be alluding to Elder Ephrem of Philotheou? The number of monasteries and spiritual children he is raising is nothing less than miraculous, to be honest? Surely he will go down in the history of contemporary Orthodoxy as a truly great elder; and one that is perhaps even in the same class as the great St. Paisius Velichkovsky himself!

As many of you likely know, Fr. Seraphim Rose was of the mind that there are no longer any more grace-bearing elders today, "like St. Paisius Velichkovsky," in the Orthodox Church. I wonder if he was still labouring with us, ( in that body of flesh, which he put-off, ) if he would still be inclined to believe that, in light of Elder Ephraim's spiritual achievements?

[Alice]

Would you be alluding to Elder Ephrem of Philotheou? The number of monasteries and spiritual children he is raising is nothing less than miraculous, to be honest? Surely he will go down in the history of contemporary Orthodoxy as a truly great elder; and one that is perhaps even in the same class as the great St. Paisius Velichkovsky himself!

As many of you likely know, Fr. Seraphim Rose was of the mind that there are no longer any more grace-bearing elders today, "like St. Paisius Velichkovsky," in the Orthodox Church. I wonder if he was still labouring with us, ( in that body of flesh, which he put-off, ) if he would still be inclined to believe that, in light of Elder Ephraim's spiritual achievements?

Dear Ken,

No, I am actually alluding/referring the the Elder of St. Nektarios Monastery in Roscoe, NY...I rather not share his name, as the monastery does not really like being discussed on the internet.

In Christ,
Alice

[Monica Zugravu]

In a year and a few months when I turn 18, I want to take a road trip. I was thinking I could take 2-4 weeks during the summer, save money, and go on a road trip all over the USA and say a day or two at various monasteries. Is this feasible?

Thanks! :)
Hello Justin!

I suggest going to Holy Protection Monastery. The service is in Greek, but they can offer you a book with the service in both English and Greek. The sisters there are very nice and you can take your time to pray or read books from the library. I attached some photos with the monastery and with one of the guest rooms.

[Theodoros]

My wife and I just had one of the best vacations ever. We drove to Erie PA from Toronto and (at the last minute) decided to visit a few monasteries in the general vicinity. We first visited The Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonberg. One word - PARADISE! The following day, off we went to St. Gregory Palamas in Hayesville, Ohio. We said the Paraklisis to the Virgin and had lunch. Afterwards we spent some time chating with both Fr. Joseph (Hegumen) and Fr. Michael. Came back with a lot of spiritual guidance. Finally we visited the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA. We went early in the morning for Matins and Divine Liturgy. The service was just angelic! After breakfast, we took a walk around the grounds. Shear beauty! After lunch, Mother Haritina chatted with us about Toronto (her former hometown).

We left PA and Ohio spiritually rejuvenated!

If you can, I would highly recommend this type of mini-pilgrimage to anyone!

Only advice, CALL the monasteries before you go. We called the day before and asked if we would be able to visit. Each one was more that happy to have us there for a visit. They each invited us to stay for lunch and allowed us time to visit the grounds.

In Christ,

Theodoros

[John Mitchell]

I adore Tennessee! It is my opinion that the South is one of the best places a body could ever live! :D The monastery I want to join has to be in the South. ;) Or Alaska. Cause I like the cold. :P

You see, I want to be a monk. So I figured a typical woohoo I am out of high school and am an official adult road trip would be a perfect time to go to different monasteries to see if A) Monasticism is for me and B) Which I would want to join. My SF, Fr. Ambrose, is in Ohio at St. Gregory Palamas monastery.

It's great to know that someone who posts here put up that amazing website! :D I go there all the time to go to different monastery websites so I can daydream about what it will be like! ^_^;

I was born a Tennesseean. It is my plan to visit monasteries in the south. There arent any near me. except in Georgia and Florida I will have to pray for the ways and means to get to places in the mountains where busses dont go in order to visit more than one in a single trip. Your prayers for me would be appreciated as well.