Antiochian monasteries?

[Constantine]

Good morning, everyone.

With the exception (according to the OMNA website: http://omna.malf.net/index.html) of the St. Paul Skete for women in Grand Junction, TN, the Antiochian Archdiocese has no monasteries. I have heard that Metropolitan PHILIP is not crazy (for want of a better word) about monasticism but I have no idea why--and I do hope I am not taken for being uncharitable toward His Grace by repeating this. It does concern me, though, that there is hardly any monastic presence in the US, at any rate, on the part of the Antiochians. Does anyone know why this is?

Yours in Christ,
Constantine

[Herman Blaydoe]

Until the arrival of Fr. Ephraim, neither the Antiochians nor the Greeks had made the establishment of monasteries a priority. And Metropolitan Philip was evidently not encouraged by the fallout from monastic influence in one of his parishes in California, which caused quite an uproar in his archdiocese. I don't see him changing his priorities in the near term.

I suppose it is unfortunate, but at least monasteries are being established in other jurisdictions in ever increasing numbers in the US.

[Eric Peterson]

It takes more than a bishop to establish a monastery, however. There also has be be money, but most importantly, monastic aspirants. Then, all three of these have to be gotten together, on the same page, as it were. They have to have a shared vision. It's not something that happens systematically, but when, by God's guidance, the right people come together. It's also important to note that the monastic candidate and the benefactor(s) be viable, that the reasons for doing this be good ones, that their calling be sure. Otherwise things will fall apart--maybe not for a couple years, but by the time it happens, much damage could be done.

Sure, monasticism is good. But it has to be real and selfless otherwise it can become an ecclesiastical liability rather than an asset.

[Moses Ibrahim]

When i was in the Antiochian jurisdiction, 5 of our parishioners became monks and nuns in different jurisdictions in North America. 2 of them just became nuns in the last two years. Plus, the Antiochians do not lack money, its just a shame thats its put toward community centers and camps and not spiritual hospitals.

[Paul Cowan]

That's not fair Moses. Having a monastery is nice and a haven for the world, but parishes and outreach ministries are as if not more important to the local communities that have them. In the past 5 years in Houston, we have started 4 new churchs and our local mission is now a church so that is 5 in 5 years. We have just ordained 2 new priests one being a Western Rite Church.

The hospitals are being built here and the hurt and maimed are coming in.

Paul

[Kosta]

i am also saddened that the Antioch church in America has no monasteries (From what i understand the tennesee convent only houses one nun so its hardly a monastery).
I can conclude that in Syria, monasticismis not popular. But after reading the book "Orthodox Fundamentalism", a conciliar press publication with a foreward by Bishop Saliba a few years back, i really dont think he likes monastics.

[John W.]

i am also saddened that the Antioch church in America has no monasteries (From what i understand the tennesee convent only houses one nun so its hardly a monastery).
I can conclude that in Syria, monasticismis not popular. But after reading the book "Orthodox Fundamentalism", a conciliar press publication with a foreward by Bishop Saliba a few years back, i really dont think he likes monastics.

Big problems ahead for the Self Ruled Antiochian Archdiocese of America if this is true:

"Monks are the sinews and foundations of the church." -St Theodore the Studite.

[Constantine]

Big problems ahead for the Self Ruled Antiochian Archdiocese of America if this is true:

"Monks are the sinews and foundations of the church." -St Theodore the Studite.

In 2001 I heard Bp. KALLISTOS Ware speak and he said that monasticism is a barometer for the Church. When monasticism is strong, vibrant, etc., then the Church is as well; when, however, monsaticism is not strong or vibrant, then she follows suit as well. I think His Grace is absolutely right. The history of the Church, at the very least, bears this out--indeed, the history of the Holy Mountain itself provided this at the micro level.

The reason I asked this question is because I observe the lack of monasticism in the Archdiocese and think back to His Grace's remarks again and again, and don't quite know what to make of it. I am not criticizing Metropolitan PHILIP or any of our hierarchs. I am, rather, trying to understand this. Bishops and monks have not always gotten along, of course (I think we all know what St. John Cassian wrote!), so I am not surprised that monasticism is controversial. Still, this does weigh on me and I appreciate your thoughts.

Yours in Christ,
Constantine

[Herman Blaydoe]

There is a dynamic tension that has always existed between parish and monastic life. I think this is generally a healthy thing.

Monasticism does represent an "extreme" lifestyle. Many monastics consider themselves "dead" to this world, and already living the angelic life. I can't think of anything much more extreme than death.

But tension, by definition, means stress and strain. Sometimes ropes under tension break. One way to keep ropes from breaking is to never put them under tension. But what use then, is the rope?

The good news is that there are other jurisdictions out there willing to "take up the slack" as it were, and provide the dynamic tension necessary to help keep the Church in balance!!

[Nina]

We need the lungs of the world. These are monasteries. Monasteries clean pollution of our sins from the world through prayer. All people monastics and married can have high quality prayer. However with their complete dedication to God, monastics invest much of their time in unceasing prayer. Monastics as we know them from our Holy Tradition are the lungs of the world with their prayers:


An Athonite ascetic used to say, "One first gives himself totally to
God, and then God cleanses him and gives him back to the people. When
such a person believes that he is the worst of all, then one of his
"Lord have mercies" said on behalf of the world is worth more than
someone else's one thousand "Lord have mercies."

from an Athonite Gerontikon

[John W.]

In 2001 I heard Bp. KALLISTOS Ware speak and he said that monasticism is a barometer for the Church.

The first time I heard the St. Theodore the Studite quotation was in a talk given by Bishop Kallistos.

He also used the quote as a lead for this piece that he wrote:

"SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM": Orthodox Monasticism and Its Service to the World
Theology Today, Apr 2004 by Ware, Bishop Kallistos
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3664/is_200404/ai_n9374344/pg_1

[Christophoros]

It isn't much of a secret that His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip, doesn't generally support traditional expressions of Orthodoxy. Whether you look at the lack of monasteries, the ordination of the "Evangelical Orthodox" en mass, the re-marriage of clergy who continue serving, the supression of universally-accepted fasting periods, etc., it's clear he views himself on the "progressive" side of Orthodoxy. But that isn't to say all Antiochian bishops are of like mind; Bishop Basil of Wichita, I would argue, has a more conservative view of Orthodoxy.

[Eric Peterson]

Christophoros,

If, by suppression of fasting periods, you mean not fasting on Wendesdays and Fridays from Pascha to Ascension, as I understand it, this is a traditional Antiochian practice. Antiochians and Greeks do not all do things the same way. For example, in Antiochian usage, the Cross comes out in the Little Entrance.

[Christophoros]

Eric,

Yes, I was referring to the supression of all fasting from Bright Week to Ascension. This was a product of the meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Antiochian Patriarchate on May 26-27, 1997. While I wouldn't call it a "traditional" practice, you're right about it being common. Having previously attended a large parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese and having Antiochian clergy and laity as good friends, I'm aware that this has been the practice of Antiochians for several decades. However, as far as being officially approved by the Church (as opposed to something that was merely tolerated), it is a very recent innovation. I would characterize this as something significantly different than a rubrical issue, such as your observation about the use of the cross in the Little Entrance. Liturgical rubrics are not canons.

I should correct myself on one point: since this decision was a product of the Holy Synod, I shouldn't associate it with the person of Metropolitan Philip solely.

[Moses Ibrahim]

That's not fair Moses. Having a monastery is nice and a haven for the world, but parishes and outreach ministries are as if not more important to the local communities that have them. In the past 5 years in Houston, we have started 4 new churchs and our local mission is now a church so that is 5 in 5 years. We have just ordained 2 new priests one being a Western Rite Church.

The hospitals are being built here and the hurt and maimed are coming in.

Paul

Forgive me for not being fair Paul. I would like to just twist your words a bit if you don't mind, yes the maimed are coming into the clinics (parishes) however the hospitals (monasteries) are neglected in the Antiochian jurisdiction. Is this a more fair approach? It is just a sad reality... I have nothing against Antiochians. I mean I myself am Lebanese and an Arab; but the focus of the Antiochian Jurisdiction has steered off path and only by God's grace and with your prayers and the prayers of all Orthodox Christians, maybe in the near future monasteries will be founded.

[Kris]

However, as far as being officially approved by the Church (as opposed to something that was merely tolerated), it is a very recent innovation.

As far as I understand, it is a return to a more ancient practice, also observed by the Oriental churches. The reason behind the practice is obviously related to Christ's own words about the disciples not fasting until the Bridegroom had departed (i.e. the ascension).

I must say I'm also uncomfortable with many of the views seemingly expressed by H.E. Phillip. This particular point, however, does not seem to be related to modernism but is simply the shedding of a Greek practice, not inherent in the Antiochian tradition.