Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Georgia, USA

[Justin Farr]

Has anyone every been to this monastery? I am taking a trip there tomorrow, God willing, and am curious if anyone here as been, and if so, what is it like?

http://monastery.org/

[Owen Jones]

I was there many times but many years ago when they were OCA, under Abbot Damien. I don't know if he is even still living or where he is now, but I do know that they are in some new jurisdiction. It's a typical U.S. monastery in that it's in makeshift quarters, so to speak, without a proper church building, but they struggle on. I knew Fr. Maximos as well, when he first entered the monastery as a novice. But I read that he now resides somewhere up north. An interesting person who seems very committed and not a monk because of personal problems.

[Justin Farr]

Good to hear. :) Thank you. Now I believe they are under the Jerusalem Patriarchate, and were in ROCA before that (but I may be incorrect in the ROCA bit).

[Father David Moser]

Good to hear. :) Thank you. Now I believe they are under the Jerusalem Patriarchate, and were in ROCA before that (but I may be incorrect in the ROCA bit).

They were at one time a part of ROCOR, having separated from the OCA as I recall over the issue of receiving new converts by baptism (they wanted to, their bishop forbade them). The left ROCOR for Jerusalem because they didn't want to be "separated" from the Orthodox world (but since ROCOR is and always has been a part of the Russian Church, I don't really understand that one).

Fr David Moser

[Andrew]

They were at one time a part of ROCOR, having separated from the OCA as I recall over the issue of receiving new converts by baptism (they wanted to, their bishop forbade them). The left ROCOR for Jerusalem because they didn't want to be "separated" from the Orthodox world (but since ROCOR is and always has been a part of the Russian Church, I don't really understand that one).

Fr David Moser

At the monastery I go to I met a guy who spends a lot of time at the Resaca monastery... he said that they left ROCOR because they barely ever saw their bishop and had a difficult time feeling like they were a part of the diocese - they felt isolated and without support (this is what he was telling me, I could be misconstruing it though). They were kicked out of the OCA and threatened with defrockings and whatnot because of some baptismal controversies in regards to Mt. Athos. You probably know about it, and I don't want to go too much deeper into it. There bishop, who resides in Jerusalem, visits them more often than their bishop under ROCOR did. Unfortunately, they have had a very difficult time growing, both financially and in terms of numbers of novices and monks.

[Justin Farr]

I went there today. They are very friendly, and have a wonderful bookstore. The chapel is beautiful inside, and it is a very peaceful (though typically Georgian hot and humid!) place. I had a great time, and I recommend it to others. :)

[Paul Cowan]

I went there today. They are very friendly, and have a wonderful bookstore. The chapel is beautiful inside, and it is a very peaceful (though typically Georgian hot and humid!) place. I had a great time, and I recommend it to others. :)

Justin,

If you were able to take pictures please share them in the US monastery social group.

[Justin Farr]

I left my digital camera at home! I was rather angry at myself! But the experience truly was amazing; they have a beautiful cemetery and great trails throughout the woods, too.