Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries
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Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries Atlas of Whether used as a scholarly introduction into Eastern Christian monasticism or researcher’s directory or a travel guide, Alexei Krindatch brings together a fascinating collection of articles, facts, and statistics to comprehensively describe Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the United States. The careful examina- Atlas of American Orthodox tion of the key features of Orthodox monasteries provides solid academic frame for this book. With enticing verbal and photographic renderings, twenty-three Orthodox monastic communities scattered throughout the United States are brought to life for the reader. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to sample, explore or just better understand Orthodox Christian monastic life. Christian Monasteries Scott Thumma, Ph.D. Director Hartford Institute for Religion Research A truly delightful insight into Orthodox monasticism in the United States. The chapters on the history and tradition of Orthodox monasticism are carefully written to provide the reader with a solid theological understanding. They are then followed by a very human and personal description of the individual US Orthodox monasteries. A good resource for scholars, but also an excellent ‘tour guide’ for those seeking a more personal and intimate experience of monasticism. Thomas Gaunt, S.J., Ph.D. Executive Director Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) This is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to a small but important sector of American religious life. Whether you want to know about the history and theology of Orthodox monasticism or you just want to know what to expect if you visit, the stories, maps, and directories here are invaluable. Nancy T. Ammerman, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology of Religion Boston University The Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries contributes in a significant way to making Orthodox monasticism accessible to the wide—Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike—American public. This book is worthy of every American Christian’s personal library. Fr.Tryphon (Parsons) Abbot All-Merciful Saviour Orthodox Monastery, Vashon Island, Washington Alexei Krindatch is a research coordinator for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. The Assembly consists of all the active, canonical US Orthodox bishops Krindatch A. representing various Orthodox Churches. Alexei is a leading researcher on American Orthodox Christian Churches. He lives in Berkeley, California. The Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries is a sequel to the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches (2011). Edited by Alexei Krindatch Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries Edited by Alexei Krindatch A publication of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America www.assemblyofbishops.org 2016 Copyright © 2016 by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, New York, NY Published by Holy Cross Orthodox Press 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445 First issued 2/2016, Reissued and with Message from Archbishop Demetrios 5/2016 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Krindatch, Alexei D., author. Title: Atlas of American Orthodox Christian monasteries / Alexei Krindatch, principal author, data compiler, and editor. Description: Brookline, MA : Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2016. | Series: A publication of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America | Includes bibliographical references. Identifiers: LCCN 2015050754| ISBN 9781935317616 (paperback) | ISBN 193531761X (paperback) Subjects: LCSH: Orthodox Eastern monasteries--United States. | Orthodox Eastern Church--United States. Classification: LCC BX385.U6 K75 2016 | DDC 271/.81973--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015050754 Cover photo: Orthodox Cross on the Top of Mount St. Herman on Spruce Island, Alaska. St. Herman of Alaska, the member of the original missionary team of Russian monks and America’s first canonized Orthodox saint, lived on Spruce island for more than twenty years until his death in 1836. Contents Message from Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman, Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America . .v Editor’s Note: About This Book . .vi Acknowledgements and Contributing Authors . .viii Inclusiveness of the Atlas, Terminology, and Glossary . .ix Some Interesting Facts about Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the United States . .xii Chapter 1. Traditions of Orthodox Monasticism . .1 Chapter 2. The Historical Development of Orthodox Monasteries in the United States: An Overview . .11 Chapter 3. Directory of Orthodox Christian Monasteries by State . .23 Maps: . .24 Overview of Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the United States . .26 Orthodox Christian Monasteries: Size of Monastic Community . .28 Orthodox Christian Monasteries: Primary Language Used in Worship Services and Church Calendar Followed . .30 Orthodox Christian Monasteries: Overnight Accommodations Offered to Visitors . .32 Directory of Orthodox Monastic Communities by State . .34 Chapter 4. The Way They Live: the Stories of Some American Orthodox Christian Monasteries . .65 The Alaskan Monastic Communities: St. Michael Skete on Spruce Island and St. Nilus Skete on St. Nilus Island . .66 All-Merciful Saviour Monastery, Vashon Island, Washington . .72 Annunciation of the Theotokos and Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monasteries, Reddick and Williston, Florida . .76 Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery, Rives Junction, Michigan . .80 Hermitage of the Holy Cross, Wayne, West Virginia . .84 Holy Archangels Greek Orthodox Monastery, Kendalia, Texas . .88 Holy Cross Monastery, Castro Valley, California . .92 Holy Monastery of St. Paisius, Safford, Arizona . .96 Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery, Otego, New York . .100 Holy Protection Orthodox Monastery, White Haven, Pennsylvania . .104 Holy Trinity Orthodox Monastery, Jordanville, New York . .108 Monks of New Skete and Nuns of New Skete, Cambridge, New York . .112 Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God (“New Gracanica”) Monastery, Third Lake, Illinois . .118 St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, Florence, Arizona . .122 St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, California . .126 St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery, Goldendale, Washington . .130 St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery, Manton, California . .134 St. Sabbas the Sanctified Orthodox Monastery, Harper Woods, Michigan . .138 St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania . .142 If You Decide, to Go: a Few Simple Rules to Follow When Visiting an Orthodox Christian Monastery . .146 Message from Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman, Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America o the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic TOrganizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America Beloved and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, As we have witnessed throughout the centuries, and as the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries Well into its seventh year since its inception in 2009, the points out, while monastics have renounced the ways of Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United the world, they never renounce the world. Their fruit of States has labored to fulfill its mission to forge a unified their constant prayer for the world led to the formation of Orthodox witness in society and has strived to pave a path hospitals, old-age homes, and orphanages. As the Atlas for fuller expressions of the Eucharistic communion in our points out, our monasteries joyfully offer hospitality to common work. To this end, I am most grateful for the those on pilgrimage or retreat; they seek to offer initiative of the Committee on Monastic Communities comfort to the downtrodden and the marginalized. to produce the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries. This truly constitutes a labor of love. In closing, I express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to my dear brothers, the members of the Committee on Along with the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monastic Communities—Archbishop Kyrill (Committee Churches, this present work produced by the Assembly Chairman), Metropolitans Gerasimos and Tikhon, and of Bishops not only spiritually edifies the lives of our Bishop Longin—for their initiative, and express my people, but also serves as a practical and useful resource gratitude to Mr. Alexei Krindatch, the editor of the Atlas, for those seeking to learn more about the Orthodox for his efforts to coordinate this most useful resource. Church, and specifically about the monastic tradition in the United States. With love and high esteem in Christ, Like so many others before them, the countless nuns and monks have committed themselves to a life of constant prayer, fasting, obedience, and repentance. +Archbishop Demetrios of America And while the “angelic life” has a central place in their Chairman lives, monastics are also known for their creativity, artistic work, and philanthropy. Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries –v– Editor’s Note: About This Book n 1794 a group of ten monks, from the Valaam and different Orthodox monasteries in America, one can Konevits Monasteries in the Russian north, arrived on experience very different traditions of Orthodox monas- Ithe island of Kodiak in Alaska. Sent to