a photographic pilgrimage to Orthodox Christian monasteries across the continent
In talking and sharing about the North American Thebaid Project, I feel compelled to try to describe both what it is, and what it is not. Much of this description revolves around the type of photography I seek to apply to the project. Often I find it much easier to say "what it is not." My "apophatic" …
Continue reading ‘Pursuing the Light’ – A Theology of Photography
Plus New, Improved Thebaid Video With many thanks to our growing community of supporters, we're extending the crowdfunding campaign through September 11. As a reminder, supporters earn valuable perks, including signed books, fine-art prints and more, for contributing to the Thebaid Project. Did you know that we offer discounts for multiple copies if you pre-order the …
For the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, here is a classic text from our own times, on how the living tradition of the Orthodox Church is passed down. The monastic life plays a central role in this paradosis, this "traditioning" of the Faith. In this case, the young convert, Eugene Rose (the …
Continue reading The Dormition, Holy Tradition, and St John Maximovitch
First Saint of the North American Thebaid Saint Herman of Alaska, America’s first canonized saint, was an Orthodox Christian monk of holy life who lived in Valaam Monastery in Russia. In 1794, along with nine other monastics he was sent to Alaska to evangelize the natives there. In time St. Herman would become the sole survivor …
"To the reader, it will hardly sound surprising that the evil one is far from thrilled to hear that a man or woman wishes to profess monastic vows. If we imagine the whole body of the Church as an army of the faithful here on earth regarding the spiritual life, monks and nuns are like …
The North American Thebaid 