January 2019 Thebaid Update

On January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, Project, Publishing, Thebaid Book6 Comments

On to publication of the Thebaid Book in Spring 2019!

This update serves as a special ‘Thank you’ to our dozens of dear supporters, for propelling the North American Thebaid Project to the threshold of its goal, the publication of the large-format, photographic coffee table book, due in Spring 2019 from St Tikhon’s Monastery Press, South Canaan PA.

In the coming weeks and months I’ll be deeply engaged in photo editing and book design, sending files back and forth with the design team at St. Tikhon’s Press, and working closely with our pre-press partners at Four Colour Print Group in Louisville and FCI Digital in Dayton, as we work to fulfill our goal of creating an inspiring, museum-quality photo book. We can’t wait to get it into your hands!

St Tikhon’s Press announces the Thebaid Book to over 20,000 readers

St Tikhon’s 2019 Liturgical Calendar, featuring photographs from the North American Thebaid.

St Tikhon’s Monastery Press chose to announce their role as publisher of the Thebaid book through a statement in their 2019 Liturgical Calendar, which features fourteen full-color images from the Thebaid Project.

Covering over a dozen Orthodox monasteries across America, from several of the canonical Orthodox jurisdictions and archdioceses here, this beautiful calendar has now been distributed to hundreds of parish churches, reaching an audience of over 20,000, who began using this unique liturgical calendar on January 1 of the New Year.

We are deeply grateful for St. Tikhon’s Press and their public endorsement of the Thebaid Project. You can order the St Tikhon’s 2019 Liturgical Calendar direct from STM Press…

Continue reading “January 2019 Thebaid Update” →

Thebaid Project Update – January 2018

On February 1, 2018 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, Project, PublishingLeave a comment

Continued growth and progress as we pass the midpoint of the Thebaid Project, but we need contributions to keep gas in the tank!

This was originally posted to our GoFundMe and Indiegogo crowdfunding sites last week.

Thebaid Project Update, January 2018

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Fellow Thebaid Pilgrims,

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas, New Year and Theophany season!

No, you didn’t miss an update in December, I did! But this one is well worth the wait, covering recent travel, upcoming schedule, and two special announcements.

Announcement #1 — We are officially at the midpoint of the photography, with fifteen monasteries photographed to date, and dozens of images already selected for the book. WE’re on track to finish the photography by June (or July), and for the book to be sent to the printer soon after that, to be in distribution by Autumn 2018.

Announcement #2 — I have been in communication with a leading Orthodox publisher since just before the new year. No agreement in writing yet so we cannot share any details, but their interest in publishing the Thebaid book is yet a further affirmation of the Thebaid Project.

MONASTERY PHOTOGRAPHY —

NOVEMBER 14-19, 2017 — Monks and Nuns of New Skete (OCA), Cambridge NY. Having just celebrated their 50th Anniversary, New Skete is perhaps best known outside the Orthodox Church for their breeding and training of German Shepherd dogs. You can view my extensive gallery of images at thebaid.org. My heartfelt thanks to Br. Christopher, Sr. Cecilia, and the communities of New Skete for their invitation and hospitality.

NOVEMBER 20, 2017 — Skete of St. John the Theologian (ROCOR), Hiram OH. This was a brief, “get acquainted” visit, to a small but historic monastic community in northern Ohio. I hope to return soon to do some serious photography, but on my blog you can get a good sense of the beauty of the chapel and grounds from the few photos made with my iPhone.

Continue reading “Thebaid Project Update – January 2018” →

Thebaid Project Update – October/November 2017

On November 3, 2017 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, ProjectLeave a comment

Dear Supporters and Friends,

Due to travel, I was unable to post an update in early October, so there is a great deal to report in this Thebaid Update. As always, please forgive me if this post duplicates an update you received through our GoFundMe or Indiegogo platforms.

Let’s dive right in:

LOGISTICS —

As I reported back in August, thanks to a generous sponsor, I have been able to eliminate housing costs. My sincere thanks also to supporters in Atlanta, Akron and Cincinnati, who have hosted me in their homes at various points, which have saved literally hundreds of dollars in hotel and meal costs.

MONASTERY TRAVELS —

Lighting the Lampada over the Altar; St Paul Skete, Grand Jct TN

SEPTEMBER 26-29 — I made my first pilgrimage to Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels Skete in Weatherby MO. The St Xenia Sisterhood is adjacent to the men’s skete. Many unique images from this warm and welcoming community…

OCTOBER 3-5 — While traveling in September, I was emailing with Mother Nektaria at St Paul Skete in Grand Jct TN, east of Memphis, and we blocked out a few days for me to stay and photograph, resulting in a blessed visit and several exceptional images.

OCTOBER 18-20 — Hermitage of the Holy Cross, Wayne WV — This is a return visit to the Hermitage, as my first trip there last year had to be cut short due to a scheduling conflict on my end. I’ve been very eager to make this return trip, and the timing for Fall colors couldn’t be much better.

OCTOBER 22-23 — I made a return visit to St Gregory Palamas Monastery in Hayesville, Ohio, where I was able to photograph the progress on construction of their new chapel, designed by noted Orthodox architect Andrew Gould. View the full gallery for St Gregory’s here.

As monasteries are scheduled, I add them to my iCal, and they automatically appear on the Thebaid website schedule in the right-hand column.

Continue reading “Thebaid Project Update – October/November 2017” →

Thebaid Project Update – September 2017

On September 14, 2017 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, Photographs, ProjectLeave a comment

A summary of Thebaid Project activity over the past six weeks, with exciting news about upcoming monastery and parish visits, and some additional surprises.

Dear Fellow Thebaid Pilgrims,

I’m a couple of weeks late on my monthly Thebaid Update Schedule, but I hope you’ll appreciate the reasons for the delay, as the last six weeks have been filled with travel and photography, and have generated growing interest in and momentum for the Project.

For this September 2017 Edition, there are several categories of note:

LOGISTICS —

As mentioned in the August 2017 Update, through the support of a generous sponsor, I have been able to eliminate the overhead of housing and utilities costs, which has really propelled scheduling both of monastery visits and parish presentations. The immediate benefits of this logistical change can be seen in the updates below…

MONASTERY TRAVELS —

August 25-27 — Monastery of the Glorious Ascension (ROCOR) in Resaca GA, a women’s monastery with a long history, which is an important part of Orthodox mission efforts in northern Georgia. View the Photo Gallery here.

September 5-7 — Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery in Williston FL. This is my first visit to one of the monasteries founded by Elder Ephraim (former abbot of Philotheou Monastery on Mount Athos). Due to Hurricane Irma, I cut short my stay by one day, and had to cancel my pilgrimage to the women’s Annunciation Monastery just 10 minutes away. Perhaps a return visit may occur in the winter. Photo Gallery here.

UPCOMING: Looking ahead, I just this morning confirmed the dates for my first pilgrimage to Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels Skete in Weatherby MO, on September 24-28. A women’s monastic community is adjacent to the men’s skete, St Xenia Sisterhood. I am hoping to add more monasteries in the region to make a circuit, before returning to Birmingham.

Continue reading “Thebaid Project Update – September 2017” →

Phase II of the North American Thebaid has Officially Launched!

On February 7, 2017February 7, 2017 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, Project2 Comments

After our successful first season of travel and photography to several monasteries, and presentations at Orthodox parishes across five states, we’re officially announcing Phase II of the North American Thebaid Photographic Pilgrimage…

new-thebaid-cover-promo — Support the North American Thebaid at our GoFundMe page…

Phase I fundraising was a solid success. Raising 92% of our initial goal, it enabled travel and photography to begin in Summer 2016, with photographs made at five monasteries across three states, and a return visit to Ellwood City for some strong images (such as above) at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration.

Having tested and proven our plans, we are moving into the main stretch of the Thebaid Pilgrimage: 2017 will see the bulk of the travel and the longest legs of the journey, literally to the four corners of North America.

Continue reading “Phase II of the North American Thebaid has Officially Launched!” →

Crowdfunding Campaign Extended

On August 18, 2016August 18, 2016 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, ProjectLeave a comment

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 Thebaid Book in either the Founding Subscribers’ Limited Edition in bonded leather, or the First Edition in cloth bound/hardcover? Explore the substantial savings for two or more copies on our crowdfunding page.

We’re especially proud of the museum quality specifications for the finished book:

Continue reading “Crowdfunding Campaign Extended” →

NEW, BONUS PERK for Crowdfunding Supporters

On August 2, 2016August 1, 2016 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, PhotographsLeave a comment

We’re off to a great start with our crowdfunding campaign for the North American Thebaid Project, currently at 20% of our goal and climbing. So, to thank our growing community of supporters, we’re adding a Special Bonus Perk for all supporters at the $25 level and above.

In addition to the existing rewards, all current and future supporters at $25 and up will also receive the eBook edition of my 2014 book, Pursuing the Light – Forty Years of Photography.

This coffee-table fine-art book features a career-spanning retrospective of my landscape photographs over the last four decades, many of which have been selected for juried exhibits and won awards at shows from the Southeast to the Midwest. The eBook features the complete collection of over fifty photographs from the hardcover edition, plus the preface. You can view the book preview and explore many of the images here. And if you haven’t already, we invite you to head over to our crowdfunding site and support the Thebaid Project.

Continue reading “NEW, BONUS PERK for Crowdfunding Supporters” →

Tech Issue Solved

On July 31, 2016 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, ProjectLeave a comment

The wonderful Tech Support folks at Indiegogo helped me find a workaround for my tech issue on the Thebaid Crowdfunding Site, so I’ve turned off all the klaxons and alarms here at the command center.

You should not experience any problems when viewing the site or using its various functions (including donations, etc.). I still have a small visibility issue at my end, but there is no operational problem with the Indiegogo site, for which I am very thankful.

As always, thank you all for your support and prayers!

Known Tech Issue on Indiegogo Site

On July 30, 2016 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, VideoLeave a comment

Video not appearing on Indiegogo — All other functions are unaffected and operating fine.

This morning, when working on updates on our Indiegogo crowdfunding site, I discovered that our video, the lead introductory component for the crowdfunding page, was not showing.

This is likely due to some unexpected maintenance at Indiegogo, but I wanted to post about it so any visitors and supporters would not be concerned. I have submitted a service ticket with the Indiegogo Support Team, and expect a quick solution.

In the meantime, you can view the video immediately below, on our Video page, or on YouTube. It is also able to be viewed in our “Gallery” tab on the Indiegogo site.

As always, thank you for your interest in the North American Thebaid Project. We appreciate your prayers and support!

Week 2: Building Momentum

On July 29, 2016July 29, 2016 By zosimasIn crowdfunding, ProjectLeave a comment

Many thanks to all our Thebaid Project supporters so far, who have propelled the crowdfunding total to $2,700 — almost 20% of our goal!

Even more impressive is our overall fundraising total from all methods (crowdfunding, PayPal, check/cash), which is above $6000 from nearly two dozen supporters/families. This is a great blessing and encouragement, for which we are very grateful.

Likewise these comments and endorsements:

“The reason why we supported you was because we believe that healthy monasticism is the key to a vibrant church. We hope your work will be a spark which continues to bring monasticism to the consciousness of all Orthodox and the wider world. Bless you in your journey and your work.” ~ Anonymous Supporter, New Jersey

“What a wonderful project! We look forward to following your journeys and praying for you. This will be such a gift to so many.” ~ Grace Cosby

“This sounds so exciting, and I can’t wait to see the finished product!” ~ Cynthia Damaskos, Orthodox Speakers Bureau

Special thanks to Alexis and Mickey for hosting a wonderful reception and fundraiser here in Cincinnati last Sunday (July 24). Over twenty guests and many new supporters helped celebrate the Thebaid Project launch. Special appreciation to Charlene, Patricia and Steve for helping with desserts, drinks and setup/cleanup.

Watch for more Thebaid Project updates coming soon, and please help us reach our crowdfunding goal, and remember to follow us and share on Facebook.

Asking your prayers and support…