Hurricane Irma forced me to make an early return from the beautiful monastery of Panagia Vlahernon, but not before I was able to make some photographs of the grounds and the divine services. I hope to make a return trip, God willing, as well as visit the women’s monastery of the Annunciation just a few miles away.
From the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries, by Alexei Krindatch:
Both were founded at roughly the same time (1998 and 1999), and both were established through the efforts of Elder Ephraim, a person who has exerted a very strong influence on contemporary Orthodox monasticism in America. The founding nuns of the Annunciation of the Theotokos Monastery came to America from the ancient monastery of St. John the Forerunner in Serres, Greece, while the first brothers at the Panagia Vlahernon Monastery were partially from St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona, and partially from the Monastery of Philotheou on Mount Athos (Greece).
I am very grateful to Fr Polykarp and the brotherhood of Panagia Vlahernon, who were very kind and hospitable in welcoming me, and am hopeful the degraded Irma has not caused them any significant troubles.
For info on these monasteries, and how to schedule a pilgrimage, visit these websites:
- Visit Panagia Vlahernon Monastery’s website…
- Visit the website for Annunciation Monastery…
- See affiliated monasteries in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, also founded by Elder Ephraim…
The North American Thebaid 