“Athos is the motherland of orthodox monasticism in the world!” In this third part of his interview to Pemptousia, Archimandrite Damascene, abbot of St Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California, talks about his pilgrimages to Mount Athos. He also reflects on encountering such sincere veneration of Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) by the monks of the …
Tag: monastic life
Translation of the relics of the Venerable Zosimas of Solovki
Two of the Russian Orthodox Church's most important monastery founders are commemorated on August 8, Saints Zosimas and Sabbatius of Solovki. Though not my patron saint (Abba Zosimas of Palestine, whom the Lord led to find St Mary of Egypt and bring her edifying life story to the Church), I have a special devotion to …
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Books for Monastic Seekers: ‘Letters to a Beginner on Giving One’s Life to God’
For the first of a new series of blog posts, I would like to share a thin but extremely weighty and important book which was recommended to me several years ago when I was preparing to test the monastic life: Letters to a Beginner on Giving One's Life to God by Abbess Thaisia of Leushino, …
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The Elder Ephraim of Arizona: His contribution to North America
Here is a wonderful spiritual reflection on Elder Ephraim of Arizona and the significance of his establishing 17 monasteries in North America in the Athonite tradition. You can learn more about St Anthony's Monastery in Florence AZ here, which relates the story of Elder Ephraim's monastic life and how he began establishing monasteries in America …
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St. Herman Press publishes new installment for ‘The Northern Thebaid, Vol. II’
The detailed Life of St. Cornelius of Komel presented in the newly published The Orthodox Word #311 provides fresh inspiration for Orthodox monastics and seekers, as well as for a certain pilgrim with a camera... From the announcement on the St. Herman Press website (emphasis added): Vol. 52, No. 6 (311) November-December, 2016 The Life …
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The North American Thebaid 