a photographic pilgrimage to Orthodox Christian monasteries across the continent
St. Pachomius lived in the Egyptian Thebaid, and is to cenobitic monasticism what St. Anthony the Great is to the eremitic (solitary) way, and what St. Nilus of Sora is to skete life in Russia. He is commemorated on May 15. From his Life at OCA.org: Saint Pachomius the Great was both a model of desert dwelling, …
Continue reading Venerable Pachomius the Great, Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism
Announcing a special opportunity for those living in Northeastern Ohio (Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown): Through a very gracious invitation by Fr. Basil Rusen, I will be giving a presentation on Orthodox Christian Monasticism and the North American Thebaid this coming Sunday, March 12, at St Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, in Hudson, Ohio. Join us for the …
Continue reading Join us this Sunday at St Herman of Alaska Church in Hudson OH
The North American Thebaid is truly unique in the Orthodox Christian world. Market research reveals very few projects similar to this in scope or purpose, and nothing like it in North America. Most photo books on Orthodox monasticism center on exotic and legendary locales such as Mount Athos in Greece, or St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot …
Continue reading Market Study confirms: The Thebaid Project is Unique (Updated)
Thank you to all supporters of the North American Thebaid Project so far, especially to you who contributed during the first week of the Crowdfunding campaign. The Week 1 numbers are very encouraging. As of mid-day July 18: Our Facebook Launch Announcement reached over 1,400 views, with 64 Facebook shares by supporters and over 100 …
What is a “thebaid”? Per the Catholic Encyclopaedia, The valley of the Nile, under Roman domination, was divided into four provinces: Lower and Upper Egypt, Lower and Upper Thebaid. The last two comprised the upper part of the valley. During the fourth to fifth centuries it was the chosen land of the monks, who by their sanctity and by the form they impressed on the monastic system greatly influenced …
The North American Thebaid 