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Does the Holy Theophany Byzantine Catholic Monastery (Eparchy of Van Nuys) under the care of Mother Anastasia in Washington have a website? They aren't listed on byzcath.org's monastery links or on the Van Nuys website.

Thank you,
Joe

Joe,

I've not heard of a women's "monastery" in the Eparchy of Van Nuys. Now, as I understand there is a small group of women in Washington who are in the process of seeking canonical establishment, but to term them a "monastery" of the Eparchy of Van Nuys with the accompanying canonical implications is a bit premature.

Fr. Deacon John,

OK. Not "monastery," but "community" or "society" or something appropriate without being overtly canonical. How is the Eparchy helping to promote this community? Unfortunately, I didn't read anything about them on the eparchial website, hence my not knowing what they are called or the details of their existence. Please forgive my premature canonization of their community. Do you think there should be some attempt to promote their community? New members mean a lot I would think. Just wondering.

Thanks for the scoop!

Joe

Joe,

If the Eparchy has yet to canonical establish them, then I think it would be premature for the Eparchy to promote the community.

After all, if the Eparchy decides not to recognize this community then I do not think they would wish others to join them.


David, the Byzantine Catholic

David et al,

This leads me to a general question about how our Church promotes new monastic or religious foundations or communities or organizations or houses? With all the talk about going back to traditions, and the slow death of hybrid religious communities (i.e., Franciscan Byzantines, Benedictine Byzantines, etc), how does a new community get started?

From a purely business point of view, how does one sell a new and improved product if one doesn't announce its production, advertise its existence, and bring it to the people? I know, I know, the Church isn't a business, and monastic ... err, religious-community-society living isn't a product. I shouldn't insert marketing terms here.

Those religious communities that have been recognized by our eparchies in the past are slowly dying a slow death with many former religious clergy assuming pastoral roles.

So far, all the responses attempt to discredit. Maybe the mind is already made up?

Back to Holy Theophany Community: What if a woman approached her pastor in a Van Nuys parish and asked about joining a religioius/monastic community? Would she only be given one option? Would other start-up communities be considered? Not trying to be prickly here, just wondering.

Sapplings need watered. How does your garden grow?

Joe

Joe,

your analogy is quite appropriate, but you skipped a few steps. Given your background, you know as well as I do that before a new product is launched and the advertising and marketing is in place, there have been years of research and development, testing, etc, to ensure the product fits the company profile and mission statement. How many projects have been halted before they were slated for marketing because something was wrong with the product? The last thing any company desires is a failure in the marketplace. No company is succesful because of recalls. (Can you say Firestone?) Due diligence is certainly required in the marketplace, should not a bishop exercise due diligence where the Faith is concerned, whether it's ordaining a man to Holy Orders or establishing a monastery?

Dear Brothers,
It is truly a sad affair with the sisters,they are very traditional and wonderful nuns.Yet they will not likely ever be reconnized by the Eparchy.I will not go into this on a public fourm.

C4C, I can see that you are from Olympia. I am a member at St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Seattle, up the interstate. I know the sisters, and they have never shared such pessimism with me, nor has my pastor, who most Saturdays celebrates liturgy for them. That Bishop William may be taking his time canonically erecting this community as a monastery could simply be the exercise of prudence. I do not understand what your post is supposed to accomplish. It suggests that Bishop William has evil motives. which does none of his flock any good.

I know many of the people who know the sisters. Who are you? What's your real name, C4C?

C4C usually signs as "poor sinner Chad" and he usually seems sad.

LatinTrad

I thought that there was a clergy retreat for the Eparchy of Van Nuys with the community within the past year with His Grace presiding. Was it not at their community facility? If I am remembering correctly, then such a witness would indicate that efforts are being made to foster the community.

I'm not sure what the hoo-ha is about calling them a monastery?

If memory serves, Holy Resurrection Monastery was called that before they had full canonical recognition, typicon approval, etc.

Haven't been out there yet myself, but one of the sisters came to them from Ohio - we had the joy of knowing her - and somehow I can't see her as a gloomy gus!

God grant that they get all the canonical "I"s dotted and the "T"s crossed soon - we NEED monastic communities!


Cheers from Ohio where it's gray and chilly and raining today - "seasonable weather" indeed.


Sharon

Cantor Sharon,

I believe you are right. There was really no non-hybrid Byzantine monastic community to speak of back then in the Metropolia, so their advent was welcomed and even discussed on these forums long before their canonical elevation. I believe some of their monks took part in forum discussions.

If a woman was considering entering a religious community, especially one that is traditionally Byzantine, would that woman be told about this new start-up community or would she have to find out about it on her own?

Joe

Chad,

you already did.

Unfortunately you are reading something into the situation that is unfounded. People need to cut the Bishop some slack. Bishop William has been the eparch for just over a year. Throw into the mix the Van Nuys geographical area, the new background checks and audits of all clerics and eparchial employees required by the USCCB, the various presentations that need to be given to catechists, volunteers, and the faithful at large ("Safe Environment for Children"), etc.

And yet voices here are clamoring for him to establish traditional monasteries that had not been part of the experience of our Byzantine Church in the US since its founding. So just because "two or three gather", the Bishops are supposed to approve a group as a monastery? What about formation or testing? The same voices calling for the establishment of the monastery, would be the first ones criticizing the Bishops if problems develop.

Prior to the establishment of Holy Resurrection Monastery in 2000, then Bishop George had approved the canonical establishment of the Pious Association of Holy Resurrection in 1994. Before the establishment of the pious association, some time had elapsed as well.

Years prior to my acceptance to diaconal formation by the bishop, I had expressed desire to enter diaconal formation, but until I was accepted into the program I was not a candidate for diaconal formation. Desire alone did not guarantee my acceptance, I had to meet and discuss this with my pastor, submit my application (which was quite lengthy), which was then reviewed by a committee. I had to petition and be granted a "change of rite". The Bishop solicited letters of recommendation from members of the parish. Finally, I was interviewed by the Bishop and the protosyncellus.

The point of my rambling is this- this group in Washington is in the process with the eparchy, and, yes, its going to take time. Let's allow our Bishop to perform his ministry, he has the "big picture" to consider. Continue to pray for him and this group in Washington.

Thank you for the comments in support of the nuns in Olympia. I, too,was a bit taken back by the gloomy comments.

How does one find out about such places??? Look at the screen!!

This is the place to ask questions and get answers. I've known about them from the beginning and I've referred several women to them.

I think there are numerous men and women in various stages of discernment. Let us pray for them. God's timing is not ours -- sometimes it is quick and sometimes it is slow. He knows what he is doing. Rest assured He loves all His children.

Fr. Deacon John (as usual) makes some good points. Considering the skeletons in the closet with the Florida community, these matters must be considered prudently and patiently by the hierarchy and some background checking also undertaken. Bishop Innocent took his time with Mt. Tabor as did Bishop Michael with the Skete as did Bishop George with Holy Resurrection.