http://www.azcentra l.com/news/articles/0114monastery0114.html#

Quiet and commitment at Orthodox monastery in the desert

By Angela Cara Pancrazio
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 14, 2007 12:00 AM

Just before the monk climbed the stairs to ring the 4 p.m. bells,
Anastasia Lagos waited below the tower.

In the presence of men who have committed their lives to Greek
Orthodox monasticism, Lagos tied a babushka under her chin and wore a
long skirt. There must not be any distractions.

The 27-year-old was on a pilgrimage.

She had traveled from her homeland, Greece, to reflect and pray at
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery, the domed chapels and bell
towers that rise above the saguaro-studded desert in Florence.

The middle of the desert may seem an unlikely place for a monastery
famous among the international Orthodox Christian community. But to
the hundreds of pilgrims like Lagos who journey here, even through
the torrid heat of summer, the serenity and spirituality here is
reminiscent of ancient monasteries.

"In the middle of the desert it's so quiet; here you feel like you're
living centuries ago," Lagos said.

"Time passes slowly."

It's been about 10 years since the monastery began to take root here.
But the Byzantine-style chapels and churches that rise from the lush
landscape of palm trees, saguaros, cholla, greasewood and creosote,
look as if the monastery has stood here for hundreds of years.

With the exception of an occasional Federal Express or United Parcel
Service delivery truck, the monastery fits in with centuries long ago.

Because of its setting in the Arizona desert, the monastery is unique
among the 17 Greek Orthodox monasteries in North America.

It is St. Anthony's spiritual leader, Father Ephraim, who chose the
desert outside Florence to build his monastery.

He loved the tranquillity and climate.

Then, the story goes, driving in the desert, looking for land for his
monastery, the elder heard bells, recalled Father Markellos, one of
St. Anthony's monks.

And just where the bells came from, no one knows.

"That's a mystery," Markellos said.

But Father Ephraim seemed to be called by the bells to spread out
over the swath of more than 100 acres where the monastery stands
today.

Ephraim brought six monks from Athos to the Sonoran Desert to build
his monastery.

Side by side, the monks and construction workers first erected the
traditional Byzantine style, domed basilica church.

Inside, the Panagia Arizonitissa or the Mother of God of Arizona, the
icon special to the monastery, was painted in Greece.

Crosses, rings, necklaces - offerings to the Virgin Mary - hang from
the gilded icon.

A single candle flickers.

Outside, pathways meander through lush gardens connecting four more
chapels.

Originally, there were six monks; now there are nearly 40.

Their day begins at midnight with personal prayers, followed by
morning prayers.

After a light breakfast and rest, they begin their work.

Father Markellos is tall and youngish-looking but doesn't reveal his
age.

He's usually the monk near the front gate who checks that the
visitors - both men and women - are appropriately covered.

He also stresses that the photogenic black-robed monks are off limits
photographically.

Though some of the monks are in their 80s with longish white beards
like Father Ephraim, they reflect an ageless, youthful quality.

Dressed in black, the soft utterances of their prayers can be heard
throughout the vegetable gardens, olive grove, citrus orchard, and
even in the bookstore where they sell their organic applesauce and
red wine vinegar.

What they've created, say the monks, is an oasis.

It is not only the quiet that draws Orthodox Christian pilgrims to
St. Anthony's from around the world; Father Ephraim comes from the
sacred heritage of Mount Athos, the "Holy Mountain," a remote
monastery in Greece reachable only by boat that has not changed much
in the last 10 centuries.

"In the Orthodox world, it's probably the most well-known monastery
in America," said John Alan Jones, a pilgrim from Kodiak, Alaska.

"Greece has Mount Athos. America has St. Anthony's in Florence. This
is a bit of Mount Athos in America."

Though the monastery has a global reputation among pilgrims, St.
Anthony's is also a sanctuary for local Greek Orthodox.

"Stepping onto monastic grounds such as Florence is stepping out of
ordinary time, out of the ordinary world," said Victoria Keegan, a
member of Scottsdale's Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

Keegan's first journey to the monastery is a momentous one.

"The very first time I went to the monastery, I had a feeling of
angst because I was struggling with something," she said.

"When I stepped through the archway, I burst into tears; I felt like
I had found a haven."


Alexandr

[i]Dear Alexandr,

Thank you for posting that. I thought that Father Ephraim had been here longer than ten years, but I guess I was mistaken. The saintly monk had many obstacles, and as is usually the case with any saint, he was opposed by his own Church.

That is not the case anymore...fortunately! He has a lovely Monastery of Saint Nektarios that is a two hours drive from New York City.

Zenovia[/i]

Interesting. Is this monastery really renowned among the Orthodox worldwide ?

-- John

It depends on which Orthodox you talk to It is less than 20 years old, and has been heavily underwritten financially by some high roller Greeks. It is fast taking on the look of a lavra, but has been mostly connected with Greek Orthodox, and a few convert groups so far. Other jurisdictions continue to work within themselves mostly.

Well, the monasteries are VERY culturally/religiously Greek, but then again, they are meant to be transplantations of the Athonite rule, and Mt. Athos is also very Greek, as it is *in* Greece!

As for 'high roller Greeks' heavily underwriting the monasteries, I will say that while the monasteries do seem to get quite a bit of money, as the Elder of the St. Nektarios monastery has said, it is the money of the poor, not the money of the wealthy (though such is, infact, the case with Greek Orthodox parishes) that have sustained them. He has also said that he knows, very well, the fear of not having money to pay bills, but they turn to God for that, and He eventually provides.

Infact, that is why the monasteries are so popular with the common man. The monasteries are a haven of true Christian spirit, and all are welcome--those who visit with nothing to offer or to spend, those who visit with only food to offer, and those who wish to donate alot. Everyone is appreciated equally. Hospitality of meals is extened to all. Donations are anonymous. These monasteries are not the places for 'high roller' Greeks or anyone else who might donate for the sake of vain-glory!!!

Also, it is well worth noting, that most building, tending, and planting work is done by the monks. On any given day, you can see the young monks doing construction and other physical labor, and each time I visit, the monastery grounds look more beautiful than the last! As I understand it from the Elder of St. Nektarios, there have also been many local laborers and contractors that have decided to donate their services and materials. God does, indeed provide for His holy monasteries!

In Christ,
Alice

I've talked to people from multiple jurisdictions who have been there, and I have only heard good things.

Dear Alice,

I have to agree with that. Somehow, the word had gotten out that people were giving large sums to the monasteries, and they were taking away support from the parishes. Today, the GOA has realized the necessity for these monasteries, and our bishop has even stated that if one does not want to go to their parish priest for confession, then they should go to a monastery.

The monastery does not expect anything from anyone. They do have a store that sells beautiful icons and other things...and they have a fantastic chef. During Saint Nektarios's holy day in September, they had a festival and the sweets were unbelievable. Best I ever tasted. Of course they were the one's that were on sale. The free meal was good and simple, and the Greek pastichio was made with tuna rather than meat.

There are a few rules and regulations when one sits down to eat. You are not allowed to fill your glass with water until you start eating. I guess there is a health reason for that.

I recall reading that the grounds are exceptional at the monastery in Arizona. When Father Ephraim was asked who the landscaper was, he said that he was enlightened as to it's design, and that it was to resemble paradise.

Zenovia

I assume you gotta speak or understand Greek to get anything out of a visit there.

Indigo

My children's Godfather speaks a minimal amount of Greek and he had nothing but good things to say about it. That's the problem with assuming I think.

Would you have to speak Italian to get anything out of a visit to St Peters? Or Arabic to get anything out of a visit to the Holy Land?

Alexandr

It certainly helps to speak Italian when you go to Rome!

How are you going to order the right flavor of gelato?

Ciao!

PS Ask for fragola!

Dear Indigo,

While the *atmosphere* is culturally/religiously Greek, (because just as in the RC church, each country has its unique religious, architectural, artistic, and lingual atmosphere) and the services are in Greek, EVERYONE at the monasteries-- from the Hieromonk Elders to the monks-- speaks English!!! Infact, mostly all the monks are born in the U.S. or Canada, or else they would probably be living in monasteries on the Holy Mountain of Athos.

As for the services being in Greek, one doesn't need to know a language to absorb the holiness and solemnity around them. I am sure that is how many Roman Catholics felt with the Latin Mass.

In Christ,
Alice