Trip to Athos, 2002
July 2002 Bishop
Sergios
Father Sergios was on pilgrimage in Greece and on
Mount Athos from June 24 to July 17, and was blessed
to visit Monasteries and Shrines on Chios and
Oinoussai, in and around Athens, on Evia and Aigina,
in Thessaloniki and on the Holy Mountain.
He spent a number of days at Esfigmenou, which is now the largest monastic community on the Holy Mountain, thriving through a number of difficulties for which it glorifies God, and at Kapsala, where he visited the kellion of the renowned confessor of the faith, Father Savvas (reposed 1991), whose remarkable letter on the crisis in the contemporary Church, the result of enforcing syncretist-ecumenism from 1924 until today, has appeared in English translation in an appendix to "The Struggle Against Ecumenism".
Kapsala remains a region of great faithfulness to the Church during our troubled times, and not the only one on the Holy Mountain, for which glory be to God. Father Sergios was able to see a number of other old friends on Athos, as an additional blessing.
Metropolitan Moses of Seattle upheld the Monastery's liturgical life while Father Sergios was away, for which the Brotherhood and everyone worshipping with us is grateful.
If God wills, a more detailed report of this pilgrimage will be forthcoming here.
He spent a number of days at Esfigmenou, which is now the largest monastic community on the Holy Mountain, thriving through a number of difficulties for which it glorifies God, and at Kapsala, where he visited the kellion of the renowned confessor of the faith, Father Savvas (reposed 1991), whose remarkable letter on the crisis in the contemporary Church, the result of enforcing syncretist-ecumenism from 1924 until today, has appeared in English translation in an appendix to "The Struggle Against Ecumenism".
Kapsala remains a region of great faithfulness to the Church during our troubled times, and not the only one on the Holy Mountain, for which glory be to God. Father Sergios was able to see a number of other old friends on Athos, as an additional blessing.
Metropolitan Moses of Seattle upheld the Monastery's liturgical life while Father Sergios was away, for which the Brotherhood and everyone worshipping with us is grateful.
If God wills, a more detailed report of this pilgrimage will be forthcoming here.
Update, Cheesefare Tuesday, 2002
February 2002 Bishop
Sergios
The Monastery has
had to neglect updating this website for the better
part of a year due to construction work on our first
building, coupled with increased work due to the
blessing of having more, and more frequent visitors
than had previously been the case.
Monk Simon completed one phase of frescoing the east wall of a local church and has re-set up his studio in our new building, continuing to prepare and paint individual panels for communities and individuals. Monk Simon also serves as Devteros of the Brotherhood and is responsible for our liturgical music.
Monk Aimilianos has continued to work as site and building manager, and with some consultation with local builders and contracters, has kept the various projects moving forward smoothly. In Monk Simon's absence, Monk Aimilianos has charge of the choir and, if the building project ever ends, will return to the Ikon Studio.
The construction of a multi-purpose structure, 120 feet long and 24 feet wide, has been completed through the exterior tar paper stage. Interior facilities have been completed just short of final cosmetic details such as window and door framing. If God wills, before the cold rainy late winter/early spring weather departs, we hope to stucco the exterior of the building using techniques partly derived from our work in fresco painting, using a special hydraulic lime imported from France for the final layer. That will complete the weather-proofing of the structure, at which point the three decks (one north, one south and one connected to the exterior staircase leading to the attic) will receive their permanent decking, a beautiful cedar cut from our own forest and milled locally with our help which has been air drying for some months.
Novice Ephraim was appointed Ekklesiarch by Metropolitan Ephraim, and saw this past Christmas' line of cards through printing. Monk Simon had a new card based on an illumination which he painted in traditional technique and media on vellum. Novice Ephraim also acts as the Monastery business manager and chief administrator and, if his tasks ever lighten, will be found in the Ikon Studio. This year we also have a new card for Pascha based, again, on a traditionally-painted illumination on vellum by Monk Simon.
Novice Athanasios continues to maintain the interior of the Monastery facility, acts as Guest Master, and chants most of the weekday services. Novice Athanasios is also in charge of the Monastery dispensary and inventory and maintains our weather records
Novice Nilos participated in a three-day ecology conference sponsored by Ecology Action in Willits, California, in early November of last year, which enabled him to introduce the French Bio-Intensive Double-Dig method of preparing seed and transplant beds in our vegetable garden, which even without this approach gave us bumper harvests of heirloom Black Krim tomatoes, as well as cucumbers, squash, peppers of several varieties and a summer- and fall-crop of small intensely-flavoured strawberries. A variety of herbs also did well in a garden which, until last Spring, had been a forest floor for untold centuries, worked up into a basic garden by Priest Bohdan Barody visiting from Calgary, Canada. The very large local deer herd and rabbit population respected our fence, although a few ornamental plants were not so lucky. As if gardening were not enough, Novice Nilos also acts as Monastery cook.
Due to errors made by a local immigration lawyer, our petition to secure residency last year for Novice Nilos failed and he was ordered back to his native Canada on September 11 - it was some time, of course, before he could actually find his way back given the tragedy of that day, and he remained in Canada until October 26. Priestmonk Sergios travelled to Calgary a week before that date to help with any questions raised by US immigration, but in fact all went smoothly. Father Sergios and Nilos were blessed to participate in the patronal feast day of our parish in Calgary Thursday evening and Friday morning, returning to California that evening.
The Monastery was greatly blessed this past November when a large contingent of adults and children were received into our Diocese by Metropolitan Ephraim, assisted by Protopresbyter Neketas Palassis, Dean of St. Nectarios Parish in Seattle.
Due to the growth of our Diocese in the western United States, our Synod of Bishops decided to establish our flagship parish of St. Nectarios in Seattle as a Cathedral, and named the Vicar Bishop of Roslindale, Moses, as the first Metropolitan of the new See. Metropolitan Moses elected to reside at our Monastery whenever not on active pastoral and administrative duties, so we have the joy of welcoming a new monk who is also our Chief Shepherd. A native of San Jose, Metropolitan Moses is familiar with the West Coast and had visited our Monastery several times, contributing construction skills this past Summer learned as a novice in Boston when he joined them almost 30 years ago. His presence in the Brotherhood has been a blessing beyond words. We reap where we did not sow.
Most of the Brotherhood drove north to Seattle for His Eminence's installation on December 30 by his brother Bishops, Metropolitan Makarios of Toronto and Metropolitan Ephraim of Boston.
Metropolitan Moses presided at our celebration of Theophany, blessing the Monastery facilities and walking up to the center - and highest point - of our 300 acres, accompanied by a large contingent of kids - to bless a 12 foot high redwood Cross set up at the site of our future, permanent Monastery.
Generous friends donated a new Chevrolet Suburban to the Brotherhood some months ago, and other generous friends donated a new BSC rototiller in late February of this year. This follows upon very generous gifts of commercial-grade equipment for our new kitchen, and for all these and many other gifts beside, we are grateful to the Lord and to the cheerful donors, who humble us with their love. A number of regular donors have often enabled us to get through the month materially intact, and we are daily praying for them, whose love feeds us.
Igoumenos Sergios made his annual pilgrimage to Mount Athos in late January - early February of this year, spending wonderful days at Esfigmenou and again visiting the Skete of St. Evthymios next to the Cave of St. Nilos the Myrovlite. The joy of seeing old friends and acquaintences in several of the ruling monasteries, and of meeting new ascetics, makes of this yearly visit in January-February the greatest blessing.
Two more stray cats, one a kitten, the other 4 years old (according to the family vet) made it to the Monastery one way and another, bringing the feline corps up to four following the still-lamented disappearance of the much-loved Ramses late last Fall. Living with animals puts us in mind of one of the sayings attributed to the Blessed Nikolai (Velimirovic) of Ochrid - When a dog barks at a man, he should be ashamed of himself - pointing to the loss of that relationship we had with animals before the Fall. An elderly monk feeding a herd of some 30 cats one day at Grigoriou on Athos was asked, some years ago, by some visitors, if cats would go to heaven. Of course, replied the Elder unhesitatingly. Why? asked the visitors. Because, he said, they spend their whole lives making us happy.
As this is being written, we are already close to the beginning of the Great Forty Day Fast before Pascha, and we send joyful greetings to friends near and far, wishing them a fruitful struggle towards the luminous vision of the passover from death unto life of the Lord Who saves us. Pray for us, as we pray, by day and by night, for each of you.
Igoumenos Sergios
Cheesefare Tuesday, 2002
Monk Simon completed one phase of frescoing the east wall of a local church and has re-set up his studio in our new building, continuing to prepare and paint individual panels for communities and individuals. Monk Simon also serves as Devteros of the Brotherhood and is responsible for our liturgical music.
Monk Aimilianos has continued to work as site and building manager, and with some consultation with local builders and contracters, has kept the various projects moving forward smoothly. In Monk Simon's absence, Monk Aimilianos has charge of the choir and, if the building project ever ends, will return to the Ikon Studio.
The construction of a multi-purpose structure, 120 feet long and 24 feet wide, has been completed through the exterior tar paper stage. Interior facilities have been completed just short of final cosmetic details such as window and door framing. If God wills, before the cold rainy late winter/early spring weather departs, we hope to stucco the exterior of the building using techniques partly derived from our work in fresco painting, using a special hydraulic lime imported from France for the final layer. That will complete the weather-proofing of the structure, at which point the three decks (one north, one south and one connected to the exterior staircase leading to the attic) will receive their permanent decking, a beautiful cedar cut from our own forest and milled locally with our help which has been air drying for some months.
Novice Ephraim was appointed Ekklesiarch by Metropolitan Ephraim, and saw this past Christmas' line of cards through printing. Monk Simon had a new card based on an illumination which he painted in traditional technique and media on vellum. Novice Ephraim also acts as the Monastery business manager and chief administrator and, if his tasks ever lighten, will be found in the Ikon Studio. This year we also have a new card for Pascha based, again, on a traditionally-painted illumination on vellum by Monk Simon.
Novice Athanasios continues to maintain the interior of the Monastery facility, acts as Guest Master, and chants most of the weekday services. Novice Athanasios is also in charge of the Monastery dispensary and inventory and maintains our weather records
Novice Nilos participated in a three-day ecology conference sponsored by Ecology Action in Willits, California, in early November of last year, which enabled him to introduce the French Bio-Intensive Double-Dig method of preparing seed and transplant beds in our vegetable garden, which even without this approach gave us bumper harvests of heirloom Black Krim tomatoes, as well as cucumbers, squash, peppers of several varieties and a summer- and fall-crop of small intensely-flavoured strawberries. A variety of herbs also did well in a garden which, until last Spring, had been a forest floor for untold centuries, worked up into a basic garden by Priest Bohdan Barody visiting from Calgary, Canada. The very large local deer herd and rabbit population respected our fence, although a few ornamental plants were not so lucky. As if gardening were not enough, Novice Nilos also acts as Monastery cook.
Due to errors made by a local immigration lawyer, our petition to secure residency last year for Novice Nilos failed and he was ordered back to his native Canada on September 11 - it was some time, of course, before he could actually find his way back given the tragedy of that day, and he remained in Canada until October 26. Priestmonk Sergios travelled to Calgary a week before that date to help with any questions raised by US immigration, but in fact all went smoothly. Father Sergios and Nilos were blessed to participate in the patronal feast day of our parish in Calgary Thursday evening and Friday morning, returning to California that evening.
The Monastery was greatly blessed this past November when a large contingent of adults and children were received into our Diocese by Metropolitan Ephraim, assisted by Protopresbyter Neketas Palassis, Dean of St. Nectarios Parish in Seattle.
Due to the growth of our Diocese in the western United States, our Synod of Bishops decided to establish our flagship parish of St. Nectarios in Seattle as a Cathedral, and named the Vicar Bishop of Roslindale, Moses, as the first Metropolitan of the new See. Metropolitan Moses elected to reside at our Monastery whenever not on active pastoral and administrative duties, so we have the joy of welcoming a new monk who is also our Chief Shepherd. A native of San Jose, Metropolitan Moses is familiar with the West Coast and had visited our Monastery several times, contributing construction skills this past Summer learned as a novice in Boston when he joined them almost 30 years ago. His presence in the Brotherhood has been a blessing beyond words. We reap where we did not sow.
Most of the Brotherhood drove north to Seattle for His Eminence's installation on December 30 by his brother Bishops, Metropolitan Makarios of Toronto and Metropolitan Ephraim of Boston.
Metropolitan Moses presided at our celebration of Theophany, blessing the Monastery facilities and walking up to the center - and highest point - of our 300 acres, accompanied by a large contingent of kids - to bless a 12 foot high redwood Cross set up at the site of our future, permanent Monastery.
Generous friends donated a new Chevrolet Suburban to the Brotherhood some months ago, and other generous friends donated a new BSC rototiller in late February of this year. This follows upon very generous gifts of commercial-grade equipment for our new kitchen, and for all these and many other gifts beside, we are grateful to the Lord and to the cheerful donors, who humble us with their love. A number of regular donors have often enabled us to get through the month materially intact, and we are daily praying for them, whose love feeds us.
Igoumenos Sergios made his annual pilgrimage to Mount Athos in late January - early February of this year, spending wonderful days at Esfigmenou and again visiting the Skete of St. Evthymios next to the Cave of St. Nilos the Myrovlite. The joy of seeing old friends and acquaintences in several of the ruling monasteries, and of meeting new ascetics, makes of this yearly visit in January-February the greatest blessing.
Two more stray cats, one a kitten, the other 4 years old (according to the family vet) made it to the Monastery one way and another, bringing the feline corps up to four following the still-lamented disappearance of the much-loved Ramses late last Fall. Living with animals puts us in mind of one of the sayings attributed to the Blessed Nikolai (Velimirovic) of Ochrid - When a dog barks at a man, he should be ashamed of himself - pointing to the loss of that relationship we had with animals before the Fall. An elderly monk feeding a herd of some 30 cats one day at Grigoriou on Athos was asked, some years ago, by some visitors, if cats would go to heaven. Of course, replied the Elder unhesitatingly. Why? asked the visitors. Because, he said, they spend their whole lives making us happy.
As this is being written, we are already close to the beginning of the Great Forty Day Fast before Pascha, and we send joyful greetings to friends near and far, wishing them a fruitful struggle towards the luminous vision of the passover from death unto life of the Lord Who saves us. Pray for us, as we pray, by day and by night, for each of you.
Igoumenos Sergios
Cheesefare Tuesday, 2002