Evangelical Counsels ~ Chastity
This is the second in a series of articles on the Evangelical Counsels or vows that a monastic takes upon entering the monastery. I last wrote on poverty and a reader left me a question about why we call these…
Peter Preble
Faith • Grief • History • Hope
Peter Preble
Faith • Grief • History • Hope
Tag Monastery
Evangelical Counsels ~ Poverty
When a man or a woman answers the call to live the monastic life that is the first step is a life long process of living out that call. Part of the journey is the taking of vows. The monk…
The Monk
The monk is one who is separated from all, yet is united to all.Evagrius Ponticos ~ 4th Century Monk I believe that it is the witness of the monk to the eternal, to preach the tenderness of God, and to…
On Contemplation
If we try to contemplate God without having turned the face of our inner self entirely in his direction, we will end up inevitably by contemplating ourselves, and we will perhaps plunge into the abyss of warm darkness which is…
New Monastery Website
With special thanks to Fr. John Peck of Logos Web Services and Fr. John Schroedel of Inoa Technologies we have a great new website for the St. Columba of Iona Orthodox Monastery. If anyone is in need of web design…
Water
Yesterday in the Orthodox Church we commemorated the Woman at the well. The story deals with the life giving water that only Jesus can bring. It is an amazing story of peace and reconciliation. On Saturday, a very large pipe…
Orthodox Monasticism: The Symbols
During the Tonsure service when the Monk makes the profession of his vows, several symbols are presented to him by the Abbot. These symbols remind him of the life that he is now beginning. The service begins with the candidate…
Orthodox Monasticism ~ Degrees of Monks
Novice lit. “one under obedience”—Those wishing to join a monastery begin their lives as novices. After coming to the monastery and living as a guest for not less than three days, the abbot or abbess may bless the candidate to…
St. Columba of Iona Orthodox Monastery
For the past few months I have been working with others, on the establishment of an Orthodox Monastery here in Central Massachusetts. Monasticism is a very important aspect of the Orthodox church and is something that has been lacking here…
Monastery
For some years now I have been praying about a monastic foundation here in Central Massachusetts. Before my conversion to Holy Orthodoxy I was a professed member of Our Lady of Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts a Benedictine Community. A…