(Ascension Hill) Our Holy Metropolis has received the special blessing from God to establish its first male monastery. It is well known that, for years now, we have had a female monastery in Bethpage, Long Island, which is dedicated to St. Synclitiki. The respectable eldress Synclitiki, the abbess of the monastery, founded it years ago, with the blessing of the late Metropolitan Petros of Astoria.
Following a grant of about 40 acres of land with 5 buildings standing on it, the first male monastery has been established in our Holy Metropolis by His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos.
This past February 1999, a devout Christian of our Metropolis donated the land near the well-known town of Woodstock, in upstate New York. The locale in which the monastery is found is majestic and remote, though not isolated from the rest of the world. The view from our monastery is breath taking, and the distance from NYC is about 120 miles, or a two-hour drive.
His Eminence, our Metropolitan, has dedicated the monastery to the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ for two reasons. First, in honor of the Holy Monastery of Esfigmenou, on Mount Athos, Greece, whose principle church is devoted to the Lord's Ascension. Second, in honor of the cell in which the late Metropolitan Petros lived as a monastic at the Skete of Saint Anna, on Mount Athos, which was also named after the Lord's Ascension.
The Monastery, in which his Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos serves as abbot, began its operation this past Great Lent with five brothers. We trust and have faith that the brotherhood of the Monastery will soon increase. This will not only cover its needs in men, but also the existing brothers will have the ability to purify themselves and attain the perfect spiritual life that Christ wants and the holy Fathers of the Church have taught.
Many Orthodox attend liturgy on Sundays, as well as on other holidays. This is quite beneficial to the pilgrims who enjoy the compunctionate atmosphere of the Monastery and the affection of the monks. Moreover, it is especially beneficial for the monks themselves, who feel that in this Babylon of America they are not the only ones not bending knee to Baal, but instead are aware that there are many who remain steadfast in their loyalty to Holy Orthodoxy. It is a feeling that gives them additional courage and strength to continue their spiritual struggle. Furthermore, it is well known that in our homeland Greece, during the Turkish occupation, there was a monastery near almost every village, which supported spiritually the villagers, and vice versa. That is how Hellenism survived and Orthodoxy was preserved during those difficult years.
It would have been a great shortcoming for our Metropolis not to have a male monastery, particularly in our days, during which a return to monasticism is being observed. We should also emphasize the love shown towards the Monastery by the pilgrims and especially that of the members of our Church. Orthodox from all parts of the U.S. visit it, and with the permission of His Eminence, its Abbot, they are welcomed and are offered great hospitality, always within its present limited means.
It is planned by His Eminence that new cells for the brothers, new guest quarters, and a new Catholikon (main church) will be built as soon as it is financially feasible. The realization of these plans is somewhat difficult now as the only revenues of the monastery are derived from the candle shop that is operated by the monks. Its candles, made of 100% beeswax in all sizes and shapes, are sold to churches throughout the U.S.
For those interested in contacting the Monastery, the address is:
Monastery of the Holy Ascension
263 Cold Brook Rd. Bearsville, NY.
Tel: (914) 679-0600
Pilgrims who visit the monastery leave with the best impression, despite its present limited ability to extend hospitality to its guests.
Hierodeacon Niphon (Tsikrikis)