Nikolaoc,
Thank you for your advice. The fact of the matter is that we(America) are no longer an agrian society. No one butchers their own meat. I think if people had to do that, they would be grossed out by it. Perhaps, this would work better in a urban area just like Jennifer suggested. In fact, it would probably be best to do in an area that is a subdivision of a suburb. Why not do that instead of doing a farming community? Either way, both options will cost you significant money.
We should become peasants.
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Justin Kissel
The money needed is directly related to the lifestyle you want to live. For example, if it's just a community (not a farming community) and you're willing to live on average land, and live in lower class dwellings, then it wouldn't be overly expensive. You could get the land for $2-4 thousand an acre, and a dwelling for $3-6 thousand dollars (the first place I ever lived in on my own cost $3 thousand dollars, and it was owned by me (it was a trailor). Obviously there'd be other expenses, but we don't necessarily need hundreds of thousands in the pot (as you might for the original idea) to get a normal community type of setting started. You could start from a beginning of land and a few buildings, and save towards building a church (having the services in whatever you wish until it was built... perhaps a garage) and other, larger buildings for community activity.
I do think some good points have been brought up of late...
I don't understand why it is necessary to not have electricity. Is electricity evil? Around Jordanville (aka Holy Trinity Monastery) there are MANY people living in small houses and go to church there. They all work together, farm, raise chickens, etc. but they have electricity. How is a lack of electricity going to bring you closer to God? Isn't it possible to bring you further away? You'd have to worry about MANY MORE THINGS than you do now with electricity. Having it does not mean that you NEED a computer, or NEED a television. It is not inherently evil, it's just what you use it for. Wouldn't the simple fact of having Orthodox people living in one small community with electricity be more important and spiritually strengthening than people living within several miles of each other, slaughtering their own animals, growing their own veggies, and driving their own buggies? Why is relying only on the land so important? I think it would be smart to start out "in the world" first and see if that even works. And I agree with the others. I think it takes GREAT skill and strength to do something like this. And it also takes the guidance of a priest from the beginning if your true goal is to improve your spiritual lives.
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demetrios karaolanis
- Jr Member
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Wed 5 March 2003 11:10 pm
I think that it is a beautiful idea with good intent, and I pray that you get help in this idea, but I cannot personally take part in this because I am going off to the monastery in a couple of years. I can help in suggestions as you go along though. and I can give plans and input. so may the blessings of the Lord be upon you all. 
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Justin Kissel
You still have to address questions like:
What would the job situation be in the area seleccted? Everyone would probably have to work outside the community until the community is established.
You would need a "town Board" to set up the by-laws and other legalese to protect everyone from the disgruntled.
How would the land be divied up? by percentage of investment? a set amount?
How much do we set aside to church building?
Do we set a central shop and what would be contributed?
I think you get the point.....