It is fair to say that the Greek Archdiocese has had a complicated relationship with its monasteries. The Ephraimite monasteries have been cause for concern for the synod and laity with letters and pronouncements and all the rest put out to "warn" people or "clarify" who should give whom spiritual direction over the past years. There is a disconnect - one might say - between the notable austerity and akríveia of the monasteries and the purported laxness in the parishes. Is this meeting a "getting to know you" meeting or a "getting on the same page" meeting? Time will tell.
NEW YORK (GOARCH) – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros wishing to further promote the value and importance of monasticism in our Οrthodox tradition and the spiritual life of the faithful, decided to convene a Monastic Assembly, on September 21-22, 2019 in the Holy Monastery of Saint Nektarios, in Roscoe, NY.
Participants in this Assembly, will be all the Abbots and Abbesses of all the Holy Monasteries in the USA under our jurisdiction, as well as the Hierarchs of our Holy Archdiocese. The agenda of this Assembly will include presentations from the Hierarchs and the heads of the monastic communities and will conclude with a festal concelebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 22, in the Katholikon of the St. Nektarios Monastery. The coordination of the Assembly has been assigned to His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
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I am sorry to be a skeptic....but there is no way that this can end well for the monasteries.
ReplyDeletePS...Is it possible that we can refrain from using the term "Ephraimite Monasteries"? It is usually used by detractors in a derogatory sense. These monasteries are Athonite in character and founded by Geronda Ephraim. They are not "Ephraimite."
I used the term because it's the common term in use. I could say "Greek monasteries founded by Ephraim," but that's a bit wordy. I've always enjoyed my trips to these monasteries and certainly don't use the term as an insult.
ReplyDeletePretty sure this is code for an excuse to have an airing of grievances by the bishops who don't have any interest in monasticism. Thankfully its too late for them to pull the plug on monasticism in America, but im sure they'll find more ways to make it difficult.
ReplyDeleteConcern perhaps for “some” of the laity, but certainly not “THE laity”...not sure about “THE Synod” in toto or simply :some:. Many of the laity are extremely grateful for the monasteries founded by Elder Ephraim, former abbot of Philotheou of Mt Athos. Some who were born in Greece and frequented/frequent Mt Athos have told me these monasteries have brought the grace of Athos to our country. They are certainly true to the Holy Fathers and Holy Tradition, although we in America are much less mature in the Faith and therefore there often seems to be a disconnect based on our immaturity. I understand they have learned to adapt to the reality of who we are as children rather than adults in the Faith.
ReplyDeleteTroon, I must agree with you here.
DeleteThis withering criticism regarding American Christians’ maturity has got to stop. Pastors don’t talk this way, not do monks. Souls are souls in need of spiritual support and care, regardless of some elitist notions held by who knows who.
ReplyDeleteDear VanOldenPhatt: You are so right about all souls in need of spiritual support and care, perhaps especially ours as newbies who have not yet been steeped in the Holy Traditions and shed martyr’s blood yet. At least the Texas Orthodox clergy of 4 jurisdictions I know who are humble, patristic and loving are extremely grateful for the monasteries here in the US (OCA, Russian, Romanian, Greek) both inside and outside their jurisdictions. Since our culture is quite challenging (like the Corinthinians vis a vis St. Paul?) I have never been surprised that they speak very matter of factly about our relative immaturity. In fact so do the Saints when speaking of themselves! I simply haven’t experienced or felt any “withering criticism regarding American Christians’ maturity” but a simple matter of fact appreciation for the grace and education by example (sometimes called the ICUs of our Faith) which we are privileged to enjoy here thanks to their pilgrimages in our midst. If the Saints themselves feel such in regard to other Saints, why would we not? At any rate in Texas many Orthodox priests sojourn with their parishes or on their own individual spiritual retreats to monasteries in and out of state/country and come back refreshed and enlightened, and respectful of what they have learned and experienced in deepening faith from their monastic brethren. A beautiful synergy and healing all round.
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