Author: Abbot Tryphon

Encountering drought in one’s soul Like much of the country, Washington State is experiencing drought. When most people think of Seattle, they think of rain, lots of rain. Anyone who would choose to live in the Puget Sound region, better like rain, we tell our visitors. We love lush green

The needs of the soul While observing our twelve Rhode Island Reds, laying eggs for the monastery’s table, it crossed my mind that a chick, while approaching life in the world, must first peck at the inside of the egg, break it open, and thus enter into the sunlight. If

Tending the Garden of the Heart Both my Norwegian grandfather, and my mother, were avid gardeners, so I grew up surrounded by the beauty of plants and flowers. The cottage garden is a distinct style of garden that is certainly my favorite. The use of traditional materials, in an informal

Joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence Although we have no written evidence that Our Lord Jesus Christ laughed, I am personally convinced that he did. How could He not have shared in our humanity with perfection had he not had a sense of humor, and shared moments of

My apologies for not posting my daily blog article, the saints of the day, and the scripture readings for today. I was admitted to the hospital on Friday afternoon, and just released today. I’m doing fine, thanks to your prayers, and happily back in my monastery. With love in Christ,

The holy mountain on Vashon Island Many years ago I spent a month in Greece, including ten days on Mount Athos. When I returned to the United States, via New York City, I suffered major culture shock. I found myself grieving for the loss of the simple life of the

The ultimate sickness Humankind’s ultimate sickness, is that of unbelief. This world is the place of preparation for our life in eternity, the place where we are prepared for the Kingdom that is to come. Within this world, Our Lord Jesus Christ established a hospital in which the medicine for

And do not be called teacher “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever

Anger must not be allowed to take root Most people, when angered by someone, think the best way to deal with the anger is by avoiding the person who offended them. The problem with this approach is that it allows the anger to take root in the heart, festering as

Leaving the ninety-nine for the one An important work of the Church is to seek out the lost sheep, and bring them back into the fold. The Church must go out into the community and find those who are lost. Many who were previously Orthodox, but failed to made a