The Construction of the Church, and the Struggle that Followed After the pouring of the foundations that would comprise the main core of the monastic compound, we build the first monastic cell. Although this first of what would eventually be seven cabins remained unfinished until most of the final buildings
Newly transplanted fruit trees () Sustainability and Our Stewardship of the EnvironmentOn the 8th of November, our brotherhood received the formal occupancy permit from King County. That it took eighteen years of renewing a building permit, attests to the fact that we did not have the money to simply hire
My new friend, Rabbi Ze’ev Schulgen Consolation follows Repentance True repentance and Christian living proceeds God’s consolation. We reach out to God in every act we do, and in every activity we perform, all the while seeking to acquire a sense of contrition. We strive to love God with our
When we are the Offender We all have opportunities to bear the offenses and insults of others, occasions allowed by God to help us acquire the humility that everyone who who would follow Christ must gain. Yet sometimes WE are the ones who offend others, insulting family members, coworkers, or
The Past, the Future, and the Present Sometimes we get so bogged down with regret, we fail to move on and grasp the moment. The wonderful thing about confession is the ability we are given, by our loving God, to receive absolution, and move into the present moment. The past
The Monastery, looking north towards the Village of Dockton Laboring to Receive the Gift of Compunction If we are to receive the gift of compunction, we must be committed to working for it, even laboring day and night for it, that the spirit of compunction take possession of our whole
The Land From the very first meeting, James Bryant proved to be the perfect architect for us. Willing to put his own ego aside, he helped me realize my long standing dream to design a monastery that would look like a small Norwegian village. The church, which we would dedicate
Vashon Island, as seen from Point Defiance Park in Tacoma The Gift of Land On August 1st of 1992, having exhausted all our resources, we announced during what was to be our last Monastery Pilgrimage, our decision to leave Vashon Island. The monthly rent for the old farmhouse had
Click on photos to enlarge If we are to learn humility, we must be quick to reproach ourselves, and avoid correcting others. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon Saturday: The Planting of a Monastery (chapter 12) I lectured before two, two hour classes, at TCC Tacoma Community College, Tacoma, WA.
Christianity Beyond the SurfaceMany people embrace Orthodox Christianity with great enthusiasm, after having suffered the poverty of a materialistic world view. The beauty of the divine services brings a certain elegance into their weekly schedule, and the adornment of their homes with icons introduces an exotic element into a previously