A Growing Community in Need of More Space
Our monastic brotherhood now numbers five tonsured monks, and a postulant. As wonderful as this is, it is now obvious we are out of room. We have seven monastic cells, with one reserved for overnight visitors. This two bed cell eventually must become the cell of a single monk, but it also means that we are constantly having to turn pilgrims away who desire to spend a few days in retreat. This one guest cabin, within the enclosure, is the only space we have for individuals desiring to explore the possibility of joining this monastery, yet should we decide to receive them, we’d be without a guest house.
We have been trying to raise the needed funds to build the Saint Seraphim Guest House, and are now $80,000.00 nearer to the $560,000.00 needed for building this much needed structure. Once it is finished, we’ll focus on constructing four new monastic cells within the enclosure. If you are able to help by contributing toward this fund, please consider doing so. If you know of people who have the ability to assist in the construction of the Saint Seraphim Guest House, please consider asking them if they might be willing to help.
Meanwhile, we ask your prayers for this holy endeavor.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Click on images to enlarge.
Tuesday January 16, 2018 / January 3, 2018
33rd Week after Pentecost. Tone seven.
Sviatki. Fast-free
Forefeast of the Theophany.
Prophet Malachias (400 B.C.).
Martyr Gordius at Caesarea in Cappadocia (314).
New Hieromartyr Basil Kolmogorov priest (1938).
St. Genevieve of Paris (502).
Venerable Abelard, abbot.
Finding of the relics of New Monk-martyr Ephraim of Nea Makri, in 1950 (Greek).
St. Peter of Atroa (837).
St. Thomais of Lesbos (10th c.).
Venerable Euthymius (Taqaishvili) the Man of God of Tbilisi (1953).
St. Findlugan of Islay (7th c.) (Celtic & British).
The Scripture Readings
1 Peter 3:10-22
10 For
“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Suffering for Right and Wrong
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always beready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it isbetter, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Christ’s Suffering and Ours
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us[d] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
Good morning. Peace of the Lord be with you. Time to start thinking about letting Lowe’s or Home Depot know of your needs as to building the small cell and attending the classes that they schedule for build-it-yourself projects. Also, let some of the regulars that attend your Sunday services that like to do these little self-starters. It will help your fellow brothers get the best hands’on experience and savvyness working with the industries out there. I know they would appreciate your interest and self-reliance in their world. Know what’s coming down the pike and the folks that see your interest will become interested in you.
We are already overwhelmed with so many daily tasks. County regulations have changes since we built our monastery, using volunteers, and swore we’d never attempt such a project on our own, again. Once you apply for a building permit, there is a limited period in which it must be completed, or you have to apply all over again. It took us three and a half years on our previous attempt, but the rules have changed.
Father, bless!
I wonder if you might consider building a few individual cell units –as is being done at St. Silouan Monastery in Sonora, CA, and as the nuns have done at St. Xenia Skete in Wildwood– as an interim and less costly step?
With love and prayers, Mat. Betsy
The big problem for us is King County. Their building codes are some of the strictest in the State, and we need their approval.
bless father hegumen:
be assured of my prayers in overcoming the county government bureaucracy. it is very sad, that they are the problem versus the solution. however, you may wish to explore the notion of a corporate donation from either loews or home depot. blessings to you and the brethren. father john