Monastery Visits II: Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration

Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA

When a couple from our church suggested visiting the ‘monastery for the nuns’ back in winter, I jumped at the chance to go with them. Eleven of us made the trek at the beginning of June and stayed two nights in the guest houses at the Monastery of the Transfiguration. It’s a beautiful place, well established on 100 acres of gentle rolling hills and wooded property in Lawrence County, PA just about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

We all had a wonderful stay; the nuns are most hospitable, indeed, hospitality is one oftheir primary objectives, second only to their life in prayer. In fact, I learned that their guest homes are occupied nearly every weekend from spring through fall, hosting a steady stream of visitors, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox. The nuns enjoy the opportunity to share their monastic life with others and provide a place of beauty and retreat for weary souls.

Mother Paula telling us about the Semantron, an instrument used to call monastics to prayer and worship.

Monasticism interests me in general because of it’s call to live within the world, but apart from it -- stepping away from the loud noise and chaos that technology and the ever present attitude of ‘time is money’ lends to modern life in the USA. It’s something I struggle with and I think many others do too-- many of us on that fast-paced wheel of earning a living and rarely finding time for peace, contemplation and nurturing friendships. This particular monastery interested me due to it’s royal beginnings. The monastery’s foundress, the former Princess Illeana of Romania, born Her Royal Highness to Ferdinand I of Romania and his Queen, Marie of Romania in 1909, is a fascinating tale. The book documenting her life, Royal Monastic by Bev. Cooke is on my reading list for the summer since I’d like to learn more details about her life under communism and exile and how she ended up in America.

A youthful Princess Ileana of Romania. Image found in public domain.

This exquisite rug was a gift from Mother Alexandra, the former Princess Illeana, originally made in Russia.

Icon of the Theotokos and the Christ Child in the garden.

Soon after we arrived on the monastery grounds, Mother Paula greeted us with much warmth and offered a tour just as the sun was setting. She was so gracious with all our questions and was especially interested in talking to the young children in our group, making sure she presented her information in a way they could understand. All the nuns seem fond of children and go out of their way to include them in activities and conversation, much to my delight. I cannot overstate the warmth of our welcome here...

..and, after learning just how many guests they receive each week, it’s kind of amazing to me that they have such energy to engage each guest in such a personable way. I expected to see a beautiful place, full of quiet and peace and was not disappointed. The gardens, the cemetery and picnic gazebo all provide places of contemplative retreat. I never even found time to explore their wooded trails; this will be on the list for my next visit. I did not expect to see a playhouse full of things for children to enjoy or the large swing-set outside our guest house, occupying a small area of a vast and lush lea. What smiles this brought to our youngsters! They had fun, too, chasing fireflies in this same area on our first evening.

I don’t have many photos to show you the beauty of their chapel. Among my many quirks is the reluctance to photograph sacred spaces. I don’t have any valid reason for that, as the nuns told us we could photograph inside. I just have an abiding sense that I may be trivializing the subject and not showing the true quality of the place. Maybe that will change as my photography improves.

The guest houses are very comfy and provided everything we needed -a stocked refrigerator, toiletries, linens, and cozy spaces in which to converse with each other in the evenings. This, too, is another great aspect of our trip, getting to know our church family on a more personal level.

Another unexpected element of this trip was the awakening of my weaknesses. In a romantic way, I’ve entertained the idea that at some future point, maybe when I’m old and if I find myself alone, that I could possibly live the life of an Orthodox nun. I am so wrong. Loving God, His creation... cherishing simplicity and serving your fellow sister is not enough. The nuns lead a life comparable to an Olympic athlete. What exercise is to the body of an Olympian, prayer and worship is to the spirit. Monastics are the most disciplined people in this regard and I came to the awkward reality that I am such a weak vessel. So very weak in light of their rigorous prayer and worship services. Even in my 4th decade of being a Christian, I am a babe in the womb, for what is knowledge and faith apart from practice? Privately, I felt ashamed of myself, yet encouraged by the nuns’ disciplined example.

The meals were delicious and the setting very clean, bright and cheerful. A blessing, too, that I was able to make the acquaintance of Fr. Thomas Hopko and dined at his table on two different occasions. He served at Divine Liturgy on Sunday. His easy manner of speaking, his smooth voice and engaging facial expressions are most memorable. Since this was the Sunday of Pentecost, His homily was about the Holy Spirit and how, without It, we are nothing but animals, not able to reason or choose God.

The highlight of this weekend came during a precious hour+ Mother Caritina spent with me in her gardens, educating me about the various plants and flowers. This time was followed by a lesson for the young girls beside a tree, complete with birds darting to and fro, as if they were trying to hear, too. Mother Caritina gave to each girl a book she had crafted to tell the story of Jesus Christ and some of the history of our faith. Her patience and love for these girls was very evident. The girls took turns reading aloud and answered Mother Caritina’s questions. It made me smile quietly to know that our young ones do know a lot about Christ and our faith. When my daughter responded to a question and told Mother about Zacchaeus, the tax collector, Mother Caritina smiled greatly and exclaimed, “Oh! You make my heart happy to hear this!”

a type of Geranium plant, Mother showed us how to rub the leaves and then our faces to keep insects away

My favorite moment spent over the weekend...

The weekend flew by. We left soon after coffee hour/lunch on Sunday, but not before visiting their fabulous book store one last time! I bought a book on St. Innocent of Alaska (which we’re currently reading aloud in the evenings),some beeswax candles, coin purses made in Guatemala and a few humorous greeting cards. The nuns gave each of the young girls a cute T-Shirt that said, “Sing Praises to God!.... Make it a habit!”

Thank you, dear ones, of Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, for hosting our group. We look forward to our next visit with you. Glory to God for all things! †

Except where noted, all photos © 2011 Amy L. Thornton. All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without asking ; ' )

Monastery Visits Part I: Holy Cross Monastery, WV

On Memorial Day, hubby, daughter & I went to spend time with our friends at Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV. This was a special day for me to have my husband along for his initial visit to a monastery. It was an unusually hot & humid day- well into the 90s - the type that makes me marvel at how well the monks cope with the heat in their long, black cloaks.

Clematis growing wild over rock behind Outdoor Chapel at right.

As always, we were welcomed with pleasant greetings and smiles as we made our way to the trapeznaya for lunch. Here I met Anna, the lady who tends the guest house, since the women are seated together and the male guests eat at the monk’s table. We enjoyed a meal of tuna salad, garden salad, monastery bread, a unique beans & corn mixture as well as cookies for dessert. The cool water was especially refreshing after our walk in the heat on the monastery grounds. We all ate in silence while one of the monks read excerpts from the lives of the saints.

Bishop George was present this time and welcomed us openly after our lunch. Within a few minutes, Brother Anthony, a novice recently come to the monastery, led us on a tour beginning with the outdoor chapel. We also visited the library and workshops to learn a little about how their soaps, lotions, and athonite style incense are made. It smells so good in the incense making room!

Outdoor Chapel at Holy Cross Monastery

Soaps drying on rack

We also visited Mother Theodora, the resident nun who makes the beeswax candles. Br. Anthony told us that these candles are sold all over the nation and Mother got to a point where she couldn’t keep up with orders. At that point, the monastery purchased an automatic dipping machine to help make the candles in larger quantities. Beeswax candles have been used in Orthodox worship services since ancient times. They produce a bright, long-lasting flame and burn very cleanly, making them preferred over paraffin candles that produce more soot.

The highlight of this visit came after our trek to the goat barn. Father Sergius is now tending the goat herd plus one cow. All the animals looked healthy and lively; we were glad to see the arrival of several baby goats! Their relationship with people is tightly woven, as evidenced by their contentment in the arms of my daughter and husband.

We had been informed of a new little guest in the goat barn by Fr. Seraphim upon our arrival, although we didn’t see her anywhere. A fawn, abandoned by its mother was being cared for by the monks, who quickly named her Viva. As we asked her whereabouts, Fr. Sergius made his way to the end of the barn and laid down on his stomach in the straw in order to collect her. She was hiding in the shadows beneath a hay bin, nearly out of his reach. I had a giggle or two watching this scenario since one of the baby goats took advantage of Fr. Sergius’ awkward position and climbed impishly upon his back. Over and over she would clamber up and then leap off joyfully into the straw, seeking attention and play.

Viva

Ever patient, Fr. Sergius was finally able to collect the tiny fawn into his arms and bring her into the light for all to see. She was beautiful! ..soft, gentle, endearing in every way. After he performed a few veterinary duties, he asked if we would like to hold her. My husband took the opportunity and I captured the moment with my camera --a photo I’ll cherish all my days.

It was time well spent. I think what I like most, aside from their wonderful gift shop, is the opportunity to talk with the monks, to ask questions and learn a little of their story. Praise God for their example and answer to His calling in their lives. †

Heroes and Bad Hair Days

Oh my, what a busy month! I love it. I love this beautiful time of year and the fun in wrapping up things at school for summer break. The students have done an excellent job with their projects. The 6th grade worked for many weeks on these Hero Books. I found the idea on Crayola.com (an excellent resource for teachers!) and from Day 1, the class put a lot of thought and time into writing and illustrating a story about a true hero from their lives. They first wrote the story and then did sketches to illustrate each page. Some wrote about God and the story of creation, others wrote about a relative who had done a kind and honorable deed. One young man wrote about the charitable work of his church. I was blessed by each one and felt glad when a few students volunteered to present their book to the class.

Each page, bound together by string lacing, was made by the student. To finalize, they added details such as decorative borders, bows, feathers & metallic markers. I am so proud of them!

To follow the Hero Book project, I decided upon something whimsical and a bit less tedious: the Bad Hair Day project. ha! I discovered this idea through a Homeschooling Newsletter that I receive. The students had to draw a face on the large 18” x 12” art paper given to them and then add either crazy hair or a beard made entirely by block letters. Then they had to come up with at least 10 different patterns to fill in the spaces created by the letters. We talked about using values to create dimension in their work. I was very impressed with some of the patterns they came up with, like the 7-Up logo, zebra stripes, tie-dye and cobwebs; the whimsical facial features were fantastic! These pictures were taken before they had completely finished, but you get the idea...

Praise God...

from whom all blessings flow...

"If I cry and don't smile then the devil will be happy -

so I'm gonna smile."

-Izzy McManaway,

4 yrs. old, a day after having her leg amputated.

It's been over a week & Izzy is doing remarkably well. She came home from the hospital the day after surgery and attended the school's Spring Patriotic Play the day after that! She has several walkers, one of which she promptly decorated with zebra stripe duct tape to make the handles easier to grip.

She has had sporadic pain today, but this evening is feeling better after her doctor prescribed a new pain medication. The surgery has not slowed this child down. She continues to keep up with her sisters and cousins, loves playing with the dogs & eats like a growing girl should.

So many prayers go up for Izzy; each one powerful and deeply appreciated. It's really this that makes me tearful... the loving hearts of people who remember her to our Lord and Saviour. I cannot cry for Izzy. How can I when I only see a child full of smiles?! But the tears do roll when I witness the love of others reaching out to her. Just like Bryson's prayer did to me this morning. What joy and lessons we can learn from children.

Thank you Bryson! God is using you to bless the

heart of others ♥

Izzy on the way home from Morgantown, the day after surgery.

Glory to God for all things †

Izzy: Post-Surgery Update

Izzy with her sister, Zoe, just before surgery yesterday.

Izzy's surgery took place yesterday, on Tuesday, May 10th and was successful. Her left leg was amputated just above the knee and the surgeon was very pleased with how everything went. He was satisfied that the skin graft will heal in such a way as to facilitate fitting for a prosthetic in only a few weeks! That is remarkable to me.

Izzy's attitude has been amazing --Jenny said that is the evidence of so many, many prayers! Izzy is accepting of this, understands that her leg was bad and that she needed a new one. Her talk is all positive and forward looking. She has asked many questions about her new leg but has never said anything sad or longing for her old leg. I credit her parents for preparing her so well and the loving mercy of God.

When Izzy came out of the recovery room yesterday and they were directed to her hospital room for the night, they were happily surprised to receive the largest room the hospital had to offer -- and what's more, it was decorated from end-to-end with one of Izzy's favorite people: Justin Bieber! There were posters, balloons, streamers,... Jenny said it was beautifully done; so thoughtful! God bless those who go out of their way to bring a ray of sunshine into the life of another.

I am currently awaiting news from Jenny -- she told me yesterday that if all went well, they may be able to come home today. That sounded incredible to me, but that's what she said. Her pain is being managed with morphine and lortab and even under these types of drugs, Izzy has been talkative, fully coherent and even laughing at times. ♥

She is in God's hands.

Thanks to all the prayer warriors out there, for the surgeon and my dad as well as Izzy. The effect of your prayers is clearly seen. Please continue to remember them.

Glory to God for all things †

Buck

From the 2011 Sundance Film Festival

A horse story...a human story.

Seeing the grace between man and horse-

and how that relationship transforms a soul.

I am looking so forward to seeing this.

Izzy Update: May 7, 2011

A sneaky, silly moment

My, oh my what a grand day...

We celebrated J's birthday at the park under mostly sunny skies. The kids played and laughed while creating sidewalk art, blowing bubbles, swinging, running, doing the zip-line, watching softball games, riding bikes, playing with dolls and eating delicious cake. I love days like this...spending quality time with friends and family, sharing joy.

Izzy was true to form... laughing, socializing, being ornery at times, eating plenty of strawberries and cantaloupe, running to catch up with her big sisters, playing "hair-do" with one of J's very patient friends as well as enjoying the playground in-between. You may notice in the photos something on her head...it's a heart "painted" on there by her sister. I think it was done with lipstick. God is good. He continually restores her spirit; her zest for life and enjoying each moment is amazing and contagious.

She had a busy day today, plenty of activities scheduled, as her parents want her weekend to be filled with happy, lighthearted memories.

Patiently waiting for the cake to be cut.

On Tuesday, May 10th, Izzy goes back to the hospital. This time it isn't for chemo. She is scheduled to have her left leg amputated. The following is the update my sister, Jenny, put forth to friends on FaceBook a few days ago:

"As you know, Izzy had a full -body PET scan yesterday to check for any spreading of the cancer. By the grace of God, there was no sign of the cancer anywhere else in the body except for her left leg. Unfortunately, they found another tumor growing in the same area as the previous one ~ which means the chemo is not working. However, considering how fast-spreading and dangerous this cancer is, and considering that the chemo was not doing it's job, the doctors are a bit stunned at how this cancer stayed contained to the leg. We're not ~ There's no doubt in our minds that our Lord knows exactly what he's doing and he's the Ultimate Physician ~ without him and without your prayers, we would not be able to get though this tough time.

On May the 10th (next Tuesday) at WVU Children's Hospital, Izzy will be having an amputation of her left leg. Although it's such a drastic measure, we feel at peace with this decision. As of right now, we don't know if chemo will continue or not after the surgery.

I thank you sooo much for lifting us up in prayer and I just ask you again to please continue to keep Izzy and all of us in your prayers ~ it sincerely means the world to us right now. Thanks so much with love and hugs ♥♥♥♥♥ "

Riding her bike

I know beyond doubt that there are many, many people praying for this little one. As strange as it may sound to you, this decision has been one that I am completely at peace with, too. I feel like I should be crying, but the emotion just isn't there.

I am only rejoicing for the gift she is to us. For the fact that the cancer is only located in this one place.

There is no doubt she is in God's care and with faith in Jesus Christ, all shall be well...all manner of things shall be well.

Thank you for praying... please also pray for her surgeon as well as my Dad.

Thank you

Blessings always †

Greater Love Hath No Man...

...than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." St. John, the beloved disciple recorded these words of Jesus Christ, the 13th verse of chapter 15. Lt. Michael P. Murphy was such a man as this, sacrificing himself for his friends. Praise God for the courage and calm he gave to this man. A man who, even in his youth, was fighting bullies and protecting those who were defenseless. A man who died probably because of his mercy to those sheep herders in the mountains of Afghanistan...the ones who let the Taliban know of his whereabouts.

AP Photo, Navy Seal Lt. Michael P. Murphy

Lt. Michael P. Murphy died 6 years ago during a firefight in Afghanistan, acting in a way to protect and call aid to his fellow Navy SEALS. You can read the full account here. I mention this today because Lt. Murphy resurfaces in the news from time to time as various places are being named in his honor; most recently a warship has been christened with his name. I also call attention to this man, whose honor and sacrifice may well represent hundreds if not thousands of US and Allied service men and women who serve to put down our enemy, because of the backlash and seemingly incomprehensible opinion on what warfare means to the Christian believer.

Some Christians say, “Rejoice! Osama bin Laden is dead!” others say, “How can you celebrate someone’s death? Jesus said to pray for our enemies, not kill them.” Still others will say, “Be glad for the riddance of evil, but don’t celebrate.” Where is the middle way? Where is wisdom? I want to know.

Are we not born into warfare? Do we struggle against powers unseen? Do we seek the high road, striving to put down our passions such as anger, lust and greed? In so doing, are we to remove ourself from the world around us? Christ said to love our enemies, yes, to pray for them. Does this fact negate the way God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians? Is this a contrast to the reality of the Red Sea devouring the enemy of God’s people? It cannot be, because God is unchanging; He knows we will always be engaged in conflict on this earth, both spiritual and temporal.

I have encountered Christians who are pacifists, have had in-depth conversations with them and, although this is not my belief, I respect their view. How can I not, given Jesus’ example with Pontius Pilate as well as many Christian martyrs, both ancient and modern, who willingly turned themselves over to their enemies. One Orthodox man I spoke with told me that even though an intruder would break into his home and threaten his life, he would not resist --that was his utter commitment to non-violence and loving his enemy.

Where would we be if Christians everywhere had this approach and understanding? There would never have been a Christian nation on earth, no one to spread the Gospel because the enemy would always prevail. How can we pray and ask God to “deliver us from evil” and then do nothing to work with God in this? It would be the same to pray, “God, please help those orphans down the street” and then do nothing to clothe, feed and protect them.

Orthodox believers adhere to the theology of theosis, that is, that we work in cooperation with God, we struggle (podvig in Russian) in order to be more like Christ. We struggle against our flesh, we struggle against unseen powers of the air and we struggle against those who are wicked. It is only because of that temporal struggle against the wicked that comfy Christians in free nations can sip coffee and ponder about whether we should celebrate or curse the death of the #1 terrorist in the world. Meanwhile, persecuted Christians in places like Mauritania, Yemen and Nigeria pray and wait with hope that someone would be given the strength and courage to deliver them from executions, burnings and public humiliations of all sorts...

It makes me ashamed that Christian people who claim a love of life and freedom could ever doubt the necessity of war and putting down the enemy. Elisha never doubted it, neither did David or Joshua ...or Jael or Deborah, whom the Lord God led into battle.

"When Israel came forth from Egypt, the House of Jacob, from a barbarious people, through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Saviour, save us. Judah became a sanctuary..."

First Antiphon

Baptist and Forerunner, the Chanters of St. Lawrence.

There are no sanctuaries without sacrifice.

God, I pray you would bless and protect those who fight for freedom everywhere.

Sounds of Heaven

I love bird watching...

listening is just as good.

Blessed Wood Thrush neighbors,

Hear their hymns through

The open windows in spring.

Bliss!

Listen to their sweet songs

and see adoring wood thrush parents below:

Courage...

..and kudos to all those who speak out against evil.

The video clip shows a German woman giving her voice to oppose a Salafist Rally in Germany -- a most interesting insight from her interview is this (emphasis mine) :

"maybe, I should explain briefly why I was showing up there: When Pierre Vogel showed up with his followers in Frankfurt am Main on Römerberg the last time, I was rather shocked. The protestant church was open and radical Muslims used it as acting base. In my opinion, this could only have happened with the approval of the church leadership there."

and,

" What Pierre Vogel is doing is simply an elaborate brain washing, like it was the case with Hitler, Goebbels, Stalin, Honecker and how they were all called. He is addressing himself directly towards foreign youths, because they often have problems with their own identity anyway. They are torn apart between the world their families came from and their German reality. They have a hard time. Islam means form many of them a piece of identification with the other world of their ancestors."

With regard to American youth converting to Islam, I believe her reasoning her to be spot-on.