Holy Nativity Convent/Brookline, MassI visited this convent 20 years ago. Nun, one who has chosen the monastic life. As a matter of fact I helped the fine sisters make candles in Candle Making Headquarters-the basement. So Candle Commando was ready for another visit to the good sisters to say hello, say some prayers and ask for some prayers. They had a funeral and burial that morning so most of the Sisters were at the cemetery but we had the good fortune to visit with Sister Seraphina. Of course I wanted to show Bubba my old Candle making space-but alas- they have automated to a candle making machine that takes some of the "fun" from the process. Oh darn, and I wore my favorite Candle Making outfit. At my last visit , all of the Sisters were converts to Orthodoxy. I guess we "cradle orthodox" aren't that keen on the monastic life.....
MONKVILLLE aka Holy Transfiguration Monastery/BrooklineMen and woman who enter Monastic life in Orthodoxy devote their entire life to God. The word monastic means "solitary" and in the monastery one focuses solely on union with Almighty God! Formal monasticism goes back to the 4th century, when those who felt a call to extensive prayer and devotion, fled into the deserts of Egypt, Palestine and Syria to be alone with God. At our visit to the Holy Land we saw some of those caves-we are talking serious devotion.
Traditionally, monastics are the guardians of the Faith, and even priests in secular life regularly go to monasteries for spiritual guidance...understanding the value of monastic witness. There are 3 types of monastic life (living in family, spending much time in prayer or secluded as a hermit). There are no "Orders" in Orthodoxy (as you would find in Catholicism). In Orthodoxy monasteries are known for their charism and each monastic house has a gift or dedication to a particular aspect of Orthodoxy that they share with the world-wide church. Also our monastics do not take "vows" . Instead they make solemn promises of spiritual growth, as well as a life commitment to a monastic community. While monks and nuns withdraw from the world, paradoxically, they become responsible for it at the same time. They become teachers of whom I have learned a lot from. This community was founded in 1961 in Boston area by Fr. Panteleimon. In 1970 they acquired their current house-a 3 story mansion built in 1881 on 19 acres-most of it wooded. The community numbers 35 and includes two bishops, six priestmonks, four hierodeacons and two subdeacons...as well as 2 goats and 4 cats! The schedule is rigorous...as an example 8:00pm-12:00 a.m. reading, prayer in cells 12- 3:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy and then more praying and a little rest in their cells, then up and at it-6:30 a.m. And oh yes, guest rooms are available for receiving you pilgrims. I am sure you will enjoy the schedule!And thank you Monks for such a delicious dinner- egg foo young- a la Monk! My personal favorite- the fresh Goat's Milk-baaaaaaa!
I only wish I could go to the Center of our Orthodox Monasticism-Mt. Athos/Greece. My Dad, Chris and cousin Bobby went shortly before Chris reposed or we Orthodox say "fell asleep in the Lord". I pray one day that Keith and our son Nicholas will make a pilgrimage there...
For more details on Holy Transfiguration Monastery please visit www.holytransfiguarationmonastery.org
Holy Cross Seminary
Hellenic College, Inc., is comprised of both Hellenic College, a special undergraduate school with definitive programs, and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology offering three distinct graduate degrees.
This is the place where our Greek Orthodox Priests (serving the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) go to Seminary school, so a visit was in order to see the place of all that holy learning!
In 1946, Holy Cross relocated from Connecticut to beautiful Brookline, Massachusetts, upon one of the highest commanding hilltops overlooking the historic, cultural and educational capital of America. The grandeur of these sixty wooded acres is equally matched by the engaging spiritual formation experiences and academic accomplishments heralded by all students. The sisterhood and brotherhood of men and women who have chosen Christian Orthodoxy as their expression of life-creating faith, together with second career women and men who join this spiritual family with their spouses and children, create a sensitive song of praise to Almighty God. This praise brings out thanksgiving for the opportunity afforded them at Holy Cross to mature in faith, to grow in theological knowledge, to settle in individual spiritual formation and journeys and to celebrate the rich Hellenic heritage with its lively history, tradition and culture. 
The best part of the visit was meeting Father Nick Triantafilou, President of Holy Cross. As you can see he is a big fan of my alma mater THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS. Not. Like his son, whom we just met (Constantine President of Orthodox Christian Charities and Texas Aggie A and M grad) he too has a great sense of humor! It must be the cowboy boots he wears...the perfect match for his collar. One of his current projects includes "iconizing"(I think I just made up a word) his beautiful Chapel. And we have no doubt he will accomplish this worthy goal in short order. Thank you for such a heart warming visit Father Nick. And good job on the grads you turn out! For any of you Greeks that want to help Father Icon his chapel - www.hchc.eduOK I THINK WE'RE PRETTY HOLIED UP FOR AWHILE-AMEN!
