www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Recomendations for a retreat location near TN

Hello all!

I'm a Latin Rite Catholic, but have grown to be quite in love with the Eastern Rites after spending over a month in Greece and the Holy Land. Now, I am back in the US and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good Eastern Rite (or possibly Orthodox) monastery for a retreat within a reasonable drive of Nashville or Knoxville, TN. I've never heard of any around here, but figured someone here might know.

Thanks!

Brian

www.orthodox-monasteries.com/ [orthodox-monasteries.com]

Brian:

Welcome to the forum!! Christ is in our midst!!

The link above gives a list of Orthodox monasteries all around the world. I got it from a Google search. There's only one in TN and it's for women. You need to find out if any of these would take a Catholic and even if they conduct retreats.

You might try the same for Eastern Catholic monasteries, although there are fewer in the United States.

BOB

The Hermitage of the Holy Cross in Wayne, WV is probably the closest.
http://www.holycross-hermitage.com/index.htm

Charles would know, that is his stomping grounds

DarkWater685,

Just to let you know, in case you didn't, there are two Ukrainian Greek Catholic missions in TN, one of which might be close depending on where in middle/east TN you are (while neither is a option for retreats - they may be options for Sundays or community should you be interested - I know both are cheerful and welcoming lots).

The first is St. Thomas the Apostle in Knoxville, their web page is: http://hrbcc.org/

The second is St. Nicholas which is in Nashville (where I attend), and our web page is: https://www.byzcath.org/Nashville/

Justin

Thanks.

Justin, I'm in Cookeville for school at TN Tech. I was thinking of checking out either the Knoxville or Nashville parish quite soon. (I knew of the Byzantine Mission, but they're on the opposite side of Knoxville from me).

At the moment, I'm discerning a vocation to the priesthood with the diocese. The Eastern spirituality and theology very much draws me (I fell away in High School and it was reading the writings of St. John Chrysostom that first brought me back into an active faith). When I converted with my family, I had no clue about the Eastern Rites, so now this has thrown a monkey wrench into things. Our new bishop is bi-ritual, so I hope to talk to him in the future.

Brian,

The OCA has a monastery [orthodoxmonastery.com] outside of Asheville, NC. I don't know what their policy is on visitors, but it is considerably closer than Wayne, WV.

The Ukrainian mission in Nashville is about 20 minutes closer to you than the one in Knoxville, but it currently only has Divine Liturgy one Saturday evening per month, with Vespers on the other Saturdays. Knoxville offers a Divine Liturgy every Sunday morning.

The next Nashville Divine Liturgy is on October 24th. (Correct me if I am wrong, Justin.) I will be chauffeuring Fr. Richard from Knoxville to Nashville for that liturgy, and am going to detour by TTU to pick up my son (Sophomore, ME/Math, Murphy Hall). My whole family will probably tag along for the family unity of it all. If you are willing to endure the snug fit of 7-people in a 7-person minivan for the hour and twenty minute jaunt, you are welcome to tag along.

PM me with an e-mail address if you are interested.

Ed Klages

PS Fr Richard also works for the Diocese of Knoxville just down the hall from Bishop Stika and might be able to offer you words of wisdom in pursuing a vocation.

I can't get PMs to work.

Small world, I live up on the 5th floor of Murphy, though I try to avoid all related to the Honors Program as much as I can. My single room is a nice perk, though.

It looks like that there might be a couple of us from the local Chesterton Society making the trip to Nashville, so I doubt I'll need a ride. Thanks for the offer, though.

Hope to see you on the 24th.

Fr Stephen Freeman, pastor of St Anne's Orthodox Parish in Oak Ridge, is an old friend of mine. Give him a call and he will be able to guide you on Orthodox retreat centers: (865) 482-0088. And by all means attend the Divine Liturgy at St Anne's. It's a vital, growing congregation, with lots of young families.

Dear Brian,

All new members are moderated for a while after they join, and their private messaging also doesn't work until the period of moderation is over. I don't know why that is, but it is the Administrator's decision.

Alice, Moderator

Brian,

It is a small world indeed. My son, Ben, lucked into the single room on the 1st floor next to the restrooms, and also pretty much avoids anything Honors related. Stop by some time and introduce yourself, and tell him I said to clean his pig sty.

And I will vouch for Fr. Kimel's recommendation of Fr. Stephen in Oak Ridge. His parish is a short walk from my house, and I occasionally attend services there when circumstances interfere with my normal routine. In fact, i was just there for Great Vespers this evening. Both he and his church are fantastic.

Ed

I will have to do that. Murphy Lair...

It also looks like I'm going to be in Knoxville tomorrow, so I'm going to plan on heading over a bit early and stopping by the Chancery.

Brian there is always the Trappist Abbey outside of Louisville, KY. I have always wanted to go there myself.
Stephanos I
PS Welcome

Is this the same Fr Stephen that was an Air Force Chaplain?
Im not sure that that was his last name but I knew him in San Antonio TX, if it is the same one, his wife was danish, say hello. He's a great guy and his wife isnt too bad to even if she is a Dane.
Stephanos I

Ed,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
Are the Divine Liturgies in Nashville on any regular schedule?
Would it be possible for you to post any future schedule?
Also, what location is normally used, and what time does the liturgy normally start?
Thanks,
Deacon El