www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Where to send monastic vocations in Metropolia of Pittsburgh

Well, I could recommend the following for women called to the monastic life:

Holy Theophany Women's Community
10220 66th Avenue SE
Olympia, WA

A truly Eastern Monastic community. A part of me was left behind there.

In Christ, Michelle

That is very true. I don't think it is anyone's task to give specific recommendations on religious communities in a public forum because specific individuals have individual calls. One person might fit in one community; another person might fit into another community. It is up to the Lord to give a call, and it is up to each of us to discern and answer that call.

So it is enough, in a public forum like this, to give the options and to let discerners make the inquiries themselves. Or, perhaps, it is also appropriate to give some additional comments: for example, how traditional or liberal a community seems to be, how many members it has, whether a community is growing or declining in numbers, etc.

More guidance than that, however, is the task of a spiritual director, the Theotokos, and the Holy Spirit.

-- John

The post was a question on where you would refer them to. Of course, discernment is a key ingredient for vocations.

I am glad you would give such a list to a vocation. This is better than telling a vocation that a program does not exist or sending them down a dead end. Your honesty and willingness to lead properly is so important to ANY church. Such integrity, Father Deacon Lance, is a rarity, especially those with such fiduciary duties as vocation direction. No one likes to have smoke blown at them. If I had a vocation, I would seek you out for guidance. None dare call you inept.

You will go far.

God bless,
Joe

Michelle,

I believe that one was missed in Father Deacon Lance's list. Tell us more. Who are they with (eparchy/jurisdiction/suey juris church)?

God bless,
Joe

I believe it is their hope that that will in time be recognised as a traditional byzantine monastic community of women within the Van Nuys Esparchy. I think they may have the current status of lay association or something like that.

Does Van Nuys support their community?

Joe

I cannot speak for the Eparchy. However, I can say that there are individuals within the Eparchy who do support them.

They have been attending St. George Byzantine Catholic Church in Olympia (a parish within the Van Nuys Eparchy) and have received a lot of support from that community. While there, I observed great affection and respect from the parishioners and clergy toward the sisters.

Holy Theophany is the female counterpart of Holy Resurrection Monastery. They dress in the traditional all-black habits from head-to-toe and only practice Eastern Monastic traditions and focus on Eastern Catholic/Orthodox spirituality.

I also cannot speak for their community so these are just my observations regarding them.

I highly recommend that folks visit Holy Theophany, whether it's a woman discerning a religious vocation or desiring a spiritual retreat. The sisters are incredibly warm and welcoming to both men and women guests! Though men are not to stay overnight on the premises, they are welcome to stop by for a visit.

In Christ, Michelle

Michelle,

Good for them ... and us.

Unfortunately, I checked and noticed that the official website for the Eparchy of Van Nuys does not list their community; only the Sisters of St. Basil the Great for women religious.

Check out their list of Vocation contacts:

http://www.eparchy-of-van-nuys.org/Vocations.htm

No one seems to want to add them to their list of monastic communities. Maybe Father Deacon Lance can add it to his?

HRM is still listed.

Joe

Since Holy Theophany is the daughter monastery of Holy Resurrection Monastery, they are also now in the Romanian Church.

In Christ, Michelle

Joe,

Eres buen pescador. I seem to recall you began this thread over two years ago.

Father Deacon John,

Thank you. I wish I can remember every thread I began as you do.

You wrote the following in that thread:

Given the additional two years of getting to know the eparchy, can you give us an up-to-date on Holy Theophany? HRM has already made a move since then. Does his Grace, Bishop William, support Holy Theophany community?

Joe

Thank you, Michelle.

Sometimes, it takes a woman to get a straight answer.

Ignore my previous post, Father Deacon John.

Joe

Since Holy Theophany Monastery was never canonically erected I don't think it can be said they are under anybody. They may petition to be, and they may be erected by Bishop John Michael but to presume this is a foregone conclusion is premature.

Fr. Deacon Lance

John, this is the most sensible thing yet posted on this thread. I think to add to what you have said it is certainly acceptable to make a distinction between a more traditional Byzantine monastery and paramonastic communities formed from Roman orders and models (i.e. Basilians and Fransciscans).
DD

Diak,

Thank you for the kind words ! And I would agree with what you added..

-- John