We are monks from different nationalities living together in a communal life style under the Omophorion of Archbishop Benjamin of the west in Orthodox Church of America.
We strive to bring about the presence of Christ in the world, through prayers, sacrificial love and serving others in need.
Monasticism in our belief is not a way of avoiding the world, but it is a way of being set apart for the sake of the world.
We pray, because the world and the church are in need of those who pray. God is seeking those who can worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4: 24). He calls on worshipers to serve Him in prayer day and night without ceasing (Isaiah 62: 6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We also read and study the word of God, the liturgical books of the Church, and the teaching of the Fathers so that we may have the mind of Christ (1Corinthians 2: 16).
Also, that we may be able to rightly divide the word of truth (2Timothy 2: 15), that we may be able to speak a word in season to him those who is are weary and in need (Isaiah 5: 4), words as from God and in the sight of God (2Corinthians 2: 17).
Our daily lives are established on the principle of continual repentance. When understood fully, this repentance acts as a channel towards growth and progression towards perfection, that we may be bridal souls awaiting with longing and perseverance the coming of the bridegroom. By this we will be following the footsteps of the saintly men of God who went before us.
The feast of the monastery is the feast of the beheading of our patron, St. John the Baptist, which falls on September 11th (OC).
St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of our monastery hoping that he may be our example in life and ministry, in prayer and teaching and in his call for repentance.
The foundation of our Faith is:
- Holy Scripture.
- Liturgical books of the Church.
- Life and saying of the fathers of the church especially the fathers of the desert who founded monasticism (St. Anthony, St. Macarius, and St. Pachomius).