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posted on Jul 03, 2008 - 05:18 PM
Lately I have been stress because of my big exam. It is on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 10:30am, pray for me. After my exam, I have been thinking of staying at the St. Anthony Monostary in California for a few day, just to pray, meditate and spiritually recharge before I am ready to face the world again. I need a few days away from this cruel world to myself and God. I was wondering, can women go on retreats alone there?
posted on Jul 04, 2008 - 02:39 AM
hey noosa,
I have some information for you...can you P.M
In Christ,
a
_________________
Alex(Kalax)
1 Thess.5:17
"For this is God's command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ".(Rom. 13:8)
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posted on Jul 04, 2008 - 03:04 AM
Noosa,
It does not happen to often that women are allowed to stay in the monastery unless they come with a bigger group of girls. I would contact Fr. Samaan (currently in charge of the retreat house) for more info. If you need his phone number then pm me and I will reply with it.
George Mekhaiel
posted on Jul 04, 2008 - 07:58 AM
Fr. Karas is the one who does the housing. Did Fr. Samaan (still can't get used to that) take over that role?
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posted on Jul 04, 2008 - 06:10 PM
No, Fr. Karas used to take of the retreat houses but that was before he went over to egypt last year (and was there for almost a year). After Abouna Samaan got ordained a monk he assumed responsibilities of the retreat house. He has been in charge of it for a few months now.
George Mekhaiel
_________________
George Mekhaiel
posted on Jul 06, 2008 - 09:55 PM
I asked the same thing to anba youssef when he came to hamilton...although you can't go alone to the monastery, you can also go to st. mary's convent in daytona beach, florida. It's under the care of 2 sisters. They can accommodate only 4 women at a time, but i'm sure its no problem. Just a suggestion, since it's impossible to go alone to a monastery unless with a priest or with a group.
_________________
Your sister in Christ,
Thérèse
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28
"During your times of trial and sufferings...when you see only one set of footprints...it was then that i carried you."
posted on Jul 06, 2008 - 10:40 PM
Girls,
This is one of those moments where I strongly get the feeling that it really does stink to be a girl in the Coptic Orthodox Church. The way that America is set up is tailored more for men than for women simply because the high-spiritual retreat centers (like the monasteries) are for men, by men. At the same time, we really don't have any nunneries for you girls to go.
Kinda stinks...but I guess it also humbles you girls.
I don't mean to present this post to provoke you guys to argue but I'm just venting my thoughts.
George Mekhaiel
posted on Jul 06, 2008 - 10:50 PM
In my opinion, there is no difference between going to Saint Antony's Monastery and going to your own backyard. If you're trying to get out of the world for a while, then it's all the same. ... Unless you don't have a backyard .... which would really suck btw
posted on Jul 07, 2008 - 12:39 AM
Epideacon,
Backyard? Why not closet? lol
...In my opinion, there are tons of difference between the monastery and anywhere else. I'm the type of person who visits the monastery very regularly (at least once or twice a month) and that is not including the frequent retreats which can last as long as a couple of weeks. So, in my opinion, the monastery is much different. When you go to the monastery you really are not distracted (as long as you don't try to get distracted). You go and sit at the feet of Christ and are able to pour your heart out to him. You also have the monks there, which is a huge blessing because they are filled with wisdom and spiritual depth. Do you have monks in your backyard? ....I think not! haha
I strongly, yet respectful, disagree with you on this subject. I don't think I've ever disagreed with anyone so much in my life haha. The monastery is filled with sooo much depth. I couldn't honestly write a book on why the monastery is different than your backyard.
George Mekhaiel
posted on Jul 08, 2008 - 10:08 PM
Hey raymondd..
yes I asked anba youssef, who is taking care of the monastery in texas..there is absolutly no way single woman can go..you can forget about it!! If we seek solidarity, we have st. mary's convent in daytona beach..it is temporarily located in Daytona Beach until the permanent location in Pensacola is built.
It was opened last year and they currently have 2 consecrated sisters living in it. They allow only 4 females at a given time to stay at ther convent. In order to stay at the convent, permission like staying at a monastery is needed, so rec letter, ect..
hope that helped
_________________
Your sister in Christ,
Thérèse
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28
"During your times of trial and sufferings...when you see only one set of footprints...it was then that i carried you."
posted on Jul 09, 2008 - 02:38 PM
St. Mary’s convent in Daytona Beach is a good Spiritual Place to be in for girls if they cannot go to the abbey. I went last year for about a week in the middle of August & also to the abbey with The church. The only difference you will see there is that there is no liturgies daily as it is the case in the abbey. This is what I can remember form the Scheduled. You wake up and get ready by 7 am to start the morning prayers, followed by reading & meditating on the reading of the day, time to clean up, breakfast, crafts “they teach you so many easy yet interesting things to do". Then prepare Lunch & of course eat, Bible Study, vespers, meditation time “they have a big garden and the place is very quite”, time to read a spiritual book & then discussion, Dinner, then Midnight Prayers & Praises. Basically you have so many things to learn & meditate on while you were there. The sisters are very nice too, you will enjoy the visit. If you have any questions feel free to ask or pm me. Please Pray for me
_________________
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayers.
posted on Jul 18, 2008 - 12:53 PM
Ah!
I am kind of feeling what geomekhaiel has said...
I want to spend some time in the monastery.. but I am a girl... so I know St. Antony's you can't stay very long, or in the actual monastery, unless with a priest and a Church group...
The same pretty much goes for Texas
I contacted the Convent in Florida... so I have 2 upcoming vacations, one in december and the other happens to be Holy Week...
So first I said, wow, I want to go during Holy Week, and they said pick any other time of the year...
So I said fine, and gave them the dates of my Christmas vacation, and they said we are busy during that time with many visitors... how about after Christmas (Jan 7)... but like, I have school!
I don't know where to go... and I don't want to go in a big group... I want to go alone... and I don't want to annoy the monks or anything because I'm a girl.. I understand and if I were them, I wouldn't want girls staying too... but what can we do? The only other place I can stay then is in Egypt... so to fly all the way to Egypt to spend a week or two in a convent like St. Demiana's... kind of expensive and not practical...
What can I do? (if there's anything that can be done about this most distressing problem)
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power.
posted on Jul 18, 2008 - 02:34 PM
I said before, my spring break this coming year coincides with our Holy Week...
It doesn't seem like the convent in Florida is accessible...
Is there anywhere else I can go (or anything to do) besides trying my luck next year (after this coming school year)..
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power.
posted on Jul 18, 2008 - 03:54 PM
maybe you should insist on visiting Holy Week?
From HopelessCase113:I said before, my spring break this coming year coincides with our Holy Week...
It doesn't seem like the convent in Florida is accessible...
Is there anywhere else I can go (or anything to do) besides trying my luck next year (after this coming school year)..
posted on Jul 21, 2008 - 02:08 PM
I am happy!
Out of desperation I emailed the convent a final time, stressing that I am coming from far (by plane) and that I only have 2 vacations, and they gave me a week during the Nativity Fast, so I'm happy...
Hopefully the convent will grow and be built and be able to hold more girls, with their own Church, and maybe even their own priest so they can do daily liturgies like monasteries do...
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power.
posted on Jul 21, 2008 - 04:26 PM
YAY! Pray for us while you are there.
From HopelessCase113:I am happy!
Out of desperation I emailed the convent a final time, stressing that I am coming from far (by plane) and that I only have 2 vacations, and they gave me a week during the Nativity Fast, so I'm happy...
Hopefully the convent will grow and be built and be able to hold more girls, with their own Church, and maybe even their own priest so they can do daily liturgies like monasteries do...
posted on Jul 21, 2008 - 08:57 PM
Thanks to all for your care and support!
And Truth Seeker, you are absolutely right, I didn't really mention that before...
But yay!
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power.
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