More than 60 women and men of the Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam of the Brooklyn/Queens/Long Island & Bronx/Westchester/Upstate New York areas visited Holy Trinity Monastery & Seminary in Jordanville, New York on Wednesday, August 16th. The Reverend Father Abraham (Abey) George (Assistant Vicar to St. Thomas Church, Long Island) provided leadership for this visitation. The pilgrims were greeted by Brother Angelos who gave the tour of the monastery and seminary grounds. A history and other relevant information was given to the pilgrims as they venerated the holy sights throughout this sacred ground.
Holy Trinity Monastery is a male monastic community under the auspices of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. This monastic brotherhood is dedicated to a life of prayer and obedience according to the pre-revoluntionary monastic tradition. Situated within the monastic community is Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, with young men from around the world training for the holy priesthood and ministry within the Orthodox Church. Consisting of impressive buildings and an other-worldly way of life, Holy Trinity Monastery is a source of spiritual nourishment and support for the Orthodox Church. The monastic brotherhood is made up of 20 monks, and is under the spiritual leadership of Archimandrite Luke, Abbot of the Monastery.
The pilgrims were amazed by the beautiful iconography around the Monastery, especially within the Church. They counted it an immense blessing to venerate the relics of various saints, including the Miracle Working Icon of the Holy Theotokos. The pilgrims were glad to use the various spiritual resources offered in the bookstore as well. The kindness of the monastic brotherhood overwhelmed the pilgrims as they served them with a sumptuous lunch as well.
On behalf of the pilgrims, Father Abraham offered gratitude to the entire monastic community, especially Father Cyprian, Father Nectarios, and Brother Angelos, for coordinating the visit. As an expression of appreciation, the Sheehimo Prayer Book (in English) was gifted to the monastery. The monastic brotherhood in turn presented the pilgrims with an Icon of St Job of Pochaev. The MMVS was grateful for the opportunity for the hospitality the monastic brotherhood offered to them. We pray that God will preserve and strengthen the monastic community and theological seminary for years to come.
For more information, please visit:
- Holy Trinity Monastery: www.jordanville.org
- Holy Trinity Seminary: www.hts.edu