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Looking for a few good men.

We're looking for a few good men that are wishing to explore their vocation in an Orthodox Monastery in an Urban Setting. The Monastery is located in Phoenix, Arizona. We are not affiliated with any of the SCOBA jurisdictions, but we are ORTHODOX. We are under the Omophorion of +BASIL, Bishop of Phoenix of the Byzantine-American Orthodox Church.

While presently only a men's community is contemplated, if there are women interested in seeking a vocation with us, arrangements may be possible

What do you need to be a monk? Our Lord has said: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you." (John 15:16)

The Fathers of the Monastery of the Theotokos, the Life-Giving Fountain are always open to welcoming new members into their monastic family. There are no set times for entrance. Men are welcome whenever they come and enter into a discernment process with Fr. Brendan-Benedict, the Vocations Director

Together, the candidate and the Vocations Director seek to discern if indeed the candidate is being called to this life of particular intimacy with the Lord. Saint Benedict says the monk who welcomes the candidate is to see if he truly seeks God; if he is drawn to a life of prayer and praise, to the way of humble obedience and self-denial.

One is never too young to begin the discernment process with the Vocations Director. But before he enters the community, it is best if a man has completed his schooling - whatever level is appropriate for him - and has worked for a time, having the experience of being able to stand on his own two feet. From this position of strength, he can choose freely to give up all to follow Christ more closely. We are open to admitting more mature men to the community, but they must be aware of the increasing challenges for an older person to enter into a radically new way of life.

As a general rule, one needs to be in good health, both physically and mentally, to undertake the monastic way of life. One must also be well established in the Orthodox Christian life to be prepared to enter our monastic formation program. We do welcome converts to the faith, walking with them as they prepare to enter. We also welcome those who are physically challenged from time to time. None of us is perfect. We are here helping each other to grow in Christ. (We do believe in making God's gifts available to all people, so we will, on a case by case basis, look at people seeking their vocation, even if their emotional or mental health is less than perfect.)

A man best gets to know the monastic life, as it is lived in our community, by visits to the monastery, which involve increasing immersion into the life of the community. Before actual acceptance as a postulant, the candidate is welcomed to live in the community for a month or more. After this experience, he returns home for at least one month to put his affairs in order before actually entering the monastery.

There is an initial period of formation commonly called the Novitiate preparing one to receive tonsure. The one to three year program in the novitiate prepares the aspirant for tonsure as a Rassophore Monk. Then, as the Superior, the community, and the Rassophore decide, and after more time is spent, a Rassophore may be tonsured a Stavrophore Monk. There are formal classes during the formation period, but the forming of the monk is more the work of daily life in the community.

Some monks discern a call from God through the superior and community to the ministerial diaconate or priesthood. After tonsure, these men must undertake a more specialized training to prepare them for that ministry.

Since each monastery is an autonomous family, each has its own family spirit. Candidates often profit by visiting other monasteries and experiencing these differences. It helps one to sense where he might best find his home as a monk.

Any man interested in exploring monastic life with the community at the Monastery of the Theotokos, the Life-Giving Fountain is invited to contact our Vocations Director, Fr. Brendan-Benedict

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Latest reply: Feb 19, 2003

I'm in a lot of pain.

It's Friday morning at 5:05, and I am in a lot of pain. My back is hurting, my arms, shoulders and neck are hurting, and it is all because of FMS.

I don't want to complain all the time. I would rather be well and chipper. I actually have a good sense of humor under all the crankiness caused by the disease.

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas on raising awareness (and funds for research) about Fibromyalgia?

Discuss this Journal entry [4]

Latest reply: Jan 31, 2003


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