Source: Western American
Diocese (ROCOR)
On 11/24 September, 2015, the day of memory of Venerable
Father Silouan the
Athonite, His Eminence KYRILL,
Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America,
consecrated a new men’s monastery for the Western
American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of
Russia, in honor of this modern-day Saint.
Signing the monastery's Antimins
The solemn dedication was also
participated in by His Grace Theodosy, Bishop of
Seattle; the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite
Irenei; many clergy of the Western American Diocese;
other local clergy from various Orthodox
jurisdictions; and approximately 180-210 pilgrims. At
the end of the Divine Liturgy a sermon about Saint
Silouan and the purpose of monasteries for the world
was given by Archimandrite
Irenei; and the Divine Services were completed as
the faithful participated in a Cross Procession
through the grounds of the monastery property. With
lamp, cross and banners, holy relics of the Saint and
the monastery’s newly-commissioned Patronal
Icon, the clergy, choir and faithful trekked in
orderly formation across the expanses of the
monastery, at which time the sites for new cells, the
cemetery and a new cross high upon a ridge were
blessed.
This new monastery is located in
the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, not far
from the historical Gold Rush town of Sonora,
California. From the heights of the monastery’s
47-acre parcel of land one can glimpse parts of the
renowned Yosemite National Park. Possessing both
peaks and lowlands, and with a natural year-round
water supply, the site is well suited for the
monastic life. The fathers will live in individual
cells that will dot the hillsides above the entrance
and current complex. On the hills’ inclines,
plans are being made for the construction of a chapel
for daily prayers and perhaps, in time, a new
refectory. Below, towards the entrance to the
monastery, are existing structures currently serving
the needs of the brotherhood. In this area, a
catholicon will be constructed for use on the major
feasts of the Church.
The core language of the monastery, regardless of the
national or ethnic background of any individual brother,
is English — following a practice observed at the
Monastery of
Saint John the Baptist in Essex, England, which was
founded by a close disciple of Saint Silouan the Athonite,
Elder
Sophrony (Sakharov). The liturgical language of the
new monastery may vary according to the preference,
abilities and ease of prayer for a given member of the
community (chiefly English and Church Slavonic), but the
day-to-day affairs of monastery life are conducted in the
language of this nation, thus facilitating a vital unity
among the brothers.
An aquaduct flows year-round
Current facilities
Although today’s brotherhood
is small, consisting of three — the Abbot
Archimandrite Irenei, Monk Ignatius and Novice Andrew
— it is by no means immature. In reference to
its solidity, Archbishop Kyrill has said that Saint
Silouan’s brotherhood is a true brotherhood, by
virtue of those members who have already passed on to
the age to come. By this Vladyka Kyrill has in mind
the reposed members and co-founders of this monastic
brotherhood, Schema-Archimandrite Damian and
Hieroschemamonk Simeon, both of whom valiantly
struggled in the unseen warfare of the monastic Cross
to the end. And now, from the other Life, being the
hoped-for destination of every Orthodox Christian,
they send their blessing upon the monastery. The
brotherhood of Saint Silouan is therefore well
seasoned by the struggles of its holy predecessors.
The tears of repentance that they poured out in this
life, and the sacred remains of their bodies, are a
seed of faith for all who will be called to abide in
Venerable Father Silouan’s monastery.
St. Silouan's Brotherhood, 2008
The immense significance for our times of St. Silouan
cannot be overestimated, for several reasons. The Saints
live forever, and the labors they perform while in this
earthly life are of prophetic importance. Saint Silouan
prayed for all of mankind: for all Orthodox Christians, as
well as for all peoples, perhaps even more so for the
latter, that they would come to know the love of God.
Although Saint Silouan himself reposed in 1938, during his
earthly life he prayed for those of us who had not yet
been born. He foresaw us through his prayers. He has
spiritually conceived many. His earthly work operates
prophetically when any who have come into contact with him
through his disciples or his writings have become deeper
followers of Christ our God.
A cell under construction
Furthermore, Saint Silouan is
a beacon and instructor for today’s unstable
and fearful generation. We have so many starts and
stops to our spiritual life. We fail often; we lose
hope. We are tempted to give up our cross and our
faith. We become bitter, seemingly estranged from
God. For this we have Saint Silouan, who in all his
struggles, in all of his faithfulness and after
pouring so much “blood” in his ascetic
quest for the Holy Spirit, said to God: “Thou
art implacable!” It was at this moment that the
Holy Spirit revealed to him an important message for
our time: “Keep thy mind in hell and despair
not.” In other words, God tells us exalt not
ourselves. To repent of our sins. And no matter what
depth of despair our souls should endure, never to
lose sight of the unfathomable abyss of His
compassion and love for us.
The Venerable St. Silouan, who today is widely loved and
venerated throughout the world, was not really known
during his life-time. No special recognition or attention
was paid to him, and he successfully hid his abundant
spiritual gifts from the sight of others. This is a
precious example for all Orthodox Christians of our time
on how our spiritual life should be hidden from others,
but known by God our Father, Who seeing what is performed
in secret, rewards openly.
Saint Silouan on Repentance:
Monk Ignatius with Deacon Andrei
“The Lord is quick to
forgive the sins of the merciful. The merciful man
bears no ill-will. He will suffer injury or the loss
of his goods with unconcern, for he knows the mercy
of God, and no one can take the Lord’s
mercy from us: it comes from on high; it is
of God.”
“If you think evil of people, it means you have
an evil spirit in you whispering evil thoughts about
others. And if a man dies without repenting, without
having forgiven his brother, his soul will go to the place
where lives the evil spirit which possessed his
soul.”
“This is the law we have: if you forgive others,
it is a sign that the Lord has forgiven you; but if you
refuse to forgive, then your own sin remains with
you.”
The Monastery of Venerable Silouan the Athonite, located
at 21285 Old Sonora Columbia Road, Sonora, CA 95370-8807,
is open to visitors and pilgrims. Please, contact the
monastery in advance for information on accommodations.
Attention Guest Master: St.SilouanMonastery@me.com.
Phone: 209-694-0391.
1 октября 2015 г.
