Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos
Categories: orthodox-life, friends, monasticism, australia, spiritual-journey
Date: 16 August 2009 10:06:40
Last Saturday I headed out by train to Geelong [a city about 75km south-west of Melbourne], and then a short trip by taxi to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos ("She who is Quick to Hear"), up on a hill overlooking Geelong, where I was not only attending Matins and a Divine Liturgy, but also meeting a friend who had recently moved to rural Victoria.
Catching up and spending the day, including a trip to town to do some shopping and get supplies not found in small towns, with my friend was a great blessing. Many topics were covered, much laughter was had, and it was simply great to spend a day getting to know someone better and with such good company. Thanks and praise be to God.
Though the number of services I have attended at Orthodox monasteries could be counted on one hand [you may need 4 if you include Catholic monasteries: given I stayed at one for 3 days the number of services increased rather dramatically], there is something special about them: for me as well as for others whom I have spoken to. For me it is the 'simplicity' and the 'quietness'; perhaps the 'darkness' of a small chapel for Matins [the windows and doors were flung open for the Divine Liturgy] as well. Perhaps it is being in a monastery as well: attending services and simply being at a place dedicated to the glory of God and where the monks or nuns have made vows to live such a life. While I love attending the Divine Liturgy and partaking of Christ's Body and Blood at my parish, the services of Vespers [which I have not been to for too long] and Matins draw me in in a different, and I believe deeper, way: the fewer people, the 'simpler' chanting [fewer people in the choir], the relative 'quietness': it speaks to me, and I believe my soul, in a way other services do not.
The monastic life is often described as "the angelic life": a life that while lived on earth follows the example of the life in heaven -- a reference [so I have read] to Matthew 22:30 but also a life dedicated solely to the worship and service of God. Of course, we are called to this: even us 'in the world', for God calls different people to different lives on earth: some to live as family; some in a monastery; some as hermits; and I am sure there are others too... But the monastic life is indeed a particular calling, a tough calling no doubt: and the monastics I have been blessed to meet, for however briefly, have radiated that inner joy and provided encouragement and blessing to me, struggling in my own way and on my own path towards salvation.
On the topic of meeting monastics, the sisters, the Abbess in particular, of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos was exceptionally welcoming and encouraging: and it was a true joy to meet and speak with them. My friend and I were not only warmly welcomed [my friend, being female, was allowed to stay at the guesthouse -- I was to be out by 5!], but also given a most delicious, fasting, lunch [capsicum stuffed with rice and tomatoes]. There was also a veritable feast of biscuits and cake [all fasting -- I think we sometimes eat better during fasting periods in Orthodoxy!] after the Liturgy as well: we did not go hungry. It was also a chance to meet some others who had come for the regular English-language Liturgy. After our return from shopping, and the beautiful Paraklesis service, we assisted, in a small way, to help feed the animals at the monastery, together with 2 children whose mother was also visting.
It was truly a blessed day, and my prayers for, and thanks to, the nuns of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos. And my prayers especially for their building project and the building of the Katholikon [major temple [church; Orthodoxy does call churches 'temples'] of the monastery].