Recent Comments

A Single Candle

The Chapel of Saint Anne at night, lit by a single candle.

Holy Pascha

The holy night of Pascha. We had pilgrims from Egypt, from Greece, and from Russia. There were many Russian children, a new development for this ancient monastery.

Νυνὶ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἀπαρχὴ τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἐγένετο.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Holy and Great Friday

Chanting the Lamentations before the epitaphios on Holy and Great Friday

Ὡς φωτὸς λυχνία νῦν ἡ σὰρξ τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑπὸ γῆν ὡς ὑπὸ μόδιον κρύπτεται καὶ διώκει τὸν ἐν ᾅδῃ σκοτασμόν.

As a lamp of light hid beneath a bushel, now is God’s flesh hid beneath the earth, and it driveth away the […]

Twisted Almond Tree in Dappled Sunshine

The twisted almond tree under a cloudy sky, creating dappled sunshine.

With regard to patience the Lord says, ‘In your patience possess ye your souls’. He did not say ‘in your fasting’ or ‘in your vigils’. I refer to the patience bestowed by God, which is the queen of virtues, the foundation of courageous […]

Twisted Almond Tree in Late Afternoon

The twisted almond tree at the Chapel of Saint Gregory of Sinai as the shadows lengthen in late afternoon.

Christ is the capstone uniting us with Himself. He is the pearl of great price: it is this for which the monk seeks when he plunges into the depths of stillness and it is this […]