|
The St. Nektarios Monastery in South Africa
Situated close to Johannesburg in the Hartebeespoort Dam area
not more than 45 minutes drive from Johannesburg.
The need for the establishment of a monastery in South Africa had been evident for many years, and whilst the intention has always been there, and with the spiritual blessing and prayers of His Beatitude Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, and his eminence, Archbishop Seraphim Metropolitan of Johannesburg and Pretoria, an appropriate site had been purchased in a peaceful and scenic area, conveniently located to allow for day visits and short spiritual retreats by the Clergy of our Church and other volunteers from our community.
The spirit, practice and purpose of monasticism is integral to enhancing our spiritual life and to provide a centre of Orthodox practice removed from our daily trials and tribulations, as well as to entrench our religious and ethnic identity.
This monastery will provide a home for its monks and clergy and to those in our community who are in dire need of a spiritual sanctuary. This monastery will become more than just an Orthodox presence in South Africa, but one that contributes to the way Christianity is practiced. We envisage a parish, a residential facilify (archondarikon) and a programme of Orthodox theological study and practice. We envisage an Orthodoxy that will find its voice in the world of the 21st century, which will be enriched by the realisation ofthis dream.
By establishing a centre of Orthodox monasticism and practice close to Johannesburg, you will be able to enrich your families and your own Christian experience and helping all to engage in today's social, cultural, religious and ethical dilemmas as an Orthodox witness
The intention of the St. Nectarios Monastery is to help nurture the next generation of Orthodoxy Clergy and laity and to witness to the living tradition of Orthodox Christianity and monasticism whilst at the same time providing a safe and peaceful location for prayer, religious youth camps, seminars and other appropriate activities.
The Chapel of St Nectarios in the Monastery
On the 21 st Jan 2006 H.B. Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II celebrates the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of St Nektarios
16 Jun 2006 Youth day at monastery
Fr Athanasius, Fr Pantelejmon, Advocate George Bizos, Fr AthinosAdvocate George Bizos, the well-known human-rights lawyer, and Fr Pantelejmon Jovanovic were the main speakers. George Bizos spoke on the meaning of the day, and Fr Pantelejmon spoke on Orthodox monasticism. Directions to the St Nektarios Monastery
The First South African Orthodox Monk Ordined as PriestThis monastery had been opened from the 8th December for the Orthodox Youth Conference .
On the 10th december 2006 His Beatitude Ordains the first South African Monk in the New Monastery of Saints Nektarios and Nicholas.
His beatitude had made a special place in his very busy schedule to be in South Africa for this momentous event.
The Clergy eagerly await the arrival of His Beatitude Theodoros II
Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa 
The choir was excelent
His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria and All Africa enters the Monastery to
celebrate the Divine Liturgy
The first South African Orthodox monk is audained
by our Pope and Patriarch His Beatitude Theodoros II
The monk was then dressed in his new Church Robes
" Oh Isaia dance your joy for the Virgin was
indeed with child......"
His Beatitude congratulates and welcomes the new
monk to the service of the Church
The New Monk now joins in the
celebration of the Liturgy
His Beatitude Theodoros II Pope and
Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa
blesses his congregation
His Beatitude invites his congregation to receive
The Holy Communion The Monastic and the the Ascetic life
In an article on the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Monasticism the following is said:
St. Anthony
Is considered the Father of Orthodox monasticism, for his kind of monasticism, that of "living alone with God as his only companion".
His lavra was a village of anchorites who lived by themselves in their own huts and had a life in common, practiced common daily prayer evening and morning, worked in common, had common revenues and expenditures, and common meals, and wore the same identical monastic garb.
St Basil
Among the many ascetical works of St. Basil, two are the most significant in terms of regulating the life of monasticism: the "Great Rules"
(Oroi Kata Platos), and the "Brief Rules" (Oroi Kat' Epitomen).
His Rules became the Magna Carta of Monasticism, both in the East and in the West, throughout the monastic tradition.
St. Basil's monks had the mission of "social workers" and ran the institutions (Basileias) that functioned as:
- Orphanages
- Kitchens for the poor
- Schools for the illiterate
|
