A Freeper Odyssey: New Skete Monastery

Self ^ | 12/15/08 | Joe 6-pack

[Joe 6-pack]

"Monks and dogs....must be heaven. ;-) )"

Pretty close, as far as I can tell 8-)

[Martin Tell]

Dear Joe,

Thanks so much for the great story and pictures.

The only question I have is why the monks were eating pork chops during the Nativity Fast. Not that they don't deserve them.

[Joe 6-pack]

You know...as a Roman Catholic that question hadn’t occurred to me.

[kitkat]

Beautiful text, gorgeous pictures. Or maybe, beautiful picture, gorgeous text. I can’t decide.

[kitkat]

“picture” should have been “pictures.”

[Joe 6-pack]

I knew what ya’ meant ;-) Glad you enjoyed them :-)

[Auntie Mame]

Wow, wow, wow. Thank you so much for sharing this. Great writing, incredible pictures, a blessed day.

This just begs to be published. I don’t read magazines at all so don’t have any suggestions for marketing this, but with a bit of research with the latest Writer’s Market you might be able to pin down five or ten suitable periodicals for submission, if, indeed, you’re into that.

In any event, thank you for publishing it here.

[lkco]

You know...as a Roman Catholic that question hadn’t occurred to me.

These are Orthodox monks, so their fasts are different than Catholic rules (as is their calendar). As I recall from Grandma, it's an escalating fast, and different rules for different weeks. I never could keep her rules straight.

[Martin Tell]

I am Orthodox. The "rules" are complicated during Nativity, from November 15 through December 24.

Until last week we were allowed fish. I think we are currently allowed olive oil and wine (my wife keeps track for us). Starting the 20th, it's just vegan fare. The 24th is no food or water at all, for those who are able.

That said, we are warned against being "Holier than thou." I have no idea what disciplines the monks follow and it is really not my business.

I have heard stories of monks eating meat whenever visitors arrived, both to show hospitality and so it does not appear they are showing off their ascetic practices.

[Joe 6-pack]

"I have heard stories of monks eating meat whenever visitors arrived, both to show hospitality and so it does not appear they are showing off their ascetic practices."

Thomas Merton mentions this practice in "Wisdom of the Desert".

[NYer]

You look like a member of the community - sans beard. Thank you for posting this beautiful journey. I live across the river from Troy but have never visited New Skete. Once we thaw out, I may just pack up the basset and take him for a stroll in Cambridge :-).

[NYer]

The New Skete community is famous for their cheesecakes! Check out the extensive catalog, linked in the above article. This may be all you need to complete your Christmas shopping.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[Joe 6-pack]

"Once we thaw out, I may just pack up the basset and take him for a stroll in Cambridge :-)."

You won't be disappointed in the least.

[lkco]

Thanks Martin for explaining the complexity of the fast rules. I’m not sure about New Skete, but my grandmother observes the Gregorian calendar too ... so her Nativity fast starts later and goes to January 6. I thought I read somewhere that they (like Grandma) were Russian as well ... at least the roots of their monastery.

[Martin Tell]

I understand the New Sketers began their monastery as Eastern Rite Catholics, becoming Orthodox a few years ago.

I further recall that they are OCA, so that would make them "Russian."

I am at a loss to understand, let alone explain, the differences between Old Calendar and New Calendar notation, who follows what, etc. I've only been Orthodox for three years. I am learning to be quiet and simply obey!

New Skete is a very interesting place (never been there myself, but I've read a couple of their books). In addition to the convent, there is a place for married couples, "Companions of New Skete." Some days that sounds very attractive to my wife and me.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Companions of New Skete." Some days that sounds very attractive to my wife and me."

During my visit I didn't have the opportunity to discuss their organization at length. Of course I'd read extensively about the monks and the community in the years prior to my journey. There are a number of what appeared to be private residences along "New Skete Road" on the way up to the Monastery. I assumed these were the houses of the companions.

[Red Reign]

Thanks Joe! This kind of post is right up my alley! The only complaint I have is that there weren’t more pictures! Seriously, I did not want those great pix to end. The one of the snow-covered chapel is especially nice, and I think it will make a great wallpaper for my desktop. Seeing the snow really makes me miss my Hoosier home, especially since it is 80 degrees (AGAIN) down here in the Sunshine State. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours.

[Joe 6-pack]

Lots more pics where those came from ;-) Out of deference, and respect I didn't even ask to take photos in the church or smaller temple; however, there are ample photos on their website.

As a native Pennsylvanian who now resides in Louisiana, I feel your pain regarding green Christmases, although folks back at the office in LA tell me we did get a few inches of snow last week. Just for you, here's some more of the white stuff....

[Red Reign]

Outstanding! Thanks again!

I decided long ago that when my whippet moves on to ‘doggy heaven’, I would get a German Shepherd. Sadly, I’m sure one of the New Skete residents would be out of my price range!

[Joe 6-pack]

"Sadly, I’m sure one of the New Skete residents would be out of my price range!"

I didn't refer to them as the "Ferrari's of the dog world," loosely. Actually, I believe the wait for a new Ferrari is shorter than the wait for a New Skete pup.