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Noosa_1978
Posts: 227
Joined: Dec 13, 2006
Location: Jersey City, NJ
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Jul 03, 2008 - 11:18 AM |
 
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Lately I have been stress because of my big exam. It is on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 10:30am, pray for me. After my exam, I have been thinking of staying at the St. Anthony Monostary in California for a few day, just to pray, meditate and spiritually recharge before I am ready to face the world again. I need a few days away from this cruel world to myself and God. I was wondering, can women go on retreats alone there? |
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Kalax
Posts: 213
Joined: Jul 12, 2003
Location: Mississauga,On, Canada
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Jul 03, 2008 - 08:39 PM |
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hey noosa,
I have some information for you...can you P.M
In Christ,
a |
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Alex(Kalax)
1 Thess.5:17
"For this is God's command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ".(Rom. 13:8)
HCOC Member
HCOC-SING IT! LIVE IT! LOVE IT |
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geomekhaiel
Posts: 1712
Joined: Aug 05, 2003
Location: Saint George COC
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Jul 03, 2008 - 09:04 PM |
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Noosa,
It does not happen to often that women are allowed to stay in the monastery unless they come with a bigger group of girls. I would contact Fr. Samaan (currently in charge of the retreat house) for more info. If you need his phone number then pm me and I will reply with it.
George Mekhaiel |
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David_the_King
Posts: 837
Joined: Nov 04, 2002
Location: St. Abanoub and St. Antony COC Norco, California
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Jul 04, 2008 - 01:58 AM |
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Fr. Karas is the one who does the housing. Did Fr. Samaan (still can't get used to that) take over that role? |
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David_the_King
Co-Webmaster and Administrator
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geomekhaiel
Posts: 1712
Joined: Aug 05, 2003
Location: Saint George COC
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Jul 04, 2008 - 12:10 PM |
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No, Fr. Karas used to take of the retreat houses but that was before he went over to egypt last year (and was there for almost a year). After Abouna Samaan got ordained a monk he assumed responsibilities of the retreat house. He has been in charge of it for a few months now.
George Mekhaiel |
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George Mekhaiel |
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thereseh
Posts: 20
Joined: May 07, 2008
Location: St. Mina's COC, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Jul 06, 2008 - 03:55 PM |
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I asked the same thing to anba youssef when he came to hamilton...although you can't go alone to the monastery, you can also go to st. mary's convent in daytona beach, florida. It's under the care of 2 sisters. They can accommodate only 4 women at a time, but i'm sure its no problem. Just a suggestion, since it's impossible to go alone to a monastery unless with a priest or with a group. |
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Your sister in Christ,
Thérèse
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28
"During your times of trial and sufferings...when you see only one set of footprints...it was then that i carried you." |
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geomekhaiel
Posts: 1712
Joined: Aug 05, 2003
Location: Saint George COC
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Jul 06, 2008 - 04:40 PM |
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Girls,
This is one of those moments where I strongly get the feeling that it really does stink to be a girl in the Coptic Orthodox Church. The way that America is set up is tailored more for men than for women simply because the high-spiritual retreat centers (like the monasteries) are for men, by men. At the same time, we really don't have any nunneries for you girls to go.
Kinda stinks...but I guess it also humbles you girls.
I don't mean to present this post to provoke you guys to argue but I'm just venting my thoughts.
George Mekhaiel |
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Epideacon
Posts: 95
Joined: Apr 26, 2006
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Jul 06, 2008 - 04:50 PM |
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In my opinion, there is no difference between going to Saint Antony's Monastery and going to your own backyard. If you're trying to get out of the world for a while, then it's all the same. ... Unless you don't have a backyard .... which would really suck btw |
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geomekhaiel
Posts: 1712
Joined: Aug 05, 2003
Location: Saint George COC
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Jul 06, 2008 - 06:39 PM |
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Epideacon,
Backyard? Why not closet? lol
...In my opinion, there are tons of difference between the monastery and anywhere else. I'm the type of person who visits the monastery very regularly (at least once or twice a month) and that is not including the frequent retreats which can last as long as a couple of weeks. So, in my opinion, the monastery is much different. When you go to the monastery you really are not distracted (as long as you don't try to get distracted). You go and sit at the feet of Christ and are able to pour your heart out to him. You also have the monks there, which is a huge blessing because they are filled with wisdom and spiritual depth. Do you have monks in your backyard? ....I think not! haha
I strongly, yet respectful, disagree with you on this subject. I don't think I've ever disagreed with anyone so much in my life haha. The monastery is filled with sooo much depth. I couldn't honestly write a book on why the monastery is different than your backyard.
George Mekhaiel |
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raymondd
Posts: 14
Joined: Mar 10, 2004
Location: Boston, MA
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Jul 08, 2008 - 01:13 PM |
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I think it is easier to single girls to go to the abbey in Texas because of its structure, I haven't heard about the convent in Florida, anyone has more info about that? |
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thereseh
Posts: 20
Joined: May 07, 2008
Location: St. Mina's COC, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Jul 08, 2008 - 04:08 PM |
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Hey raymondd..
yes I asked anba youssef, who is taking care of the monastery in texas..there is absolutly no way single woman can go..you can forget about it!! If we seek solidarity, we have st. mary's convent in daytona beach..it is temporarily located in Daytona Beach until the permanent location in Pensacola is built.
It was opened last year and they currently have 2 consecrated sisters living in it. They allow only 4 females at a given time to stay at ther convent. In order to stay at the convent, permission like staying at a monastery is needed, so rec letter, ect..
hope that helped |
_________________
Your sister in Christ,
Thérèse
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28
"During your times of trial and sufferings...when you see only one set of footprints...it was then that i carried you." |
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SaintaMaria05
Posts: 37
Joined: May 31, 2006
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Jul 09, 2008 - 08:38 AM |
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St. Mary’s convent in Daytona Beach is a good Spiritual Place to be in for girls if they cannot go to the abbey. I went last year for about a week in the middle of August & also to the abbey with The church. The only difference you will see there is that there is no liturgies daily as it is the case in the abbey. This is what I can remember form the Scheduled. You wake up and get ready by 7 am to start the morning prayers, followed by reading & meditating on the reading of the day, time to clean up, breakfast, crafts “they teach you so many easy yet interesting things to do". Then prepare Lunch & of course eat, Bible Study, vespers, meditation time “they have a big garden and the place is very quite”, time to read a spiritual book & then discussion, Dinner, then Midnight Prayers & Praises. Basically you have so many things to learn & meditate on while you were there. The sisters are very nice too, you will enjoy the visit. If you have any questions feel free to ask or pm me. Please Pray for me |
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Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayers. |
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HopelessCase113
Posts: 227
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
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Jul 18, 2008 - 06:53 AM |
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Ah!
I am kind of feeling what geomekhaiel has said...
I want to spend some time in the monastery.. but I am a girl... so I know St. Antony's you can't stay very long, or in the actual monastery, unless with a priest and a Church group...
The same pretty much goes for Texas
I contacted the Convent in Florida... so I have 2 upcoming vacations, one in december and the other happens to be Holy Week...
So first I said, wow, I want to go during Holy Week, and they said pick any other time of the year...
So I said fine, and gave them the dates of my Christmas vacation, and they said we are busy during that time with many visitors... how about after Christmas (Jan 7)... but like, I have school!
I don't know where to go... and I don't want to go in a big group... I want to go alone... and I don't want to annoy the monks or anything because I'm a girl.. I understand and if I were them, I wouldn't want girls staying too... but what can we do? The only other place I can stay then is in Egypt... so to fly all the way to Egypt to spend a week or two in a convent like St. Demiana's... kind of expensive and not practical...
What can I do? (if there's anything that can be done about this most distressing problem) |
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My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power. |
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Truth.Seeker
Posts: 422
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
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Jul 18, 2008 - 08:03 AM |
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Go during Spring Break (you said you have school, so I assume you get a spring break during the school year). |
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HopelessCase113
Posts: 227
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
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Jul 18, 2008 - 08:34 AM |
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I said before, my spring break this coming year coincides with our Holy Week...
It doesn't seem like the convent in Florida is accessible...
Is there anywhere else I can go (or anything to do) besides trying my luck next year (after this coming school year).. |
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power. |
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lowlyman
Posts: 231
Joined: Apr 04, 2006
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Jul 18, 2008 - 09:54 AM |
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maybe you should insist on visiting Holy Week?
| HopelessCase113 wrote: |
I said before, my spring break this coming year coincides with our Holy Week...
It doesn't seem like the convent in Florida is accessible...
Is there anywhere else I can go (or anything to do) besides trying my luck next year (after this coming school year).. |
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HopelessCase113
Posts: 227
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
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Jul 21, 2008 - 08:08 AM |
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I am happy!
Out of desperation I emailed the convent a final time, stressing that I am coming from far (by plane) and that I only have 2 vacations, and they gave me a week during the Nativity Fast, so I'm happy...
Hopefully the convent will grow and be built and be able to hold more girls, with their own Church, and maybe even their own priest so they can do daily liturgies like monasteries do... |
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power. |
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lowlyman
Posts: 231
Joined: Apr 04, 2006
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Jul 21, 2008 - 10:26 AM |
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YAY! Pray for us while you are there.
| HopelessCase113 wrote: |
I am happy!
Out of desperation I emailed the convent a final time, stressing that I am coming from far (by plane) and that I only have 2 vacations, and they gave me a week during the Nativity Fast, so I'm happy...
Hopefully the convent will grow and be built and be able to hold more girls, with their own Church, and maybe even their own priest so they can do daily liturgies like monasteries do... |
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Truth.Seeker
Posts: 422
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
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Jul 21, 2008 - 12:48 PM |
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Hopeless - you didn't say your spring break coincided with Holy Week, you just said that's one of your vacations. Anyway - that's a moot point sicne you can stay there now, but I thought I was going blind for a second. |
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HopelessCase113
Posts: 227
Joined: Oct 11, 2004
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Jul 21, 2008 - 02:57 PM |
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Thanks to all for your care and support!
And Truth Seeker, you are absolutely right, I didn't really mention that before...
But yay! |
_________________
My joy is in Your praise, my splendor is in Your glory, O My Lord Jesus Christ, to You is due all glory.
Who am I, who is weaker than all who are on the earth, to speak of your honor, O Mary, the daughter of Joachim.
Holy Mighty, who by weakness showed forth what is greater than power. |
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