Dear friends,
The time has come to tell about what we have managed to accomplish in the six months after the blessing of our land.
A plateau has been erected to the south of the main house, where the monastery store and a small guesthouse will be built.
Аll mass excavation for Phase 1 has been completed including a privacy berm along the road and drainage for the site.
A raised bed vegetable garden has begun and preparations are underway for planting an orchard.
On the 2nd of November we were happy to receive a visit from our new First Hierarch Vladyka Nicholas.
After an informal tea, we discussed new developments at the building site of the monastery. Vladyka listened with great interest and gave his support in continuing our efforts, reminding us that prayer always comes first.
His Eminence then presented us with a beautiful icon of the Venerable Elder Ambrose of Optina, which belonged to his predecessor, Metropolitan Hilarion of blessed memory.
At the end of his visit Vladyka greeted our alpacas, who were curious to meet the new Metropolitan.
On Sunday May 29, 2022 after Liturgy, Father Dimitri served a Blessing of the grounds of the Iveron Mother of God Monastery. Site work for Phase 1 of construction began the following day with a fully blessed Bulldozer.
We are, as always, so honoured to have Deacon Nectarios Yangson, with the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, visit the Iveron Monastery. Fr. Nectarios was nearby in PA and made a quick round trip to bless us with the icon. We read the akathist to the Iveron Mother of God and were then anointed with Holy Myrrh.
We were so honoured to have Deacon Nectarios Yangson, with the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, visit the Iveron Monastery.
Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Dmitry Don in the Iveron house chapel. After the liturgy a molieben with an Akathist was served. All then were anointed with the myrrh from the holy icon , which streamed in abundence.
Fr.Nectarios then proceded to bless the property of our new monastery with the holy icon.
We are so grateful to Fr.Nectarios to have visited us, especially during these times. The visit of the Holy Mother of God was a great source of comfort and encouragement for us.