BUILDING A HOLY SITE

Monastery - Chapel - Iconography Studio

The Monastery formed a collaborative partnership with the architectural firm of MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni (MCF) and the Mosites Construction Company for the purpose of designing and building a new Chapel, Monastery, and Byzantine Iconography Studio wing.

Once completed, the new Monastery will house 20 bedrooms, an infirmary/pharmacy, a catering size kitchen; rooms to embroider and sew baptismal outfits, ecclesiastical items, vestments, gospel covers, and icons; space to continue making beaded candles for baptisms and weddings, pray ropes and religious jewelry. The current Monastery building will accommodate guests.

The new Chapel will connect to the guest dining area through a gift shop, all located on the same level for the convenience of our pilgrims.

The Byzantine Iconography Studio will continue to produce hand-painted heirloom pieces through commissioned work. A floor has also been designed within the Studio wing to teach Byzantine Iconography for ten students at a time during a summer, non-credit program.

Foundation Blessing -Groundbreaking - Land Development

A Foundation Blessing Service was held on May 15, 2021. During the service, the cornerstone was laid on the exact location where the altar table will be placed in the Chapel. Rocks and soil from our Holy Gerontissa Taxiarchia’s grave site (saved from the exhumation of her holy relics in the year 2000) surrounded the cornerstone. The service was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh. Geronta Paisios, Abbot of the Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona assisted.

On September 7, 2019, the Monastery broke ground. It was a momentous year as the Monastery also celebrated its 30th Anniversary. The groundbreaking service was co-celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh and His Eminence Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America. Geronta Paisios, Abbot of the Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona as well as many priests of both jurisdictions were in attendance. A few days following the service, land development and earth movement began.

The 22-acre site chosen to build the new structures is located on land adjacent to the existing property which was gifted to the Monastery by a family in 2014. In the Spring 2015, a donation allowed the Monastery to clear 13 acres of the land, the site of the future buildings.

YOU CAN HELP WITH IN-KIND DONATIONS!  Emanouel Frangos, President of Liberty Maintenance Inc. is helping the Monastery’s construction project by donating industrial heaters to keep the concrete evenly tempered as it is curing after being poured on the decks. With much appreciation to Emanouel for his support!   If you own a company that can offer in kind donations to help build the Monastery, please contact Project Manager, Argiri Christou at Mosites Construction: christou@mosites.com