St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery
St. Anthony's Monastery. Source: aesta1
How the Monastery Started
It was in the summer of 1995, that Elder Ephraim transferred 6 monks from the Pilotheou Monastery in the holy mountain of Mt. Athos to start a monastery in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. They named the monastery after the father of monasticism, St. Anthony the Great (ca. 251-356).
Today, there are several chapels you can visit in the property and the walk around the grounds floods you with silence and solemnity.
It was in the summer of 1995, that Elder Ephraim transferred 6 monks from the Pilotheou Monastery in the holy mountain of Mt. Athos to start a monastery in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. They named the monastery after the father of monasticism, St. Anthony the Great (ca. 251-356).
Today, there are several chapels you can visit in the property and the walk around the grounds floods you with silence and solemnity.
Chapel in St. Anthony's Monastery. Source: aesta1
Monastic Life in St. Anthony
The monks in St. Anthony's follow the cenobitic rule of monastic life. Their daily schedule of prayer and work starts an hour or two before midnight for personal prayer and spiritual reading.
The monks in St. Anthony's follow the cenobitic rule of monastic life. Their daily schedule of prayer and work starts an hour or two before midnight for personal prayer and spiritual reading.
This is followed by the Divine Liturgy and talks for the day which include tending to the grounds, gardens, orchards, vineyards, publishing, woodworking, construction, food preparation and hospitality. The day is capped with Vespers, dinner and Compline.
Garden in St. Anthony's Monastery. Source: aesta1
How to Go to the St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery
Address: 4784 N. St. Joseph's Way, Florence, AZ 85132 USA
From Phoenix (73 miles)
Follow I-10 East towards Tucson. Take exit 185 for Coolidge/Florence. Pass Coolidge on your right and continue towards Florence on Route 287.
At Florence, bear right and take Route 79 South towards Tucson. After mile marker 124, turn left on Paisano Drive and follow the road until you reach the Monastery.
Address: 4784 N. St. Joseph's Way, Florence, AZ 85132 USA
From Phoenix (73 miles)
Follow I-10 East towards Tucson. Take exit 185 for Coolidge/Florence. Pass Coolidge on your right and continue towards Florence on Route 287.
At Florence, bear right and take Route 79 South towards Tucson. After mile marker 124, turn left on Paisano Drive and follow the road until you reach the Monastery.
From Tucson (62 miles)
Take Route 77 North to Oracle Junction. Turn left on Route 79 towards Florence. after the mile marker 123, turn right on Paisano Drive and follow it all the way to the Monastery.
Take Route 77 North to Oracle Junction. Turn left on Route 79 towards Florence. after the mile marker 123, turn right on Paisano Drive and follow it all the way to the Monastery.
St. Anthony's Monastery. Source: aesta1
Opening Hours at St. Anthony"s Monastery
All visitors are welcome at St. Anthony's between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm but it is good to check the schedule at the monastery's website: www.stanthonysmonastery.org
All visitors are welcome at St. Anthony's between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm but it is good to check the schedule at the monastery's website: www.stanthonysmonastery.org
Visitors are asked to dress appropriately:
Men: long pants and long sleeved shirts
Women: skirts well below the knee, long sleeved blouses, head scarves
Visitors must stop at the bookstore upon entering the monastery.
Pictures may be taken of the buildings, grounds and church interiors but not of the monks and guests.
Men: long pants and long sleeved shirts
Women: skirts well below the knee, long sleeved blouses, head scarves
Visitors must stop at the bookstore upon entering the monastery.
Pictures may be taken of the buildings, grounds and church interiors but not of the monks and guests.
