Convent of St. Thekla
Icon from Shrine of St. Thekla at the Antiochian Village, by the hand of Philip ZimmermanThanks be to God, in July of 2009 His Eminence Metropolitan Philip founded the Convent of St. Thekla on the property of Antiochian Village. The Metropolitan had long envisioned the establishment of a monastic presence at the Village, where nuns would both uphold the traditional life of prayer, and also reach out in ministry to the faithful who attend the conferences and camps at the pastoral site in Pennsylvania.
Modeled after the style of St. Basil of Caesarea, a father of communal monasticism in the 4th century, the community of St. Thekla is cenobitic, which means the sisters share all things. The nuns maintain a monastic schedule of services, private discipline and prayer, and are simultaneously involved with the many ministries at the Antiochian Village Camp and Conference Center. They also accept invitations from local parishes to speak and participate in parish events. Like all Orthodox Christians, they strive to be Orthodox in mind and heart [Romans 12.2], and to be “in the world and not of the world.” [John 17.13-14; 1 John 2.15]
As monastics, the nuns of St. Thekla share common spiritual goals: to divest themselves of distractions, and to renounce both possessions and self will, so that they may “seek the things that are above” [Colossians 3.11] and be true witnesses of the grace of God, with the aim of reflecting the purity and freedom of God’s image and likeness. Mother Alexandra, the founding abbess, lives on site at Antiochian Village, leaving only to attend conferences and local parish events. New women considering a monastic vocation will be joining her as God sees fit. Prayers are requested for Mother and the women who are visiting and considering monastic life, as well as for the ongoing plans for construction of separate monastic quarters.
Address
4600 Route 711
Bolivar, PA 15923
Service Schedule Monday through Saturday at Saint Thekla Chapel
Please note that these times or location sometime change when Orthodox groups are at the Village and the community joins in worship at Saint Peter and Paul Chapel or at Saint Ignatius Church. For this reason, it is good to call ahead. Also note that the chapel is small, so groups need to call prior.
- 6:30am Orthos, First Hour
- 9:00am Third & Sixth Hours, Epistle and Gospel Reading
- 4:30pm Ninth Hour and Vespers
A Banquet to Benefit the Convent of St. Thekla in Houston, Texas
Mother Alexandra with Nijad and Zeina FaresOn Saturday, October 17, 2009, St George Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas presented a Special Banquet honoring His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP and the Archdiocese Board of Trustees to benefit the Convent of St Thekla. His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN, His Grace, Bishop ALEXANDER, and members of the Board of Trustees were among the honored guests. The Banquet was hosted at the Hilton Houston Post Oak where over 400 faithful enjoyed an evening of fellowship, fine food, and excellent music provided by the Lex Valk Trio. Thank you to our beloved Hierarchs, Board Members, clergy and faithful for their continued support of the Convent. Pictures taken by Judy Braun can be found at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/AOCAphotos by clicking on St George Houston Banquet.
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to Fr. John Salem and St. George in Houston; Nijad and Zeina Fares, who were the Banquet Chairpersons and Sponsors; Mr. Ralph Albercia and Mr. Elias Shaheen, who were the Honorary Chairpersons; and the following:
A First: The Convent of Saint Thekla Celebrates the Feast of Saint Thekla
After Sunday Liturgy, His Grace Bishop JOSEPH with Father Anthony Yazge, Mother Alexandra, Mother Miriamne and Father George AlbertsOn September 24, 2009, His Grace Bishop THOMAS, led the Convent and many clergy, present at the Village for a clergy retreat, in celebration of Festal Vespers the evening prior, and Orthos and Divine Liturgy on the Feast at the Saint Peter and Paul Chapel. His Grace was also able to be with us for the beginning of Pilgrimage. We thank him for presiding at the Liturgy and for being with us. Many years, Master!
During the September 25-27 weekend, the Convent celebrated the Saint Thekla Pilgrimage. His Grace, Bishop JOSEPH, arrived on Friday for the Pilgrimage celebration which included daily Vespers, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy. We thank all of the clergy and chanters who served. After the Liturgy on Saturday morning, all processed to the Shrine of Saint Thekla where His Grace led us in a Supplication Service to Saint Thekla. Later in the day, His Grace presided at an Unction Service. Over the course of the Pilgrimage, His Grace presented three spiritually uplifting homilies on our theme, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” and led an “Ask Sayedna” panel.
September 2009 Issue of The Word Magazine Now Available Online
The September 2009 issue contains the following articles:
Metropolitan PHILIP Addresses the Archdiocese Convention, pg. 4
The Founding of the Convent of St. Thekla at Antiochian Village, pg. 12
The St. Thekla Pilgrimage, pg. 15
by H. Paul Finley
Homeschooling: The Encouragement and Challenge of St. Emmelia, pg. 20
by Fr. Noah Bushelli
Wrecking a Marriage, Pg. 21
by Fr. George Morelli
...and more!
His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Announces the Establishment of the Convent of St. Thekla at Antiochian Village
It is with great joy that His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP announces the establishment of the Convent of St. Thekla at the Antiochian Village. The Acting Superior of the convent will be Mother Alexandra (Magan), and we welcome her with joy to the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America.
Mother Alexandra will take up residency at the Antiochian Village during the first week of July, and will live in temporary housing until such time as the residence building is constructed on the proposed site for the convent, which is on the main property at the Antiochian Village. This will allow her to experience a good part of the camping season, and to interact with our children.
She also has plans to attend the Archdiocese Convention in late July, and to have a presence at the St. Thekla Pilgrimage which will be held at the Antiochian Village in September.
There will soon be a website established for the convent, where all important news and information will be posted.
Click here to read a brief biography of Mother Alexandra.
