by Sophia, SEM Intern
‘We have one sword–the Jesus Prayer.’ (St. Barsanuphius of Optina) Spending a month at one of Elder Ephraim’s women’s monastery, I saw St. Barsanuphius’ quote taken quite seriously. In the busy bakery, amidst the whirring of baking and cooking machinery; in the cafe, serving curious tourists and eager customers; walking up to their cells on a sunny afternoon: these valiant warriors of Christ always were wielding this sword. Sometimes I would hear a nun before seeing her. Yes, they would murmur it under their breath, sometimes saying it out loud, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” Gerondissa Makrina, the “grandmother” of the monastery, encourages her nuns to say the Prayer out loud, so that any sister whose mind had wandered off would remember to resume the Prayer when she hears her sister saying it.
A monastic spends the whole day in prayer. Visiting the monastery for such a lengthy time, I got to experience almost their whole schedule and–I have to admit– it was hard. I didn’t have to wake up at one in the morning to do my short rule, but I did go to the two am Paraklesis services that were held four days a week, and the four-thirty am liturgy on Thursdays. The services were beautiful with the simple, sweet nuns’ chanting, but it was very hard not letting my heavy eyelids close for a bit. I will tell the truth and say that I have fallen asleep more than once during services, but my guardian angel always nudged me awake whenever a sister passed by to cense with the incense burner.
For Dormition, during my stay, a long vigil was held in honor of the Panagia’s special feast. It was beautiful–and lengthy. Vespers, orthros with lamentations, and liturgy. It started at eight the evening before, and ended at three in the morning. The chanting, the polycandelon swaying from side to side during specific moments, representing the angels, and the prayerful atmosphere of the packed church made the service seem to fly by. It was such a blessing to be there.
During the normal week days, everyone kept busy. There was the cafe/bookstore to run, food orders to be made, bakery sweets and spanakopitas to be baked, the meals to be cooked, flowers to be watered–to name a few. The list could go on and on and on. And no matter what they were doing, the sisters always kept the prayer-filled atmosphere. Because of that, everyone was at peace despite the evil one’s attacks.
My trip was such a wonderful blessing, and I strongly encourage everyone– but especially, young adults– to experience not only a pilgrim's point of view, but to be invested and part of the monastery for a little while. I’ve been told many times that the monastic life can be tried out, unlike marriage. So, if you are able to visit, do it!
Glory be to God for all things!!