Monastery of Gorgoepikoos (Geelong, Victoria)

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Holy Monastery of Gorgoepikoos
Jurisdiction GOA Aus
Type Female Monastery
Founded 1993
Superior Abbess Kallistheni
Approx. size 4 nuns and 2 novices
Location Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Liturgical language(s) Greek, English
Music used Byzantine Chant
Calendar Revised Julian
Feastdays celebrated Oct 1 (Monastery)
Jan 2 (Chapel)
Official website gorgoepikoos.org.au
Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos - Geelong
St Seraphim's Chapel (far view)

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos ("She who is Quick to Hear") is a monastic community for women in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The monastery was established in May 1993. The abbess is Mother Kallistheni. The monastery celebrates its main feast day on October 1. It also celebrates the feast of St. Seraphim of Sarov (January 2) and St. George of Drama (November 4).

History of Panagia Gorgoepikoos Icon

See Main Article: Panagia Gorgoepikoos icon

The monastery takes its name from the icon of Panagia Gorgoepikoos, which is commemmorated October 1. This is one of the best known miraculous icons of the Holy Mountain, located at Docheiariou Monastery.

Monastery Grounds

The monastery is situated approximately one hour, by car, from Melbourne and is in Lovely Banks, a seaside suburb of Geelong. Situated in the Monastery is an outdoor Chapel dedicated to St Seraphim of Sarov, where his Feast day is celebrated by a Divine Liturgy on January 2.

The Monastery is on 17 acres of land. The Sisters keep beehives, olive trees, fruit trees, a vegetable garden and tend to a few animals.

St Seraphim icon (close up)

There is also a building that houses a coffee room and the Monastery Bookshop from where Orthodox literature (in Greek and English), handicrafts, bonbonniere and icons made by the Sisters may be purchased.

Female pilgrims can stay at the guesthouse of St Anna and are invited to participate in the daily programme of the Monastery.

See also

External links

Australasia.gif
Orthodoxy in Australia: Monasteries
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Male: Pantanassa | St George | St John
Female: Gorgoepikoos | Holy Cross
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Male: Holy Transfiguration | Archangel Michael
Proph. Elias | St John the Baptist | Holy Trinity
Female: Our Lady of Kazan | Presentation
Other Jurisdictions
Male: New Kalenic (Serbian) | St Sava (Serbian)
Female: St Anna (Antiochian) | Nativity Skete (Serbian)