Monastery of Pantanassa (Mangrove Mountain, New South Wales)

The Holy Monastery of Pantanassa (Queen of All) is a monastic community for men under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The monastery is located in Mangrove, New South Wales (west of Sydney), and was established in 1976 under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. The current abbot is Archimandrite Stefanos; there are currently approximately 6 monks in residence.

Timeline

• 1976 Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of our Lord established by Archbishop Stylianos
• 1995 Monastery moved from Sydney, New South Wales, to Mangrove Mountain, New South Wales. Simultaneously, the monastery was renamed Pantanassa Monastery by Archbishop Stylianos. The Pantanassa brotherhood commenced living in a small monastic complex on the side of the mountain below a 200m (approx. 680 ft) cliff.
• 2004 A female skete is established under the guidance of Pantanassa Monastery, for which the Abbot Stefanos is the chaplain.
• 2005 On 27 May, Pantanassa Monastery began building the monastic complex on top of the mountain. Archbishop Stylianos announces an Australia-wide fundrasing campaign.
• 2005 On 16 July, the foundation stone of the new monastic church will be laid at Pantanassa Monastery by Archbishop Stylianos, assisted by Bishop Seraphim.

Current Structures

• "The Pantanassa brotherhood lives in a small monastic comples situated on the side of a mountain below a 200 metre cliff".
  • Small chapel dedicated to Sts Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians
  • Iconography studio
  • Living quarters
  • Candle making factory
  • Joinery workshop dedicated to St Joseph
  • Secluded cabin named after Elder Paisios the Athonite (+1994)
• Situated at the lower end of the valley and along the river is...
  • Timber cabin where pilgrims are received for confession
  • Cave dedicated to St Anne
  • Outdoor chapel under a rainforest canopy, with a 6 metre timber crucifix.

Reference: The Vema, 2005:12/30.

Building Works

• 27 May 2005, building works started on the monastic complex. This included...
  • Building a 400 metre (1350 ft) driveway through forest to the building site (which ends 50 metres from the cliff edge).
  • Excavating the mountain so as to provide three flat levels for buildings to go on
    • These earth works are anticipated to be completed in time for the foundation stone ceremony of 16 July, 2005.
  • The new monastic complex is designed to have the layout and aesthetics of a traditional Athonite monastery: the main church in the middle of a cloistered quadrangle.
    • This formation is intended to have a fortress effect. "To outsiders it appears solid and uninviting, with few openings and little opportunity for interaction. However, for those welcomed into the complex the architecture softens and opens up with a continuous arched cloister and details reminiscent of the Athonite language." (The Vema, 2005:12/30)
  • Opposite the entrance of the Church, and adjacent to the main entry of the monastery, is the refectory. Other parts of the complex include the living quarters, iconography studio, library, office, chapel, confessional and guest accomodation.

Reference: The Vema, 2005:12/30.

Bibliography and Links

• Pantanassa Monastery, "The Building of a Monastery", in The Greek Australian VEMA, June 2005, page 12/30.
• Holy Monastery of Pantanassa (monastery appeal site)
• Model of Monastery (after construction)