founded=1993|
superior=Abbess Kallistheni|
size=5 4 nunsand 2 novices|
hq=Geelong, Victoria, Australia|
language=Greek, English|
music=[[Byzantine Chant]]|
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]]|
feasts=[[January 2October 1|Jan 2Oct 1]] (ChapelMonastery)<br>[[October 1January 2|Oct 1Jan 2]] (MonasteryChapel)|website=none advertised[http://www.gorgoepikoos.org.au gorgoepikoos.org.au]
}}
The '''Holy [[Image:Geelong.jpg|thumb|left|Monastery of [[Panagia Gorgoepikoos- Geelong]]''' ("She who is Quick to Hear") is a [[monasticismImage:SeraphimGeelong.jpg|monastic]] community for [[nunthumb|women]] in the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]. The monastery was established under the [[omophorion]] of His Eminence [[Archbishop]] [[Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australialeft|Stylianos of Australia]] in May 1993 by [[Kallistheni St Seraphim's Chapel (Zantisfar view)|Mother Kallistheni]], who remains the [[abbess]]. Currently, the monastery has 4 nuns (Sisters Makrina, Nikodimi, and Natalia, and the abbess, Mother Kallistheni) and a novice, all of whom speak fluent English.
The monastery '''Holy Monastery of [[Panagia Gorgoepikoos]]''' ("She who is situated approximately one hour, by car, from Melbourne and Quick to Hear") is a [[monasticism|monastic]] community for [[nun|women]] in the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]. The monastery was established in Lovely Banks, which May 1993. The [[abbess]] is close to Mother Kallistheni. The monastery celebrates its main feast day on [[October 1]]. It also celebrates the seaside suburb feast of St. [[Seraphim of Sarov]] ([[January 2]]) and St. [[George (Karslidis) of Drama|George of GeelongDrama]] ([[November 4]]).
[[Image:Geelong.jpg|thumb|right|Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos - Geelong]]==History of the MonasteryPanagia Gorgoepikoos Icon==Much of the initial capital for the Monastery was donated from the Zantis family of Goulburn. The majority of this donation was from Mother Kallistheni's father, Angelo Zantis (deceased), and Mother Kallistheni herself.<!--- History of St Seraphim's outdoor chapel--->==Mother Kallistheni==Mother Kallistheni, the first abbess of the monastery, was born Kalomira Zantis (nicknamed "Corrine") to Angelo and Nina Zantis, and raised in Goulburn, NSW, Australia with two siblings, Sheridan and Peter.See Main Article: [[Panagia Gorgoepikoos]] icon''
Her great-grandfather was The monastery takes its name from the village priest and the schoolmaster in Karavas, in Kythera, Greece, for four decades. Known as 'Papa Vangelli'[[icon]] of [[Panagia Gorgoepikoos]], he was married to Presbytera Stamatia and baptised the majority of those Kytherians who then moved to Australia or the USAwhich is commemmorated [[October 1]]. Papa Vangelli had eight children, This is one of whom Kalomira was the seventh; she married Sarandos Zantiotis and had four children, best known miraculous icons of whom Angelo was the fourth; he married Nina Souris, from ArmidaleHoly Mountain, who are the parents of Mother Kallisthenilocated at [[Dochiariou Monastery (Athos)|Docheiariou Monastery]].
[[Image:SeraphimSarov5h.JPG|thumb|St Seraphim Shrine (close up)]]==Recent HistoryMonastery Grounds ==Initially the Monastery stood on 17 acres The monastery is situated approximately one hour, by car, from Melbourne and is in Lovely Banks, a seaside suburb of land but recent land purchases have allowed for growth extending the property size to 20 acresGeelong. This growth has allowed Situated in the monastery Monastery is an outdoor Chapel dedicated to purchase bees to produce their own honeySt Seraphim of Sarov, where his Feast day is celebrated by a donkey and Divine Liturgy on [[January 2 alpacas]].
To create privacy for the monasteryThe Monastery is on 17 acres of land. The Sisters keep beehives, olive trees, Cox Roadfruit trees, running outside a vegetable garden and tend to a few animals.[[Image:SeraphimSarov5h.JPG|thumb|right|St Seraphim icon (close up)]]There is also a building that houses a coffee room and the monasteryMonastery Bookshop from where Orthodox literature (in Greek and English), handicrafts, has recently been closed off—an initiative instigated bonbonniere and icons made by Mother Kallisthenithe Sisters may be purchased.
[[Image:SeraphimGeelong.jpg|thumb|St Seraphim's Shrine (far view)]]==Programme for members of the public==[[Pilgrim]]s Female pilgrims can visit stay at the monastery daily (except Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) guesthouse of St Anna and are able invited to attend participate in the services chanted by daily programme of the sisters.*Monday: Open between 2-5pm on School and Public holidays.*Tuesday: Open between 9am and 5pm.::9am [[Divine Liturgy]].*Wednesday: Closed.*Thursday: Open between 9am and 5pm.::3pm [[Vespers]].*Friday: Closed.*Saturday: Open between 9am and 5pm.::3pm [[Paraklesis]].::Monthly: 8am [[Matins]] in Greek and English, 9am Divine Liturgy in English.*Sunday: Open between 2-5pm.::3pm ParaklesisMonastery.
==SourceSee also ==*Saint [[Seraphim of Sarov]] ([[January 2]])* Saint [[http://www.kythera-family.net/index.php?nav=6-22&cid=10&did=12102&pageflip=1 Visit by Abbess Kallistheni and Sister Nikodimi to St George College.(Karslidis) of Drama]] ([[November 4]])
==External links==
*[http://www.gorgoepikoos.org.au '''Monastery Website''']
*[http://www.greekorthodox.org.au/general/aboutus/monasteries Holy Monasteries in Victoria]
*[http://www.stnicholas.org.au/documents/Contact/Feb2003.htm February issue of Orthodox Contact]. The last article is of a visit the monasteries of [[Monastery of St Anna (Preston, Australia)|St Anna]] and Gorgoepikoos.
*[http://www.goyouth.org.au/englishlitnfevents.htm php Holy Services in English: Programme for 20082009]
{{AustralianMonasteries}}
[[Category:Orthodoxy in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Monasteries|Gorgoepikoos]][[Category:Greek Monasteries|Gorgoepikoos]][[Category:Monasteries|Gorgoepikoos]]
