Difference between revisions of "Monastery of Gorgoepikoos (Geelong, Victoria)"

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founded=1993|
 
founded=1993|
 
superior=Abbess Kallistheni|
 
superior=Abbess Kallistheni|
size=5 nuns|
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size=4 nuns and 2 novices|
 
hq=Geelong, Victoria, Australia|
 
hq=Geelong, Victoria, Australia|
 
language=Greek, English|
 
language=Greek, English|
 
music=[[Byzantine Chant]]|
 
music=[[Byzantine Chant]]|
 
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]]|
 
calendar=[[Revised Julian Calendar|Revised Julian]]|
feasts=[[January 2|Jan 2]] (Chapel)<br>[[October 1|Oct 1]] (Monastery)|
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feasts=[[October 1|Oct 1]] (Monastery)<br>[[January 2|Jan 2]] (Chapel)|
 
website=none advertised
 
website=none advertised
 
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Revision as of 05:37, May 7, 2008

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 none advertised

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 under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia in May 1993 by 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 is situated approximately one hour, by car, from Melbourne and is in Lovely Banks, which is close to the seaside suburb of Geelong.

History of the Monastery

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.

Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos - Geelong

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.

Her great-grandfather was the village priest and the schoolmaster in Karavas, in Kythera, Greece, for four decades. Known as 'Papa Vangelli', he was married to Presbytera Stamatia and baptised the majority of those Kytherians who then moved to Australia or the USA. Papa Vangelli had eight children, of whom Kalomira was the seventh; she married Sarandos Zantiotis and had four children, of whom Angelo was the fourth; he married Nina Souris, from Armidale, who are the parents of Mother Kallistheni.

St Seraphim Shrine (close up)

Recent History

Initially the Monastery stood on 17 acres of land but recent land purchases have allowed for growth extending the property size to 20 acres. This growth has allowed the monastery to purchase bees to produce their own honey, a donkey and 2 alpacas.

To create privacy for the monastery, Cox Road, running outside the monastery, has recently been closed off—an initiative instigated by Mother Kallistheni.

St Seraphim's Shrine (far view)

Programme for members of the public

Pilgrims can visit the monastery daily (except Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) and are able to attend the services chanted by 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 Paraklesis.

Source

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)