Monastery of Gorgoepikoos (Geelong, Victoria)

Holy Monastery of Gorgoepikoos
Jurisdiction	GOA Aus
Type	Female Monastery
Founded	1993
Superior	Abbess Kallistheni
Approx. size	5 nuns
Location	Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Liturgical language(s)	Greek, English
Music used	Byzantine Chant
Calendar	Revised Julian
Feastdays celebrated	Jan 2 (Chapel) Oct 1 (Monastery)
Official website	none advertised

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Gorgoepikoos (She who is Quick to Hear) is a monastic community for women under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The monastery is located in Lovely Banks, Geelong, Victoria, and 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 (Sister's Makrina, Nikodimi and Natalia including 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 close to the seaside suburb of Geelong. Initially the Monastery stoon 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 alpakas.

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

History of the Monastery

Although you will never hear this from Mother Kallistheni herself: much of the initial seed capital for the Monastery derived from the Zantis family of Goulburn - in particular Mother Kallistheni's (deceased) father Angelo Zantis, and Mother Kallistheni herself.

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. (Timetable)

• Sunday: Open between 2-5pm.

3pm Paraklesis.

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External links

• Second Archdiocesan District of Victoria and Tasmania
• February issue of Orthodox Contact. The last article is of a visit the monasteries of St Anna and Gorgoepikoos.