[[Image:monasteryofstjohn.gif|right|frame|Monastery of St. John of San Francisco]]'''St. John of San Francisco Monastery''' is a [[monastic]] community for men in the [[Diocese of the West (OCA)|Diocese of the West]] of the [[Orthodox Church in America]], under Bishop [[Benjamin (Peterson) of San Francisco|Benjamin]] of San Francisco and the West. It has recently moved to Manton, California.
{{monastery|
name=Monastery of St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco|
jurisdiction=[[Orthodox Church in America|OCA]] [[Diocese of the West (OCA)|West]]|
type=Male Men's Monastery|
founded=1996|
superior=Archimandrite MeletiosMonk Innocent (Green)|size=17 ~9 members|
hq=Manton, California|
language=English|
website=[http://www.monasteryofstjohn.org/ Official website]
}}
==History==
After the departure of the sisterhood of [[Our Lady of Kazan Skete (Santa Rosa, California)|Our Lady of Kazan Skete]] from St. Eugene's Hermitage to their present location, Bishop [[Tikhon (Fitzgerald) of San Francisco and Los Angeles|Tikhon (Fitzgerald)]] blessed the formation of a male monastic community in October 1996 with Abbot [[Jonah (Paffhausen) of Washington|Jonah (Paffhausen)]] and one novice. Twelve years and the election of the founding abbot to Metropolitan later, the brotherhood has two priestmonks - including Abbot Meletios - along with six [[stavrophore]] monks, one rassaphore monk and eight [[novice]]s (including one priest-novice), living at a new property in Manton, California.
In 1951, a property was donated to the [[Orthodox Church in America|Metropolia]], and was called ''St. Eugene's Hermitage''. hieromonk [[Dimitry (Egoroff)]] began to live on the property, living a monastic life and attempting to build a monastic community. This was unsuccessful, and in 1968 Hieromonk Dimitry was removed from the hermitage and assigned to parish ministry.
After this, many other attempts were made at a new monastic community, none of which came to fruition. In 1980, work began on a new [[chapel]] at the hermitage, and in 1983 the ''Community of the Holy Cross'', led by Mother [[Barbara (Johnson)]], began to reside at St. Eugene's Hermitage. The chapel was finished in 1988, was consecrated in the same year, and placed under the patronage of St. [[Sergius of Radonezh]].
After In 1996, the departure Community of the sisterhood Holy Cross moved to Santa Rosa and were renamed as the Skete of [[Our Lady of Kazan Skete . In October of that year, the Monastery of St. John, led by Fr. [[Jonah (Santa Rosa, CaliforniaPaffhausen)of Washington and New York|Our Lady of Kazan SketeJonah]] from , was established at St. Eugene's Hermitage to their present location, Bishop Tikhon blessed the formation with two members of a male monastic community in October 1996 with Abbot Jonah and one novice. They have continued to live in the hermitage since, although plans to move have been presented and funds asked for to this endbrotherhood.
The community consists of men living the monastic tradition of a Christ-centered prayer life for This brotherhood, like the monastic members. The community conducts retreatssisterhood before it, lectures, maintains a small online store also took hold and publishes a journal entitled ''Divine Ascent''grew. Currently the Monastery has two priestmonksIn July 2004, Abbot Jonah and Bishop [[Monastic Ranks|Rassaphore]] [[hieromonk]] Alexander Benjamin (LisenkoPeterson) as well as six [[Monastic Ranksof San Francisco|stavrophoreBenjamin of Berkeley]] ([[Monastic Ranks|tonsured three members of the community to the small schema]]) [[monk]]s, and one to the rassaphore monk, seven [[novice]]s and one [[priest]]-[[novice]].
In May 2006The brotherhood continued to steadily grow. By the middle of 2005, there were 12 members of the community, and the brotherhood decided that remaining at a hermitage - with an expected capacity of four - with a brotherhood of twelve was able untenable, and began to begin proceedings to purchase look for a suitable property , hopefully in Manton, California, that was perfectly suited to the brotherhood's needs and also allowing growth [http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_3846916]; this was completed at the end of June, 2006Washington area.
==History==In 1951However in May, 2006, the brotherhood entered into proceedings to purchase land in Manton, a property California, that was donated perfectly suited to the [[Orthodox Church in America|Metropolia]]brotherhood's present and future needs; on June 26, the purchase was completed, and was called ''Stthe brotherhood planned to move in by the end of July<ref>http://www.redbluffdailynews. Eugene's Hermitage''com/news/ci_3846916</ref>. The first [[Hieromonk|HmkDivine Liturgy]] on the site of the new property was celebrated on [[Dimitry (Egoroff)|DimitryJuly 2]] began to live , on the propertyfeastday of St. John Maximovitch. As the monks moved to Manton, living the brotherhood decided that St. Eugene's Hermitage would remain as a monastic life skete of the monastery, with Frs John and attempting Silouan based there - the former to build a monastic communitybe more accessible, the latter in view of medical treatment. Fr. This was unsuccessfulSilouan recovered, and in 1968 Hieromonk Dimitry was removed from the hermitage he and assigned Fr. John moved to parish ministrythe main monastery.
After thisSince early 2007, many other attempts the monastery has grown with the addition of two celibate priests, both of whom were made at stavrophores in April, 2012. There were also a number of new monastic communitynovices, none which has necessitated the beginning of which came to fruition. In 1980, work began on a new [[chapel]] at the hermitage, and in 1983 the ''Community phase of the Holy Cross'', led by Mother [[Barbara (Johnson)|Barbara]], began to reside at St. Eugene's Hermitage. The chapel was finished in 1988, was consecrated in the same year, growth and placed under expansion on the patronage of St. [[Sergius of Radonezh]]monastery property.
In 1996January 2008, the Community of the Holy Cross moved to Santa Rosa and were renamed as the [[Skete of Our Lady of Kazan (Santa Rosa, California)|Skete of Our Lady brotherhood issued its first CD of Kazan]]. In October of that yearmusic, the Monastery of St. John, led recorded by Fr. Jonahits own choir and featuring American-influenced chant, was established at St. Eugene's Hermitage, with two members entitled "The Eyes of the brotherhoodAll Look to Thee."
This brotherhoodIn September 2008, Abbot Jonah was elected as Bishop of Fort Worth, like auxiliary to Abp. Dmitri of the sisterhood before it, also took hold and grewSouth. In July 2004his stead, Bishop [[Benjamin Archimandrite Meletios (PetersonWebber) was chosen to be the second abbot of St. John of San Francisco|Benjamin Monastery. The brotherhood continued to grow, at first, up to nearly 20 members. As of Berkeley]] tonsures three 2012, this fell to 15 members . During the months of June and July, 2012, under allegations of unorthodox teachings and unhealthy spiritual leadership, 6 members left the community to the small schema monastery and one went to the rassaphoreSt. Herman's Monastery in Platina. At this pointDuring late summer 2012, there are nine members Fr. [[Meletios (Webber)|Meletios Webber]] resigned as abbot of the communityMonastery of St. John and returned to Europe.<ref>http://dowoca.orthodoxws.com/files/reports/Council%20Meeting%20Minutes/Diocesan-Council-Meeting-Oct-2--2012.pdf</ref>
The brotherhood continued to slowly and steadily grow. By the middle of 2005, there were 12 There are currently 8 full-time members of the communitymonastery. In April 2013, and the brotherhood decided that remaining at a hermitage - with an expected capacity elected one of four - with a brotherhood of twelve was untenablethe monks, Fr. [[Innocent (Green)]], and began to look for a suitable property, hopefully in be the Washington areamonastery Superior.
However in May, 2006, At the brotherhood entered into proceedings to purchase land in MantonMonastery, California, that was perfectly suited to the brotherhood's present Matins and future needs; on June 26, the purchase was completedVespers are generally begun with 20 minutes of silent, and the brotherhood planned to move in by the end of July [http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_3846916]. The first [[Divine Liturgy]] on the site communal prayer of the new property was celebrated on [[July 2Jesus Prayer]], on the feastday of St. John Maximovitch. As the monks moved to Manton, the brotherhood decided that St. Eugene's Hermitage would remain as a skete of the monastery, with Frs John and Silouan based there - the former to be more accessible, the latter in view of medical treatment. Fr. Silouan has since recovered and moved to the main monastery.
Since early 2007, the monastery has grown with the addition of two celibate priests, one of whom was made rassaphore during Lent of 2008==How The Monks Support Themselves=='''Online Bookstore'''Their online bookstore can be accessed here: http://www. There are also a number of new novices, which has necessitated the beginning of a new phase of growth and expansion on the monastery propertystjohnsbookstore.com/
In January 2008, '''Music Recordings'''Their CD entitled Eyes of All Look to Thee with Hope. Description from the brotherhood issued its first CD : ''"The CD includes 24 selections from Matins, Divine Liturgy, and two paraliturgical pieces. It represents many of the different styles sung at the monastery, Valaam and Byzantine chant, as well as musicspecially composed to meet the needs of the community. It is our monastery's vision that a uniquely American chant will gradually develop, recorded by its growing from the seeds of our inherited traditions. As they take root in American soil, this chant will become an organic hybrid of different influences from our own choir folk melodies and harmonies, rooted in the traditions of our ancestors and drawing from the springs of the memorable melodies of the Carpatho-Rus and featuring Americanthe timeless and other-influenced worldly modalities of western Gregorian chantand it counterpart, entitled "The Eyes of All Look to TheeByzantine chant."''
==Daily Life=='''Candles'''===Weekdays===*6am - Matins.:On Tuesday and Thursday, a Divine Liturgy follows.*5pm - Molieben to From the early days at St. John, Vespers and Compline.:Dinner===Weekends===*8am - Matins and Divine Liturgy*Saturday 5pm - Great Vespers.*Sunday 5pm - Vespers.===Lenten Schedule===*Monday: On Mondays the monks pray Eugene's Hermitage in their cells and keep morning silencePt.::5:00pm: Vespers*Tuesday: 6:00am - Matins and First Hour::Noon - Third HourReyes until today, Sixth Hour, Readings from their main source of income has been it's [[Ladder of Divine Ascent|The Laddercandle]]::5:00pm - Ninth Hour and Vespers::After supper - Compline*Wednesday: 6:00am - Matins and First Hour::Noon - Third Hour, Sixth Hour, Readings from The Ladder::4:00pm - Ninth Hourproduction. They are 100% natural beeswax. They burn with a warm glow, Typika driplessly and Presanctified Liturgywithout smoke.::After supper - Compline*Thursday: 6:00am - Matins and First Hour::Noon - Third Hour, Sixth Hour, Readings from The Ladder::5:00pm - Ninth Hour and Vespers*Friday: 6:00am - Matins and First Hour::Noon - Third Hour, Sixth Hour, Readings from The Laddervisit their website for more candle information:http:4:00pm - Ninth Hour, Typika and Presanctified Liturgy//www.::After supper - Compline with Akathist Hymn to Mother of God*Saturday: 8:00am - Matins and Divine Liturgy::5:00pm - Great Vespers::After supper - Compline*Sunday: 8:00am - Matins and Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Greatmonasteryofstjohn.::5:00pm - Vespersorg/?p=candles
Usually Matins and Vespers are begun with 25 minutes of silent Jesus Prayer communally.
For all changes and variations due to the Festal Cycle, please see the monastery's website, which posts a weekly and monthly schedule which are both revised frequently.
==External links==
* http://www.monasteryofstjohn.org/* [http://www.stjohnsbookstore.com/ Online Bookstore]*[http://www.monasteryofstjohn.org/ Monastery Website of Monastery]*[http://www.divineascentmonasteryofstjohn.org/ Divine Ascent Press?p=schedule_of_services Schedule of Services]*[http://oca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-WE-PRSCHC Listing of Monastery on OCA website] (including a history)
[[Category:American Monasteries|John]][[Category:Monasteries|John]][[Category:OCA Monasteries|John]]
