Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery (Williston, Florida)
Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery is a monastic community for men in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It is located in Willison, Florida.
The community was founded in 1999 by Elder Ephraim of Philotheou with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta. The original monks came from St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona, as well as The Holy Monastery of Philotheou on Mount Athos.
The monastery lies on a beautiful property with rolling hills, in an area of Florida known for it's Spanish moss covered live-oak trees, horse farms and horse training facilities. The property was originally a sugar plantation.
The monks support themselves by making beeswax candles as well as maintaining a bookstore and giftshop. The monastery is dedicated to the Theotokos and is named after the famous historical church of Panagia of Blachernae in Constantinople.
The monastery celebrates its feast day on July 2, the feast of the Deposition of the Sacred Robe of the Theotokos at Vlahernes. All services are in Greek and follow the Athonite typicon.