Greetings on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Christ is born!
This year we have witnessed many beautiful events in the life of the Diocese of the South.
In light of the failing health of Hiero-schemamonk Silouan, abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael in Cañones, New Mexico, His Eminence, ALEXANDER, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, in consultation with the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, ordained several of the monastic fathers. In August, Monk Lazarus was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and Monk Melchizedek was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. Later in early December, Archbishop Alexander returned to the Monastery and ordained Hiero-deacon Melchizedek to the Holy Priesthood and Monk Herman to the Holy Diaconate.
What is the significance of these events?
First of all, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated reverently and beautifully in a remote corner of our Diocese where the emphasis is on prayer and humble labors, rather than self-promotion on the internet.
Second, the monastics who have long labored in chastity, poverty, and obedience are now regularly fortified by partaking of the Holy Mysteries. This is a sign that the praises of God will continue to resound throughout the “canyons” of New Mexico. They commemorate the faithful of our Diocese in frequent, liturgical prayer.
Finally, as the monastery continues to grow in numbers (twelve at this time), the growth of the community necessitates the acquisition of an additional property for the brotherhood’s expansion. And with an ever-increasing number of young men expressing interest in the monastic life, Abbot Silouan wishes to provide adequate facilities to accommodate new vocations. While the monks have gradually acquired additional land further up their canyon, unfortunately none of the current parcels are conducive to building the needed monastic complex for monk and pilgrim. In face of the swelling flow of pilgrims finding their way to the monastery, the newly ordained monks have been a boon for the sustaining of the liturgical life of the community.
As we celebrate Nativity and the end of 2025, it is truly an ideal time for the parishes and faithful of our Diocese of the South to increase financial support for the monasteries of our Diocese, specifically to help Abbot Silouan and the fathers of the Monastery of the Archangel Michael build up a beautiful habitation for prayer and repentance unto God, a holy place for the spiritual growth of the Diocese of the South.
With the blessing and full support of our Archbishop Alexander, the planning for the monastery’s expansion has long been underway (under many guises), but the monks have never solicited funds. As you celebrate the feasts of Nativity and Theophany, please think how to offer prayerful and financial support for this God-centered endeavor.
If you would like to help the monks in any way, you can call them at (575) 638-5690 or write a letter to: Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael / HC 84, Box 6C / Cañones, NM 87516. Also, you can visit the monastery’s website (holyarchangelmichael.org) to see more information and pictures of the proposed new property purchase.
In Christ,
+ Gerasim
Bishop of Fort Worth
