The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America is exploring plans to establish a women’s monastery in Pennsylvania, drawing on the experience of a Syrian monastic community founded nearly 40 years ago with the spiritual guidance of St. Paisios of Mount Athos.

Abbess Makrina, the head of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Blemana, Syria, shared the story of her community with Orthodox faithful in the United States during a visit to Massachusetts, according to the website of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

On October 31 and November 1, the abbess visited Orthodox parishes in Boston and Worcester. She was accompanied by Metropolitan Saba, head of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, Nun Zina, and representatives of the Antiochian Patriarchate, including Archimandrite Parthenios Allati, secretary to Patriarch John X.

During her meetings, Abbess Makrina recalled the early years of her monastery, which was founded in 1986 by a small group of nuns after she had spent time in a Greek monastic community.

There, her spiritual father was St. Paisios of Mount Athos, who continued to support the sisters and offer them spiritual guidance after the foundation of their monastery.

The community faced numerous challenges during its formative years. According to the abbess, St. Paisios encouraged the nuns to persevere in their calling and remain committed to their plans. He particularly emphasized the importance of building a monastery church.

Abbess Makrina noted that faith and perseverance enabled the sisters to overcome the difficulties they encountered in establishing their monastic life.

This experience may now help guide the development of women's monasticism in North America. The Antiochian Archdiocese is considering establishing a women's monastery on the grounds of Antiochian Village, a spiritual and educational centre in Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1978, Antiochian Village hosts Orthodox summer camps, conferences, pilgrimages and other church-related gatherings.

The Antiochian Orthodox presence in North America has its roots in the immigration of Orthodox Christians from Syria and Lebanon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the Archdiocese is experiencing renewed growth, including an increase in the number of people embracing Orthodoxy in the United States.

Metropolitan Saba addressed this development in his sermon following the Divine Liturgy on November 1. He stressed the responsibility of Orthodox communities to welcome newcomers and support their spiritual formation.

“Many come to us saying: ‘We were lost, we were broken, and we need healing.’ Are we ready to live alongside them, love them, speak with them, build friendships with them and help them see Christ?” the hierarch asked.

The proposed monastery would represent a further development of Orthodox monastic life in North America, while drawing on the spiritual experience and traditions of the Antiochian Church.