Welcome
We’re honored that you’ve visited our website! Take your time to discover beauty, goodness, and truth. We believe that these trails ultimately will lead you to the most wonderful of human experiences: inner freedom!
We are two communities serving God as one. We are a community of Orthodox Christian monks who are just beginning a new community in Northwest Missouri. In addition, we are a community of Orthodox Christian nuns, called St. Xenia Sisterhood from Kansas City, MO. We envision two separate sites on this land, but with major Church feasts and sustainable projects where we will be sharing together. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, the music of the trees, the songs of the birds, and the presence of our Creator in nature, our souls have a chance to catch their breath.
We were looking to raise $387K to purchase the land portrayed on this website. We found a private investor who has loaned us $300K. Due to the love and generosity of benefactors, we also raised the other $87K for a down payment!
The monastery land includes: 80-acres total, with 15-acres of farmable pasture, 65-acres of forest, trails, and ponds, and 7 well-built structures already in place! With such remarkable monastic potential, we wanted to share it with you and ask for your continued support and prayers.
So, now, the monastic labors have begun! For regular updates, visit "About Us!" We will be looking for those who would like to join us in prayer, farming, woodworking, herbal remedies, and to volunteer in helping to build the monastery! Our prayer is that by visiting this website, you can catch a glimpse of a new beginning. Perhaps what you will take away is simply to do your part “not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good” (St. Paul to the Romans 12:21). Peace to you and yours.
Thank you for your visit!
We Are There!
Thanks to God's mercy, your prayers, and too many miracles to recount at the moment, we signed the deed on 14 October 2014, the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God (same as my monastery in Chicago!) A wonderful couple, private investors, decided to loan us the money for the land! Thanks to all who have given and prayed! (Rom. 8:28)
$87,000.00
Down payment raised!
$281,138.82
Pledge amount needed*
$75,163.98
Amount pledged*
*Avoid PayPal Fee
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This beautiful building will initially have a dual purpose. Part of the space will be dedicated to our monastic chapel; the other part will be our “trapeza” (monastic dining room) and kitchen. The cordwood construction and Russian stove connect us in a material way to a building tradition over 1000 years old!
Weaving between ponds, a creek and 65-acres of forest, marked trails invite us to reflect and connect deeply. A one-acre pond stocked with bass, catfish, and crappie is surrounded by oak, walnut, cedar, hickory, and sycamore trees. Natural herbs and mushrooms invite us to know them and their properties. All in a day’s walk…
On the property there are currently three cabins. They are very much a part of flowing with and adapting to the environment! Initially, they will be used for housing for monks. One of them will be for pilgrims that want to pray and stay with us for a short period.