Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Holy Transfiguration Monastery is on lock down in accordance with the Mendocino county dictates for the next two weeks . We will be praying for all of you and hopefully be getting some live-stream of the Lenten services to give you hope and strength as we face this challenge . God is with us !

Memorandum of the bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States of America regarding of the COVID-19 pandemic

Brother Seraphim's Reflection

TONSURING OF NEW NOVICE

At Great Vespers February 1, for the Solemn Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the servant of God Andre was tonsured as a novice monk at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Redwood Valley, CA.

In addition to the tonsure the new monk receives the black tunic as well as a belt and a monastic hat along with a prayer rope as symbols to prepare him for spiritual battle. He also receives a new name. Henceforth, Andre is to be known as Brother Athanasius Jerome.

In his great love for Holy Scripture, St. Jerome translated the original texts from Hebrew and archaic Latin into the Latin usage which would be understood by the people of his time. Having formerly lived a life of debauchery St. Jerome sought to conform his life to Law of God as revealed in the Scriptures. He is identified as a hermit of Bethlehem, although his eremitic life did not prevent him from being involved with both the grace of the life of the Church and the contemporary conflicts of his days.

St. Athanasius was very much involved with leadership in the Church as the 20th Bishop of the important city of Alexandria, where in this role he became a great defender and champion of the Mystery of the Incarnation. He thus earned the title Father of Orthodoxy.

Both of these saints are dear to our Brother who now bears their names not with the hope of imitating their greatness but living in humility with an appreciation of what they taught and lived. Pray for Brother Athanasius Jerome that he may continue to grow in true humility and obedience to the will of God as it is expressed in our life here in this monastery. And know that in turn Brother will be interceding for you.

In the love of Christ,

+Abbot Damian

Reflection from our Novice Brother Isaac

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS FROM ABBOT DAMIAN

and the BROTHERHOOD

Dear Friends of the Monastery,

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Yes. It is indeed the darkest time of the year. The earth is covered in darkness. Many of us have experienced great difficulties in this season of darkness. In the depth of Winter. Some are even psychologically effected by the lack of light. While for others, this is a great time of merriment and frivolity. For the Christian it is both a sober moment of reflection, and at the same moment one that leads to inexpressible JOY. For a Light has come to be born in the dark cave of Bethlehem and this Light transfigures us into light. We are shaken by the reality that we were NEVER intended to be vessels of sin and darkness but conduits of His light.

We are so grateful to all of our friends and benefactors who encourage and support us in this effort of sustaining THE LIGHTHOUSE ... that we call the Monastery ... our home where the Light of Jesus dwells.

Thanks to ALL of you for your prayers and generous donations. We are very conscious that this operation called the Monks of Holy Transfiguration on Mount Tabor is a larga family of monastics and laity supporting one another so that together we might build the Kingdom of God in this place and let His Light shine.

A blessed and glorious Christmas to all of you!

In the love of Christ,

+ Abbot Damian

Some pictures to enjoy

Holy Christmas and Theophany Schedule

at Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Tuesday, Dec. 24th

the Paramony of Christmas

Fasting day, with the Royal Hours

5:30 AM — Matins, followed by the 1st Royal Hour.

4:00 PM — Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, followed by Holy Meal.

11:30 PM — Great Compline, followed by Midnight Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, followed by a meal of finger foods.

Sunday, Dec. 29th 

the Sunday after Christmas

10:00 AM — Divine Liturgy, followed by singing of Ukrainian Christmas carols from our friends in Sacramento.

Tuesday, Dec. 31st

Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord, and Feast of St. Basil the Great

11:30 PM — Divine Liturgy

Sunday, Jan. 5th

the Sunday before Theophany

10:00 AM — Divine Liturgy

4:30 PM — Solemn Vespers of Feast of the Theophany

Monday, Jan. 6th

Solemn Feast of Theophany (Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan)

6:45 AM — Matins & Divine Liturgy with the Great Blessing of the Waters. *

* If you are wanting your home blessed, please schedule with Fathers Damian and Theodore.

Christmas Pastoral Letter from our Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchies of the USA

THE WAY - CHRISTMAS PASTORAL LETTER OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY OF THE USA

ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP at the Monastery.

Here is our icon workshop with 16 students diligently and sometimes prayerfully presenting the icon of Great Martyr George. We had readings and reflections on the history of the icon itself and the hagiography related to St. George and the slain of the dragon.

We had the visit of one of our local iconography first Leslie who shared with us and insight regarding the fact in this particular icon that we were copying the white horse is looking directly into the eyes of the dragon. As if to suggest that the representation of evil cannot cause good to be deflected or overcome. We must not let any fear of evil keep us from doing what is good.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Natural Pigments in Willits, CA where so many of the materials that we use on the icons are produced. As usual Tanya and George and their staff assisted us in acquiring materials that we needed as well as providing us with very interesting facts and information about the creation of materials used in the making of an icon throughout the centuries.

We look forward to presenting another iconography workshop in February. In addition to the announcement that our friend Raymond Vincent will return to offer a class in the Monastery in that first week of May. Details will be forthcoming on our Facebook and website pages.

God bless you,

+Abbot Damian

Ukrainian Catholic Mothers

The Ukrainian Catholic Mothers at Prayer Bi-Annual pilgrimage to Holy Transfiguration Monastery. We are blessed once again by these wonderful women of faith who not only visit the Monastery throughout the year but support us with their prayers, their witness to Christ in Sacramento and San Francisco and their constant loving support of each member of the monastic community.