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Submitted August 22, 2003
Letter to the
Editor: “Thoughts on Monasteries”
I read with interest the commentary
by George Matsoukas, "Thoughts on Monasteries".
Like Mr. Matsoukas, I have been greatly edified in
my faith by exposure to monastics. Indeed, to a
large degree, I am now Orthodox because of the
spiritual guidance I received from those clothed
in the angelic habit. Our family recently moved in
order to be closer to the positive influence of a
monastery.
Mr. Matsoukas wonders if
monasteries are "language preservation societies".
While I am not wise enough to speculate on all the
reasons for using Greek at a monastery in America,
I do know that Greek is the language in which the
Gospel, the Epistles, and the Septuagint were
written and that the Eastern Fathers also generally
wrote in Greek. I am told that there are many
nuances in the original language that cannot be
exactly translated into English that are truly
uplifting. Someday I pray that I too will be able
to understand such beauty.
But, since I do not understand
Greek, I am thankful for a monastery that is
faithful to the Tradition of the Church, (insomuch
as my humble mind understands such things) and
conducts all services in English. There are 18
monastics there and they keep the full cycle
of monastic services. May I recommend to Mr.
Matsoukas a visit to the Hermitage of the Holy
Cross in Wayne, WV.
Robert Hay
rhay@adelphia.net
1215 7th St.
Huntington, WV 25701
(h) 304-697-1407 (w) 304-526-1220
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