Monastery of Pantanassa (Mangrove Mountain, New South Wales)
Holy Monastery of Pantanassa | |
Jurisdiction | Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia |
Type | Male Monastery |
Founded | 1976 |
Superior | Abbot Stefanos |
Approx. size | 4 monks |
Location | Mangrove, New South Wales, Australia |
Liturgical language(s) | Greek |
Music used | Byzantine Chant |
Calendar | Revised Julian |
Feastdays celebrated | {{{feasts}}} |
Official website | none advertised |
The Holy Monastery of Pantanassa (Queen of All) is a monastic community for men under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The monastery is located in Mangrove, New South Wales (west of Sydney), and was established in 1976 under the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia. The current abbot is Archimandrite Stefanos; there are currently 2 hieromonks (including the abbot), one monk and one novice in residence, along with six hieromonks who are serving in parishes across Australia but are associated with the monastery.
Timeline
- 1976: Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of our Lord established by Archbishop Stylianos. The Brotherhood lives in St Arsenios' House, and worships at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery.
- 1995: Monastery moved from Sydney, New South Wales, to Mangrove Mountain, New South Wales. Holy Transfiguration Monastery changes to being a parish, and the monastery was renamed Pantanassa Monastery by Archbishop Stylianos. The Pantanassa brotherhood commenced living in a small monastic complex on the side of the mountain below a 200m (approx. 680 ft) cliff.
- 1995: The Monastery of the Holy Cross, a female monastery under the guidance of Pantanassa Monastery, is established at St Arsenios' House with three nuns. Abbot Stefanos is the chaplain.
- 200x: The Monastery of the Holy Cross moves to present location on Mangrove Mountain.
- 2005 May 27: Pantanassa Monastery began excavation on the monastic site on top of the mountain. Archbishop Stylianos announces an Australia-wide fundrasing campaign.
- 2005 Jul 16: The foundation stone of the new monastic church was laid at Pantanassa Monastery by Archbishop Stylianos, assisted by Bishop Seraphim.
This article forms part of the series Orthodoxy in Australasia | |
History | |
Orthodoxy in Australia Timeline Orthodoxy in New Zealand Timeline Antiochian Orthodox Gk Orthodox Archd. of ANZ | |
Jurisdictions | |
GOA Aus - Abp Makarios Antiochian - Metr. Basilios ROCOR - Bp George Serbian - Bp Siluan Romanian - Bp Michael GOM NZ - Met Myron | |
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Episcopal Assembly of Oceania SCCOCA | |
Institutions | |
Antiochian Orthodox Greek Orthodox (Aus) | |
Notable Monasteries | |
Complete List | |
St Anna Holy Cross Gorgoepikoos O.L. of Kazan Presentation |
Proph. Elias St John Mtn Pantanassa St Sava (Elaine) Transfiguration Archangels, NZ |
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Current Structures
- "The Pantanassa brotherhood lives in a small monastic comples situated on the side of a mountain below a 200 metre cliff".
- Small chapel dedicated to Sts Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians
- Iconography studio
- Living quarters
- Candle making factory
- Joinery workshop dedicated to St Joseph
- Secluded cabin named after Elder Paisios the Athonite (+1994)
- Situated at the lower end of the valley and along the river is...
- Timber cabin where pilgrims are received for confession
- Cave dedicated to St Anne
- Outdoor chapel under a rainforest canopy, with a 6 metre timber crucifix.
Reference: The Vema, 2005:12/30.
Building Works
27 May 2005, building works started on the new monastic complex site on top of the mountain. This included...
- Excavating the mountain so as to provide three flat levels for buildings to go on.
- These earth works were completed in time for the foundation stone ceremony of 16 July, 2005.
- Building a 400 metre (1350 ft) driveway through forest to the building site (which ends 50 metres from the cliff edge)
- The driveway was completed in August, 2005.
- First stage of construction includes the new chapel and the first section of the living quarters, sufficient for the present number of monks.
- Second stage includes the remainder of the living quarters for the monks.
- Third stage includes the iconography studio.
- Opposite the entrance of the Church, and adjacent to the main entry of the monastery, is the refectory. Other parts of the complex include the library, office, confessional and guest accomodation.
- The new monastic complex is designed to have the layout and aesthetics of a traditional Athonite monastery: the main church in the middle of a cloistered quadrangle.
- This formation is intended to have a fortress effect. "To outsiders it appears solid and uninviting, with few openings and little opportunity for interaction. However, for those welcomed into the complex the architecture softens and opens up with a continuous arched cloister and details reminiscent of the Athonite language." (The Vema, 2005:12/30)
Bibliography and Links
- Pantanassa Monastery, "The Building of a Monastery", in The Greek Australian VEMA, June 2005, page 12/30.
- Holy Monastery of Pantanassa (monastery appeal site)
- Model of Monastery (after construction)
Orthodoxy in Australia: Monasteries |
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia |
Male: Pantanassa | St George | St John Female: Gorgoepikoos | Holy Cross |
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia |
Male: Holy Transfiguration | Archangel Michael Proph. Elias | St John the Baptist | Holy Trinity Female: Our Lady of Kazan | Presentation |
Other Jurisdictions |
Male: New Kalenic (Serbian) | St Sava (Serbian) Female: St Anna (Antiochian) | Nativity Skete (Serbian) |
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