June 28, 2013
"It was like a second tonsure" – Fire destroys Skete and Candle Factory at Holy Cross Monastery

On Sunday, June 23, a fire destroyed the Nativity of the Mother of God Women’s Skete and candle factory, located on Holy Cross Monastery’s property. There were no casualties. The cause of fire has yet to be determined.

Early Sunday morning, on the feast of Pentecost, the monks at Holy Cross Monastery were awakened by the frantic ringing of the large monastery bell, alerting them to the fire that was raging at the skete and candle factory. The monks split up into groups – one to fight the fire and the other to pray. They brought out the Myrtle Tree Icon of the Mother of God and began processing around the fire, singing troparia to the Mother of God, asking for her protection and intercessions. "Within 20-30 minutes, the local fire department showed up and quickly put the fire out, though by that time, it had destroyed everything inside and nearly the entire structure," said Hieromonk Nektarios (Merry).

The official cause of the fire has not yet been fully determined, but the monks do not suspect that it was arson. "It was most likely caused by an electrical fire of some sort, although we do not yet know for certain," explained Fr. Nektarios.

The way that the monks dealt with this tragedy is a true example of Christian piety and humility before God. They believe that it was providential for this fire to happen on Pentecost, when the Church celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of fiery tongues. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the deputy abbot, Abbot Seraphim (Voepel), addressed the community and said, "The meaning of this fire for us as a monastery brotherhood is to bring us to repentance and draw us closer to Christ. This should be a wake-up call for us to examine ourselves, and not just see this as a tragedy on a human level, but as an opportunity to repent and think about what is really important in this life."

The sole resident of the skete was Mother Theodora, and she lost everything in the fire. "It was like a second tonsure," she explained. "I brought nothing into this world and this is a reminder that we take nothing out. At the tonsure service, all you have to offer Christ is your hair – your very self."

Mother Theodora is currently living in the monastery guest house and trying to acquire new ID cards, checkbooks, phones, and all those items that are necessary to start rebuilding the candle factory. "Her and our main concern is how to handle the candle business that she had been operating for several decades," explained Fr. Nektarios. "It is our hope to rebuild quickly and resume the candle business, which is so vital to the monastery’s financial wellbeing."

Drawing strength from Christ and each other’s struggles, the brotherhood is coming together and learning from this spiritual trial. "This is a lesson in detachment and trusting ‘not in princes and the sons of men,’" said Fr. Nektarios.

In today’s day and age, some people are accustomed to dealing with tragedy only on a human level, and do not stop to pray and reflect on what has transpired. "Though this has been a terrible physical tragedy for Holy Cross Monastery, we need to remember that all things that are beneficial for our souls come from God, both the joys and the sorrows. Sorrows show us how much we need and depend on God’s help for our spiritual growth. We know that in times of difficulty and testing God is especially close to us," said Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad. "When a monastery is stricken with temptations and difficulties, the monastic brotherhood is given an opportunity to intensify their prayers and spiritual struggles. The Evil One wants nothing more than to destroy strongholds of monastic prayer, wherever they might be."

As the monks prepare to rebuild from the ashes, Metropolitan Hilarion has called upon the faithful to strengthen their support of the monastery. "I hope that the faithful will come together and help the monks rebuild the convent and candle factory, so that they can continue their prayers for the salvation of the world," said the First Hierarch. Although the brotherhood did have insurance on the building, they do not know if the damage will be covered and are in need of additional assistance.

A special donation page is now available on the monastery’s website (click here).

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese