Dormition Skete: A Place of Prayer and Asceticism.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Dormition Skete

Running Head: Dormition Skete

Colorado Technical University

Dormition Skete: A Place of Prayer and Asceticism

A Definition Essay

Professor Diana L. Mayo

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for

English 112

English Composition II

John P Mills; 57065

Colorado Springs, Colorado

October 2002

Dormition Skete: A Place of Prayer and Asceticism

Dormition Skete is located in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, now on 27 acres of beautiful mountain property, at 9,000 feet, in the St. Elizabeth National Forest. The Skete is heated by solar energy, is designed specifically for icon painting, and can house 6 monks (Dormition Skete, 2002a). Bishop Gregory of Colorado founded Dormition Skete in 1979, who had been donated 10 acres of land from a resident of Colorado. Bishop Gregory, who at the time was Father Gregory, came from the east coast to Colorado in 1978, with his eyes set upon the mountains to start skete life in America. He had on his person only $20 (Dormition Skete, 2002a). The word ‘Dormition’ is a Greek word honoring the Repose of the Virgin Mary; she is also spoken of as the Theotokos, which is also Greek for ‘Mother of God’ of which, one of three Churches is named for her holy repose at the Skete. By 1995, a large Church was built with a design such that no other structure in this country could imitate. The architecture is based on the traditional Athonite architecture established by Saint Athonasios of Mount Athos (Dormition Skete, 2002a). Dormition Skete is involved in many daily activities as it is a self-sustaining institution for which its purpose is God inspired and gives fellowship to the lives of people all over the world.

Dormition Skete is involved with many daily activities

As mentioned before, Dormition Skete is a self-sustaining institution. Income is produced primarily by iconography. Simply put, iconography is the expression of holy images of the events in the life of Christ and the saints portraying their images on panels of wood or walls for the Orthodox Church and Orthodox Christians abroad. An icon is an image that may depict Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world or a saint recognized by the Orthodox Church. Dormition Skete produces two types of icons, hand painted and mounted (Dormition Skete, 2002c). The price ...

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Dormition Skete is involved with many daily activities

Dormition Skete’s purpose is God inspired

The purpose of Dormition Skete is a complicated one that traces back over a thousand years ago. The monastic community is the head of the Church and where authority lies, great responsibility follows. This responsibility lies with the Abbot of the Skete, namely Bishop Gregory. It is and always has been his duty to preserve the faith of the Orthodox Church unchanged from the beginning. Anyone from a bum off the street to a career man wishing to change his life is welcome and cherished at Dormition Skete.

Note: The main building of Dormition Skete (front) and the Church of the holy Dormition (back). Retrieved from http://www.buenavistaco.com/GOC/SHIST.HTM.

Dormition Skete gives fellowship to the lives of people all over the world.

It is noteworthy to mention in what way that Dormition Skete acts as a shepherd to its flock as Christ did. Many laymen, clergy, and people alike come to Dormition Skete for guidance. One may ask, how can an institution that lives in such seclusion, offer advice to those caught up in the cares of this world? This is a mystery in the eyes of many, but in the Orthodox Church wisdom is acquired through prayer, fasting, and above all love for God and His commandments; wisdom and discernment is a gift from the Almighty.

Conclusion

Monetary activity is a very small part of what Dormition Skete is all about. The purpose of the monastic life is to dedicate ones self to God and His Church. The income produced by the Skete is used for various causes anywhere from helping the needy to the building up of the Church here in America, in Greece, and in Russia. Dormition Skete is the center of the Church here in America and is involved with much correspondence with people in or outside the Church for spiritual guidance and strengthening.

References

Dormition Skete (2002a). Monastery History. Buena Vista, CO: Dormition Skete.

Retrieved October 22, 2002, from .

Dormition Skete (2002b). Dormition Skete Icons -- Hand-Painted Panels and Frescoes. Buena Vista, CO: Dormition Skete. Retrieved October 22, 2002, from .

Dormition Skete (2002c). The Icons of Dormition Skete. Buena Vista, CO: Dormition Skete. Retrieved October 23, 2002, from http://www.buenavistaco.com/GOC/ICONINFO.HTM.