Thank you, Mother Theodora, for these fourteen years of leadership

After founding Christ the Bridegroom Monastery in 2009 and leading the monastic community in the role of hegumena (abbess) for fourteen years, Mother Theodora has discerned that the Lord has called her to step down from the position of hegumena. We trust her discernment and we ask for your prayers for her and for the monastery during this time of transition.

We are deeply grateful to Mother Theodora for her courage and faith in following God's call to found our monastery, and for all of the incredible work and love that she put into these first fourteen years. The monastery has grown tremendously during this time. She will now take a sabbatical (some time of rest) away from the monastery.

An election to fill the position of hegumena will be held in about three months. Until that time, Mother Cecilia, who is the protos of the monastery, is leading the community. 

We are grateful for your prayers and support for our monastic community, and we assure you that we carry you with us as we stand in the presence of God in prayer each day.

Spring Work Day, May 27th!

 

Update: Time Change (see below)

You're invited to join us for a day of work projects (mostly outdoor), prayer, food and fun at the monastery on Saturday, May 27th. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome!

The day begins at 1 p.m. and closes with vespers at 5 p.m. followed by a cookout. Come whenever available, and bring a side dish to share if you can.

Please RSVP using this link by Thursday, May 25th, so that the appropriate amount of food can be prepared.   

Please share this and invite your friends and family! 

The monastery is located at 17485 Mumford Rd. Burton, Ohio.

The Shrine's Spring Work Day is Coming Up!

 

Christ is Risen!

 

We hope you all have a blessed Pascha! 

Celebrating the 14th Anniversary of our Monastery as we Pray Bridegroom Matins

"Behold the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night.

Blessed is the servant He shall find awake.

But the one he shall find neglectful will not be worthy of Him.

Beware, therefore, O my soul!

Do not fall into a deep slumber, lest you be delivered to death

and the door of the Kingdom be closed to you. 

Watch instead and cry out: Holy, Holy, Holy are you, O God.

Through the intercession of the Theotokos, have mercy on us."

(Troparion of the Bridegroom)

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Great and Holy Week, we pray Bridegroom Matins, and this year, it's particularly beautiful that the fourteenth anniversary of the founding of our monastery (April 3) is during these days. As we celebrate our patronal commemoration and prepare for Pascha, please pray for us.  

If you'd like to join us for prayer this week, opportunities to pray with us are posted on the Liturgy and Events Schedule tab above. If you have a large family or group that will be joining us, please email us (christthebridegroom@gmail.com) to let us know, so that we can prepare enough candles, booklets, Eucharist, etc.

We pray that you all will have a prayerful and holy week, drawing ever closer to Christ our Bridegroom. 

From the Triodion: Lazarus Saturday

 "Today, Lazarus rejoices in your word, O Word of God, as he begins his life again; and the crowd greets you, O almighty One, with palms and branches; for by your death, You have utterly destroyed the kingdom of Hades."

- Matins for Lazarus Saturday, Hymn of Light