Curiosity compelled me to visit St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in the farmlands of the remote Sonoran Desert in Florence, Arizona. Renowned for its stunning Byzantine architecture, the beautifully crafted chapels, domes, and stone pathways showcase Greek Orthodox artistry in the desert landscape.
The juxtaposition of the Greek Orthodox tradition thriving in the arid desert, away from urban distractions, appeals to people seeking quiet reflection and a retreat from modern life. The high summer temperatures in the Sonoran Desert don't stop future monks or the many worldwide visitors from seeking spiritual guidance and participating in the monastery's daily routine.
The monastery is dedicated to St. Anthony the Great, the renowned 3rd-century religious recluse, the Father of monasticism.
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery, established in 1995 by Geronda Ephraim, brought the sacred, millennial heritage of the Holy Mountain in Athos, Greece. Athos is a rocky, steep peninsula in northern Greece and was a haven for ancient Egyptian, Cappadocian, and Constantinopolitan monastics.
The Holy Mountain today includes 20 independent monasteries, sketes (small monastic communities), and hermitages (secluded religious retreats), housing Orthodox Christian monks from all over the world. The definition of geronda is an Orthodox Christian spiritual leader.
The monastery focuses on Orthodox Christian traditions, worship, and monastic life. Pilgrims visit for the spiritual healing and renewal it provides.
Jesus Christ is the leader of the Orthodox Church. Orthodox Christianity kept its traditions unchanged since the time of Christ and His Apostles to this day.
Orthodoxia in Greek means "correct praise." Orthodoxia was used in the early years of Christianity to describe the true teachings and worship of Christ and the Holy Trinity. People learn the Church's beliefs through its prayers and hymns, which saints and other faithful Orthodox Christians wrote.
The fundamental beliefs of all Orthodox Christians are found in the Symbol of Faith, also known as the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
"I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made;
Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from the Heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;
And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried;
And arose on the third day according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into the Heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead, Whose Kingdom shall have no end;
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life; Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets;
In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the age to come. Amen."
From St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery website.
Until 1989, there was only one monastery in the North American Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Since then, Geronda Ephraim started 17 monasteries across North America—10 for nuns and 7 for monks. The religious Patriarch visited and blessed four of these monasteries, and prayers from throughout the Church continue to support the growth of Orthodox monastic life in the Western hemisphere.
The monastery follows a coenobitic way of life, where monks and novices share everything and live as a brotherhood. They follow a daily prayer schedule and work under the guidance of the abbot, their spiritual leader.
The monks' day starts at midnight with personal prayer and spiritual reading, followed by morning prayers and the Divine Liturgy.
After a light breakfast and some rest, they begin their workday, balancing prayer with their duties until evening. Their tasks include construction, groundskeeping, gardening, caring for vineyards, woodworking, publishing, cooking, and welcoming visitors.
Olive trees are tended on some of the 800 acres at St. Anthony's. Olives and olive oil are produced on the grounds and are available for sale in the Bookstore.
Dinner and Compline follow the evening Vespers.
After passing through the entrance archway, glancing towards the Bookstore, I noticed bags of clothing lying about. Little did I know that I would don one of the garments in the bags. I was prepared with my head and neck covering and baggy clothing. However, my pants were offensive, and a young, friendly woman from the Bookstore assigned me a long skirt with alacrity. I wore it over my pants.
A self-guided tour begins just outside the Bookstore.
The Gatehouse/Bookstore is the welcoming area where all visitors check-in. The Bookstore is also where you are asked to comply with the dress code.
Once properly attired, visitors receive a short introduction and a property map. Photographs of the landscaping and church interiors are allowed, but not of the monks or worshipers.
Daily services are conducted in this traditional Byzantine-style domed basilica church.
Because worshipers typically stand during services, the church has no pews. Stasidia, tall wooden seats, line the walls. The seats are designed for the user to pull them down to sit on when they get tired.
Almost everything in this church was brought from Greece. The icon at the front left of the Virgin of Arizona was painted especially for the monastery.
No electric lights are used in the church except for the two fixtures over the chanters' stands. Candles on the big brass chandelier, representing the Heavenly Church, are lit on major feast days.
St. Nicholas, the Wonderworker, is the patron saint of sailors. He is the most beloved saint of Orthodoxy. The Divine Liturgy is sometimes held in this chapel.
Typical Romanian architecture is featured in St. George's Chapel. All the furnishings inside and all the icons came from Greece. With intricate, detailed story-telling figures, the icon screen in front of the altar is a stunning hand-carved iconostasis.
St. Demetrios was a 4th-century Duke of Thessalonica who was martyred for his faith in Christ. He was also known as the myrrh-gusher because his relics remain fragrant today. The chapel is in the rural Russian style with a golden dome.
A large brick arch leads to the big Spanish fountain. This outdoor, peasant Russian-style chapel, tucked under thick vegetation, is dedicated to one of the most revered Russian saints.
Reminiscent of the Greek island's architecture, the Chapel of the Holy Prophet Elias is not open to the public. It is perched above the tree-lined road and is visible when you enter and exit.
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery draws visitors for its combination of spiritual significance, cultural richness, and striking desert beauty, making it a unique and unforgettable destination. I recommend it for art lovers, families, and history enthusiasts.
Allow two hours minimum to visit all the Chapels open to the public. Because we only had an hour to visit, I intend to visit again and take more time at the back of the property.
Remember that St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery is their home. The residents live, work, and worship there. Visitors are asked to respect the monastic life and be unobtrusive during their time there.
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery
4784 N. St. Joseph's Way, Florence, AZ 85132
520-868-3188
The monastery grounds are wheelchair accessible.
Restrooms are located around the back of the Bookstore building.
The Gift Shop and Store are inside the Bookstore. The Bookstore sells religious items, Greek pastries, preserves, home-grown organic herbs, olive oil, and olives produced on the monastery grounds.
Admission and parking are free at the monastery.
Florence is about 75 miles southeast of Phoenix and 57 miles north of Tucson. The monastery is 40 miles east of Interstate 10 in a remote stretch of the Sonoran Desert amongst farmlands.
Daytrip is a travel service (like popular rideshare services that we know) that provides door-to-door transportation with a personalized touch. They recently opened routes in Arizona and California. They focus on connecting travelers with local drivers who offer more than just a ride between destinations. Daytrip offers long-haul transportation in over 130 countries on every continent. My experience with Daytrip between my home in Phoenix and Tucson was efficient and relaxing. (Daytrip hosted my husband and me. All opinions are my own.)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 69 miles north from St. Anthony's.
Tucson International Airport is about 69 miles south from St. Anthony's.
Amtrak serves Tucson and is about 60 miles from St. Anthony's.
Pilgrims can arrange transportation from the airport by contacting a local shuttle service, which is listed on the website. Call them in advance of your trip, not on the same day.
Day visitors may visit the monastery seven days a week between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Day visitors can stay for church services after 2:30 pm but must notify a father at the Bookstore if they wish to stay.
Pilgrims may stay for one or more nights at the monastery guesthouse. The Day Visitor guide also applies to overnight guests. Arrival time is between the hours of 9:30 am and 5:00 pm.
For the latest updates and information about celebrations and the schedule, be sure to check the monastery’s website.
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Julie Diebolt Price is an award-winning professional photographer, educator, author, and travel writer. She writes about photography, travel, food and beverage. Julie educates and mentors aspiring photographers. As a journalist who loves to travel, she creates memorable experiences and shares them with words and pictures.
Learn more at PhotoTravelWrite.com.
julie@jdpphotography.com