visit to Greek monastery

Went to St. Nektarios’ Greek monastery this weekend. Somehow it was not easy for me this time: had to push myself with effort through the services, as opposed to the previous trips when I was carried “on wings” of the Meeting, silence, chanting and prayer. Yet, other things (some meetings and conversations) proved to be edifying for me and thus I believe the trip brought me what I needed at the moment – some re-inspiration at least.

Someone told me a recent story. An orthodox priest was driving from Nevada or Arizona to California. He was driving on an empty road in the middle of the desert, nothing and no one around. At some point of his journey he saw a man waving at his from a distance ahead, and the priest stopped thinking that probably someone has a broken car or something like that. The man that stopped him, with long hair and beard, said something along the lines: Father, I need you to hear my confession. The priest, surprised with what’s happening, heard the confession, and that man then thanked him and walked away – back into the desert.

Now, would you expect something like that in America, in the 21st century? I honestly would not. Yes, I know, there is Father Ephrem’s monastery in Arizona’s desert, but... unknown hermits, guided to find the priest like that? I thought such stories belong only to the ancient Paterikon or “Orthodox countries”, such as Mount Athos/Greece, or Russia... Glory to God in His saints!

P.S. Also, saw many cats.