A Short History
The
Monastery is located on scenic Vashon Island in central Puget Sound of
Washington State. About a twenty minute ferry ride from Seattle and 15
minute ride from Tacoma, Vashon is only accessible by boat. The Island
is heavily forested and although it is in a major metropolitan region it
retains a very rural, small
town feeling. About 85% of the island is undeveloped forest.
The Monastery is actually on Maury
Island, connected by a thin body of land at Quartermaster Harbor, and collectively
referred to as Vashon Island. Just south of the small village of Dockton, the
Monastery is on a hill surrounded by a forest of large fir, hemlock and madrona
trees (see large
aerial view)
The monks came to the Island in
1988 and rented a small farm house near the current location for a number of
years. Through the generosity of Islanders John and Georgia Ratzenberger,
who gave them five acres of land, the monks were able to begin building a permanent
presence on the Island. The monks were eventually able to acquire the neighboring
eleven acres. The present sixteen acres is surrounded on two sides by a forty
acre water shed.
Through God's mercy and the generosity
and hard work
of Islanders and Orthodox Christians across the country, the monastic community
constructed a small chapel dedicated to St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai
and San Francisco, the katholikon (main temple) dedicated to the Holy Protection
of the Theotokos, as well as three monastic cells and a library building. Starting
in September of 2004, construction will begin on the Trapeza (housing the dining
hall, kitchen and public restrooms.)
The brotherhood welcomes visitors but requests pilgrims call before taking
the ferry. As a contemplative community, we try to preserve our solitude,
while also welcoming visitors to share in the services and the beauty of the
monastic grounds.
Donations to the building fund are gratefully received. You
may do so by using your credit card, or by mailing a contribution directly
to the monastery.
To God be glory and honor and praise, unto the ages of ages. Amen.