I had no idea this place existed until my Orthodox friend mentioned about it. Since I had an amazing experience visiting several Orthodox monasteries overseas, I was interested in visiting one in the U.S. Visitor hours are from 10:30am to 2:30pm everyday. Dress code is strictly enforced. If you do not have one, they will ask you wear one of their clothes. I heard monks speak English, that's when I remember I was in the United States, not overseas somewhere. That's how this place made me feel, I felt like I was visiting a foreign country. It's beautiful inside and outside. I recommend visiting in a cooler month. I was pretty hot walking outside in a long dress and scarf around my hair. Feeling I get once I stepped inside was something I cannot describe. I went with a group of friends but I think I want to go alone next time to fully feel what this place has to offer. read more

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Who would have known that there was a beautiful Greek Monastery in the middle of the desert? Not me! So glad I was told about St Anthony Orthodox Monastery as being worthy of a visit! They were spot on in their recommendation and I need to thank them again for making it! We came in for a walking tour of the wonderful monastery grounds and left with a sense of peace and tranquility we didn't have when we arrived. We were greeted at the main entrance outside the bookstore and given directions as well as assistance with our wardrobe where we were somewhat lacking compliance. Note to self and others: fitted leggings under a skirt or dress that doesn't come down to the ankles still isn't sufficient. There were several areas under construction so some of the fountains were not running. It's not quite harvest time so the citrus trees were covered with bird netting. Since it's fall-ish weather some of the plants are in transition from their glorious summer splendor. The intricate details of the church and chapels are absolutely impressive! Some of the paintings are peeling a bit but the majority of them are in amazing condition. The wood inlays and masonry work were unbelievable! Many of the items were shipped here from Greece! Everywhere we went was buzzing with some type of activity or another with several guests coming for prayer too. We tried to follow the highlighted route as close as possible but got a little turned around when we walked around one of the chapels to see the exterior in full. We highly recommend a visit to this incredible desert oasis! read more

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I love this place. It's very quiet, peaceful, and beautiful here. Everyone is very polite and friendly. I came here a year ago when I was broken deep into me with my 5-year-old son, who has autism. Through the prayers of Father Seraphim and Geronda, I can see the difference . We've been here several times already, and each time I leave feeling like I come back to life again and again. It's like a paradise in the desert. Of u feel that's nothing good can happen to you. You should come here and pray. The environment of this place .... No words to describe how truly I'm thankful to everyone who I met here . read more

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It's mind blowing that this place is in Arizona in the middle of a desert. It is a beautiful and peaceful oasis. Make sure to check their website before arrival as the opening hours are limited and there is a dress code to follow. I think the gift shop has some attire to borrow if you're not dressed properly, but I brought my own clothes to change into when I got there. Upon arrival you have to check in outside the gift shop which is to the left when you enter after you park. They will make sure you are complaint with their dress code and give you a map of the walking tour. I highly recommend a trip out to this monastery and I know we will be back! read more

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Absolutely stunning beauty and experience in the desert. Grateful eternally, Helena K read more

Another beautiful visit here on Memorial Day. We spent a good amount of time reflecting and praying and enjoying the beautiful walkways that are filled with fragrant flowers various plants and foliage tall palms and cactus and the water fountains flowing as we walked to the different churches. We purchased a few of the homemade goods from the store. All natural and organic grown on the property. This place is a must visit for anyone and bring company with you or come alone. Just enjoy the grounds visit the Churches say prayers, attend a service become closer to God. read more

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I visited this gorgeous Greek Orthodox monastery on Saturday, 20 JUL 2019 AD. First of all, this is a different world - like something from a living history exhibit! Before you think about visiting, check their website for details, times and dress code. Upon arriving you have to check-in at the bookstore/gift shop for an initial briefing. St. Anthony's Monastery web site: https://www.stanthonysmonastery.org Be sure to print out the map of the grounds found on the, "Day-Visitor's Guide" tab/page. The map contains a self-guided tour map with explanations. The monastery is easy to find - the GPS worked great. Keep your phones on silent and only use them for taking photos; you'll have spotty 4G data and a cell signal if you're on Verizon. For the females, they have skirts and scarves available to borrow during your visit; please read the website before your visit so that you can be prepared. When you are touring, you are requested not to talk to the monks unless you are lost. They're not being rude. The reason is, each monk is praying every minute they are working. This is not a group of guys at the mall. These are consecrated men of God who are practicing Spiritual Discipline in their daily lives. (Prayer, Worship, Fasting, Studying Holy Scripture, Almsgiving, Confession). Think of each of them as being on their, "own private retreat" but who share living space and the work load. The monastery sells products in the gift shop that they produce to help support themselves. As part of their Spiritual Discipline, they never eat meat, poultry or pork. They do eat fish but only on some days; they fast Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The main church, St. Anthony's Church, was closed on this visit; they were painting. I shall return - this visit was both amazing and made me re-evaluate my daily spiritual walk. The worship spaces, the icons, and the devotion amazed me! This monastery would be THE definition of, "counter-culture" in this day and age! These monks are hard-core Holy! I recommend bringing a cooler with snacks and water if you have a long drive - there's not much out there. There is a town a few miles away, but it's a small town with a few gas stations and a McDonald's. If you're a naturally curious person, interested in God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, the ancient Christian Church and Spirituality, this is a great place to visit! If you're dating someone who is a religious Christian, this would be a fun activity date. If you and your family are practicing Christians, this would be an interesting family day trip. Again, BE SURE TO READ THEIR WEBSITE FIRST! Dress accordingly. Below are a few informational links that will make your visit more memorable. Why does the Orthodox Cross have three bars? https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/the-cross Icons Are Not Idols: https://www.ocf.net/icons-are-not-idols The monastery is dedicated to St. Anthony the Great: http://www.greek-icons.org/texts-papers/synaxaries-saints-lives/life-saint-anthony-the-great.html Orthodox Monasticism: https://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/monasticism.php I rate these monks and those that support them a solid 5 stars! May the Lord Our God Bless You and Keep You All the Days of Your Lives! + Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. read more

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Wonderful place to pray and contemplate life. I love monasteries and this one is great! Worth a visit !

I had an amazing experience. This was one of the best monasteries I've visited. Everyone is nice and welcoming!

Best place ever ! A true holy place where you find peace and holy joy ! Our "mount Athos" here in usa !

St. Anthony's monastery is beautiful. Check their website for the dress code. They have orange and olive groves. They have a nice gift shop. Bible quote Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV) 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. read more

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Wow! What an amazing experience. I recommend people come and enjoy the peaceful and beautiful grounds. Make sure to be respectful of their religion and dress appropriately. We brought along head scarves, a jacket to cover bare arms, and socks because I wore sandals. They have clothes to borrow if you forget. read more

St Anthony Orthodox Monastery - Churches Near Me - Florence, Arizona

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I had one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life. This is a paradise in the middle of Arizona. Please, call ahead of time and make a reservation, if you're coming for the first time. Monks will meet you and explain everything what happens here. Please bring proper clothes, scarfs and covered shoes. I've stayed overnight for midnight services and also attended 3:30 pm session. It's a blessing to visit this place. read more

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The best place for me and my son. It is a little Spiritual Kingdom of love, peace and mercy. Being an emigrant in this country this place became like our home where we always get quiet. Life in the world is full of different feelings including joy and anxiety, pleasure and pain. We all get busy loosing the peace of our soul and forget about the purpose of life. But after couple days at the monastery the soul receives SO much! It gets back the harmony of life and clears the brain. read more

An absolute must for all Orthodox Christians or for those fascinated by monastic life. This is the only Greek Orthodox monastery in North America and founded by a living saint, Father Ephraim. I drove from Los Angeles, but people come from all over the world to stay as a pilgrim at this monastery. The 45 or so monks living here run a tight ship keeping the holly grounds in tip top shape. It's immaculate, with lush gardens, fountains, and gazebos. They've turned the place into an oasis in the middle of a hot ,dry cacti ridden desert. There are several chapels within the monastery and one major church where most of the magic takes place. Most of the furniture and icons are brought in from Mt. Athos, considered one of the most holly places for Greek Orthodoxies. Sadly, no women are allowed on Mt. Athos. But that's besides the point. Women must wear long skirts and wear a mandili or scarf to cover their hair, basically do not show any skin. Men must wear long sleeve shirts and pants. You can visit for the day or stay overnight as a pilgrim. If you are a pilgrim you can stay from 1 -10 days. You must attend all services, which means the big one from 1:45 AM to 4:00 AM every night. The first night I went at 1 AM and was able to kiss Father Ephraim's hand. After the night morning service, there is a breakfast of freshly baked bread (the monks bake like crazy), large and small bitter green olives from the olive orchards grown on the grounds, 2 types of halva, jam, nuts, fresh fruit from their orchards and coffee. This is a typical fasting breakfast (no animal products). After breakfast you go back to bed for another 3 hours of quiet time. Walking back to my room at 5 AM was beautiful. The desert stars and moon are bright, casting shadows on the cacti and the air is cool and fresh. In the day you are pretty much free to roam. Lunch is served at 11:30 AM and there is no talking aloud, except for a monk reading a chosen bible passage in Greek. When they ring the bell, you are allowed to pour water. A typical fasting lunch that I had consisted of braised green beans with calamari, fresh bread, olive, salad, and Greek macaroni. After lunch you can try to get a blessing from Father Ephraim, go to the book store, talk to some monks or other pilgrims. Another mandatory service is Vespers at 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM and afterwards dinner is served. After dinner is the last mandatory service. And then you are ready to go to bed at 7:30. No joke. I fell asleep before quiet hours even - I was feeling extremely peaceful and happy, yet exhausted. I will be back to the monastery with my dad. I was lucky to stay two nights with profoundly holly people and have an incredible experience. read more

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I visited this monastery with my in-laws recently. We had heard about it from my bro-in-law and so we decided we'd visit on a Saturday afternoon ... we drove to Florence from Chandler and were surprised to find such an oasis in the desert. This place really makes you feel like you're somewhere else - the beautiful buildings, the greenery, the peace you feel when you enter the monastery.. we were delighted to have taken the recommendation to visit. I had very respectable clothing (pants, long sleeve shirt), but they required women's head to be covered and a skirt to be worn, so they were kind enough to lend us elastic skirts that I just put over my pants.. and I found a scarf in the car - presto, ready to go! The staff there is very friendly in the gift shop and they have wonderful treats and gourmet items for sale that are made from the gardens there and made by the ladies and gentlemen living a monastic life there... got some wonderful tea and delicious baked goods. Walking through the site was, again, peaceful and made you feel you were not in Arizona. We enjoyed ourselves and I would recommend this place for adults (children make a lot of noise and it's very peaceful here) that appreciate these sorts of experiences .. nice day trip. read more

I am very glad that I recently learned about this holy place, where I was twice and of course I will go again. It nourishes spiritually and it does not convey in words. Thank God we have Orthodox monasteries in America. Attend and enrich yourself spiritually. read more

It's very hard to describe the feeling when visiting St. Anthony's. An oasis in the desert sounds like a cliche, but it's exactly what this place is. Spread on a vast acerage in the middle of the Sonoran desert, it's a little piece of heaven on earth. Upon entering the monastery grounds, you are welcomed at the visitor's center, which also doubles as a bookstore/gift shop, by some very friendly volunteers who give you guidelines and information for your self-guided tour. Cold water and a traditional sweet treat are also offered there to greet newcomers. Keep in mind that extremely modest attire is required - men have to wear long pants, long sleeves, and covered shoes, while women are required to wear long skirts, long sleeves, covered shoes, AND have their heads covered with a head scarf. We knew about the rules beforehand, so we went properly dressed, but it's my understanding that the monastery also has long elastic skirts and head scarves to lend to visitors who need them. Even if you are a non-Christian, keep reading, because there is still a lot for you. This monastery was founded in 1995, and in a short 22 years, they have transformed the original arid landscape into a space tastefully paved with stone and brick, full of flowers, trees, fountains, courtyards and gaezebos, and Christian-related decorations like metal and stone crosses. The tranquility of the place is contagious, and you naturally want to keep quiet and peacefully take in the surroundings while there. There are 6 churches and chapels - all Christian Orthodox - each with different architectural features. There was a traditional Greek Orthodox church, then a Russian-inspired one, a Slavic-inspired one, and so on. Very interesting for those who love history, art, and architecture, even if you're non-religious. A lot of the grounds have been built by the monks themselves. We were informed that there are currently 55 monks living there, each of whom has different tasks at the monastery. They grow olive trees, lemon trees, orange trees, walnut and almond trees on the grounds, and sell some of their own products at the gift shop. They also have their own bakery, producing and selling their own freshly baked goods. If you are religious, and especially if you are Orthodox Christian, there is a lot more there for you in addition to the beautiful grounds. The monks are truly holy people with genuine love for the other person. They were extremely kind to my sick husband with prayers, book recommendations, prayer guidelines, confession, and holy relics that they allowed him to hold and venerate. I have no doubt that they are like that to every visitor who comes with an open heart to receiving blessings and get a little closer to God through the monastery experience. They were also extremely hospitable, inviting all of us to lunch with them (an offer, which, unfortunately, we weren't able to accept, as we had a toddler who was growing tired and impatient). They do accept visitors to stay on the grounds for up to 10 nights, or longer with special permission. They have seperate guesthouses for men and women, and small children of any age are also welcome to stay at the women's guesthouse. The bookstore/gift store has a variety of religious books in both Engish and Greek, icons, prayer ropes, as well as traditional Greek products and edible products made in the monastery. It's not an exaggeration to say that we left a piece of our heart there. We would love to go back, spend more time, and even stay a couple of nights, so that is definitely something we're putting in our plans for the foreseeable future. If you're a Phoenix or Tuscon local, or are visiting Phoenix, Tuscon, or any of the towns that are close or somewhat close to Florence (the town the monastery is located at), do not miss out on the opportunity to visit St. Anthony's. You will leave with a renewed heart and spirit. read more

Heven in the middle of desert!!! I never see anything most beautiful and peaceful. God bless read more

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