YOUTH RETREAT FORM

  St. Antony Monastery is a place devoted to prayer and service unto our Lord. It is a place of worship and repentance for all. Generally speaking, the monastic life is a life of solitude away from worldly desires. It is only through your help and compliance with the following guidelines that we maintain keeping the monastery as a place of reverence and respect. 

●  You should have a letter of recommendation from your Father of Confession.

●  Please dress appropriately throughout your visit. No shorts, tank tops, transparent clothes, or sleeveless shirts, etc. 

●  Please come prepared with your own personal hygiene (towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.). 

●  Keep in mind, in order to take communion you must be baptized in the Oriental Orthodox Church (Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, Armenian Apostolic Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India). If you would like more information you are more than welcome to contact us. 

● No alcohol, smoking, or drug use 

● No pets or animals 

● No photographs or videos of monks without their permission 

● No cell phone usage in, near, or around the churches and monk cells 

● No leaving the premises without permission 

● No loud and disrupting voices 

● No inappropriate manners or behaviors compromising the sanctity of the monastery 

● No car horns or alarms 

● No food, drinks (except water), music, phone calls in the guest rooms 

● Respect the sanctity of the monastery at all times for it is a place of God

● Must attend all prayer services

● You will only receive assigned work from the monk in charge of your retreat

● Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times

● Sleeping hours are from 9pm to 4am

● All beds should have a clean sheet, two pillowcases, and a cover.

● Before your departure, take off the bed sheets and pillowcases and place them in the laundry basket.

● Place clean, folded bed sheets and pillowcases on the bed. 

● Clean up after yourself and if you need any cleaning supplies, they are in the bathroom cabinet.

● Turn off the lights and lock the door when not in use.

❖ Violation of these rules may result in termination of stay in the monastery and future visits as determined by the Abbot. 

❖ The monastery is not responsible or accountable for the sharing of any financial or material belongings between anyone. Also, the monastery is not liable for the loss of any missing belongings. (Money, cars, phones, etc.). 

❖ We pray and hope that your experience here is a positive one, telling your brethren about  your blessed and spiritual experience at St. Antony Monastery. God bless you and please remember us in your prayers.