Monastic Life - Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete

 Skete was the name of a remote settlement in the Egyptian desert southwest of Alexandria. In the 4th century, it became known for its extraordinary groups of “spiritual athletes”, Christians who fled the cities to follow the Gospel in a radical way. These were the desert fathers and mothers. In later centuries the name came to refer to a small family-style monastic community under the guidance of a spiritual father. By taking the name “New Skete” we seek to live out the same monastic ideals in a way that is appropriate for the 21st century.  

 Inquirers to our life usually range in age between 22 and 55. Generally, they come from a Christian background (either Orthodox or another denomination) and they typically have at least an undergraduate education. Persons interested in our community should be in good health (a physical is required before entering), with nothing that would impede participating in the daily life and work of the community.  

 Yes. New Skete is a monastery of the Orthodox Church of America, and while a number of the monks and nuns have come from different Christian denominations, what attracted them to New Skete was the unique expression of Eastern Christian spirituality they found here. We do welcome inquirers from different Christian denominations and faith backgrounds. 

 In any viable monastic community members will use their gifts and talents for the common good. Often through living in community members discover gifts they did not know they had. More than planning on doing specific work, what is most important in a new member is a willingness to help out wherever one is asked. That said, members of our community are creative and engage in a variety of businesses to support ourselves: breeding and training of dogs, baking gourmet cheesecakes, painting icons, offering spiritual direction, writing, and doing retreat work. 

 Becoming a professed monk or nun involves a process that starts with an individual becoming an inquirer. When a person expresses interest in New Skete, they arrange a visit, which may lead to successive visits to get to know the community better. Should that lead to a desire to take the next step, they become aspirants, hoping to enter the community as candidates. Candidacy begins when one has been accepted to live in the community for an initial period of approximately six months. If that experience is positive, they move into the novitiate phase, which ordinarily lasts between two and three years. When the discernment between the novice and professed community is mutually positive, the novice may make a deeper commitment to monastic life as either a Riasophore (intermediate commitment) or a Stavrophore (life commitment). Generally, the process of becoming a fully professed monk or nun is four to six years.  

 If an inquirer has student debts, New Skete will take on the monthly payments for as long as the person is a member of the community. Otherwise, those wishing to enter our life must be debt-free.  

 Because of the responsibilities that come with living in community, normally family and friends are encouraged to arrange visits to us here at New Skete. That said, there are times when it is appropriate for us to visit our families and friends with the permission of the prior or prioress. 

 As monks and nuns, we are committed to living a balanced contemplative life of personal prayer, communal worship, work, study, and community life. We rise according to personal rule and have our first prayer service at 7:15am. After breakfast there is time for personal chores followed by a period of work that lasts until 12noon. We have our main meal at 12:15. There is a midday office at 1:00 followed by an afternoon work or study period, depending on one’s responsibilities. Work concludes around 3:30 followed by personal time until 5:00 when we have Vespers. A light supper is available after Vespers. The community gathers at 7:15 for an informal recreation which is followed by free time leading up to retiring for the night.  

 Hospitality is a core value of New Skete and we have always welcomed people for retreats and to join us for worship. We encourage people who are interested in visiting to contact our guest masters at brgregory@newskete.org or srrebecca@newskete.org . We also have a resident volunteer program in which people can experience the monastic life for a time by living and working with the community.