Mount Saviour Monastery

May 2022 News:
On the first day of the month, we held our first public event since the pandemic began. The Damasus Winzen Memorial Lecture was given this year by Father Richard Vosco of the Diocese of Albany. Father Richard committed to the talk back in 2019 and patiently awaited the right conditions to do so safely. The discourse was largely dedicated to Father Damasus' memory, with a focus on church architecture and Father Damasus' own contributions.
    After the delivery of the last lamb the day before, the maternity ward for the ewes was disassembled on the 9th. The mothers gave birth to 163 lambs, with each ewe delivering approximately two lambs apiece. The lambs mature rapidly and form 'gangs' as they race each other through the field's hay and manure mounds. Moms occasionally create their own groups and join in the fun. On the 10th, all of the sheep were brought in from the fields for a day of vaccinations and 'yearly maintenance.'  

On the 15th, with the arrival of milder and more stable weather, the wooden chapel doors were reopened. They normally stay open until the heat is turned back on in late autumn.

The main road to the monastery, Monastery Road, was resurfaced on the 23rd and looks brand new again. Hopefully, with the town's extensive work on the culverts last year, the road will remain trouble-free for a while.

The flock in the "waiting room" before shearing.    

The yearly shearing of the sheep took place on the 28th. We thank all who helped get the job accomplished. Unlike previous years, all was accomplished in one day because we were fortunate to have two shearers instead of the usual one. The temperature never got out of the 60's and there were rain showers throughout the day. Those conditions are less stressful for sheep and handlers than hot and humid weather. It also helped that everything took place under the cover of a barn and a tent. We have already experienced 90+ degrees this spring and expect more 90's to end the month, so the cooler weather was most timely and welcome.
 
 

One of the shearers, Gwen Hinman and her dog watching.