Mount Saviour Monastery

April 2024 News:
On the 1st of the month, we observed a holiday schedule as it was Easter Monday. Easter Sunday is a very busy day each year, and we observe the custom of other countries including those in Europe of enjoying a more relaxed day after.

Then there was the celebration of the Annunciation on the 8th which was transferred from Holy Week in March to April. That was, in addition, the day of the total eclipse of the sun. The day was mostly overcast with only a brief break in the cloud cover. All the same the donkey and sheep came in from the field into their usual night quarters, the temperature grew noticeably cooler, outside night lights came on, and birds ceased their songs as it became like twilight for several minutes.

On the 15th Abbot Cuthbert Brogan, our Provincial Visitor and Administrator arrived for a visit. Along with having time to visit with the community, he was also able to get out for an outing to the Corning Glass Museum and visit Mark Twain's gravesite in Elmira. He left on the 18th to return to his monastery in Farnborough, England.

On the 26th we began mowing the lawns again as we usually do before the month is completed. The final two days of April our temperature rose into the 80's and the exterior chapel doors on the south and west side were opened once again.

The spring lamb baby boom was winding down by the end of the month with only three ewes remaining to give birth and those might be sterile. 75 ewes have given birth to 119 lambs which can be seen running and jumping in the fields. Sometimes they even inspire their moms to do the same!