OrthodoxUSA

The Monastery of St. Anthony Retreat and Education Center

Founded in 1988 as an idiorhythmic community, today the Monastery of St. Anthony Retreat and Education Center serves as the chancery of the United American Orthodox Catholic Church (UAO). In addition, the Monastery publishes a number of cultural and liturgical materials which are marketed through Light & Life Publishing, provides limited guest facilities, and sponsors the UAO Pastoral Training Program.

UAO Pastoral Training Program

The UAO Pastoral Training Program utilizes mentorship to prepare for the Holy Priesthood men called of the Holy Spirit. Consider the following:

“A second time he said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’” --John 21:16

St. John Chrysostom
“For the priestly office is indeed discharged on earth, but it ranks amongst heavenly ordinances.”

“Wherefore when the disciple said, ‘Thou knowest Lord that I love Thee,’ and invoked the beloved one Himself as a witness of his love, the Saviour did not stop there, but added that which was the token of love. For He did not at that time wish to show how much Peter loved Him, but how much He Himself loved His own Church, and he desired to teach Peter and all of us that we also should bestow much zeal upon the same.” --St. John Chrysostom, Treatise on the Priesthood

“The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil; moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

“Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons. The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” --1 Timothy 3:1-13

“...Between Presbyters and Bishops there was no great difference. Both had undertaken the office of Teachers and Presidents in the Church, and what he has said concerning Bishops is applicable to Presbyters. For they are only superior in having the power of ordination, and seem to have no other advantage over Presbyters. ‘Likewise the Deacons.’ That is, they should have the same qualities as Bishops.” --St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on 1 Timothy

“For the priestly office is indeed discharged on earth, but it ranks amongst heavenly ordinances; and very naturally so: for neither man, nor angel, nor archangel, nor any other created power, but the Paraclete Himself, instituted this vocation, and persuaded men while still abiding in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels. Wherefore the consecrated priest ought to be as pure as if he were standing in the heavens themselves in the midst of those powers.... For when thou seest the Lord sacrificed, and laid upon the altar, and the priest standing and praying over the victim, and all the worshipers empurpled with that precious blood, canst thou then think that thou art still amongst men, and standing upon the earth? Art thou not, on the contrary, straightway translated to Heaven, and casting out every carnal thought from the soul, dost thou not with disembodied spirit and pure reason contemplate the things which are in Heaven? Oh! What a marvel! What love of God to man! He who sitteth on high with the Father is at that hour held in the hands of all, and gives Himself to those who are willing to embrace and grasp Him. And this all do through the eyes of faith!” --St. John Chrysostom, Treatise on the Priesthood

If you believe yourself called to the Holy Priesthood, we would like to help you explore that calling. Please read the UAO Position Statement “On Candidacy, Ordination, and Reception of Clergy.” If you are a likeminded man with a serious interest in the becoming a candidate for the Holy Priesthood of the Eastern Orthodox Church and wish to pursue that calling in the context of “an independent, American Orthodox Catholic Church,” we’d like to hear from you. Send an inquiry to Info@OrthodoxUSA.org.

UAO Chancery: 1000 Lake Maurer Road, Excelsior Springs MO 64024-9321, USA

Telephone: 816.630.1503 | Inquiries: Info@OrthodoxUSA.org | Technical questions: Webmaster@OrthodoxUSA.org