Our humble Hermitage from its founding in 2016 has been dedicated to the Most Holy Mother of God, Ever-Virgin Mary. Under Her Mantle, we have long sought refuge and protection from the chances and changes of this life. She is the safe place and the guarantor of our wholeness, our sanctity, and our salvation:
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You have been an honorable dwelling of the inexpressible
Divine nature, beyond words and beyond understanding; and are a Surety for sinners, granting grace and healing; as the Mother of Him Who rules all, pray to your Son that we may receive mercy on the Day of Judgment. (Kontakion, Tone One) |
She is the Surety of sinners non pareil, expressed in her icon above. Anticipating Her Dormition, she is received into the hands of the Son of God. And we, worshipping Him and venerating Her, follow in their empyreal train.
With rejoicing and feelings of profound relief, our monastic community has found our home in the care of spiritual father, His Eminence, Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and the Western American Diocese (the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad). With gratitude we have received the gift of this name for our monastery: Surety of Sinners Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God.
All of these things, and the fullness of our twisting and turning journey which led us here, God in His Providence has known and has kept. It is a mystery that we must choose for the holy things He has always already set before us. And we must constantly say in wonder, "Surely the Lord was in this place, and I did not know it!" (Gen 28:16).