The Orthodox Brotherhood of St. Anthony in Arizona is one of the monasteries in the lineage of Elder Ephraim, former abbot of the Philotheou Monastery on Mt. Athos, who sent six other former Athonites to establish a place in the Sonoran Desert. Desert Monks is a short piece made about the community.
What began as a small church and living quarters now includes Spanish fountains, gardens, a small vineyard and citrus orchards, an olive grove, and elaborate pathways connecting all, in addition to dining hall and guest facilities. The church is dedicated to both St. Anthony the Great and St. Nectarios of Aegina, and there are chapels dedicated to Ss. Seraphim of Sarov, Demetrius of Thessaloniki, John the Baptist, George the Martyr, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Panteleimon the Healer, and a new chapel to the Prophet Elias. The documentary is a little glimpse into the daily life of the brothers and the beauty they have found in the desert.
Featured image: From the St. Anthony’s Monastery website
