Mount Saviour Monastery (April 2024)
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!