Lavra Netofa: Difference between revisions
→History: I know this place intimately, having spent quite some time there with Fathers Jacob and Toma in the early years. I removed some nonsense, and will add more information when I'll find the time. |
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== Today == |
== Today == |
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Today a few Monks and Sisters of Bethlehem <ref>[http://www.bethleem.org/monasteres/lavra_netofa_soeurs.php Lavra Netofa]</ref> live in |
Today a few Monks and Sisters of Bethlehem <ref>[http://www.bethleem.org/monasteres/lavra_netofa_soeurs.php Lavra Netofa]</ref> live in Lavra Netofa, most of them came from the Bet Jamal Monastery<ref>[http://catholicchurch-holyland.com/?p=470 Lavra Netofa]</ref> on the Judean Hills after the death of father Jacob Willebrands<ref>[http://www.christliche-kontemplation.ch/pdf/willebrands_autobiographical_sketch.pdf Father Ya'aqov Willebrands]</ref> in 2005. In addition to them, it is not uncommon to find here volunteers from all over the world who participate in the daily maintenance works around the monastery and church and take part in the spiritual life here in return for a bed to sleep in and three meals a day. |
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Life in |
Life in Lavra Netofa is lived as close to nature as possible, with no running water or electricity in most living quarters. Spiritual and religious life is central to the monks’ daily existence and is made of daily prayers and readings of the bible. The people of the monastery welcome visitors of all religions and promote peaceful, harmonious existence and a sense of tolerance, modesty and peacefulness. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 23:13, 27 February 2014
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History
Lavra Netofa[1] (Laura Netofa) or The Netofa retreat is a Melkite-Christian hermitage on a mountain top above the village of Deir Hanna in Galilee. An old-looking stone structure, built from local stones, most of it constructed underground, serves as a chapel. The hermitage was founded in 1967 by two monks, the Dutch Father Jacob Willebrands and the American Father Toma Farelly, who answered the call to live among the Palestinian Christian community, descendents of the ancient Israelites, and serve as a bridge between them and recent Jewish immigrants. The ermitage on Mt. Netofa was mrant as a retreat for Christian monks and worshippers. While preparing the land, they found a deep ancient water hole from the Byzantine area and decided to clear it and make it an underground chapel. They dug up other water holes for the purpose of collecting rain water for their use. Later, additional structures were added – small huts as living quarters for the monks, a dining room, a library and a winery. When climbing down the spiral stairs deep into the cave chapel, the air becomes chilly and cool. During day, time beautiful rays of light penetrate the church as the sun makes its way through the entrance way upstairs and fill the air with charming spiritual atmosphere. Down inside there is a small stone podium, an iconostasis and three stone stairs that lead up to it, a podium from which prayers are lead daily.
Today
Today a few Monks and Sisters of Bethlehem [2] live in Lavra Netofa, most of them came from the Bet Jamal Monastery[3] on the Judean Hills after the death of father Jacob Willebrands[4] in 2005. In addition to them, it is not uncommon to find here volunteers from all over the world who participate in the daily maintenance works around the monastery and church and take part in the spiritual life here in return for a bed to sleep in and three meals a day. Life in Lavra Netofa is lived as close to nature as possible, with no running water or electricity in most living quarters. Spiritual and religious life is central to the monks’ daily existence and is made of daily prayers and readings of the bible. The people of the monastery welcome visitors of all religions and promote peaceful, harmonious existence and a sense of tolerance, modesty and peacefulness.