Kemp, Texas, December 20, 2023
Photo: nativitymonastery.com
In order to better serve its monastic community and the Orthodox faithful in the south, the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Convent (Orthodox Church in America) is raising funds to build a new Byzantine-style church.
Many pilgrims come to attend feast-day Liturgies, retreats, and the funerals of those to be buried in the monastery’s St. Xenia Cemetery, often filling the monastery church to overflowing.
Thus, “The Holy Nativity of our Lord Monastery is prayerfully considering an extension of its prayer facilities by building a new Church that will accommodate more pilgrims to the Holy Services,” the convent reports.
Photo: nativitymonastery.com
The monastery began with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas in 2000, initially living in a rented apartment in the city. However, this unsuitable arrangement led to the community becoming inactive in 2002. It was relaunched in 2009, and the community was able to acquire 12.45 acres of land with a large farmhouse and a pole barn that was later converted into a retreat center.
In the few years it has been located in Kemp, Texas, the monastery “has become a vital resource for the Orthodox parishes of all jurisdictions in the surrounding vicinity,” hosting personal and parish retreats and guest speaker retreats.
The convent also has a candle shop, where the sisters make hand-dipped candles.
To continue and expand, its mission, the monastery is raising funds towards the construction of a new church. The building will cost an approximate $900,000 to build and another $248,000 for the iconography and furnishings.
Visit the monastery website to learn how to make a one-time or monthly donation.
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