Boscobel, Wisconsin, March 13, 2026
Photo: saintpaulsmonastery.org
The Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the Midwest has formally established a new monastic community, bringing Athonite spirituality to an historic site in Boscobel, Wisconsin.
By decree of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, St. Paul the Apostle Monastery was canonically established within the OCA on March 11.
The property was previously home to the St. Isaac of Syria Skete, which for nearly four decades was associated with Orthodox monastic life in the region. The new brotherhood, however, is entirely separate from that community, having been founded in 2022 with the blessing of the late Archbishop Peter of Chicago of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, who reposed in 2024.
The community is led by Hierodeacon Menas (Thomas), who has been appointed Superior and entrusted with its spiritual and administrative leadership. Fr. Menas is a monk of more than 50 years, 26 of which were spent at St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona. Through him, the brotherhood carries the Athonite spiritual tradition of St. Joseph the Hesychast and Elder Ephraim of Arizona to the American Midwest, while conducting its life and services in English.
In keeping with Orthodox monastic tradition, the brotherhood supports itself through its own labor, principally the production of mounted icon prints made available to the faithful. Icons can be ordered through the monastery's workshop at saintpaulsicons.org.
Abp. Daniel asks the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of the Midwest to keep the new community in their prayers as it grows into a center of Orthodox monastic life and witness in the region.
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