New Chapel Consecrated at California Monastery

The chapel's dedication plaque. Photo: Monasteries of Geronda Ephraim of Arizona

DUNLAP — A new chapel was consecrated on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Holy Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring in Dunlap, Calif. The chapel is dedicated to St. Joseph the Hesychast, his disciples St. Ephraim of Katounakia and Elder Ephraim of Arizona, as well as St. Nikiforos the Leper and St. Markella of Chios, according to Orthodox Christianity with reference to the Monasteries of Geronda Ephraim of Arizona group.

Constructed between 2021 and 2025 with the blessing of Met. Gerasimos of San Francisco, the new chapel was built through the devotion and labor of Abbess Markella and the sisterhood.

Founded in 1993 after Elder Ephraim came to America from Mount Athos, the monastery was established with the assistance of Met. Anthony of San Francisco of blessed memory and two nuns from the Monastery of the Archangel Michael in Greece.

The monastery’s name honors the historic Life-Giving Spring Monastery and Shrine in Constantinople and is one of 18 monastic communities founded in North America by Elder Ephraim.

Previously, UOJ reported that Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Indiana was consecrated by Abp. Elpidophoros.

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