Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid

06/08/2026

For those in the Phoenix and Tucson areas:

Bags of Hope: Interfaith Heat Relief Bag Packing Events

Phoenix Area:
Sunday, June 28, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Foothills Christian Church, Glendale
3951 W Happy Valley Rd, Glendale, AZ 85310

Tucson Area:
Sunday, July 26, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Prince Chapel AME Church
602 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

Join Arizona Faith Network for a powerful, hands-on service opportunity as we come together across communities to pack Heat Relief Bags for those most vulnerable to Arizona’s extreme summer temperatures. These interfaith events are open to all who want to help protect lives and show compassion in action.

Each event will include community-building, light refreshments, and the chance to pack bags that will be distributed through AFN’s network of Heat Relief Sites and outreach partners.

How You Can Help:

🌟 Attend and share the event
🌟 Donate – You can give funds to support supplies by clicking here or bring items to one of the events (see RSVP form for a list)
🌟 Ship supplies – Buy and ship directly to us from our Phoenix Area Amazon Wish List, our Tucson Area Amazon Wish List or contact [email protected] for shipping details.

Make a tangible difference this summer. Help pack Bags of Hope and ensure no one is left in the heat. Please RSVP using the link below so that we can keep you updated via email.

RSVP: https://membership-usa.keela.co/bagsofhope

06/04/2026

05/31/2026

Blessed Feast of Pentecost!

Today, the Vicariate of Mary-the-Apostle joins the Church in celebrating the Great Feast of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles fifty days after the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On this holy day, the promise of Christ was fulfilled as the Holy Spirit descended in power, transforming fearful disciples into bold witnesses of the Gospel. Pentecost is often called the “Birthday of the Church,” for it was through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that the Apostles were sent forth to proclaim the Good News to all nations.

As Orthodox Catholics Christians, we rejoice that the same Holy Spirit who descended in the Upper Room continues to dwell within the Church, guiding, sanctifying, and strengthening the faithful throughout every generation.

May the Holy Spirit renew our hearts, deepen our faith, and inspire us to live as true witnesses of Christ in our homes, communities, and throughout the world.

“Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who have revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit; through them You drew the world into Your net. O Lover of humankind, glory to You!”

05/22/2026

With sorrow and hope in the Resurrection, we send our condolences on the repose of The Right Reverend Bishop William Gameson.

Abbot Matthew and the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid had a respected ecclesiastical relationship with His Grace. In their interactions, they experienced Bishop William as steady, sincere, and faithful in his pastoral care and episcopal responsibilities.

The Monastery Council extends our prayers and condolences to Monsignor JUAN DIEGO, OSB - Canon to the Ordinary, to the clergy and faithful of Our Lady of the Cascades, and to all who mourn this loss.

May the Lord grant His servant rest where there is no pain or sorrow, but life everlasting. May his memory be eternal!

05/21/2026

On the Feast of the Holy Ascension of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Today, the Holy Orthodox Church joyfully celebrates the glorious Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, occurring forty days after His radiant Resurrection.

Having trampled down death by death and revealed the victory of life over the grave, Christ ascends bodily into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, not abandoning creation, but sanctifying it. In His Ascension, our humanity itself is lifted up and glorified, opening the way for all to enter into communion with God.

As the angels proclaimed to the Apostles: “Men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

For monastics and faithful alike, the Ascension is a reminder that our hearts are to be fixed upon the Kingdom above, where Christ reigns in glory. Though He ascends, He remains ever present among us, especially in the Holy Mysteries, in prayer, and in the life of His Church.

May this holy feast strengthen us to seek the things which are above, to persevere in faith, and to await with hope the coming of the Comforter at Holy Pentecost.

O Christ God, Thou hast ascended in glory, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit!

Blessed Feast of the Ascension to all our beloved faithful, friends, and benefactors.

Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid
Phoenix, Arizona

05/21/2026

“When the sacrificial table is laden with golden vessels, while Christ Himself is in the person of the poor… feed the hungry first.” —St. John Chrysostom

The words of St. John Chrysostom cut through every age with prophetic clarity. The beauty of the Church, the splendor of worship, and the adornment of the holy altar are sacred offerings to God, yet they must never come at the expense of mercy. The same Christ whom we worship upon the Holy Altar also comes to us in the hungry, the unhoused, the lonely, the refugee, the widow, the orphan, and the forgotten.

Orthodox Christianity has never taught an “either/or” between worship and compassionate service. Rather, the two belong together. We adorn the altar because we love Christ, and we serve the poor because we love Christ. As St. John reminds us, our worship becomes hollow if we fail to recognize the image of God standing before us in need.

May we never grow weary in serving the least among us, for in doing so, we minister unto Christ Himself.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food…” (Matthew 25:35)

05/19/2026

The Orthodox Monastery of Saint Brigid expresses its profound sorrow and fraternal solidarity with the Muslim community of San Diego following the tragic and deadly attack at the Islamic Center and school serving young children.

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of innocent life and offer our fervent prayers for the victims of this senseless act of violence, for those injured in body, mind, or spirit, and for all families, educators, children, and faithful whose lives have been deeply shaken by this tragedy. In a particular way, we grieve for the youngest among them, whose sacred innocence ought always to be safeguarded and protected.

As an Orthodox Monastery community dedicated to prayer, peace, and the dignity of every human person created in the image of God, we stand in solidarity with our Muslim neighbors during this time of grief and uncertainty. Violence against places of worship, learning, and refuge wounds the whole human family and strikes at the very heart of our shared humanity.

We pray that Almighty God may grant mercy to those who have lost their lives, healing to the wounded, consolation to the grieving, protection to the vulnerable, and peace to the entire San Diego community.

May compassion overcome hatred, and may peace prevail over violence.

05/15/2026

May 15 - Saint Dymphna is beloved throughout the Christian world as a martyr of purity, compassion, and steadfast faith, and within the Eastern Orthodox understanding, her life shines as a witness to the healing power of Christ amidst suffering and darkness.

Born in the 7th century, Saint Dymphna fled from the sinful desires and spiritual instability of her father, choosing instead the path of chastity, prayer, and devotion to God. Together with her spiritual father, Saint Gerebernus, she sought refuge in Geel, where they cared for the poor, the sick, and those afflicted in mind and soul. In the end, she received the crown of martyrdom rather than betray Christ or surrender her purity.

The Orthodox Church does not view mental suffering merely as a medical issue alone, but as part of the deep brokenness of fallen humanity, touching both soul and body. For this reason, Saint Dymphna has become a source of comfort for many who struggle with anxiety, despair, emotional suffering, and afflictions of the mind. Through her prayers, countless faithful have sought peace, healing, and strength from the Lord.

Yet Orthodoxy always reminds us: the saints are not magical figures, nor replacements for proper care and support. Rather, they are living members of the Body of Christ who intercede for us before the throne of God. We seek their prayers because they themselves have passed through suffering and now stand in the light of the Resurrection.

In an age filled with loneliness, confusion, and inner turmoil, Saint Dymphna reminds us that Christ does not abandon the wounded soul. The Church is called to be a place of compassion, prayer, patience, and healing, a spiritual hospital where the brokenhearted may encounter the mercy of God.

Holy Martyr Dymphna, pray to God for us, and for all who suffer in mind, heart, and spirit. ☦️

05/14/2026

Christ is Risen!

Today we celebrate the birthday of our Spiritual Father and Abbot, the Very Rev. Fr Matthew Christopher. As a Monastery, we are thankful for his leadership and devotion to all of us but more especially his life of service and prayer more so for those on the fringes of society.

May God grant you many more years!