Monastery in Milton

The Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in the small town of Milton, Ontario, is the first and, currently, the only Serbian Orthodox monastery in Canada. There is not a single Serbian who did not feel immense joy and freedom under this piece of Serbian sky in the new homeland. The wonderful endowment of the Serbs of Canada rises like a crown on the heights of the Niagara slopes. Almost all of us have important memories that bind us forever to this unique sacred place of gathering. In addition to the wonderful liturgies, which warm the soul on winter mornings, far from the burden of the city, many have baptized their children in this monastery, numerous marriages have taken place and funeral services have been held. We often attended humanitarian or cultural events organized on the monastery property. On one occasion, I listened to a young fiddler sing the song Boj na Čegru. The echo of his song in resonance with the forest created a unique mystical experience, connecting the heroes of the song with the souls of the Indians who once lived there. At the beginning of June, when, after much struggle, winter finally recedes, and the forest around the monastery shines, Srbadia, eager for sun and companionship, fires up barbecues in the meadows of the monastery property. Parents with small children relax for the first time, allowing them to explore nature on their own. We are all our own people, on our own piece of land and there is no fear that someone can harm them. The youth have fun on the basketball and volleyball courts and appear at the picnic tables only in the afternoon, hungry as wolves. Some dads play soccer, some flip burgers, and some even roast a pig or lamb. Moms drink coffee and walk along the beautiful alleys to the monastery, guesthouse, library, and cemetery. Grandparents enjoy themselves, strategically positioned towards the sun and away from the smoke until the church doors open for "vespers". Both old and young souls come together to rest from the harsh Canadian winter. So those of us living in this century have come to greatly enjoy "Milton", which previous generations left for us to keep and use.

The foundation stone for the monastery church was laid exactly 30 years ago, in October of 1992, but it took a lot of effort, work and money to make this ancient idea come true. It began to be realized with the formation of the Diocese of Canada and the enthronement of the first Canadian bishop, Bishop Georgi (Đokić), in 1984. The land on which the monastery was built was purchased and consecrated in 1988. The foundation of the future monastery was consecrated by His Holiness, the Serbian Patriarch Pavle on October 21, 1992, and on June 12, 1994, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church consecrated the completed monastery.

After the achievement of this undertaking, the then Canadian bishop, Mr. Giorgije addressed his eparchies: This act completes the physical activities of the Diocese of Canada. We have a spiritual, missionary, and educational activity ahead of us. For that we now have our own churches and our own monastery. May the spirit of secularism, protestantism, and materialism never live in our churches, and especially in our monastery, but may the spirit of Saint Sava and other saints live in the sanctuaries, through whose prayers, The Lord transformed on the mountain, have mercy, and save us. Amen.

The list of benefactors contains 1,500 names, and number one is Olga Acimov from Montreal. Added to this number is a long list of those who contributed work, time, love, and effort.

The painting of the church began immediately after its construction and was carried out in several stages. The painting is the work of our famous iconographer and fresco painter Dragomir Marunić from Belgrade. The work on the fresco painting was completed at the beginning of 2002. The magnificent fresco of Christ Pantokrator (Almighty), on the dome of the temple, the composition of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Washing of the Feet, the Betrayal of Judas, the Descent into Hades will remain as an eternal testimony of the real image of the Orthodox Serbian people.

Our only monastery in Canada is famous on the American continent because it keeps parts and particles of the incorruptible relics of great Christian saints from the beginning of the history of the church, from the first to the third century: St. Basil the Great, St. Ignatius the God-bearer, St. Athanasius the Great, St. Polycarp of Smyrna, St. Panteleimon, St. Haralampia, St. Nectarios of Aegina, St. Irina and the relics of St. Nektarios Optinski, a saint from the beginning of the 20th century.

In the beautiful and unique piece of nature, on 20 hectares, in just a few years, our people have built a true small oasis of Serbian spirituality. In addition to the monastery church, another building was built housing numerous facilities: the chapel of St. Three Hierarchs and a large hall for hosting memorial services. The first Serbian cemetery in Canada was arranged on one part of the property. In the fall of 2009, another beautiful building was built next to the monastery accommodation. We are talking about the diocesan museum and library with over 10,000 books, the beauty of which has no equal not only in this area but also beyond. Right next to the church is a large picnic area, which we have already talked about at length.

But to not to end this story of our beloved "Milton" with food for the body, here is an excerpt from the sermon of His Holiness, Patriarch Paul at the consecration of the monastery: And just as the body needs food and clothing, the soul also needs food and clothing. Food for the soul is the word of God, the teaching of God, according to the words of the Lord Jesus. And the clothes for the soul are holy and virtuous deeds, holy virtues. That science also held our ancestors, as I said and repeat, to be and remain truly people and God's people in all the circumstances and adversities of life and misfortunes, as is right and necessary and as God expects from us."

And it remains for us to live these wise words, do good deeds and hand over this holy monastery to our descendants for safekeeping and pride. And the monastery will preserve them and their national and religious identity. Because as Filip Višnjić sang a long time ago, it is the same now: "Monasteries and a crooked bow saved our Serbia."