Romanian Orthodox abbot in US: Monastic vocation is God’s gift, not human achievement

Archimandrite Ieremia Berbec, abbot of the Romanian Orthodox Monastery of St. Demetrius the New in Middletown, New York, recently gave an interview to a youth magazine edited by Putna Monastery.

In his conversation with Iulian Tomeac, former president of ASCOR Suceava, the archimandrite reflected on the meaning of monasticism and how one discerns the calling to dedicate one’s life entirely to God.

“Those who receive this grace, expressed as the desire to enter a monastery, must realise that it is something exceedingly precious because it is not of this world,” the archimandrite said.

“At the same time, as foreign as it is to this world, it is equally impossible to fulfil by one’s own strength, whoever that person may be. Two things should be understood: first, that this calling is priceless; second, that it cannot be accomplished alone.”

What makes a monastery beautiful? Rainbow over Middletown monastery in New York State. Photo source: Putna.ro “What makes a monastery beautiful, above all, is the grace of God,” noted the abbot.

“And if it is to be what it should be, monks must take their monastic vows seriously—especially the vow of obedience. Where there is…