BOSCOBEL, WI [DOM] – With the blessing of Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, a new monastic community has been formally established in the Diocese of the Midwest at the former property of St. Isaac of Syria Skete, Boscobel, WI.
The new community, St. Paul the Apostle Monastery, was canonically established by decree of the Archbishop as a monastery and institution of the Diocese of the Midwest on March 11, 2026. This action restores a stable monastic presence at the historic site which, for almost four decades, has been associated with Orthodox monastic life in the region. The formal establishment of the monastery marks a new chapter for the property, ensuring that the sacred site will continue to serve the Church as a place of prayer, repentance, and pilgrimage.
As part of the formal establishment of the monastery, Hierodeacon Menas (Thomas) has been appointed Superior of the monastery and entrusted with the spiritual and administrative leadership of the monastic brotherhood. The monastery functions under the spiritual and canonical authority of the Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest, with the assistance of a duly appointed Board of Trustees.
In keeping with the traditional patterns of Orthodox monastic life, the monastery provides for its livelihood through its own labor. Among its principal works is the production of mounted icon prints, prepared by the brotherhood and made available to the faithful. This work supports the monastery while also making sacred iconography available to Orthodox Christians for prayer and devotion.
Archbishop Daniel asks the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of the Midwest to keep the new monastic community in their prayers as it develops its life and ministry, that it may grow into a flourishing center of Orthodox monastic life and witness in the American Midwest.
For more information about the monastery, visit their website. To order icons from the monastery workshop, visit saintpaulsicons.org.
