BOSCOBEL, WI [DOM] – On Monday, March 30, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest made an Archpastoral visit to the newly formed monastic community of the diocese, St. Paul the Apostle Monastery.
The Archbishop arrived and was greeted by the monastery Superior, Hierodeacon Menas (Thomas), along with members of the brotherhood and local community. The Archbishop entered the temple and placed the Antimension and Chrisom, on the altar. A Service of Thanksgiving was prayed.
Joining the Archbishop from the diocese were, Archpriest Herman Kincaid, Chancellor, Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral, Dean, Priest Esteban Vazquez, Vice Chancellor, Priest Nikolai Lochmatow, Secretary to the Archbishop, Priest Daniel Greeson, Rector of St. Peter and St. Paul, Burr Ridge, IL.
Following the service, Archbishop Daniel reflected on the importance of monastics communities in the life of the Church, as well as the importance of the day for the diocese and the St. Paul community. His Eminence thank Fr. Menas and everyone gathered for their work and expressed his hope that people will begin to visit the new monastery.
Following the Archbishop’s greeting, a meal was held in the refectory, and a tour was giving of the monastery grounds.
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. 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.
For more information about the monastery, visit their website. To order icons from the monastery workshop, visit saintpaulsicons.org.
