27APR12--Monastery Kom

On our day off we went with a group to visit Monastery Kom on Lake Skadar.  Lake Skadar is 14 miles long and is 8 miles wide.  Two thirds of it belongs to Montenegro and one third belongs to Albania. 

It is the largest bird reservation in Europe.

This Medieval monastery is known for its inaccessibility.  It was built between 1415 and 1427.

I am being like the first lady to climb Mt. Rainier--in a dress.

The frescos were painted in 1470 and recently restored in 1998.  The small church area we were in was only about 10 feet by 6 feet.  You stand in Orthodox churches for the services--even in the new modern ones.  The monk told us that the paintings on the ceilings are to encourage you to look up to God.

The living quarters have been restored between 1998 and 2005.

This monk (about 41 years old) lives alone at the monastery.  Other people come and go, such as the ones that helped him prepare this meal.

This older monk is visiting from a monastery just outside Podgorica.  He speaks English and came to translate for the host monk.  Elder Schouten taught me the Cyrillic alphabet last week, and I am figuring out each letter and trying to pronounce the Montenegrin word.  My two on lookers are being very patient as I sound it out.

Craig and the older monk visited about Native Americans.  He has an interest in their philosophies.  He wants us to visit him at his monastery near Podgorica.  We can find out if there are any Orthodox humanitarian programs that we can support.