Arizona 2012: A quick trip to Greece?

At first glance the blue and white chapel on the hill could easily be one found in sunny Greece - it is the saguaro and cholla that make it look conspicuously out of place. Just off Highway 79 on the way to Tucson is an unexpected oasis in the desert. Fields of cholla guard the entrance to St. Anthony's Monastery. Established in 1995, the monastery is run by an order of Greek Orthodox monks carrying on the tradition of the Holy Mountain, Athos monasteries of Greece.

Long skirts, long sleeves and head scarves are required for the women, so mom and I donned our finest for the afternoon. As soon as we passed through the main gate we were transported back in time and into a place of contemplation and beauty. The monks, all long bearded and thickly accented, went about their daily tasks, unaffected by the visitors wandering around the gardens. There are even dormitories for pilgrims wishing to stay overnight on the monastery grounds. The predominant language echoing through the gardens and inside the chapels was Greek with the occasional Russian and English.



St. George's Chapel - architecture typical of Romania



St. George slaying the Dragon

Chandelier inside St. George's Chapel


I have visited an orthodox monastery and churches while in Russia and even one in Greece, so as soon as I stepped through the heavy wooden doors of the first chapel, I was transported back to a familiar place. Granted, the ones I visited were much older, much darker and much more somber. These were bright, shiny and the icons were free of candle smoke and the ravages of time.

St. Seraphim's Chapel is dedicated to the most revered Russian saint - interesting contrast between the Orthodox icons and the woven Indian rug in this open air chapel

St. Elijah's Chapel is located on a hill just outside the main monastery grounds. A short walk up a stony path leads to the blue domed chapel and belfry. It offered amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding desert and a feeling of being removed from the bustle of the everyday.

Cupola - St. Elijah's Chapel

Icons and prayer chairs

Once I made it to the top of the hill I could see the fast approaching clouds of a winter storm. Oddly enough, once we were back on the road towards Florence we passed through the entire rain storm in about the space of a mile. The rain on the ground was already drying up as soon as the clouds passed. Only in Arizona!



Panoramic view of St. Anthony's Monastery as the winter rain sweeps across the desert

Having thoroughly explored Greece, we headed to Queen Creek Olive Mill for lunch at del Piero - a Mediterranean trattoria. Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, gelato, tapenades - I was in an Italian heaven! It was a great way to wind down our Mediterranean excursion through the Arizonian desert.