The Monks of New Skete began in 1966 with a dozen young monks under the leadership and care of the priest-monk Laurence. Having spent the previous years studying philosophy and theology in the seminary, they now sought practical ways of establishing a monastery and supporting it. They lived for six months in northwestern Pennsylvania, where they began the work of living together as a family for the first time. The isolated location gave them the
ief respite they needed to get started. Then they moved to a small farm near Cam
idge in the beautiful hills of upstate New York. The monks renovated and expanded their living quarters, landscaped the grounds, and took up farming like their neighbors. However, the nearby road traffic became too heavy for the necessary privacy, so a year later they moved once more and built their present dwellings — now their permanent home. Because the steep and rocky land around the monastery is totally unsuitable for farming, the monks began
eeding German Shepherd Dogs and boarding and training dogs of all
eeds. The important value that German Shepherds have for the monks and their way of life can be seen in their award winning book, How To Be Your Dog’s Best Friend, published by Little, Brown in 1978. They wrote a second book, The Art of Raising a Puppy (Little, Brown) in 1991. In October, 1996 the monks released a set of three videos (produced by Atmosphere) on their approach to raising puppies and training dogs. The monks also support their way of life by marketing, locally and by mail, their own smoked meat and cheese products under the New Skete Farms label. In addition, they work in the liturgical arts, making religious goods, composing liturgical music, and translating and publishing church books. From 1974 to 1981 they produced Gleanings, a journal of prose, poetry, art, and photography. The monks also provide a very modest guesthouse for retreatants. Further Reading to Better Acquaint You With New Skete: Monastic Typicon, the rule of New Skete (New Skete, 1981) How To Be Your Dog’s Best Friend (Little, Brown 1978) The Art of Raising a Puppy (Little, Brown 1991) Thoughts from New Skete (community newsletter) New Skete Farms catalogue Liturgy and Art catalogue The Orthodox Church, by Timothy Ware. St. Vladimir’s Press catalogues (books, recordings) <U>Ingrid</U><i></i>