The Association is committed to the dialogue between Catholic and Orthodox Christians. It aims, by means of studies and other means of dialogue and interchange, to develop understanding and respect between Catholics and Orthodox, and to dispel ignorance of each others teachings and traditions. It emphasises the common tradition of the early Councils and early monastic life as a basis for “working tirelessly towards the reconstitution of the full and visible unity of all Christ’s followers.” The Association also values the participation of members of other Christian communions who are able to contribute their own unique insight and experience.

Aims of the Association

1. The primary commitment of working towards the “reconstitution of the visible unity of all Christ’s followers,” especially between catholic and orthodox. [Quote: Pope Benedict XVI, Sistine Chapel address, 2005]
2. Working towards the renewal of the 3-fold monastic tradition - cenobium, skete and hermitage - in accordance with the ‘return to roots’ directive of Vatican II, as the joint heritage of east and west.
3. Developing east-west studies in religion and liturgy & providing retreat and study facilities.
4. Promoting an ethical lifestyle and care of the planet in the spirit of reverence for the Creator. [cf. Patriarch Bartholomew: Encyclic on the Environment 1999]

East Meets West: “Orate Fratres”

On April 20th’ 05 Pope Benedict XVI assumed as his primary commitment that of “working tirelessly towards the reconstitution of the full and visible unity of all Christ’s followers.”

In “Conversations with Patriarch Bartholomew” Olivier Clement sums up the eastern spirit of oecumenae “Moving beyond polemics, we need to reflect on a period of ecclesial life in which tensions were resolved not against the pope or against the councils, but in a different way.”

The Association aims to develop grass roots relations between eastern and western Christians and cultures, not glossing over real differences, but seeking that unity for which Christ prayed.

Clementine Hall, Rome: 2005

St. Sabbas of Palestine developed the 3-fold tradition

Monastic Life - Shared Roots

The early church developed three interrelated forms of monastic life - the cenobium (communal), the skete or laura (combining community and solitude) and the hermitage (solitary). Often these three forms of life were interrelated in one monastery. In the eastern church this tradition has never disappeared, as it did under the pressures of the Reformation in the west.

Recognising the increasing interest in this shared tradition, in the wake of the Orthodox diaspora from Greece and Russia in the early years of the twentieth century, combined with the urging of Vatican II for religious to return to the roots of their tradition, Sancti Angeli Association is committed to the dialogue between orthodox and catholic monastics.

Towards Renewing The Three-Fold Monastic Tradition: Sancti Angeli Benedictine Skete

Sancti Angeli Benedictine Skete was formed in Scotland by Sister Petra Clare, as a first step to renewing interest in the tradition of the monastery skete - a way of life which balances solitude and community - which has largely lapsed in the west.

Her aim was, firstly, to enable women to experience monastic life, by ‘living-alongside’ her for a period at the skete, and - in the long term- to gather interest in forming a regular monastic community in the skete tradition.

She made monastic formation in preparation for this at St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde (Solesmes Benedictines), by a special permission under papal indult, and was invited to Aberdeen diocese by Bishop Conti (now Archbishop of Glasgow). The venture comes under the diocese (canon 605: new forms of religious life).

Sancti Angeli Association developed out of the friends of Sancti Angeli Benedictine Skete.

Sancti Angeli; “welcome all like Christ himself”

A member’s visit to Ethiopia

East-West Studies: The Association Website

As you will see browsing the website the aim of the site is to give a balanced view of eastern and western Christian tradition. Many unnecessary conflicts have been developed over the years simply through ignorance -and subsequent misinterpretation - of the other person’s point of view, or because of poor translation. For example, the Greek word for veneration, was carelessly translated as worship - and the repercussions of this misunderstanding were still evident at the Reformation.

The website, with it’s extensive directory of east-west religious links, is meant to give the browser the tools to begin explore for him or herself the way the different traditions see themselves. It is an invitation to step beyond our own prejudices to a genuine appreciation of the ‘sacred other’ and enable us to see the gaps in our understanding which need to be addressed.

The Members Area is being developed to give Associates the opportunity to exchange studies and access the archive on a number of east-west subjects. Members are invited to contribute their own studies and participate in the online dialogue in the members forum. The units of the Online Icon Course, which combines practical icon studies with training in the biblical and conciliar tradition, are also posted in a dedicated section of the members area.

A Practical Meeting Of East & West: Sancti Angeli Icon Workshop

A very important part of east-west understanding is the renewal of the icon tradition in the Western Church. As well being a beautiful object in it’s own right, studying it has helped westerners to both renew their own liturgical roots and understand the liturgical ethos of the east. The last Council of the undivided Church (Nicea II 787 AD) stated that Gospel book and icon form a joint witness to the incarnation of the Word and medieval churches in east and west were acutely conscious that the whole building is a visual Gospel.

Pope John Paul II reiterated this on the Council’s anniversary in 1987 and asked the Church to renew the tradition: ‘I..invite my brothers in the episcopate to “maintain firmly the practise of proposing to the faithful the veneration of sacred images”....and to do everything so that more works of truly ecclesial quality may be produced.’

Sancti Angeli Icon Workshop produces icons for churches and individuals in the UK and abroad, and trains iconographers through icon workshops and online studies.

A joint annual workshop at Belmont Abbey has become a regular annual feature, in the course of which Father Dyfrig OSB has given many riveting and erudite talks on the relation between Gospel and icon.

The workshop meets the challenge of renewing a tradition lost at the Reformation.

The garden at Sancti Angeli

Ethical Lifestyle: Caring For The Creator's Creation

In his remarkable Encyclical letter of 1999, Patriarch Bartholomew points out the link between ‘the internal spiritual environment of the conscience of each person,’ which has not become good, and subsequent actions which have led to ‘disastrous man-made activities upsetting the balance of the environment.’

He links appreciation for the ‘the good things of this very good world’ with an inner attitude which is sensitive ‘to all evil that harms any creature of God, and consequently to every element that makes up our natural environment’ and to focus this makes September 1st (harvest festival time!) an annual day of prayer for the environment.

St. Benedict, in his Rule, urges monastics to stay in one place, and put their back into stewardship of their particular bit of earth. It is the aim of the Association to focus on what can be done ‘at home,’ by better care for the daily environment, and cultivating an attitude of respect for creation.