Our community has been devoted to the Most Holy Theotokos over the fifteen years we have been together. Our humble monastery in Polynesia was founded in 2016 — Na Pua Li'i Hermitage — seeking to honor her. Under Her Mantle, we have long sought refuge and protection from the chances and changes of this life. Our labors in the good earth here our Farm are carried out in Her Name to Whom the Church sings:
| "You are the Root of Virginity and the Unfading Flower of Purity." |
Even our trademark echos these holy words:
| Purity. Protected earth. Healing foods. |
Our journeys of theoisis are just not possible until we have freed ourselves from personal pollution: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). And the Master admonished us saying, If your light is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Mt 6:23) We must practice purity, for that is the prayer of all the body and of all the soul and of all the heart.
We must guard ourselves against the world, for St. John the Theologian that "if you love the things of the world, love of the Father is just not in you" (1 John 2:15). Certainly, our monastery is free of all worldliness. And even the earth is protected on USDA certfied organic farm.
Removing all polluting influences, we may begin the long process of leaching out toxins and healing. The earth itself provides healing balms if only we will nourish ourselves with them.
But our labors in prayer and personal purity and organic farming are in vain unless they are all done beneath the mantle and safe place of the Most Holy Theotokos. In the shadow of Her wing do we find our wholeness, our sanctity, and our salvation.