Book Day Visit

Please fill out the below form to register for a day visit.
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
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CANADA'S FIRST COPTIC 
ORTHODOX MONASTERY

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
”  Psalm 34:8

We are in a quiet period from Saturday, Feb 24 to Thursday 29, 2024, we apologize for accepting retreatants or visitors during this period

Book an Individual Retreat

Personal information
Church information
Your visit
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
Important:
If this is your first time visiting the Monastery, please complete this permission form and have it submitted by your father of confession over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Please bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Jesus said to him

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor,and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Matthew 19:21

About the Monastery

Under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the church established the first Coptic Orthodox Monastery in Canada by the name of St. Anthony on January 7th 2014.  The official opening was held on the feast of St Anthony later that month.

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We'd Love to See You!

"He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God" Luke 6:12
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Register for a Visit

We welcome day and overnight visitors by registration only.  
Book a Visit
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Schedule and Events

View our upcoming events and register for visits.
See Calendar
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Directions

For Bus trips, you are forbidden from using the bridge on Narrows Lock Rd
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Help Build Our Monastery

Donations for our new building
  • Chapel with 3 Altars
  • Kitchen and Dining Room
  • Monk's Residence
  • Meditation Room
  • Library
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Sayings of the Fathers

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You cannot pray at home, like you can at church, where there is a great multitude; where exclamations are cried out to God as from one great heart, and where there is something more: the unions of minds, the accord of souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of priests.

St. John Chrysostom
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There is something beautiful about a person who pursues what they love. Monasticism was pioneered by this kind of person: St. Anthony the Great. He loved God to the extent that drew his soul to seek Him alone in the Egyptian desert. Through his virtues of humility and asceticism, he grew in the wisdom of God.

St. Macarius the Great
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In the desert of the heart, let the healing fountain start.

St. Macarius the Great
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Be like a solitary palm tree or a thorn bush in the desert. Like a palm tree, let the sweetness of your deeds delight others. And if like a thorn bush, they find in you nothing to enjoy, at least they will find nothing to hurt.

St. Macarius the Great
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He who wishes to live in solitude in the desert is delivered from three conflicts: hearing, speech, and sight; there is only one conflict for him and that is with fornication.

St. Anthony the Great
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Great are you, O Lord, and exceedingly worthy of praise; your power is beyond measure, and your wisdom beyond reckoning.

St. Augustine
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True patience consists in bearing calmly the evils others do to us.

St. Gregory the Great
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It is a spiritual gift from God for a man to perceive his own sins.

St. Isaac the Syrian

Watch to see what retreatants are saying about their visit to the Monastery!

Prayer request
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Gallery

WE'D LOVE TO SHARE OUR PAST EVENTS

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St. Anthony Feast 2018
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inaguration
Inauguration
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consertation
Consecration of the Altar Jan. 30, 2018
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See All

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive about the monastery. Please feel free to contact us if you are still looking for the answer you're looking for.
Contact us

WE WANT TO SERVE THE WORLD AROUND US

We'd love to suggest digital resources to help you grow your relationship with God.
Explore more
Blogs

ENRICH YOUR SOUL

“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  
Psalms 119:103
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The Nayrouz Feast (Coptic New Year)
Have you ever wondered why the Coptic Orthodox church chose the first day of the Coptic Calendar year to commemorate her martyrs?
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The Martyrs
The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates and respects the martyrs for their faith, heroism, and unwavering loyalty to Christ. These giants of the faith were willing to confess the name of Christ and witness to the Truth of his Person to the point of severe, merciless torture and even death.
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St. Mary the Theotokos
There are over one million words in the English language, but it is difficult to string together these words in a way that aptly describes the Mother of God. To write about her is no easy task, as Her spiritual beauty is beyond description
Read more
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Book Day Visit

Please fill out the below form to register for a day visit.
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

PRAYER REQUEST

We remember you in our prayers. We pray for you, for the church, for the whole world.
Prayer Request

Book a Group Retreat

Group Leader Information
Will the sponsoring priest attend the retreat?
Retreatant information
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
IMPORTANT! If Traveling by bus:
There is a bridge on Narrows Lock Rd. that is restricted to 5 tonnes. Most buses cannot cross this bridge. Please refer to the link below for an alternate route.
Important:
Please complete the corresponding permission form and have it submitted by the sponsoring priest or father of confession by sending it over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

Group Permission Form | Church Trip Permission Form

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Every guest must bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book an Individual Retreat

Personal information
Church information
Your visit
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
Important:
If this is your first time visiting the Monastery, please complete this permission form and have it submitted by your father of confession over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Please bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book an Individual Retreat

Personal information
Church information
Your visit
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
Important:
If this is your first time visiting the Monastery, please complete this permission form and have it submitted by your father of confession over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Please bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book a Group Retreat

Group Leader Information
Will the sponsoring priest attend the retreat?
Retreatant information
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
IMPORTANT! If Traveling by bus:
There is a bridge on Narrows Lock Rd. that is restricted to 5 tonnes. Most buses cannot cross this bridge. Please refer to the link below for an alternate route.
Important:
Please complete the corresponding permission form and have it submitted by the sponsoring priest or father of confession by sending it over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

Group Permission Form | Church Trip Permission Form

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Every guest must bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book an Individual Retreat

Personal information
Church information
Your visit
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
Important:
If this is your first time visiting the Monastery, please complete this permission form and have it submitted by your father of confession over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Please bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book an Individual Retreat

Personal information
Church information
Your visit
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
Important:
If this is your first time visiting the Monastery, please complete this permission form and have it submitted by your father of confession over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Please bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book a Group Retreat

Group Leader Information
Will the sponsoring priest attend the retreat?
Retreatant information
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
IMPORTANT! If Traveling by bus:
There is a bridge on Narrows Lock Rd. that is restricted to 5 tonnes. Most buses cannot cross this bridge. Please refer to the link below for an alternate route.
Important:
Please complete the corresponding permission form and have it submitted by the sponsoring priest or father of confession by sending it over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

Group Permission Form | Church Trip Permission Form

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Every guest must bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book an Individual Retreat

Personal information
Church information
Your visit
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Departure Date:
Departure Time:
Important:
If this is your first time visiting the Monastery, please complete this permission form and have it submitted by your father of confession over email to abbaanthony.ca@gmail.com.

We will respond to your request within three days after receiving your permission letter.
Please bring one pillowcase and two bedsheets for personal use.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book Day Visit

Please fill out the below form to register for a day visit.
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Retreat Rules
Booking Guidelines
  • Retreat bookings must be made at least three days in advance of the desired date.
  • A maximum of seven days can be booked for a retreat reservation.
  • The maximum capacity of our retreat facility is 25 boys and 20 girls.
Saftey
  • Retreatants are responsible for their health insurance and, by accepting the reservation agreement, waive all rights of action against St. Anthony Monastery. A certificate of insurance must be presented to the Monastery once the church group arrives. All retreatants must exercise caution. No exceptions.
  • Individuals and church groups spending an overnight retreat at the monastery must make safety their first and highest priority.
Chaperones
  • All church groups must be accompanied by at least two adult chaperones (or servants). One is the Retreat Coordinator, who communicates with the Monastery for the registration process, and one (1) adult for every five (5) youth under the age of 18.
  • Chaperones are expected to maintain the discipline of their group to ensure a safe retreat experience for everyone using the Retreat Center.
Respect & Cleanliness
  • The monastery buildings and grounds are sacred. We hope you will sense this blessing throughout the monastery complex and treat it with care as if God were walking through your door.
  • Retreatants are expected to leave the Retreat Center facilities in the same condition (or better!) where they were found. This includes the grounds, and the rooms, including thoroughly cleaning the bathroom area and removing all trash.
  • All materials that can be recycled, including cans, glass, plastic bottles, and newsprint, must be cleaned and disposed of.
  • The Monastery and its Retreat Center are smoke-free, drug-free and alcohol-free facilities. The use of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited.
  • Pets are not allowed on the Monastery's premises.
Retreat Termination will occur, and a fine will incur if your group:
  1. Damages, defaces, or removes any Monastery Center property.
  2. Fails to comply with the rules and guidelines of the Retreat Center.
  3. Disturbs other people during their stay.
  4. Brings cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs on the property.
Permission Letter
A Permission Letter required for individual and church retreats. Please refer to the appropriate registration page to view the requirements.
Got it

Book Day Visit

Please fill out the below form to register for a day visit.
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book Day Visit

Please fill out the below form to register for a day visit.
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Book Day Visit

Please fill out the below form to register for a day visit.
Arrival Date:
Arrival Time:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.