Visitor Rules
Before Arrival
- Must call the monastery to let them know of.
During your stay
- Day and time of arrival.
- Duration of your stay.
- The number of people expected to come (Must call a week in advanced for groups).
- Their average age (Note: no one under 15 years of age is allowed to sleep over in the retreat house).
- Must bring a signed permit from your confession father only for the first time of stay.
- Must bring your own Bible, Agpia, and Tasbeha Book.
- Must arrive before 11:00pm otherwise wait until the next day.
- Must obey the fathers, brothers and the rules of the monastery.
- Must follow the daily timetable of the retreat house.
- Must ask before using anything outside the room (e.g. Kitchen utensils, food from fridge).
- Keep the voice level down at all time.
- You must not go for bush walks or leave the monastery gate without permission from the fathers under any circumstances.
- The room allocated to you by the fathers should never be changed under any circumstances.
- The room should be clean and tidy at all times of your stay with the pillowcase and bed sheet on and blankets are folded and kept in the cupboard.
- Your clothes should be either in your bag or folded in the cupboard.
- The floor should be clean at all times.
- No food or drinks should be taken into the rooms for any reason at any time.
- The rooms should not be locked for any reason at any time.
- There should be no knocking on doors for any reason at any time.
- Make sure that the fathers know you are leaving the monastery.
- Make sure your bed and room are left clean and tidy.
Failure to abide with any of the above rules, your parents will be contacted to pick you up the same day and your confession father will be notified.
Please remember that this is a retreat house not a campsite and so you should behave accordingly. Hope you enjoy your stay at St. Shenouda’s retreat house and that you have gained spiritual benefit as your heart desire.