The Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring in California
The Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring is located in the small town of Dunlap, California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The convent was founded in 1993 by the renowned elder Ephraim of Philotheou (also known as Ephraim of Arizona), a disciple of the Athonite elder Joseph the Hesychast. Here, the nuns lead a life of prayer according to the strict Athonite rule, welcome pilgrims, and publish spiritual literature. For many years, the monastery has been led by Abbess Mother Markella. Under her guidance, between 2021 and 2025, a new chapel was built in honor of the contemporary saints and ascetics Joseph the Hesychast, Ephraim of Katounakia, Elder Ephraim of Arizona, Nikiforos the Leper, and Markella of Chios. The monastery is considered one of the important Greek spiritual centers in America.
Elder Ephraim of Arizona with Life-Giving Spring icon
Ivan Belya, the founder of the “Life-Giving Spring” Orthodox Church in Hot Springs, had the blessing to visit this convent — as well as St. Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona, the main place of Elder Ephraim’s ascetic labor — in 2015. During that visit, he received a blessing from Elder Ephraim for his labors in developing churches in America and had the opportunity to meet and speak with Mother Markella. At the time, Ivan had no idea that in a few years God’s Providence would lead him to Hot Springs, where he would be able to establish a church dedicated to the icon of the “Life-Giving Spring.”
Exactly ten years later, Ivan had a new meeting with Abbess Markella in New York during the apostolic visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to America. Ivan shared the joyful news with her that a new church had recently been opened and consecrated in the historic location of Hot Springs, named — just like the monastery in California — in honor of the icon of the “Life-Giving Spring.” Mother Markella wished him God’s help in his continued labors and assured him of her spiritual support and prayers.
Abbess Markella of the “Life-Giving Spring” Monastery in California, and Ivan Belya, founder of the “Life-Giving Spring” Church in Hot Springs. New York, 2025.