Holy Transfiguration Monastery

I am not fully religious although i have been fond of orthodox churches since i was a little person. Upon stumbling on this gem while being lost in Brookline, we decided to step inside. Upon entering the monk who greeted us was so friendly and warm. After donning a scarf on my head and putting on a skirt that they provided for me, father
Combos (i don’t know if i spelled that right) showed us around and answered all of our questions. How thoughtful– my friend Jordan said that he has never had such a positive religious experience.

The monks here are very kind and helpful. I’ve been coming to their bookstore for years and they always have very nice icons, incense, candles, oils etc.

This is not the perspective of a visitor to the monastery. Somehow, I’m coincidentally never around whenever my parents visit. I grew up eating their bread, having some whenever they needed to make their errands, and all the others I have had in my life pales in comparison. They make absolutely wonderful loaves of a golden lightly sweetened bread topped with sesame seeds. It has the appearance of being a dry bread, but completely different once it hits your mouth, melting in it with the delicate flavor. Toasted with butter, the additional saltiness and heat brings out the flavor even more. In texture, the bread flakes apart, rather than compressing like harder breads, and yet is fairly firm to the touch, seemingly like one when you press against the exterior of the loaf. It does not seem like a bread for a sandwich, and I can never bring myself to have it beyond simply by itself or with butter.
It’s one of those wonderful pleasures in life. I know not what it costs at their monastery store, however. It is sold there.