Eremitic Order of Mount Carmel

Abbot of the Eremitic Order

Father Abbot Dennis, EOMC, BDiv, of Honolulu was elected for life (Hegumen) in May 1994, by the Order's members and ordained an Orthodox Deacon in August 1995, by Bishop Daniel de Mont-Carmel, then Orthodox Bishop of Hawaii and current Apostolic President of the Church.  Abbot Dennis previously lived for three years as a Lay Brother at the Trappist Abbey of Our Lady of the Genesee in Piffard, New York.

The Abbot directs the Eremitic Order of Mount Carmel, which while not associated with the Catholic Carmelite Orders canonically founded in the thirteenth century, is a contemporary renewal of that monasticism originally inspired by the ancient monotheist hermits of Mount Carmel some 3,000 years ago.  However, today's Eremitic Order also honors the spiritual writings of the fifth century Fathers of the Desert, and as well, incorporates the mystical teachings of Saint Teresa of Jesus of Avila and Saint John of the Cross.

The Eremitic Order combines active life, monastic practices of silence, obedience and professional work within a men's spiritual group-living coenobitic environment.  The monks live together as equals and may choose to remain laymen or become clergy.

While spiritually associated with the Church, the Eremitic Order of Mount Carmel is a private, legally independent organization that is canonically autonomous and led by its elected abbot.