Monastery of St. Varlaam in Meteora, Greece. Founded in 1517, it is a monastery of the Holy Metropolis of Stagoi and Meteora under the Church of Greece. It is the second-largest of the six intact monasteries in Meteora. Four of those monasteries are still operating, compared to 24 that originally comprised the monastic complex. While monasticism in Meteora has declined greatly from its peak, monks still hold vigil for the world there, including men of surprising origins; earlier this year a hierodeacon who converted from Judaism was ordained to serve in this monastery. His father was a rabbi, but this man answered the call to serve Christ, to the glory of God.