Being back in Salt Lake City brings mixed feelings for him. He is near his family but is not the same person as when he left many years ago. Makarios likes to think he remains on an "extended leave of absence" from St. Catherine's, but he doubts he will be able to return.

His introduction into Utah life again involved buying a car, getting insurance and even learning how to use a cell phone. Makarios said Americans suffer from an obsession with material items above anything else. "You see all those self storage places and there's more being built every day," he said. He feels Americans use material goods to fill the spiritual void in their lives.

Although he serves the Greek Orthodox Church part-time, in parishes in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, Makarios said the outside world is really no place for a monk. Since his return, the Greek Orthodox Church has built monasteries in California and Arizona. Yet, finding men willing to become monks is becoming increasingly difficult.

Makarios said there is land in Green River, Wyo., where he has a dream of starting a monastery — a place of sanctuary, like St. Catherine's, where he and others may serve others and spend time in prayer for humanity.

---

E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com