Prophet Elias Chapel at the St. Anthony’s Monastery near Florence./Nick Tsalikis, Pita Patio Grill

There’s an anecdote behind how St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery found it’s spot not far from the town of Florence that says much about the place that eventually became a key hub for members of the church.

The story goes that a group comprised of the monastery’s abbot, Elder Ephraim, and five or six monks were driving along State Route 79 seeking property to build an Arizona monastery when they heard church bells ringing.