In 1979, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, then the newly elected bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of San Francisco, shared his vision for the creation of a retreat and conference center that could be used to provide spiritual programs for the faithful of the diocese, especially the youth. A young priest, Fr. John Bakas, hearing Bishop Anthony's words, thought of a friend who had a large parcel of land nestled in a beautiful valley in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just outside of Sequoia National Park. The property, owned by the Nick Kossaras family, had once been part of the huge Sally K horse ranch, which in the early 20th century had provided work horses that pulled wagons of ice to homes and businesses in the San Joaquin Valley. The Kossaras family enthusiastically embraced the Bishop's dream and donated the entire 180 acres to the Diocese.

 

Immediately, it became a center for retreats and a youth summer camp. In the early days, the old ranch buildings were utilized, the centerpiece being a two story horse barn built in the 1890's in which a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas was built. Before long, a beautiful conference and retreat center took shape. The original 180 acres grew to nearly 300 as additional parcels were purchased. Metropolitan Anthony's vision was made complete with the opening of the Monastery of the Holy Theotokos the Life Giving Spring, built on a hill overlooking the Ranch, offering a spiritual oasis of Orthodox Christian worship and spirituality.