Contact & Location for Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery
About Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery
Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery is a monastic community affiliated with the Orthodox Church in America, located in Castro Valley, California. Founded in 1970 by Archimandrite Theodor and Father Stephen, the monastery was established with the vision of creating a spiritual sanctuary dedicated to the Holy Cross. The monastic brotherhood has spent decades transforming the rural property into what they describe as a frontier of paradise, with the monks themselves performing much of the labor including constructing retaining walls and planting the redwood trees that now tower over the grounds. The monastery serves Orthodox Christians of all ethnic backgrounds and cultural traditions, welcoming visitors who seek spiritual nourishment and serving the broader community through sacramental blessings, weddings, baptisms, and spiritual retreats. Services are typically celebrated in languages including Romanian, Church Slavonic, Greek, and English to accommodate the diverse congregation.
First-Time Visitor Info for Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery
Dress Code: Not specified — please contact the church directly. Service Format: The monastery's daily cycle of monastic liturgical services continue privately by the monastic brotherhood; public services are currently not available for the foreseeable future due to ongoing issues with local authorities — please contact the monastery in advance if you wish to arrange a personal visit. Visitor Tips: Visitors are welcome to visit as individuals or individual families outside of service times, but must contact the monastery in advance to make arrangements, as the gates are currently closed for public gatherings and events.
Note: Church information may be outdated. Please verify details with the church directly before visiting.
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