Hermitage of the Holy Cross (Wayne, West Virginia)
The Hermitage of the Holy Cross is a monastic community for men in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. It is located in Wayne, West Virginia.
The community was founded in September 1986 by Hieromonk Kallistos as an English-language dependancy on Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville. It presently holds 19 monks, most of whom are converts.
The community consists of men living the monastic tradition of a Christ-centered prayer life for the monastic members. To support the community the monks, by hand, write icons and make soap, incense, icon shelves, prayer desks and other liturgical items.
Holy Cross Skete | |
Jurisdiction | ROCOR |
Type | Male Monastery |
Founded | 1986 |
Superior | Bishop George of Mayfield, rector |
Approx. size | 19 |
Location | Wayne, West Virginia |
Liturgical language(s) | English |
Music used | Russian Chant |
Calendar | Julian |
Feastdays celebrated | 14/27 Sep |
Official website | Official Website |
Brief History
- 1986 Sep: Holy Cross Hermitage founded by Hieromonk Kallistos in House Springs, Missouri.
- 1992: Hieromonk Kallistos reposes.
- 1999: Brotherhood has doubled in size since founding; all cells are filled. Monastery could not expand due to surrounding city development.
- Summer: Surrounding city development solves its own problem for the monastery, with authorities requiring a major highway to go through the monastery. An alternate piece of land is offered in West Virginia.
- 2000 May 25: Move to Wayne, West Virginia, accomplished.
- 2005: Igumen George, spiritual father of hermitage, elevated to Archimandrite.
- 2008: December 7: Archimandrite George is consecrated Bishop of Mayfield.
- 2009: May: The Hermitage receives independence from Holy Trinity Monastery. Bishop George is elected as rector of the Hermitage.
- 2011: Hermitage of the Holy Cross celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Daily Life
Weekday Schedule
- 5:00 am - Midnight Office, Veneration of Icons, Hours, & Liturgy (or Typica)
- 7:30 am - Optional Buffet Breakfast in silence, quiet time for prayer rule & spiritual reading
- 8:30 am - Morning Work Period
- 12:00 pm - Lunch
- 1:30 am - Afternoon Work Period
- 5:00 pm - Supper
- 5:30 pm - Vespers, Matins, 1st Hour, & Veneration of Icons
- 9:00 pm - Silence
Sunday & Vigil-rank Feast Schedule
Evening before
- 5:00 pm - Supper
- 6:30 pm - Vigil
Sunday or Feast Day
- 9:00 am - Hours & Liturgy with meal following
- 5:00 pm - Supper
- 5:30 pm - Vespers, Matins, 1st Hour, & Veneration of Icons
- 9:00 pm - Silence
External links
- Official homepage
- Hermitage marks 1700th anniversary of martyrdom of St Panteleimon
- Hermitage pilgrimage 1999
- Holy Cross Monastery Parish Directory of the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.