[[Image:HCM_OCA_site.jpg|right|thumb|Holy Cross Monastery from the East]]'''Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery''' is a monastic institution of the [[OCA|Orthodox Church in America]] located in Castro Valley, California. The clergy of the [[monastery]] previously served under the [[omophorion]] of [[Kyrill (Yonchev) of Pittsburgh|Archbishop Kyrill]], who shepherded the OCA's [http://www.oca.org/CAdioceseWP.asp?SID=8 Diocese of Pittsburgh], Pennsylvania and the [http://www.oca.org/CAdioceseBU.asp?SID=8 Diocese of Toledo,] Ohio. Since the repose of Archbishop Kyrill during the summer of 2007; they now serve under the omophorion of [Herman (Swaiko) of Washington and New York|Metropolitan Herman], who serves as [[locum tenens]] of their [[diocese]] until a new [[hierarch]] is elected and installed.Holy Cross Monastery serves [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christians]] of all ethnic backgrounds and all cultural traditions. Services are predominantly celebrated in English, but are often also heard in [[Romanian]], [[Slavonic]] (also known as Old Bulgarian), and [[Greek]]. Many [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christians]] with roots in [[Church of Romania|Romania]] and [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church|Bulgaria]] regularly attend services at the [[Monasticism|monastery]]. Orthodox faithful of all backgrounds come here for [[Marriage|weddings]], [[baptism]]s, and other [[sacrament]]al blessings. Elegant dining space and a covered portico are available for receptions. Spiritual day retreats have been held here by OCA churches, neighboring [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|Greek Orthodox]] parishes, and by many other Orthodox groups.
''Holy Cross Monastery from the East''== Schedule of Services ==
== About Holy Cross Monastery == [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery] (also known as "Holy Cross Monastery") is a [http://www.oca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-BU-CAVHCM monastic institution] of the Orthodox Church in America ([http://www.oca.org OCA]) located in Castro Valley, California. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106878179845566900196.0000011231bc07414a576&ll=37.633167,-121.951659&spn=1.472504,2.554321&z=9&om=1 Map] The clergy of the [[monastery]] previously served under the [[omophorion]] of [[Kyrill_%28Yonchev%29_of_Pittsburgh|Archbishop Kyrill]], who shepherded the [http://www.oca.org OCA's] [http://www.oca.org/CAdioceseWP.asp?SID=8 Diocese of Pittsburgh], Pennsylvania and the [http://www.oca.org/CAdioceseBU.asp?SID=8 Diocese of Toledo,] Ohio. Since the [http://oca.org/News.asp?ID=1265&SID=19 repose of Archbishop Kyrill] during the summer of 2007; they now serve under the [[omophorion]] of [http://www.oca.org/HSepiscopacy.asp?SID=7#primate Metropolitan Herman,] who serves as [[locum tenens]] of their [[diocese]] until a new [[hierarch]] is elected and installed for their [[diocese]]. [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] serves [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christians]] of all ethnic backgrounds and all cultural traditions. Services are predominantly celebrated in English, but are often also heard in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_language Romanian], [[Slavonic]] (also known as Old Bulgarian), and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek]. Many [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christians]] with roots in [[Church_of_Romania|Romania]] and [[Bulgarian_Orthodox_Church|Bulgaria]] regularly attend services at the [[Monasticism|monastery]]. Orthodox faithful of all backgrounds come here for [[Marriage|weddings]], [[Baptism|baptisms]], and other [[Sacrament|sacramental]] blessings. Elegant dining space and a covered portico are available for receptions. Spiritual day retreats have been held here by [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christians]] from the Orthodox Church in America ([http://www.oca.org OCA]) by neighboring [[Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America|Greek Orthodox]] parishes, and by many other [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christian]] groups. === Schedule of Services === Services at [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] are usually conducted in the languages best understood by those worshipping with the Fathersfathers, who can conduct services in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_language [Romanian]], [[Slavonic]] ("Old Bulgarian"), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language [Greek]], or English as the need arises.
*''Saturday Evening''
**6:00 PM [[Great Vespers]] (The time for [[Great Vespers]] is subject to change; , so please call before beforehand at 510-581-2778)
*''Sunday Morning''
*''Services which are open to the general public are listed above.''
**Other [[Daily_cycleDaily cycle|liturgical offices]] are reserved for the [[monksmonk]] s and may be attended by special arrangement.
=== Contact Information ===
Please respect the sacred solitude and quietude of the cloister and contact the Fathers before visiting at times other than Sunday mornings.
*''Address:'' 34580 Palomares Road, Castro Valley, CA 94552-9622 (near 6.58 mileage marker)
** [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106878179845566900196.0000011231bc07414a576&ll=37.633167,-121.951659&spn=1.472504,2.554321&z=9&om=1 Map]
**[http://www.holycrossmonastery.org/about-us/directions/directio.htm Directions]
*''E-mail:'' cybermonk@holycrossmonastery.org
*''Web:'' http://www.holycrossmonastery.org
*''Web Page at the OCA's website:'' http://www.oca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-BU-CAVHCM
== Monastery Background ==
The [[Orthodox_Church]] traces its history back to the original Church founded by [[Jesus_Christ]]. It is the Church of the [[apostles]],of the [[Martyr|martyrs], and of the early Christians. [[Orthodoxy|''Orthodoxia'']] is a Greek word meaning "correct praise" or "correct teaching" and the [[Orthodox Church]] considers itself to be the bearer of ancient Christian [[Tradition]].
[[Monasticism]] itself arose out of this spiritual fervor and devotion of the early [[Orthodox_Church|Christian Church]]. The [[Monasticism|monastic life]] has always been an honored path for men and women to "deny themselves, take up their cross" and follow the Lord by devoting their lives to Him and becoming [[Monks|monks or nuns]]. (cf. [[Gospel_of_Matthew|Matthew]] 16:24). Taking vows of personal poverty, chastity, obedience and stability, they seek spiritual perfection by leading lives pleasing to Christ. In their imperfect way, they strive to serve him with a three-fold service of prayer, work and study. (For more on the [[Holy_Scripture|scriptural]] origins of [[monasticism]], see [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org/articles/followme.htm Come, Follow Me.])
=== Early Beginnings ===
[http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] began with its [[Abbot]], [[Archimandrite]] Theodor. He always dreamed of founding a [[monastery]] one day for the greater glory of God. In 1965, while he was still very young and after he had been [[Ordain|ordained]] as a [[priest]] for just one year, his devout mother suddenly and unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord. He was an only son and his mother left her inheritance to him; since she knew of his holy intention to build a [[monastery]] one day.
This legacy from his mother was the seed from which [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] would one day take root, but it was not enough to acquire property suitable for a [[monastery]]. So he labored in the Lord's vineyard as a parish [[priest]] until he met his first [[disciple]] in 1970.
When he heard this young man talk about his interest in pursuing the [[Monasticism|monastic life]], he asked him if he would be interested in helping him build a [[monastery]]. "The days when emperors, tsars, or kings will build monasteries for us are past," he said. "If we want a [[monastery]], we shall have to build one ourselves." It was then, in 1970, that they made their holy vow that one day, by the grace of God, they would build a [[monastery]] together dedicated to the [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org/articles/historical/translations/feastday.htm Holy Cross.]
It took the [[monks]] nine additional years to save enough money to buy property suitable for a [[monastery]], and then, in 1979, with the blessing of their [[Diocese|diocesan]] [[bishop]], they purchased a rural estate that would eventually be consecrated as [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery.] The [[monks]] themselves have performed most of the labor that has transfigured this rustic property into a frontier of Paradise. They have also stacked every stone in their retaining walls and planted the trees in the cloister precincts. The majestic redwood trees that tower behind our cross shrine were planted by the Fathers themselves from one-gallon cans in 1980, during the first summer following their arrival here.
[[Image:Cross_shrine_Jan_2005_1.JPG|Facing East toward the Cross Shrine of Holy Cross Monastery with redwood trees planted by the Fathers in the background]]
''Facing East toward == Beginnings of the Cross Shrine of monastery ==Holy Cross Monasterybegan with its [[abbot]], with redwood trees planted by [[Archimandrite]] Theodor. He always dreamed of founding a monastery one day for the Fathers greater glory of God. In 1965, while he was very young and after he had been [[ordination|ordained]] as a [[priest]] for just one year, his devout mother suddenly and unexpectedly fell asleep in the backgroundLord. Mosaics He was an only son, and his mother left her inheritance to him since she knew of Christ and the Virgin Mary flank the Cross in center. Redwood trees planted in 1980; Photo taken in January 2005his holy intention to build a monastery one day.''
=== A Sanctuary Where God Dwells among Men ===This legacy from his mother was the seed from which Holy Cross Monastery would one day take root, but it was not enough to acquire property suitable for a monastery. So he labored in the Lord's vineyard as a parish priest until he met his first [[disciple]] in 1970.
[http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] thrives by When he heard this young man talk about his interest in pursuing the grace of God and through the hard work and professional employment of its [[monksmonasticism| monastic life]]. Although friends and supporters have given and continue to give donations to help further the Fathers' holy work, the [[he asked him if he would be interested in helping him build a monastery]] is self-supporting. "The [[monks]] have never sent out appeals days when emperors, tsars, or kings will build monasteries for donations and have never even passed us are past," he said. "If we want a collection plate in their [[monastery]] [[chapel]], we shall have to build one ourselves. Whatever friends" It was then, supportersin 1970, and visitors have ever given of that they made their own free will has been gratefully and humbly accepted and used for holy vow that one day, by the greater glory grace of God by , they would build a monastery together dedicated to the [[monksCross|Holy Cross]].
The Fathers do their utmost It took the monks nine additional years to make every visitor feel that their monastic dwelling is a spiritual home to anyone who comes save enough money to them buy property suitable for spiritual nourishment. [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] exists as a haven of spiritual tranquility, tolerancemonastery, and kindness—not only for the local owlsthen, deerin 1979, foxeswith the blessing of their diocesan [[bishop]], and raccoons—but for all who come to partake they purchased a rural estate that would eventually be consecrated as Holy Cross Monastery. The monks themselves have performed most of the monastery's peace labor that has transfigured this rustic property into a frontier of Paradise. They have also stacked every stone in our retaining walls and befriend planted the trees in the Fatherscloister precincts. The beauty and harmony of majestic redwood trees that tower behind their cross shrine were planted by the [[monastery]] and its environs speak for fathers themselves and speak to from one-gallon cans in 1980, during the soul and heart of anyone who loves God, humankind, and naturefirst summer following their arrival here.
The [[Jesus_ChristImage:Cross_shrine_Jan_2005_1.JPG|Lordleft|thumb|Facing East toward the Cross Shrine of Holy Cross Monastery with redwood trees planted by the fathers in the background, photo taken January 2005]] said: "Foxes == A Sanctuary Where God Dwells among Men ==Holy Cross Monastery thrives by the grace of God and through the hard work and professional employment of its monks. Although friends and supporters have dens given and birds of continue to give donations to help further the air have nestsfathers' holy work, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" ([[Gospel_of_Matthew|Matthew]] 8:20)monastery is self-supporting. In this tumultuous The monks have never sent out appeals for donations and tempestuous world, the have never even passed a collection plate in their monastery [[Jesus_Christ|Lordchapel]] has few places in which to lay His holy head. [[Monasticism|Monasteries]] provide the [[Jesus_Christ|Lord]] with sanctuaries of calm and quietudeWhatever friends, supporters, where He can rest His holy head and where those who seek Him visitors have ever given of their own free will has been gratefully and love Him can embrace Him. One can sense that God resides humbly accepted and dwells among used for the [[monks]] at [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery], where greater glory of God by the [[monks]] strive and struggle in their imperfect way to serve His every need.
=== Vocations ===The fathers do their utmost to make every visitor feel that their monastic dwelling is a spiritual home to anyone who comes to them for spiritual nourishment. Holy Cross Monastery exists as a haven of spiritual tranquility, tolerance, and kindness—not only for the local owls, deer, foxes, and raccoons—but for all who come to partake of the monastery's peace and befriend the Fathers. The beauty and harmony of the monastery and its environs speak for themselves and speak to the soul and heart of anyone who loves God, humankind, and nature.
If after reading ==External links==*[http://www.holycrossmonastery.orgHoly Cross Orthodox Monastery]*[http:/articles/followmewww.htm Come, Follow Me], you believe that you also may be called to explore giving your life entirely to God in holy [[monasticism]], please contact the Fathers of the monastery at cybermonk@holycrossmonasteryoca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-BU-CAVHCM OCA listing]
[[Category:American Monasteries]]
[[Category:Monasteries]]
[[Category:OCA Monasteries]]
