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[[Image:HCM_OCA_site.jpg|right|thumb|Holy Cross Monastery from the Easteast.]]'''Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery''' is a [[monasticism|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 Archbishop [[Kyrill (Yonchev) of Pittsburgh|Kyrill]], who shepherded the OCA's [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 Metropolitan [[Jonah (Paffhausen) of Washington|Jonah]], who serves as [[locum tenens]] of their [[diocese]] until a new [[hierarch]] is elected and installed. On July 5, 2009 Metropolitan Jonah celebrated a primatial Divine Liturgy at the monastery, at which time he ordained its Archdeacon Stephen to the holy priesthood and its Subdeacon Peter to the holy diaconate.

''== About the monastery ==Holy Cross Monastery from 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 Orthodox Christians with roots in [[Church of Romania|Romania]] and [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church|Bulgaria]] regularly attend services at the East''[[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]] [[parish]]es, and by many other Orthodox groups.

== About Holy Cross Monastery ==thrives by the grace of God and through the hard work and professional employment of its [[monk]]s. Although friends and supporters have given and continue to give donations to help further the fathers' holy work, the monastery is self-supporting. The monks have never sent out appeals for donations and have never even passed a collection plate in their monastery [[chapel]]. Whatever friends, supporters, and visitors have ever given of their own free will has been gratefully and humbly accepted and used for the greater glory of God by the monks.

[http://wwwThe 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.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery] (also known exists as "Holy Cross Monastery") is a [http://www.oca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-BU-CAVHCM monastic institution] haven of spiritual tranquility, tolerance, and kindness, not only for the Orthodox Church in America ([http://www.oca.org OCA]) located in Castro Valleylocal owls, wild turkeys, deer, foxes, and raccoons, Californiabut for all who come to partake of the monastery's peace and befriend the Fathers. See [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106878179845566900196.0000011231bc07414a576&ll=37.633167The beauty and harmony of the monastery and its environs speak for themselves and speak to the soul and heart of anyone who loves God,-121.951659&spn=1.472504humankind,2and nature.554321&z=9&om=1 Map]

The clergy of the == History ==[[httpImage://orthodoxwikiCross_shrine_Jan_2005_1.org/Monasticism monastery] previously served under JPG|left|thumb|Facing east toward the Cross Shrine of Holy Cross Monastery with redwood trees planted by the fathers in the [http://orthodoxwikibackground.org/Omophorion omophorion] of ]Holy Cross Monastery began with its [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Kyrill_%28Yonchev%29_of_Pittsburgh Archbishop Kyrill,] who shepherded the [http://www.oca.org OCA'sabbot] [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,[Archimandrite]] OhioTheodor. Since the [http://oca.org/News.asp?ID=1265&SID=19 repose He always dreamed of Archbishop Kyrill] during founding a monastery one day for the summer greater glory of 2007; they now serve under the God. In 1965, while he was very young and after he had been [[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Omophorion omophorionordination|ordained] of [http://www.oca.org/HSepiscopacy.asp?SID=7#primate Metropolitan Herman,] who serves as locum tenens of their a [[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese diocesepriest] until a new [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Hierarch hierarch] is elected for just one year, his devout mother suddenly and installed for their [http://orthodoxwikiunexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord.org/Diocese dioceseHe was the only son of his parents, and his mother left her inheritance to him since she knew of his holy intention to build a monastery one day.]

[http://www.holycrossmonastery.org This legacy from his mother was the seed from which Holy Cross Monastery] serves [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodoxy Orthodox Christians] of all ethnic backgrounds and all cultural traditions. Services are predominantly celebrated in Englishwould one day take root, but are often also heard in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_language Romanian,] [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Slavonic Slavonic] (Old Bulgarian), and [http://en.wikipediait was not enough to acquire property suitable for a monastery.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek.] Many Orthodox Christians with roots So he labored in [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Romania Romania] and [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Bulgarian_Orthodox_Church Bulgaria] regularly attend services at the Lord's vineyard as a parish priest until he met his first [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery.] Orthodox faithful of all backgrounds come here for [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Marriage weddings,] [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Baptism baptisms,disciple] and other [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sacrament sacramental] blessings. Elegant dining space and a covered portico are available for receptions. Spiritual day retreats have been held here by [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodoxy Orthodox Christians] from the Orthodox Church in America ([http://www.oca.org OCA]) by neighboring [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Greek Orthodox] parishes, and by many other [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodoxy Orthodox Christian] groups1970.

=== Schedule When he heard this young man talk about his interest in pursuing the monastic life, Archim. Theodor 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 Services ===God, they would build a monastery together dedicated to the [[Cross|Holy Cross]].

Services at 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 diocesan [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org [bishop]], they purchased a rural estate that would eventually be consecrated as Holy Cross Monastery] are usually conducted . 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 languages best understood cloister precincts. The majestic redwood trees that tower behind their cross shrine were planted by those worshipping with the Fathers, who can conduct services fathers themselves from one-gallon cans in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanian_language Romanian]1980, [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Slavonic Slavonic] ("Old Bulgarian"), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek,] or English as during the first summer following their acquisition of the need arisesmonastery property.

''Saturday Evening'' 6:00 PM [http://orthodoxwikiIn 2002, the fathers acquired an adjacent parcel of land and effectively doubled the size of the monastery.org/Great_Vespers Great Vespers] (The time for [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Great_Vespers Vespers] is subject to change; so please call before beforehand at 510-581-2778)

''Sunday Morning'' == Visiting ==10:00 AM [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy] (preceded Services at 9:30 AM Holy Cross Monastery are usually conducted in the languages best understood by those worshiping with the recitation of fathers, who can conduct services in Romanian, Slavonic ("Old Bulgarian"), Greek, or English as the [http://orthodoxwikineed arises.org/Hours First and Third Hours])

Services which are open *''Saturday Evening'' **6:00 PM [[Great Vespers]] (The time for Great Vespers is subject to the general public are listed abovechange, so please call beforehand.)

Other *''Sunday Morning'' **10:00 AM [[httpDivine Liturgy]]**(preceded at 9://orthodoxwiki.org/Daily_cycle liturgical offices] are reserved for 30 AM by the recitation of the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks[Hours|First and Third Hours]] and may be attended by special arrangement.)

''Address:'' 34580 Palomares RoadThe monastery is located close to the San Francisco Bay Area; so it does not currently encourage overnight visitors, Castro Valley, CA 94552-9622 (near 6except for those pursuing a vocation in the monastic life.58 mileage marker)

==External links==*[http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery]*[http://www.oca.org/DIRlisting.asp?SID=9&KEY=OCA-BU-CAVHCM OCA listing]*[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]*[http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Castro-Valley-CA/Holy-Cross-Orthodox-Monastery/79944443582?ref=mf Facebook]

''Telephone:'' 510-581-2778 — ''Fax:'' 510-581-3836 ''E-mail:'' cybermonk@holycrossmonastery.org — ''Web:'' http://www.holycrossmonastery.org == Monastery Background == The [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox Church] traces its history back to the original Church founded by [httpCategory://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ Jesus Christ]. It is the Church of the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostles apostles,]of the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Martyr martyrs,] and of the early Christians. [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodoxy ''Orthodoxia''] is a Greek word meaning "correct praise" or "correct teaching" and the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Orthodox ChurchAmerican Monasteries] considers itself to be the bearer of [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Tradition ancient Christian Tradition.]  [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism Monasticism] itself arose out of this spiritual fervor and devotion of the early [httpCategory://orthodoxwiki.org/Orthodox_Church Christian ChurchMonasteries]. The [http://orthodoxwiki.org/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 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks or nuns.] (cf. [http://orthodoxwiki.org/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 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Scripture scriptural] origins of [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monasticism,] see [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org/articles/followme.htm Come, Follow Me.])  === Early Beginnings === [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] began with its [httpCategory://orthodoxwiki.org/Abbot Abbot], [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Archimandrite Archimandrite] Theodor. He always dreamed of founding a [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] one day for the greater glory of God. In 1965, while he was very young and after he had been [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Ordain ordained] as a [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Priest 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 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism 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 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery.] So he labored in the Lord's vineyard as a parish [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Priest priest] until he met his first [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Disciple disciple] in 1970.  When he heard this young man talk about his interest in pursuing the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastic life,] he asked him if he would be interested in helping him build a [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery.] "The days when emperors, tsars, or kings will build [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monasteries] for us are past," he said. "If we want a [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism 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 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] together dedicated to the [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org/articles/historical/translations/feastday.htm Holy Cross.]  It took the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks] nine additional years to save enough money to buy property suitable for a [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery,] and then, in 1979, with the blessing of their [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Diocese diocesan] [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Hierarch bishop,] they purchased a rural estate that would eventually be consecrated as [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery.] The [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks 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 our 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 the Cross Shrine of Holy Cross Monastery, with redwood trees planted by the Fathers in the background. Mosaics of Christ and the Virgin Mary flank the Cross in center. Redwood trees planted in 1980; Photo taken in January 2005.'' [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery] thrives by the grace of God and through the hard work and professional employment of its [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks.] Although friends and supporters have given and continue to give donations to help further the Fathers' holy work, the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] is self-supporting. The [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks] have never sent out appeals for donations and have never even passed a collection plate in their [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] chapel. Whatever friends, supporters, and visitors have ever given of their own free will has been gratefully and humbly accepted and used for the greater glory of God by the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks.] === A Sanctuary Where God Dwells among Men === 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. [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org 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 [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] and its environs speak for themselves and speak to the soul and heart of anyone who loves God, humankind, and nature.  The [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ Lord] said: "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" ([http://orthodoxwiki.org/Gospel_of_Matthew Matthew] 8:20). In this tumultuous and tempestuous world, [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ the Lord] has few places in which to lay His holy head. [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism OCA Monasteries] provide the Lord with sanctuaries of calm and quietude, where He can rest His holy head and where those who seek Him and love Him can embrace Him. One can sense that God resides and dwells among the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks] at [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org Holy Cross Monastery,] where the [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monks monks] strive and struggle in their imperfect way to serve His every need. === Vocations === If after reading [http://www.holycrossmonastery.org/articles/followme.htm Come, Follow Me,] you believe that you also may be called to explore giving your life entirely to God in [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism holy monasticism,] please contact the Fathers of the monastery at cybermonk@holycrossmonastery.org