Visiting the Monastery
NOTICE for Groups requesting to stay at or visit the monastery:
August 28, 2023
Due to a variety of factors, we must limit overnight group requests to four persons and day group visits to ten persons.
We have frequently been asked to adjust our schedule, and to reserve all our guest rooms and to plan meals in order to accommodate a “very large group” of pilgrims from a parish or organization. Nearly every time these groups dwindle so that there are many last minute cancellations, or many conflicts concerning the chosen dates.
This is quite disruptive to our own schedule, and an unnecessary burden for our small and aging sisterhood.
We suggest you schedule your own personal visit, and if you so desire, invite another family member or a friend or two to accompany you. Small groups (2-4 persons) or family units will find a quiet atmosphere and an opportunity for personal prayer and reflection, which larger group visits tend to overshadow. Thank you for your understanding.
With love in Christ,
Mother Christophora, Abbess
A visit to the monastery can provide a peaceful rest for your soul, an opportunity to get away from the busyness of the world and a time to experience God's presence and guidance. Our monastery is located within a day's drive of both New York and Chicago. Located just 35 miles north of Pittsburgh (just under an hour from the Pittsburgh International Airport), in the hills near Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, it is open to all pilgrims, Orthodox and non-orthodox alike. If you are interested in visiting the monastery, please read the information provided below. We hope that you will plan to visit us. The monastery is closed Sunday afternoon through Monday (with the exception of certain Feast Days).
Scheduling a Visit
To schedule a visit, please contact email us and let us know what type of visit you are requesting.
Day Visit
We invite day visitors to stop by, attend a service, shop in our store, have a short tour, hike on our trails, and enjoy some quiet time. Please check our monthly calendar if you wish to attend a service. An advance phone call or email would be much appreciated before you visit.
Overnight Visit
It is necessary to call or email in advance to arrange a stay. In keeping with Orthodox monastic tradition, we provide our guesthouse accommodations free of charge. Most guests choose to leave a donation according to their means.
Our guesthouse is comfortable furnished with living room and dining areas, private bedrooms with baths, as well as fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. A swing-set is available for children for recreation behind the gazebo. Internet access is available for guests. For more information, please see our guesthouse page.
Please note that our guesthouse are small and fill up quickly. To accommodate all of our guest requests, overnight visits usually 2 nights (Tuesday--Thursday and Friday--Sunday). If guests are coming from a long distance, a blessing from the abbess is required for a longer stay.
Group Visit
Orthodox Groups are welcome to visit for a day or an overnight visit. These groups must be scheduled in advance. Many groups come for a church service, a meal and/or a tour of the monastery. Youth group visits must have chaperones.
Group Tours
Group tours of the monastery must be scheduled in advance. Tours can be scheduled for late morning or early afternoon depending on our monthly calendar. Please contact us for more information.