Hermitage of the Holy Cross, Eastern Orthodox monastery in Wayne County, United States
The Hermitage of the Holy Cross is an Eastern Orthodox monastery nestled in Appalachian foothills with multiple buildings serving different functions. The compound includes chapels for worship, workshops for crafts, and residential spaces where the monastic community lives.
The monastery was founded by Archimandrite Seraphim and became a spiritual center affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. It took root as an important monastic community in this rural region.
The monastery maintains Orthodox traditions through daily liturgical services and communal meals that define the rhythm of monastic life here. Visitors experience directly how these practices shape the spiritual community.
The monastery is located in a rural part of West Virginia and welcomes visitors who should contact the community in advance to arrange visits or retreats. Reaching out ahead of time helps clarify what to expect and how to participate.
Residents operate workshops where they handcraft traditional Orthodox items like incense and candles using centuries-old techniques. These handmade goods produced within the community offer visitors a tangible connection to monastic work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
