FEBRUARY 6 THROUGH APRIL 21, 2023
For safety reasons, the MONASTERY GROUNDS ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to construction of the new St. Nicholas House Building.
If you wish to attend services or visit the monastery during this time period, please CONTACT US in advance.
OUR CHURCH AND STORE ARE OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION.
A MESSAGE FROM ABBESS MELANIA
Saturday, March 25, 2023 - The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Due to the date of Pascha this year, we finished the Week of the Veneration of the Cross at the same time that we were beginning Vespers for the Annunciation. At first glance, this seems to be the juxtaposition of a sad and somber commemoration with a joyous feast. Yet, joy and sorrow figure prominently in both. The Week of the Veneration of the Cross does, of course, remind us of the great cost of the Crucifixion to Christ, but the texts are mostly about the power of the Cross to set us free because of the One Who 'for the joy set before Him' endured it. And the Annunciation, while certainly joyful, is also the time when the Archangel Gabriel told the Theotokos that a sword would pierce her heart. Yet, she willingly accepted that sword - which was to watch the Crucifixion of her Son Who willingly accepted His Cross.
And so, as we celebrate the Annunciation and continue our journey towards Pascha, may we too accept the joy and the sorrow of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who died and rose that we might die and rise with Him!
Credit: Icon of The Annunciation, courtesy of OCA.org
An Orthodox Christian Monastery for Women
From its home on the banks of the Napa River in Calistoga, California,
Holy Assumption Monastery welcomes faithful pilgrims and visitors of all backgrounds.
Please use our website to learn about our community, explore Orthodox Christianity and its monastic tradition,
and find out about events at the monastery.
Holy Assumption Monastery is part of the Orthodox Church in America's Diocese of San Francisco and the West,
under the omophorion of His Eminence, Archbishop BENJAMIN.
$1,400,000.00
JANUARY 2023 UPDATE
Thanks to the amazing generosity of all of you, our dear friends, the monastery has already raised $900,000 toward our $1.4 million project total!
Construction is scheduled to be completed by June 15, 2023.
The sisters have secured a loan through the Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF) for the balance of the project cost, but we will continue fundraising in 2023 in order to pay off that loan as quickly as possible. Please continue to pray for the success of this project, and we thank you deeply for investing in the future of Holy Assumption Monastery!
For nearly 80 years, Holy Assumption Monastery has been a part of the Calistoga community, and is believed to be the oldest Orthodox women's monastery in the United States.
Since our sisterhood's arrival at Holy Assumption in 2009, we have known that one of the property structures, St. Nicholas House, would need major renovations before long. Local architects and contractors have advised us that St. Nicholas House was not originally built to high-quality standards, and replacing it would be a better use of our resources than continuing to renovate. This advice, coupled with our community's desperate need for additional work space, has led to the decision to completely replace St. Nicholas House with a new, two-story structure that balances quality, beauty, and economy. This building will feature ground-floor living accommodations with the added benefit of work space on the second story.
Upcoming Schedule
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalm 122:1
March 2023 Newsletter
The monastery's newsletter is available! Read Mother Melania's monthly reflection and other updates. The monthly calendar may be viewed in the newsletter, or by checking our online calendar or our Facebook Page.
CLICK this box to read our latest newsletter
NEW! Mother Melania's Monthly Missives
A not entirely random mix of reflections on life, coloring pages, thoughts about kids' books and updates on Mother Melania's books
CLICK this box to read Mother's latest newsletter
Online Retreat
May (date TBD) at 10 a.m. Pacific Time - Fr. Spyridon Jajeh - Topic: TBD. NO APRIL ONLINE RETREAT.
CLICK this box for details (link will be activated later)
