Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery was established in the year 2005 by Archimandrite Nicholas (Iuhos), with the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman; it is the former Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, located at 3920 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls, New York 14301, established in 1951. The monastery is located on the main road which connects Thruway I-90 to Downtown Niagara Falls. As you know, in the city of Niagara Falls is located one of the greatest attractions and one of the seven wonders of the world, visited by 12 million tourists on the American side and 20 million on the Canadian side. Since 1812 tourists have been visiting Niagara Falls.

The establishment of an Orthodox monastery will help to revive the Orthodox presence in this area and inspire others about the Orthodox monastic life as we share our hospitality with those who visit Niagara Falls. The monastic community will organize special spiritual retreats and lectures for those who are interested in learning more about the Orthodox faith, spirituality, the Holy Fathers, and much more.

The monastery property consists of about 3 and 1/2 acres of land, and has a beautiful brownstone church, a rectory, a garage, and a separate building which has three apartments upstairs, a hall, a kitchen, a future library and a basement.

The main building needs capital repairs,  a new roof, new windows, new electrical wiring, and new heating and air conditioning system. Once restored, it is in this building that the monastic community will live. I am very confident that this will be a very prosperous monastery once everything has been accomplished.

A few English speaking monks will soon be brought from Eastern Europe to begin the monastic life, and hopefully will also attract other candidates from the US and Canada interested in the monastic life.

We are also undertaking a project to build a shrine dedicated to the Holy Cross in memory of our American servicemen and women who died in service to our country, and in honor of those who are still serving and have served.

Visitors to Niagara Falls will be able to visit our monastery, light candles, pray and meditate, and will have the opportunity to learn more about the Eastern Orthodox monastic life.

We are also undertaking a project to build a shrine dedicated to the Holy Cross in memory of our American servicemen and women who died in service to our country, and in honor of those who are still serving and have served.

Visitors to Niagara Falls will be able to visit our monastery, light candles, pray and meditate, and will have the opportunity to learn more about the Eastern Orthodox monastic life.

In addition, we are planning a project to help generate income for the monastery. We are finishing a building recently purchased, in which we will establish a small pierogie factory. Part of this income will be used to help the needy families of our servicemen and women, and set up scholarships for their children.

With God's help we are confident that the monastery will become a cradle of spirituality in upstate New York, and a vital monastic community in the Diocese of Washington and New York and the Orthodox Church in America.

As of September 1, 2005, I was assigned by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, as Abbot of the Holy Cross Monastery. Upon my arrival in Niagara Falls the work on the old building was begun immediately. Many of my former parishioners and parishioners from neighboring parishes helped significantly with the repairs.

I would not have been able to undertake this project without the support of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, the $23,000.00 from the Diocesan Mission Fund, and the $22,000.00 loan from our Diocese.

Unfortunately, the amount of money remaining is getting smaller and smaller and smaller as we proceed with the repairs and the restoration of the main building. The year 2006 will be the most difficult one financially. Therefore, I will be very grateful if you would consider making a donation to our monastery. Please include also a list of the names of your living and departed loved ones for prayer during our services.

All donations are tax deductible and can be sent to Holy Cross Monastery, 3920 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14301.

May God richly reward you with His blessings for your support of our monastery project.

Archimandrite Nicholas (Iuhos)

Abbot