In Peace
We hope that you find your visit to our website informative and peaceful. Our Eastern Orthodox monastery, located in Cambridge, New York, was founded in 1966.
As Orthodox Christians, it is our passionate desire to live the monastic life and to worship authentically and intensely. New Skete’s entire history has been characterized, in the midst of supporting ourselves, by our efforts to translate the essentials of early Christian monasticism to an American culture capable of transforming us today. This has entailed pursuing the knowledge needed to foster a spirit of healthy simplicity. We achieve this by studying Sacred Scripture, Monastic and Liturgical History and by being open to the difficulties and yearnings of our contemporaries.
Photo to left is of Nuns of New Skete Monastery.
Monks Monastery, 273 New Skete Lane, Cambridge, NY 12816 (518) 677-3928
Nuns Monastery, 343 Ashgrove Road, Cambridge, NY 12816 (518) 677-3810
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
A Journey into Monastic and Contemplative Life.
Are you feeling a deeper pull beneath the surface of everyday life? Beneath the anxious cares, distractions, and responsibilities that shape our identity, many experience a quiet yearning—a longing for something more essential. This inner movement is what the Christian tradition calls the search for God, a mystery that invites us into deeper relationship and transformation.
For some, this spiritual desire grows over time, stirring a sense of connection to something greater than themselves. If you find yourself drawn in this way, you may be discerning a call—a gentle but persistent invitation from God—to follow your heart more explicitly. This could take the form of an attraction to monastic life and Christian contemplative practice.
At New Skete, becoming a monk or nun is a sacred journey that begins with entering the community as a novice. From that moment, a lifelong process of spiritual growth and formation begins, rooted in community, prayer, and service. This transformation is not about perfection, but about being continually shaped in the image of Jesus Christ, who is our model and teacher.
Are you're exploring the possibility of monastic vocation ...
Pilgrimage
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
August 09, 2025
9:00 am - Holy Wisdom Church - Matins
10:00 am - Holy Wisdom Church
- Divine Liturgy
11:30 am - Lunch is available, donations welcome
1:30 pm - Holy Wisdom Church
- Guest Speaker, V. Rev. Geoffrey Ready
How Shall We Then Live?
Improvising Faithfully in a Broken World
3:00 pm - Bell Tower area
Introduction to Folkdance with Brother Brennan
4:00 pm - Classroom
Pysanky Demonstration with Christine Levy
5:00 pm - Holy Wisdom Church
Vespers with Healing Service
The monks' gift shop will be open from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm, and again from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
The nuns' gift shop will be open from 12:30 pm until 4:00 pm.
The Self Serve/Honor System in the entry to the nuns' monastery is available from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The hiking trails are open for your use. Hiking maps are located at the bell tower.
Art of Training Your Dog Workshop
September 16 to 20, 2025
5-day workshop
Appropriate for beginner and experienced e-collar users. Perfect for anyone that would like to learn the unique and detailed method taught in the book with all the authors' professional shortcuts to move things along quicker.
Companions of New Skete
A fellowship of lay people who seek to be formally connected with the New Skete Communities in order to deepen their spiritual lives.
Through their connection, they look to incorporate monastic values that help them live out the call of the Gospel in a lay setting,...
YouTube Channel
YouTube Channel
With this YouTube channel we seek to share with you our work, prayer, and experience. We have divided the playlist into topics we hope interest you.
1. Monastic Wisdom for the Church
2. Day in the Life
3. Festival Icons
4. New Life
5. Guided meditations and prayers
Interactive Tour of the Nuns' Monastery
Click on the photo above or button below to take a virtual tour of the Nuns of New Skete's Monastery
View this amazing fully-interactive 360° tour of the nuns' monastery, chapel, bakery, grounds, and stunning aerial panoramas. Includes chants from the monks and nuns.
Interactive Tour of the Monks' Monastery
Click on the photo above or button below to take a virtual tour of the Monks of New Skete's Monastery
View this amazing fully-interactive 360° tour of the monks' churches, cemetery, grounds, and stunning aerial panoramas. Includes chants from the monks and nuns.