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
Grace in Giving
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
Holiday Worship Schedule
In a world full of noise, meaningful gifts still shine brightest. Read our Winter Message to see how your compassion uplifts lives and strengthens the New Skete community.
As Monks and Nuns, we are nourished by God’s love and light daily. We strive to humbly devote our lives to prayer
and working to build community during a turbulent time. We consider it a tremendous privilege to share this hope with you and with all those in need. It is with immeasurable gratitude that we ask you to consider a donation today to benefit the Monks and Nuns of New Skete.
Holiday Worship Schedule
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
Holiday Worship Schedule
Holiday Worship Schedule
Thanksgiving:
Matins 9 am
Divine Liturgy 10 am
Vespers 5 pm
Christmas Eve:
Matins 8 am
Tersext "Royal Hour" 12 pm
Vespers 5 pm
Great Vigil 7 pm
Christmas Day:
Matins 9 am
Divine Liturgy 10 am
New Year's Eve:
Matins 8 am
Vigil 5 pm
New Year's Day:
Matins 9 am
Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil 10 am
Vespers 6:30 pm
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
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 ...
Spiritual Retreats
Becoming a Monk or Nun of New Skete
We are pleased to share the quiet, solitude and beauty of our surroundings with you. Retreats differ in focus. A retreat can simply be a time of rest and renewal from your daily life, or you may desire to have a more directed retreat in the context of our liturgical life.
The structure of your time with us can be worked out once you arrive, or you may communicate your interest ahead of time.
We welcome guests throughout the year, with the exception of our own retreat times, mid-August through mid-September, and our mid-winter retreat, usually in February.
Our guest rooms are usually booked several weeks in advance, so we recommend making your reservation early.
2026 Iconography Workshops
Two Workshops - Beginners and Advanced
Icon Painting Workshop for Beginners
May 12 - 16, 2026
Advanced Icon Drawing Workshop
May 26 - 30, 2026
Hosted by the Monks of New Skete. Instructed by Philip Davydov and Olga Shalmova, from Sacred Murals Studio.
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,...
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.
Ways to connect with us
Email Updates
Join our email list and receive our monthly newsletters.
Other emails will include notices of upcoming events, and specials on the Nuns cheesecakes.
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
As Orthodox Christians, it is our passionate desire to live the monastic life and to worship authentically and intensely.All are welcome to join the Monks and Nuns in worship. We offer our hospitality via retreats, our dog programs and our cheesecakes.
Follow us for events and updates.