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West Virginia Attractions|Sights & Landmarks

There’s A Monastery Hidden In West Virginia And You’ll Want To Visit

By Geoff Foster | Published April 21, 2018

West Virginia is no stranger to houses of worship, but most can be found all over the place. This one is a little harder to locate.

The Hermitage of the Holy Cross is a monastery in Wayne under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. It was founded in 1986 in House Springs, Missouri, and moved to West Virginia in 2000.

It is comprised of several buildings on a 180-acre piece of land at the foothills of the Allegheny mountains.

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There are 24 people living on the monastery, consisting of monks, lay workers and novices. Every day these men work hard farming the land, which provides the community with goat milk, eggs, and vegetables.

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They also earn a living by making and selling soaps, incense and liturgical items - all of which can be purchased on their website.

If you want to visit, the monastery might be a little difficult to find. The hills and woodlands that surround the property offer seclusion from what they consider the temptations of the modern world. But they are always willing to teach their faith to those willing to listen.

For more information about this monastery, and to view their online store, you can visit their website here.

Although not likely, have you ever been to The Hermitage of the Holy Cross? Feel free to comment below and tell us about your visit.

To learn more about West Virginia, check out these 14 churches that will leave you stunned.

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