The Monks of New Skete: In 1966 we were a small group of Byzantine-Rite Franciscans seeking to live a more explicitly monastic life within the Eastern Christian tradition. We left the Franciscans and established a separate monastic community. The Benedictine monks of Mount Saviour gave us temporary use of a lodge in northwestern Pennsylvania for about six months until we moved to a small farmhouse in the beautiful hills of upstate New York. We converted the farmhouse into a suitable monastery, landscaped the grounds, and farmed with the help of neighbors. A year passed. Lacking the necessary solitude, we moved once more to a new location east of Cambridge, close to the Vermont border. There we built our present buildings - now our permanent home.
The Nuns of New Skete: In 1969, inspired by a vision of contemporary monastic life, seven Poor Clare nuns from Indiana settled in Cambridge, New York. With the monks’ help we purchased a small farm house a few miles from the monks’ monastery. Donations from family and friends helped with furnishings and other purchases while we began supporting ourselves by cleaning houses in town and working at the local hospital. We started building our own monastery across the road from the farm house in 1970 and thirteen years later were able to add a new addition - a bakery where we produce popular gourmet cheesecakes.
The Companions of New Skete: In 1983, eight dedicated parish members expressed our desire to live in accordance with the New Skete monastic way of life as a third community of New Skete. Our varied backgrounds brought a diversity of talent and ability which enabled us to build a separate residence on the monks’ property. Initially we supported ourselves by continuing at our secular jobs, while pursuing projects such as dog biscuit production which evolved into a viable business line for New Skete. Presently we specialize in hosting spiritual retreats for married couples, while maintaining our Sanctuary Gardens.
Originally, New Skete followed the Byzantine Rite within the Roman Catholic Church. In 1979, after many years of studying and practicing Orthodox theology and liturgy, New Skete joined the Orthodox Church. With the encouragement and counsel of Fr. Alexander Schmemann and Fr. John Meyendorff, we were received into the Orthodox Church in America by Metropolitan Theodosius. This enabled us to integrate our life and monastic vision more completely by joining those with whom we can share more fully, thereby participating in the life of the whole Church. Having male and female members has led to an expanded liturgy that includes a mixed choir for singing the divine offices and Eucharistic celebrations.
In 2000, with the resignation and retirement of the abbot, the communities undertook a reorganization of our internal governance resulting in a modification of the Typicon-- the rule. Under the blessing of the Metropolitan, a more collegial authority under the equal leadership of a prior or prioress for each of the three communities was established.
In 2002, the interior iconography of the Holy Wisdom Temple was completed, making it a space that reflects our vision of catholicity and vocation to work for the unity of Christ’s body. It is a sacred space that speaks to the soul of what New Skete is. Through the summer of 2006 a new handicap-accessible entrance was incorporated into the multi-tiered meditation garden which includes ponds and a waterfall. That year commemorated the 40th anniversary of New Skete. As part of the year-long celebrations, Metropolitan Herman blessed the garden at the annual Transfiguration Pilgrimage.
Over the years New Skete has hosted inter-church and ecumenical conferences. Twice a year a newsletter is published. It is intended to stimulate reflection as well as keep us in touch with friends and acquaintances. Our monastic life and our icons, dogs and cheesecakes are regularly featured in local newspaper articles. New Skete’s many endeavors have been the subject of television and radio, as well as featured in national and international magazine and newspaper articles. The Monks’ dog training series,
Divine Canine, first aired on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet in 2007.
Monastic life embraces a balanced rhythm of prayer, work, community life and hospitality- all anchored in the daily cycle of matins and vespers with Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days. We strive to be available as much as possible to the many people from assorted religious backgrounds who visit New Skete each year, either making a spiritual retreat, seeking spiritual guidance, attending church services, visiting the gift shops and grounds, or becoming dog customers. Guest accommodations are available at each community to provide a place of beauty and solitude with ample time for reflection and prayer. A group of local people who share regularly in the liturgical life form New Skete’s Chapel Community. They, along with a growing network of volunteers, help expand New Skete’s ministries. During Great Lent a mission Sunday is annually hosted.
Through each of these avenues, we have tried to bring a better awareness of Orthodox monasticism and the spiritual life to both the church and general public, and to share the fruits of our life in a manner that harmonizes with the spirit of the contemplative life.
More on Early History:
Monks Nuns Companions
