Overflowing with gratitude!

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for our monastery! At our Bridegroom’s Banquet this past Saturday, and through donations sent in ahead of time, $87,486 was donated or pledged and will be matched by a generous donor! These funds will go towards the general operation and maintenance of the monastery for our daily life of prayer and hospitality, and also towards the renovations and repair of our chapel (we will share more about this project soon).

At the event, held at St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio, our guests joined us for Vespers (evening prayer) in the church, at which Bishop Milan presided, and then we enjoyed dinner in the hall. After dinner, our MC—Fr. Eric Garris—introduced the video we produced for the event, called “Christ our Bridegroom.” In the video, we explained why our monastery is named "Christ the Bridegroom," how we model this relationship for the Church and the world and how we have been a model of this relationship for different vocations in the Church. Fr. Eric then shared how his relationship with the nuns of our monastery has enriched and supported his priesthood. He then shared the slideshow we compiled, which included some “before and after” photos from our poustinia renovations, as well as photos of the problem situations in our chapel and its basement, siding and roof, which need repaired. Our guests then generously made donations and pledges. While the donations were being counted, two seminarians from the Diocese of Cleveland, Deacon David Stavarz and Joe Menkhaus, played some music while we all continued to enjoy each other’s company. Mother then opened the envelope containing the total donation/pledge amount and shared the good news!

We are so grateful for the sacrifices that were made and joined to our monastic sacrifice. May we all continue to offer a “sacrifice of praise” to God together! Enjoy more photos from the event here.

Banquet deadline extended

The Bridegroom's Banquet registration deadline has been extended until Monday, November 5! (or until we fill up) Please visit our banquet page to learn more about the benefit event, happening on Saturday, November 10, at St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio.

Your donation will be doubled! If you are unable to attend, your donation can still be doubled! Visit the above link for details. The donations will help us to continue our life of prayer and hospitality, as well as allow us to repair and renovate portions of our chapel. Thank you for all of your love & support!

Getting ready for the Bridegroom's Banquet!

Last year, the beer we brewed with the assistance of Fr. Scott Goodfellow won awards at a Cleveland brewing competition and was heartily enjoyed by the guests of our Bridegroom's Banquet benefit dinner. We're hoping our "Milk & Nunny" milk stout and "Hoppy are the Pour" IPA will turn out just as delicious this year!

The Bridegroom's Banquet is only about a month away, coming up on Nov. 10, at St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio. We still have quite a few tables open!

Please visit our Bridegroom's Banquet page to learn more about the event. Donations and pledges up to a total of $100,000 will be doubled! Wow!! If you are unable to attend the event, your donation can still be doubled. You may send a donation marked "Bridegroom's Banquet" by cash or check payable to "Christ the Bridegroom Monastery" to:

The Bridegroom's Banquet
Christ the Bridegroom Monastery
17485 Mumford Rd.
Burton, OH 44021

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

Thank you to our Fall Work Day volunteers!

We enjoyed a wonderful day with all our generous work day volunteers who came out even though we had changed the date of our work day to Sat., Sept. 29. Many projects were tackled, including cutting up wood, pulling the plants out of the garden, cleaning up flower beds, washing windows, moving the sewing/craft room, and cleaning out the gutters. We closed the day with Great Vespers and a potluck dinner.

Click here to enjoy more photos!

Fall work day & cookout DATE CHANGED to Sept. 29

Join us for a day of outdoor and indoor work projects, prayer, food and fun at the monastery on Saturday, Sept. 29. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome! The day begins at 10 a.m., includes lunch, and closes with vespers at 5 p.m. followed by a cookout. Come whenever available, and bring a side dish to share if you can. The monastery is located at 17485 Mumford Rd. Burton, Ohio. Please RSVP* by Monday, Sept. 24, to 440-834-0290 or christthebridegroom@gmail.com, so that the appropriate amount of food can be prepared.

*Please RSVP with:

1. The number of adults (include teens) and the number of kids (12 and under)
2. Will you be here for lunch or dinner or both?
3. The dish you plan to bring

Banquet registration is now open!

You’re invited to the “Bridegroom’s Banquet,” a benefit dinner for the nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery, on Saturday, November 10, at St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio.

There is no cost to attend the dinner, but registration is required (by October 29). Adults 21 and older may attend. Enjoy a buffet dinner, entertainment and an evening with us and our guests. Learn more about us and our life of prayer and hospitality. Donations given at the event (or designated for the event and mailed in ahead of time), up to a total of $100,000, will be doubled by a matching donor!!!

Register now using this form. The schedule and more information can be found at our Bridegroom's Banquet tab. We hope to enjoy the evening with you on November 10!

Summer/Fall Issue of Pomegranate Blossoms

Learn more about our newly completed poustinias, find out how your donation can be doubled, and read about the books we recommend, in a new section called "From the Monastery Library"! We hope you enjoy the most recent issue of our newsletter, Pomegranate Blossoms!