Mono ON Holy Cross Romanian Orthodox Monastery 2005, 2013

Mono, Ontario, Holy Cross Romanian Orthodox Monastery, 2005, 2013

Nicholas may be spelt Nicolas, Nicolae, Nikolai.

Prehistory

Before 2013, there were several recent attempts to establish a monastery for monks in Ontario, Canada. The Monastery of Saint Silouan in Johnstown, Ontario, of the Archdiocese of Canada (Orthodox Church in America) existed between 1990 and 2016. The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Monastery that was established in 1993 in Picton, Ontario, merged before 2000 with Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Monastery at Kimball, Michigan, south of Port Huron, Michigan, USA. In 1993, the Monastery of Saint Kosmas Aitolos was established north of Toronto, near Bolton. This women’s monastery has remained active and growing ever since.

Likewise, there were attempts made to begin a Romanian Orthodoxmonastery somewhere in the region near Toronto, Ontario, beginning with the attempts of Archimandrite Nicolas (Giroux) in Toronto. He, himself, was very persistent in his perseverance, from as early as 2003. The monastery that he organised was dedicated to the Holy Cross.

In about 2005, Romanian monks who belonged to Metropolitan Nicolae (Condrea) (Romanian Orthodox Metropolitanate of North America (ROAA)) began to look for a suitable site on which to establish a permanent monastic dwelling.

Establishing the monastery, 2012

In 2012, after 7 years of dedication to the Lord in Toronto, the project of the monks to have a monastery located in the countryside became a reality. The monks gave and give thanks to the Lord, and they give Him glory.

This 17-acre (6.9 hectares) property, is situated in the Mono Mills, near Mono, Ontario, Canada, near Orangeville, Ontario.

Purchase of property, 2012

During Holy Week in May, 2012, the monks visited a property east of Orangeville, Ontario, and they knew immediately that this was just what they were looking for. Then they undertook the complicated path of finding financing in order to secure the purchase of that property.

Blessing the property, 2013

By 1 August 2013, the monastery had become the owner of the property located at Mono Mills. On that day, Father Gheorghe Tiu and Father Nicolas (Giroux), blessed the waters, and the newly-erected the Cross on the property, in order to inaugurate this new beginning. This was a day for celebration ; and many people participated in the service, and remained throughout the day.

Newly-blessed Cross and land

Dedication to the Holy Cross, and Saint Ephraim the New

When the property was blessed, the monastery itself was given a double dedication : to the Holy Cross, and to Saint Ephraim the New

After this, major renovations were done to the house.

Then the garage was transformed into a modest chapel dedicated to Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos.

Saint Anna Chapel

The monks express gratitude to all the donors, benefactors and founders of the monastery.

In this context, a plan was developed, which would transform the 17-acre property through the construction of a small monastic Temple, as well as a new monastery building, and the transformation of the original house into a guest house.

In September, 2017, during an archpastoral visit, Bishop Ioan-Casian (Tunaru) and Hieromonk Paisie (Buhnila) presented a certificate to Archimandrite Nicolas (Giroux) which recognised him as a founder of the monastery (along with others).

Bishop Ioan-Casian, archpastoral visit, outdoor pavilion

On 23 March, 2018, the Canadian Citizenship Oath was administered to Hierodeacon Mardarie (Marian).

Further details regarding the former abbot :

Archimandrite Nicolas (Giroux) had been the superior of the community from its beginning. He served as abbot from 2007 until 2015. However, in 2015, because of certain unspecified factors, he resigned from his responsibilities (with the approval of the Eparchial Council).

Then, on 6 August, 2018, Archimandrite Nicolas (Giroux) left the clergy of the Romanian Orthodox Church. On that day, he became a member of the "Communauté monastique orthodoxe de la Protection de la Mère de Dieu", in Wentworth, Québec. In doing so, he went under the omophor of Metropolitan Michel of Paris, France, a bishop for the "Diaspora" belonging to the jurisdiction of the "Patriarchate of Kyiv". This "patriarchate" became part of the "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" (OCU) under the Throne of Constantinople on 6 January, 2019 (when the Patriarch of Constantinople established the OCU). However, it separated from the OCU again after a short time. By doing so, this entity removed itself from communion with the Church of Constantinople.

However, as Archimandrite Nicolas commented, many problems came with belonging to the OCU : the "Tomos" specifies that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine can no longer have jurisdiction outside of Ukraine itself. This meant that all who were outside the territorial Church of Ukraine had nowhere to go if Constantinople were unwilling to welcome them within an Exarchate abroad.

For such a reason, Archimandrite Nicolas decided to join himself to the jurisidiction of the entity established by "Patriarch" Volodymyr (Romaniuk) (the "Kyiv Patriarchate" (at that time led by "Patriarch" Filaret (Denysenko)) within its Ukrainian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe and Canada of the "Kyiv Patriarchate". He received the responsibility of Vicar General for the Vicariate in the Americas (of the "Kyiv Patriarchate"). It is clear that this ecclesial entity is not recognised as canonical.

Since 2018, he has served the Divine Liturgy every Sunday in the church of the Holy Archangel Michael and Holy Prophet Elijah (in Romanian and in English) in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

On the 15 July, 2022, Feast-day of Saint Vladimir, he was ordained as a bishop by Proto-hierarch Metropolitan Volodymyr in Milan, Italy. He returned to Canada soon thereafter, and he celebrated his first Hierarchical Liturgy in Niagara Falls, Canada. However, in doing all these things, he had entered yet another unrecognised organisation which is not in communion with the whole Orthodox Church. Further, he had separated himself from communion with the monastery he had established, and from the Romanian Orthodox Church to which it belongs.

Holy Cross Monastery statement of purpose

Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery at Mono is a Christian fraternal community serving the Mono community and seeking, engaging, and encouraging others through a life-changing Christian journey.

Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery at Mono, Ontario seeks to be a loving, friendly community that worships God, and serves others. They place a high priority on the teachings of the Bible, and following the example of Jesus the Christ. Their hope is to impact and renew Mono, Ontario and beyond with the transforming message of Jesus Christ through words and actions.

The Orthodox Monastery “Holy Cross” is under the spiritual and ecclesiastical authority (omophor) of Bishop Ioan Casian (Tunaru), of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.

The purpose of the monastery is to offer the testimony of an authentic monastic manner within the current secular and multi-cultural society. Orthodox Christians of all jurisdictions are welcomed, as well as anyone who wishes to know more about the Orthodox Christian Faith, and about monasticism. Further, it is hoped that other single men may be attracted to the challenge of the Orthodox Christian Faith, and to the total dedication of their life to our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.

About Saint Ephraim the New

According to Orthodoxwiki.org, Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri (or Saint Ephraim of Mount Amomon) believed to have lived from 1384 to 1426, is a martyr and miracle-working saint. Saint Ephraim is regarded as a "newly revealed" saint. He has become one of the most beloved saints in the recent decades, and his church is a centre of pilgrimage for the entire country of Greece. His martyric death is commemorated by the Orthodox Church 5 May, and the discovery of his holy relics on 3 January. His holy relics were discovered through Divine intervention in 1950, 524 years after his death. The saint was glorified on 4 March, 2011.

Monastery particular information

This monastery is part of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, within the Patriarchate of Romania. The bishop is Bishop John-Cassian (Tunaru).

This monastery follows the New (Revised Julian) Calendar.

This monastery has 3 feast-days : the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross : 14 September ; the Feast of Saint Ephraim the New : 5 May ; the Feast of Saint Anna, the Mother of the Mother of God : 9 September.

In 2024, the Superior of the monastery is Hieromonk Polycarp.

Address :

Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Saint Ephraim the New Orthodox Monastery

308328, Hockley Road, Mono

Orangeville, Ontario

L9W 6N4

Telephone : 519-942-3489

E-mail : holycrossorthodoxmonastery@gmail.com

Web-site : www.monasterymono.org

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For general information regarding the Holy Cross Orthodox Monastery, please use the telephone, text, or e-mail.

Directions :

The Monastery of the Holy Cross and Saint Ephrem the New is located north-east of Toronto, Ontario.

From downtown Toronto :

Drive westwards on the Gardiner Expressway. Veer to the right and drive on Highway #427 north, and then Highway #410 north until Mayfield Road /Peel Regional Road #14 in Brampton. Take Exit #18 to the right from Highway #410, onto Mayfield Road /Peel Regional Road #14. Then turn left onto Dixie Road/Peel Regional Road# 4 north, and drive northwards until Highway #9. Turn left onto Highway #9. Then, turn right onto 3rd Line Road north. Turn right onto Highway #7/Hockley Road. Continue straight on, through bends towards the east, through the junction with Highway #18 (Airport Road). After the junction, the monastery is soon on the right.

From Orangeville, Ontario :

The monastery is situated about 12 km (7 mi) northeast of Orangeville, Ontario, on Highway #7. After passing by Highway #18, the monastery is soon on the right.

From Highway #401 :

From Highway #401, take the exit to the north for Highway #410. Drive on Highway #410 past Brampton, until Mayfield Road /Peel Regional Road #14 in Brampton.

Then, follow the same directions as from Toronto : Take Exit #18 to the right from Highway #410, onto Mayfield Road /Peel Regional Road #14. Then turn left onto Dixie Road/Peel Regional Road# 4 north, and drive northwards until Highway #9. Turn left onto Highway #9. Then, turn right onto 3rd Line Road north. Turn right onto Highway #7/Hockley Road. Continue straight on, through bends towards the east, through the junction with Highway #18 (Airport Road). After the junction, the monastery is soon on the right.

Superior : Hieromonk Polycarp

Telephone : 226-200-1074

Aerial view

References

Hopko, Thomas, ‘Monasticism’ in “The Orthodox Faith”, vol. 2.

Orthodoxwiki article about Monasticism

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., ‘Monasteries’ in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 223-224. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

...... ‘Monasticism’ in “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 225-227. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

Additional information :

Holy Cross and Saint Ephrem the New Romanian Orthodox web-site

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada web-site

Romanian Orthodox Diocese listing for the Monastery of the Holy Cross and Saint Ephrem the New

Romanian Orthodox Church web-site

Wikipedia article about the Romanian Orthodox Church

Orthodoxwiki article about the Romanian Orthodox Church

Patriarch Daniel (Ciobotea)

Archbishop Nicolae (Condrea)

Bishop Ion-Casian (Tunaru)

Archpriest George Chisca, Dean for Eastern Canada