WV Chapter member, Robert Sypolt, prepares the ground for planting.
The Hermitage of the Holy Cross is an English-speaking monastery under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the Diocese of Eastern America and New York.
Holy Cross is a growing monastery consisting of more than two dozen monks, novices, candidates and lay workers, many of whom are converts to the Orthodox Faith. The community is comprised of both seasoned monks who have lived very full monastic lives for decades, and many younger monks who have brought to the monastery a youthful vigor and energy.
Holy Cross Hermitage is located on 180 acres of land in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Wayne, West Virginia. The surrounding hills and forests provide the monastery with seclusion from the distractions and temptations of the world, as well as a daily reminder of the beauty of God’s creation. The aspects of this physical setting help to lead the monks to prayer.
The Hermitage of the Holy Cross was founded in September 1986 in House Springs, MO. The monastery remained in the Missouri area for the next 14 years. During this time, the monastery expanded and grew. In 1999, Holy Cross doubled in size and all available rooms for the monastics were filled. An offer of land by Moe Sill in Wayne County, WV was made to the monastery, and the brotherhood decided to move the monastery to West Virginia in May 2000.
Russian Orthodox monks provide a blessing over the newly planted backcross chestnuts.
The mountain setting was a perfect location for a ceremonial planting of two B3F3 trees on the grounds of the monastery. WV Chapter members Robert and Rick Sypolt, along with Father Joseph Augenstein, were responsible for the planting. Robert spoke about the history of the American chestnut as well as TACF’s work to restore the tree to its native range. The monks provided a brief prayer service and a blessing over the trees and they intend to be good parents to the trees. Robert and Rick stayed following the planting to discuss future plantings on the monastery’s forested land. Moe Sill, now in his 90’s, said the day was “truly inspiring.” The monks thanked Robert and Rick Sypolt and the WV-TACF Chapter for the chestnut seedlings.