St. Demetrios Monastery is a place of repentance and prayer for the fathers and also for the faithful who are our pious guests.  Out of love and respect for this sacred ground, we humbly ask that visitors be properly attired at all times.

 

Women are kindly asked to wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting shirts that fully cover the chest up to the neck; long skirts (or dresses) without deep slits; scarves that cover the head and wrap under the chin and around the neck, so that the neck is also covered. Please refrain from wearing lipstick when venerating icons and receiving Holy Communion. Please remove any visible face or body piercing jewelry.

 

Men are kindly asked to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Please, no baseball caps or clothing with inappropriate words or images. Inside, especially in church, men are asked to keep their heads uncovered. Please remove any visible face or body piercing jewelry.

 

For both men and women, socks (at least ankle high) with shoes or sandals are to be worn at all times. Please do not wear sheer stockings. Please wear practical and comfortable flat shoes while at the monastery since there may be areas with rough terrain. Please do not wear high heels, platform shoes, or open-toed sandals.

 

If you are not properly dressed, please go directly to the bookstore, where there is a limited supply of clothing for your use.

Due to the sanctity of this holy place we kindly ask that you respect the quiet and solitude of the monastery while on the grounds. Visitors are not permitted to enter the monks' living quarters or kitchen area. Cell phones must be left on the silent/vibrate mode while on the grounds.

Smoking anywhere within the holy grounds is strictly forbidden. Loud talking and laughing are always inappropriate.

Children should not roam freely on the holy grounds but should remain under parental supervision at all times.

Pets are not allowed on the monastery grounds with the sole exception of guide dogs for the blind. (Guide dogs are not allowed inside the churches).

 

Please ask before taking photographs of any of the monks or guests. Photographs and videos are not allowed during the services without a blessing from the abbot.  Apart from these restrictions, photographs and videos may be taken freely.

 

Cell phones must be turned off during the church services.

 

The Sacrament of Confession is offered daily except for Monday unless a special exception has been made. The faithful may confess in English or Russian with our abbot or in English or Greek with our priest-monk.  Please call or email to schedule.