The Christian Copts adopted the Coptic Calendar specifically for the Church during the persecution of the Romans under Emperor Diocletian (283 to 305 A.D.). Because of the severity of the persecutions during his time, the Copts called it the Era of Martyrs, Anno Martyri, establishing the new calendar specific to the Coptic Church, the Calendar of the Martyrs, in September 283 A.D. when the Emperor ascended to his throne. At the start of every year, the Copts celebrate the Feast of Nayrouz, honoring the martyrs of the Church, as Nayrouz has become strongly affiliated with the martyrs. The Coptic Calendar remained in use by the government until the Khedive Ishmael abolished it in September 1875 - largely as a result of Western influence. He instated the Gregorian calendar in its stead.

Services at Holy Cross Monastery

The clergy of our monastery serve under the omophorion of Archbishop Kyrill, who shepherds the OCA Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. Services are usually conducted in the languages best understood by those worshipping with the Fathers, who can conduct services in Romanian, Slavonic ("Old Bulgarian"), Greek, or English.

Great Vespers—Saturday evenings at 6:00 P.M.

Divine Liturgy—Sunday mornings at 10:00 A.M.

Please respect the sacred solitude and quietude of the cloister and contact the Fathers before visiting at other times. Liturgical offices are reserved for the monks and may be attended by special arrangement.

"Worship the Lord in holy attire" — cf. Psalm 95(96):9; Psalm 29(28):2 (RSV)
That is, when you come to the House of God, be wholly attired.
Please refrain from wearing:
Shorts or short dresses
Sleeveless, backless or frontless clothing
Anything you would not wear on Judgment Day
Thank you for your respect and reverence
for the majesty of God.

HOLY CROSS MONASTERY
34580 Palomares Road
Castro Valley, California 94552-9622

or half an hour from San Jose