Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Gazing at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, one might wonder how this serene place came to be. The Holy Transfiguration Monastery’s story begins in the winter of 1960, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The small community soon moved to a house in Jamaica Plain in 1961. As the brotherhood grew, they needed more space. In 1970, they found their current home, a three-story mansion built in 1881 in Brookline, Massachusetts. The mansion sits on 19 acres of mostly wooded land. An adjoining coach house provides additional cells for the monks. The Holy Transfiguration Monastery is the principal monastery of the Holy Orthodox Church in North America (HOCNA). The monks follow the Julian Calendar, also known as the “Old Calendar.” Their daily lives are filled with prayer and work. They make icons, incense, and translate religious texts. They even bake bread, a traditional recipe from Asia Minor. You might have seen their sweet bread sold at Brookline Booksmith. The grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offer a tranquil escape from the city’s bustle. The interior, reminiscent of a Scottish country estate, reflects a previous owner’s heritage. The former ballroom now serves as the chapel, lit only by candles and filled with Orthodox icons. Daily life at Holy Transfiguration Monastery is a rhythm of prayer, work, and quiet reflection. The monks’ dedication to their faith is palpable in the serene atmosphere of this hidden gem in Brookline.