St John's Monastery & Bakery

St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery is a women’s monastic community located in Goldendale, WA. Founded in 1995, the monastery supports itself through the handiwork of the sisters and donations. Learn more.

St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Monastery is a women’s monastic community located in Goldendale, WA. Founded in 1995, the monastery was established by the Greek Orthodox Diocese of San Francisco on a 48-acre property donated by local doctor Gerald Timmer. The community was accepted by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony and guided by Geronta Ephraim, a priest-monk and former abbot from Holy Mount Athos, Greece. The monastery is part of a network of 17 Orthodox monasteries in North America, with a mission to preserve the Holy Traditions of the Church through prayer, spiritual guidance, and exemplary Christian life.

The sisters at St. John’s Monastery practice traditional Orthodox arts such as writing Byzantine icons, making incense, and dipping beeswax candles. They also produce natural soap, lotion, and bake traditional Greek food and pastries for their on-site bakery and gift shop. The monastery supports itself through these efforts and donations from the faithful.

The monastery welcomes visitors to its grounds and has a small guesthouse for Orthodox pilgrims. Overnight stays are limited and require a referral from an Orthodox priest. The bakery is open Monday through Saturday, and visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm hours and availability.

The faith tradition of the monastery is Orthodox, and it is part of the broader Greek Orthodox Church. The community is dedicated to preserving the traditions and teachings of the Orthodox faith, and visitors are invited to learn more about the Church and its practices.

For more information, visit the monastery's website.

St. John's Monastery & Bakery offers a serene and welcoming space in Goldendale, WA, where visitors can experience the Greek Orthodox tradition through prayer, artisanship, and the sisters' hospitality. The community’s dedication to preserving Orthodox practices is evident in their handcrafted icons, incense, and traditional Greek baked goods, which are available at their on-site bakery and gift shop. While the monastery primarily serves as a spiritual retreat for women, its open hours and friendly staff make it accessible to all who wish to explore its unique blend of faith and culture.

Pros

• Offers a welcoming environment to visitors, with friendly sisters staffing the bakery and gift shop.
• Practices traditional Greek Orthodox arts like iconography, incense-making, and beeswax candle-dipping.
• Features an on-site bakery and gift shop with handmade Greek pastries, soaps, lotions, and candles.
• Provides clear contact information for inquiries about visiting hours or availability.
• Part of a network of 17 Orthodox monasteries in North America, emphasizing a commitment to preserving faith traditions.
• The guesthouse is available for Orthodox pilgrims, offering a unique spiritual retreat option.

Cons

• Located in a remote area, which may be inconvenient for those not passing through or willing to make a detour.
• Bakery hours and availability are not clearly posted online, requiring visitors to call ahead.
• Overnight stays at the guesthouse are restricted to Orthodox pilgrims with a priest's referral.
• Limited information on the website about worship services or community events beyond the bakery's offerings.