Godoncourt Monastery, dedicated to the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, is a place of prayer and spiritual retreat, as well as a center for organization, information, and communication that supports the Orthodox community. This support is offered through its own programs of activities, as well as by providing priests, children, and other people involved in church life with accommodation, meals, and spaces for carrying out activities.

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The Godoncourt Monastery was acquired in 2015 by the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe from the Serbian Orthodox monastic community that had served here since 2002 but was no longer able to financially maintain the monastery (more details here). It is a beautiful architectural complex organized around a 19th-century church (originally a Catholic monastery), located in eastern France, in the Vosges department, 350 km from Paris, 200 km from Strasbourg, and 100 km from Besançon.

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The Holy Mysteries of our Church, as means of spiritual and bodily healing—such as the Divine Liturgy and Holy Eucharist, Holy Unction, the Sacrament of Confession, and the Holy Services according to the monastic typikon adapted to life here—together with inner spiritual work according to the methods of the Holy Fathers of our Church and prayer for one another, occupy a central place in the life of the monastery.

At the same time, nature unfolds freely around the monastery: green fields, nearby animal farms, and peaceful local residents who are accustomed to the sound of the church bells and the wooden semantron (toaca), and who joyfully cross the monastery’s threshold.

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Since the acquisition of the monastery, a series of improvement works have been carried out, but further financial resources are still needed for roof restoration and wall reinforcement. Therefore, any financial support is warmly welcomed.

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Activities that can take place at Godoncourt Monastery:

• Participation in Holy Services according to the monastic typikon

• Spiritual counseling

• Camps for children

• Healthy lifestyle workshops for adults and children

• Accommodation for camps and meals for adults and children

• Courses and religious books

• Cultural center – cultural activities and exhibitions (concerts, book launches, literary circles, conferences)

• Shop / sales exhibitions

• Conference center and workshops