New Skete Monastery - Monks

Kate Caravaty

2024-03

We had our dog Ripley train here when she was just a few months old. She originally had case by case reactivity issues with dogs and was a hyper puppy who pulled on leash. When she returned home the first time she had burnt hair on the back of her neck from the E collar. You could feel it was singed. But worst of all her reactivity had tripled and we could no longer even walk through town without multiple complete melt down (which had never happened to that level before training). I regret it now but We contact the New Skete Monastery and they offered to take her back for an additional week to focus on reactivity. She came home and there was no changes. I completely regret ever sending her here. I wish there were more honest reviews out there. Everyone there is nice but If I could go back and not send Ripley I'd do it in a heartbeat. She's never returned to how she was pre-training and I so deeply regret it every day.

Erik Oppenneer

2019-05

A small monastery near White Creek, New York. There are several structures on the facility, the art work in the two main public buildings are very well done, it may remind you of art in European churches. The facility supports both nuns and priests of New Skete. Many prior members are buried on the grounds.The nuns make fantastic, world-class cheesecakes, but they are sold at a different facility. The priests train German shepherds on this facility, but you can only see them by appointment.

Bill Samsonoff

2018-05

Two excellent monastic communities (Monks of New Skete and the Nuns of New Skete) in the Orthodox Church in America located near Cambridge NY.

BusyBurdie

2023-12

Oh my God the fruitcake........ Best ever. Heavy, dense and filled with nuts n fruit. If you're one of the few people who love fruitcake... you have to get this one!!!

Erick Straghalis

2020-05

A beautiful place to visit for a meditative and quiet period of reflection. Located in upstate New York, this retreat is accessible, yet remote. The brothers are friendly and welcoming and provide visitors a space to participate in daily meals, prayer and quiet meditation.The dog breeding work is fascinating, as is the training they do. And the surrounding woods are perfect for hiking and make a peaceful retreat.The are daily services that visitors are encouraged to join. Both the smaller chapel at the center of the driveway leading to the main building and the larger church are spectacular, filled with unique icons and beautiful architecture set against an intense backdrop of white birch and pine trees. The music of New Skete is also hauntingly beautiful - when the nuns from across the valley join for Vespers and Sunday Liturgy, the mixed choir produces a lovely and reverent sound that heightens the experience.I was surprised to learn that many visitors we have encountered are not Orthodox (as we are). The brothers are very open and welcoming to all people. Some visitors come for the retreat, others for the famous German Shepherds they breed (and end up staying for the retreat).

David Putkaradze

2024-04

Fresh air, nice food, excellent prayer seevices, all this no obligatory cost

Olga Holowach

2022-05

Pray with the monks and nuns in the Orthodox tradition. The simplicity of the church and chapel along with beautiful chanting are a spiritual experience. Covid requires masks. A stop at the nuns retail shop down the road offers an opportunity to purchase their famous cheese cakes.

Dale Akin

2023-05

Serene and secluded. Even though there’s a small road sign saying “private” we did a sponsored tour and they informed us that it is open to the public including some hiking trails.

Bob Young

2022-05

Accompanied gf here while she did a week of training with our dog. Beautiful location. Very peaceful and heard great things about the training. Both came home tired but excited.

Maggi Smith

2020-05

We went to the open house on June 8th. It was an amazing experience. The Monks were so kind and so knowledgeable about German Shepherds. We are looking forward to one day having one of their puppies.

Kyle Higgins

2022-05

A lovely, spiritual visit in the mountains of NY. The temples and icons are beautiful. Hopefully, you can get a glimpse of a service dog in training.

Raghu Daripalli

2019-05

Monks trained my German Shepherd. I am so happy with the training.

Lisa Scrobola

2020-05

We got our puppy Baron from the Monks ! What a wonderful experience!

brian sullivan

2022-05

This monastery is so serene & spiritual

Dr. Timothy Hoffman

2021-05

Great dogs