St. Barbara Orthodox Monastery is a women's monastic community of the Diocese of the West of the Orthodox Church in America. The Monastery was founded in 1992 and has been located in Santa Paula, California, since late 2005.  The Sisters maintain a regular cycle of daily liturgical services and partly earn their living by giving retreats, writing, teaching, production of iconography, notecards and greeting cards, and the operation of a small bookstore and online gift shop.

Latest News

***Nov. 25, 2011 The Feast Day of the Great Martyr Barbara will be celebrated here at the monastery with a 4pm Vigil on Saturday, Dec. 3 and 10am Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Dec. 4. Click here to view our Feast Day invitation.

***Oct. 25, 2011 Our last Friends of the Monastery Gathering for 2011 will be held this Sunday, October 30. Our guest speaker will be the Dean and professor of St. Katherine College, Dr. Eve Tibbs, who will be speaking on the topic of "An Orthodox Vision of Higher Education." 4pm presentation 4pm, 5pm Vespers, 6pm potluck. We look forward to seeing you!

***Sept. 22, 2011 We invite you to join us for our Friends Gathering this Sunday, Sept. 25. Dr. Stephen Lloyd-Moffett, professor of Religious Studies, will present on the topic of The First Days of Christianity: The Origins of What We Believe. 4pm Presentation, 5pm Vespers, 6pm Potluck.

***August 24, 2011 In partnership with St. Timothy Orthodox Church (Lompoc, CA), our monastery is now offering simple, handcrafted redwood caskets. 

Please visit the Monastery Caskets link for more details.

***August 24, 2011 Please join us for our upcoming Friends of the Monastery Gathering this Sunday, August 28. Our speaker will be Rev. Paul Olson from St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles. Details about this event and other monastery news may be found in our current newsletter.

4pm Presentation, 5pm Vespers, 6pm Potluck.

***June 22, 2011 Our latest newsletter is accessible here.

***April 29, 2011 Please join us this Sunday, May 1, for our Friends Gathering featuring Rev. Deacon Gregory Roeber, professor of early Modern History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University. Deacon Gregory's presentation is entitled: "Behold I make all things new!" Reflections on Image and Likeness. 4pm presentation, 5pm Vespers, 6pm potluck. Please bring a friend!

***April 25, 2011 Father Paul Waisanen will celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Bright Wednesday, April 27, at 10am at the monastery. Please join us!

***April 24, 2011 Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

***April 21, 2011 Peruse the latest news from the monastery in our April Newsletter. Join us for our next Friends Gathering on Sunday, May 1, at 4pm. Our featured speaker will be Rev. Deacon Gregory Roeber, professor of Early Modern History and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State University.  5pm Vespers and 6pm potluck to follow presentation.

***April 13, 2011 Join us for Divine Liturgy and the groundbreaking for the building of our chapel on Lazarus Saturday, April 16! His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, will be presiding. Liturgy will commence at 10am, followed by the groundbreaking and a meal.