Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
11 Apr 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 22 days
Feedback
15
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are an international Monastic community of Orthodox Christian Nuns, with roots in Greece. Our Sisters are from various countries (Greece, Norway, England, Russia, USA, Georgia, and others). We are located on a farm in a mountain village near Valldal.
Our main occupation is keeping the daily and festal services of the Liturgical year, which encompasses ecclesiastical arts, Byzantine music, spiritual literature, and hymnography, but we spend time also cultivating the farm, especially for herbs, because we produce all-natural, handmade healing balms and soaps.
We are open to hosting volunteers, who demonstrate a strong work ethic, and a desire to participate in the Services, especially if they have specialized knowledge or experience in any particular area of work, especially Construction and Forestry.
Workaway Volunteers are welcome to attend the Daily Services of Matins, 07:00, Vespers,17:00 and Small Compline, 18:30, and are requested to partake in the daily common meals, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
In periods or on days of "fasting", prescribed by the Church, (Great Lent, Wednesday, Friday, etc.), food containing meat, dairy, eggs, is not consumed. In periods or on days where all foods are allowed, the food may contain meat, dairy, etc.
We do not have the possibility to cater to any other dietary preferences such as vegan, vegetarian, raw diets.
The hours between meals are designated for work projects (10.30-16.30).
The Sisters will accompany, demonstrate, and explain to workers the task at hand. Volunteers are required to dress modestly.
No smoking is allowed on the grounds of the Sacred Monastery.
Please be prepared to work in groups with Sisters, with other volunteers, and also alone.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
How to work with other people from various countries. Have an insight to daily Orthodox Monastic life. Be able to develop their skills and knowledge in the framework of the tasks and activities described above.
Help
Cleaning and oiling timber wood walls of our Church.
Cleaning and preparing slates, on the ground, (not on the roof) which at a later stage will be laid on the roof by professional construction workers
Preparation of firewood.
Fence mantenance. Forestry work
Digging trenches for stormwater drainage.
Gardening. Collecting berries and herbs.
House painting and restoration
Furniture restoration.
Web site
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
Greek: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Georgian: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
Russian: Fluent
Accommodation
A private bedroom, which may be required to share with other workaways. A common bathroom. Camping is allowed.
What else ...
Wonderful hiking paths in amazing nature, many outdoor adventure activities available in the nearest village, national pilgrim path.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (9)
Photos
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
I wanted to express my immense gratitude to all of you for the wonderful time I had in Ruset. Norway is an astonishingly beautiful country, and you all showed me some of its most impressive places. Moreover, it was heartwarming to see the unconditional warmth and hospitality with which… read more
You live in an exceptional place ,with an exceptional mindset, in an exceptional way.
The monastery is perched on a hill face opposite the UNESCO World Heritage Tafjord, where, I was told, the King of Norway famously goes walking. Indeed, the… read more
Amazing dishes, 5 stars for the kitchen.
We did different tasks around the monastery such as… read more
About the daily routine: At 7 o'clock the sisters held a service but we didn't have to attend and could sleep a little longer. At 10 we had the first meal,… read more
We felt very welcome and appreciated the daily structure of the… read more
My duties as a volunteer included… read more
