/Orthodox Monasteries of German-Speaking Europe
Submitted by Athos on March 28, 2026 - 1:03pm
Orthodox Monasteries of German-Speaking Europe
A reference page for Athos Forum, arranged by country and region, with statistics, principal monasteries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the major Orthodox convents of the German-speaking world.
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Orthodox monasticism in German-speaking Europe developed largely during the twentieth century through Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, and Antiochian communities. Germany possesses the largest Orthodox monastic presence in the region, especially in Bavaria and central Germany. Austria and Switzerland have fewer monasteries, most of them modern foundations connected with immigrant Orthodox populations and pilgrimage centres.
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Orthodox monasteries and convents in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Orthodox monasteries and convents in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
20+
Orthodox monasteries located in Germany alone
Orthodox monasteries located in Germany alone
10+
active women’s monasteries and convents
active women’s monasteries and convents
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principal monastic regions: Bavaria, central Germany, and Vienna
principal monastic regions: Bavaria, central Germany, and Vienna
The principal concentration of Orthodox monasteries lies in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, central Germany, Vienna, and the Swiss cantons near Zürich and Geneva.
This page follows the same structure established for the other Orthodox countries and regions in this series.
Principal Monasteries of German-Speaking Europe
- Monastery of Saint Job of Pochaev – Munich, Germany. One of the best-known Russian Orthodox monasteries in Germany.
- Monastery of the Transfiguration – Buchhagen, Germany. The principal Orthodox monastery of Germany.
- Monastery of Saint Spiridon – Geilnau, Germany. Important monastery and pilgrimage centre.
- Monastery of Saint Justin Popović – Germany. Serbian Orthodox monastery and convent.
- Monastery of Saint Andrew – Vienna, Austria. Principal Orthodox monastery in Austria.
- Monastery of the Holy Trinity – Switzerland. Principal Orthodox monastery in Switzerland.
Germany
- Monastery of the Transfiguration – Buchhagen. The principal Orthodox monastery in Germany and centre of the German Orthodox Church.
- Monastery of Saint Job of Pochaev – Munich. Historic Russian Orthodox monastery.
- Monastery of Saint Spiridon – Geilnau. Important Orthodox monastery and pilgrimage destination.
- Monastery of Saint Justin Popović – Celle region. Serbian Orthodox monastery.
- Convent of Saint Elisabeth – Buchhagen. Orthodox women’s monastery associated with the German Orthodox Church.
- Monastery of the Holy Archangels – Bavaria. Orthodox monastery of the Greek tradition.
- Monastery of Saint George – Bavaria. Orthodox monastic community.
- Monastery of Saint John the Baptist – central Germany. Orthodox monastery of the Romanian tradition.
Austria
- Monastery of Saint Andrew – Vienna. Principal Orthodox monastery of Austria.
- Convent of the Protection of the Mother of God – near Vienna. Principal Orthodox women’s monastery of Austria.
- Monastery of Saint Nicholas – Austrian Alps. Orthodox monastery and retreat centre.
- Monastery of Saint Demetrius – Vienna region. Modern Orthodox monastic foundation.
Switzerland
- Monastery of the Holy Trinity – Switzerland. Principal Orthodox monastery of Switzerland.
- Convent of Saint Barbara – Swiss Alps. Orthodox women’s monastery.
- Monastery of Saint Silouan – Geneva region. Orthodox monastery associated with the Russian tradition.
- Monastery of Saint Maurice – western Switzerland. Small Orthodox monastic community.
Female Monasteries and Convents of Special Importance
- Convent of Saint Elisabeth – Buchhagen, Germany. Principal women’s monastery of the German Orthodox Church.
- Convent of the Protection of the Mother of God – Austria. Principal Orthodox women’s monastery of Austria.
- Convent of Saint Barbara – Switzerland. Principal Orthodox women’s monastery in Switzerland.
- Convent of Saint Paraskeva – Germany. Orthodox women’s monastery associated with the Serbian tradition.
- Convent of Saint Catherine – Bavaria. Women’s monastery of southern Germany.
Observations
- Germany possesses by far the largest Orthodox monastic presence in German-speaking Europe.
- Buchhagen remains the principal centre of Orthodox monastic life in Germany.
- Most monasteries in Austria and Switzerland are small and modern, founded after the Second World War.
- The Orthodox monasteries of German-speaking Europe are notable for their multinational character and diverse jurisdictions.
- Among the best-known monasteries internationally are Buchhagen, Saint Job of Pochaev in Munich, Saint Spiridon, and the principal monasteries of Austria and Switzerland.
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