Poustinia is a Russian word meaning “desert”. In Eastern Christian spirituality, it refers to a place one goes to encounter, in silence, solitude, and prayer, the God who dwells within the human heart.

Poustinias are simple rooms furnished with a bed, desk and chair, the Bible, a plain cross and an icon of the Mother of God. You are provided with a loaf of bread and water or coffee/tea during your stay.

Here at Madonna House DC we provide poustinia rooms for people to enter into a 24 hour prayer period to rest and listen to God.