Genete Denagil St. Arsema & St. Kristos Semra Ethiopian Orthodox Monastery is a branch of the historical Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It has met all the requirements to operate as a religious institution in the area under federal and local law and started its services on October 13, 2012. The congregation's core is our community, primarily consisting of Ethiopians and Eritreans residing in and around Syracuse. Their vision and dedication have enabled our church to thrive, with followers from distant states also choosing to participate in some of its services. The church's services are sustained through various means, including donations, membership fees, fundraising events, lotteries, dinners, spiritual projects, and the auctioning of spiritual crafts and tools.

Although the Monastery was established to provide a place of worship for the local Ethiopian and Eritrean community in Syracuse, NY, and its surrounding cities and towns, it does much more for the community. It's important to note that the majority of this community are immigrants to this country. Therefore, in addition to being the moral anchor of faith, the retreat center helps its members engage in non-religious moral acts, such as participating in community-building and moral projects. The Monastery is planning to add a guest and multi-purpose hall building while keeping the existing church to better accommodate its congregants, especially those from neighboring states. The proposed building will function as a retreat space, offering a serene environment for worship and solitude free of charge for individuals engaging in religious activities associated with the church's primary function.