Icon of Elizabeth Feodorovna: history, meaning, what it helps with and how to pray

Historical reference

The icon of Elizabeth exists in different variations and iconographic designs. This is no coincidence, since the story of the most reverend disciple of Christ, which is what those who gave their lives for Him are called, is unusual.

Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna

Before her marriage, Louise-Alice was Princess of Darmstadt.
The granddaughter of the famous Queen Victoria of England and the younger sister of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, who also suffered martyrdom.
She married Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich in 1884, while still a Lutheran, and consciously converted to Orthodoxy in 1891.
She had a rather harsh attitude towards those who commit terrorist acts, but she forgave her husband’s murderer and, having sold her personal jewelry, bought an estate on Bolshaya Ordynka, where the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent was located in 1909.

Read about other Orthodox monasteries:

Luzhetsky Monastery in Mozhaisk
Dalmatovsky Monastery, Kurgan Region
Monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai

On a note!
This was an unusual monastic community for Orthodoxy; those who entered it did not take monastic vows, and Elizaveta Fedorovna herself never accepted them. But each of the sisters was obliged to care for the sick, the orphaned and the poor. Thus, the social and charitable function of this monastery was strictly fulfilled. With the outbreak of the First World War, the monastery provided assistance to both the wounded and prisoners of war, which gave reason to suspect Elizaveta Feodorovna of sympathizing with the Germans. With the Bolsheviks coming to power in May 1918, she was arrested and first transported to Yekaterinburg, and then to Alapaevsk, where she, along with other representatives of the Romanov family and her personal maid, nun Varvara, were thrown into a mine.

There they died a slow, painful death. After the liberation of Alapaevsk by the White Army, the body of Elizabeth Feodorovna was transferred to Jerusalem and buried in the Holy Land, as she wished.

Previous article Service of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth

Commemoration July 18 - July 5, old style

Akathist to the Holy Martyr Elizabeth

Kontakion 1

Chosen from the line of the sovereign daughter of Russia, who served God and her neighbors well with abundant love and mercy, who laid down her soul for faith in Christ our Lord and was adorned with the crown of Christ’s glory, we praise your exploits and sufferings, singing with love to your face: Rejoice, holy venerable martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Ikos 1

With the angelic love of Christ, who loved to serve the One and who wanted to serve Him from childhood, taught by your matter, in your labors, prayers and alms, you showed the image of the virtues. After the death of your mother and your close relatives, you understood the way of the cross, commanded by the Lord. Moreover, marveling at your election from your youth, we cry out to you with tenderness: Rejoice, you who have loved Christ from your youth; Rejoice, chosen lamb of Christ. Rejoice, you who received the seeds of faith from your parents; Rejoice, raised by them in the passion of God. Rejoice, thou who has inherited the virtues of thy mother; Rejoice, taught by her to hard work and mercy. Rejoice, confirmed in God with your heart; Rejoice, you who bore your cross with faith and hope and followed Christ. Rejoice, fragrant blossom of the lands of your fatherland; Rejoice, you who have made Heaven glad with the purity of your life. Rejoice, chosen by God to serve the suffering; Rejoice, our prayer book before God. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 2

The Lord has seen the good will of your heart, for from your youth you desired to lead your life in piety and purity, the eyes of your heart are directed towards heavenly beauty and the fire of love for God is ignited within you. With your prayers, enlighten our hearts with love for God, so that with you we will sing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Enlightened by reason from above, Saint Elizabeth, you were not afraid to leave your fatherland, family and house of your father and move into a new fatherland, when you were married to the Russian Grand Duke Sergius, and with him you served God, and together with your husband you lived in chastity, showing true love for Russian people. We cry out to you with love: Rejoice, glorious comer from the land of the West; Rejoice, you who have found a new homeland - the Russian land. Rejoice, faithful princess, who has served our country faithfully; Rejoice, teacher in our good deeds. Rejoice, having lived in marriage in love and chastity; Rejoice, for you were a wise helper to your husband in good deeds. Rejoice, pious husband of the patroness; Rejoice, you who warm us with maternal love. Rejoice, you who desired to fulfill the commandments of the Lord; Rejoice, zeal for God inflaming in our hearts. Rejoice, you who have rejoiced everyone with spiritual and physical beauty; Rejoice, decoration of the whole Christian world. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 3

By the power of Divine grace for salvation, wise, with your mind you came to know the true faith, O merciful Princess Elizabeth, and dwelling in the Holy Land, you were confirmed in the desire to accept Orthodoxy, singing to the God who enlightened you: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having a heart befitting the good earth, you accepted the Orthodox faith with comfort, and you were also honored with Holy Confirmation and Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ on the feast of the Resurrection of the Righteous Lazarus. We, glorifying your enlightenment by the grace of the Holy Spirit, magnify you: Rejoice, on the day of the Resurrection of the righteous Lazarus, you accepted the Orthodox faith; Rejoice, blessed fruit of the Russian land. Rejoice, sealed with the anointing of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, in Orthodoxy you have preserved the name given to you from birth. Rejoice, holy and righteous Elizabeth of the same name; Rejoice, for you diligently imitated that life in your struggles. Rejoice, you who show the sons of the West the path to true faith; Rejoice, for the pious people of the Russian lands honor your memory with love. Rejoice, merciful mother, who has found mercy from the Master and Lord; Rejoice, and earnestly praying for our pardon. Rejoice, you who carried the Divine light in your heart; Rejoice, illuminating the darkness of our life with the light of Christ’s commandments. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 4

The storm of anger of the enemy of the human race is unshakable to you, holy one, when your faithful husband endured martyrdom, while you were compassionate, you showed great courage and Christian love. Angels, lifting up the soul of your husband: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having heard the people of Russia about the murder of the blessed Prince Sergius, I pray to God that Saint Elizabeth will strengthen you in bearing this sorrow. But you, strengthened by sacrificial love, visited the murderer of your spouse in prison, striving for his repentance and raising prayers to the Lord for his forgiveness. For this reason, accept from us, unworthy, this praise: Rejoice, having fulfilled the commandment of Christ about love for the enemy; Rejoice, you who forgave the murderer of your husband in the Gospel. Rejoice, you who have endured many sorrows and troubles; Rejoice, you who help us bear the burden of sorrows and sorrows. Rejoice, you who guide those who have gone astray to the path of truth and repentance; Rejoice, warm intercessor for the salvation of sinners. Rejoice, you who illuminate us in the darkness of sorrows with the light of hope; Rejoice, guiding star to all who hope for salvation. Rejoice, you who bring our stony hearts to tenderness; Rejoice, warm prayer book for us in all our sorrow. Rejoice, you who conquered the evil of the world with goodness; Rejoice, you who have shown true love to the Russian people. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 5

You shone like a God-bearing star in the lands of Russia, Saint Elizabeth, when you counted wealth and glory as dust, you gave up your life in the hand of God, so that you served Him with fasting and prayer, and you showed great love and mercy to the suffering. So illuminate the path of our life with the light of your virtues, so that we joyfully cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

When the people of the God-saved city of Moscow saw you, the wondrous organizer of the Monastery of Mercy, they rejoiced as many Russian women and virgins found here a quiet and soul-saving refuge, imitating the holy myrrh-bearing women Mary and Martha in serving God and their neighbors. For this reason, glorifying you, we say: Rejoice, having understood in earthly glory the vanity of worldly life; Rejoice, you who gave away your possessions and loved Christ’s poverty. Rejoice, thou who adorned the city of Moscow with a wondrous monastery; Rejoice, you who have received the good yoke of Christ upon yourself. Rejoice, you who brought many wives and virgins to the abode of Mercy; Rejoice, wise steward for the salvation of your sisters. Rejoice, you who imitated the ministry of the holy myrrh-bearing women Martha and Mary; Rejoice, vigilant guardian of your monastery. Rejoice, you who affirm us in the struggle of spiritual life; Rejoice, you who show us the path from earth to Heaven. Rejoice, shining light of mercy, rising above the city of Moscow; Rejoice, all who gave their lives to serve their neighbors, the patroness. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 6

You were a preacher of Divine love and His mercy and a zealot of piety in our land, Saint Elizabeth, in the hearts of the Russian people love for the Lord and mercy for our brothers and sisters, in troubles, warming, and we, following your covenant, will sing to God: Alleluia .

Ikos 6

You have shone with the light of a virtuous life in the land of Russia, our venerable mother Elisaveto, in the form of monks in fasting and abstinence, in night vigils and singing prayer services, you have taught piety and humility to the sisters of your monastery, and we, too, have been instructed by you on the path of close spiritual achievement , we please you: Rejoice, you who have chosen the path of monastic life equal to the angels; Rejoice, having shown the purity of your heart by the vow of chastity. Rejoice, having shown the height of your spirit by your vow of non-covetousness; Rejoice, having served your neighbors with a vow of obedience to God. Rejoice, wise princess and most honorable nun; Rejoice, destined from above to be the image of Christian wives. Rejoice, having pleased God through fasting, vigil and unceasing prayers; Rejoice, awakening our souls from the sleep of sin. Rejoice, you who instruct everyone to fulfill the commandment of love for God and neighbors; Rejoice, you who teach us to pray from the heart. Rejoice, teacher of nuns and interlocutor of the Angel; Rejoice, glorified among the host of venerable women in Heaven. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 7

Wanting to understand the will of the Lord, Saint Elizabeth, you completely surrendered to yourself in obedience to the elders Gabriel of Spaso-Eleazarovsky, Alexy Zosimovsky, and you also asked other godly elders, who do nothing without their blessing, but cut off their own will, and also life in the monastery of Mercy for the good You have established it by constantly crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

A new miracle was shown by the Lord, who always granted, Saint Elizabeth, the grace and power to heal illness, strengthen the weakened, help the needy, and intercede for the offended. But you, who have brought relief and joy to the suffering, the weak, abandoned and crippled by all, have served with humility and love. In the same way, heal us sinners with your prayer and be our steward for salvation, so that we may sing to you in gratitude: Rejoice, you who lived in obedience as a spiritual father and a great elder; Rejoice, named Great Mother by the Russian people. Rejoice, thou who hast received from God the gift of healing the weak souls; Rejoice, you who raise up those who are sick and hopeless from the bed of illness. Rejoice, compassionate caretaker of widows and orphans; Rejoice, nourisher of those who are hungry and quick intercessor for those in trouble. Rejoice, you who do not abandon those despised and rejected by all; Rejoice, you who saved many souls from the darkness of sin and destruction. Rejoice, wise comforter to those who are discouraged in sorrows and circumstances; Rejoice, strengthening us who are depressed by illness and sorrow. Rejoice, intercessor of the repentant sinner before God; Rejoice, God-given merciful helper to the Russian people. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 8

The Lord revealed a strange and terrible vision to the confessor of the Convent of Mercy, Father Mitrofaniy. But you, O holy mother, clarifying this vision, prophesied that a great and terrible trial was coming to the Russian Church and our state: desecration of holy things, fratricidal warfare, great turmoil, martyrdom of the royal family; but God will have mercy on Russia through the prayers of its saints, and with them you now sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Enlightened by all divine grace, Saint Elizabeth, you saw with your mental eyes God’s wrathful visit to our country and you prophetically prophesied that many martyrs and confessors would shine in the Russian lands. Moreover, the Russian people called upon the Russian people to place all their trust in the Mother of God, believers, as if through Her prayers our land would be settled and blessed. We, who are aware of your prophecies about the fate of our homeland, bless you: Rejoice, you who erected the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in the monastery of Mercy; Rejoice, for having given your abode to the hand of the Most Pure Mother of the Lord. Rejoice, builder of the temples of God; Rejoice, our vigilant prayer book to the Mother of God. Rejoice, thou who has done good to the churches of God; Rejoice, you who labored tirelessly for eternal life. Rejoice, having faithfully served God and the Most Holy Virgin Mary with your life; Rejoice, you who teach us to place all our hope in God. Rejoice, you who give meekness, silence and peace to our hearts; Rejoice, adorned with the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, for thou shrewdly predicted the great sorrow of our land; Rejoice, for the Lord has had mercy on you. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 9

All flaming with love for God, Saint Elizabeth, you were not afraid when you came to the monastery you created, foolish people who wanted to carry out unjust judgment on you. But you, preserved by the Lord, you then escaped death, praying for the admonition and enlightenment of the foolish and erring, and singing to God in thanksgiving: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Human lips will not be able to adequately praise the strength of your love in the days of great troubles and misfortunes that befell our Fatherland, when you did not want to leave Russia and the monastery you created, encouraging your sisters to stand for the Orthodox faith even to death. We praise you with love: Rejoice, you who loved our land, Rejoice, you who are glorified with love by the Russian people. Rejoice, teaching us to defend ourselves with the shield of faith in battle with the enemy; Rejoice, strengthening the Lord’s resolve to follow the way of the cross. Rejoice, sisters of the monastery of Mercy, who strengthened faith and hope; Rejoice, having taught them the feat of martyrdom for Christ. Rejoice, thou who was worthy to partake of the passion of Christ; Rejoice, Russian people who affirm in their confessional struggle. Rejoice, you who saved many from the pit of destruction; Rejoice, helper, protector and protector of your monastery and the city of Moscow. Rejoice, thou who teachest us everlasting love more sacrificially; Rejoice, thou who has entered into the joy of thy Lord. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 10

Seeking a saving feat, Saint Elizabeth, joyfully thanked God for making you worthy to bear His cross. By the same token, your faith in victory, when, ascending to Golgotha, you incessantly proclaimed: “Glory to God for everything!” Pray, O our mother, that the Lord grant us to gain wisdom and strength for the right faith, even to death, to stand and sing to Him with one mouth and one heart: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

The insurmountable wall and intercession of the country of Russia was given to the holy icon of God, the Sovereign Mother, who received Saint Elizabeth in the monastery of Mercy, as a sign of victory over the rulers of the darkness of this age. For this reason, we, having placed all our trust in the Sovereign Lady of our Fatherland, praise you as a true servant and novice of the Most Pure Mother of the Lord: Rejoice, filled with the grace and power of God; Rejoice, you who have chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from you. Rejoice, you who imitated the Mother of God in meekness and humility; Rejoice, wise evangelical virgin, who has gathered the oil of grace. Rejoice, reverent admirer of the Most Holy Virgin Mary; Rejoice, you who constantly pray for us at Her Throne. Rejoice, you who showed us the image of selflessness; Rejoice, you who teach us to bear each other’s burdens. Rejoice, you who through earthly sorrows and suffering entered the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, teaching everyone love and patience in suffering for the sake of the Lord. Rejoice, you who lived as an angel on earth; Rejoice, you who have inherited the crown of glory in Heaven. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 11

You offered a prayer service to the Mother of God, Saint Elizabeth, on the day of the celebration of Her Iveron Icon, when you were taken into wickedness and thrown into prison. You thanked Christ our God, who gave you not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, singing to Him in prison bonds: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The Light of the Divine H axis of the Saint, the Saint, Princess Elisaveto, But with the Mentary of Barvaria, about Christ's sister, and with the other passionate people of the eminent, he was in a deep dwelling, the halves of the Great Prince John obliged Yesi, the suffering of the dying facilitates, glorifying chants , for those who kill you, you prayed: “Father, let them go, for they do not know what they are doing.” Heal the wounds of our souls, O our mother, and let us sing to you with love: Rejoice, you who foresaw your martyrdom; Rejoice, royal passion-bearer. Rejoice, on the day of memory of St. Sergius, you participated in the passion of Christ; Rejoice, strengthened by Divine power in suffering. Rejoice, for your tormentors, imitating Christ, praying; Rejoice, you sang a song to God until your very death. Rejoice, you who have watered our land with your blood; Rejoice, numbered among the host of new Russian martyrs. Rejoice, for you have joined the ranks of the venerable and righteous women; Rejoice, worthy co-heir of the holy noble princesses of the Russian land. Rejoice, immaculate, acceptable sacrifice offered to God; Rejoice, triumphant with all the saints of our land. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 12

Your venerable relics, the holy venerable martyrs Elisabeth and Varvaro, who wanted to save them from reproach and dishonor, pious people from Russia from Russia to the holy city of Jerusalem, appeared in grace-filled vessels and buried them in the village of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives; those who come to them please you, chanting to the wondrous God in His saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

The temple of the Holy Myrrh-Bearer Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem was filled with heavenly light and a wonderful fragrance when the coffin with the body of Grand Duchess Elizabeth was opened. In the same way, now all the Orthodox children of the Church rejoice and rejoice in the Lord, flowing to the race of your relics, the venerable martyr Elizabeth, performing miracles for all believers, and thanking the Lord who glorified you, they sing: Rejoice, for your relics, brought to the holy city of Jerusalem, flourished with incorruption; Rejoice, having spiritually united the Holy Land with the Russian land with your relics. Rejoice, you who have rejoiced the Russian Church with the appearance of your relics; Rejoice, for you who spiritually strengthened the scattered Russian people. Rejoice, buried at the Holy Sepulcher; Rejoice, in the temple of the holy myrrh-bearing wife Mary Magdalene, laid to rest. Rejoice, for your relics heal all sorrows and illnesses; Rejoice, witness of eternity in temporal life. Rejoice, you who have united the crown of virtues in yourself; Rejoice, glorified by the inscrutable destinies of God. Rejoice, blessed dweller of the Mountain of Jerusalem; Rejoice, guide to Heavenly Jerusalem for all of us. Rejoice, holy martyr Elizabeth, beauty of the Russian Church, honored to be the bride of Christ.

Kontakion 13

O great passion-bearer, the adornment and joy of Russian women, our merciful Princess Elisaveto, accept the sighing of our hearts offered to you with love, and through your intercession to the Lord strengthen the spirit of right faith and piety in us, strengthen us in virtue and mercy, help the cross of sorrows with To bear with patience and hope, preserve our people in love and harmony, so that we may be worthy to hear the Lord in joy, with the Angels and all the saints singing to Him: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1st and kontakion 1st

Ikos 1

Kontakion 1

Prayer to the Venerable Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Varvara

O holy new martyrs of Russia, Grand Duchess Elisaveto and her sister of the cross, the venerable nun Varvaro, who passed away her path in many torments, fulfilled the Gospel commandments with deeds in the monastery of Mercy, laboring for the sake of the Orthodox faith until death in these last times, and good fruit in the patience of the passions of Christ brought it! Pray to Him, as the Conqueror of death, that He may establish the Russian Orthodox Church and our Fatherland, redeemed by the blood and suffering of the new martyrs, and not allow our property to be plundered by the enemy of Russia. Behold, the crafty enemy has armed himself against us, although he will destroy us in internecine battles, sorrows, unbearable sorrows, illnesses, needs and fierce misfortunes. Pray to the Lord to cast down all their feeble insolence; Strengthen faith in the hearts of the Russian people, so that when the hour of testing comes upon us, we will receive the gift of courage through your prayers, having rejected ourselves and taken up our cross, we will follow Christ, crucifying our flesh with passions and lusts. Save us from all evil, sanctify the paths of our life, grant unfeigned repentance, silence and peace to our souls, ask the Lord for all of us to be delivered from bitter ordeals and eternal torment and to be heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven with all the saints who have pleased God from the ages, so that we joyfully give praise , honor and worship of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Life of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth (Romanova) Service of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth Prayer to the Holy Martyrs Elizabeth and Nun Barbara Troparion and Kontakion of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth

Akathist to the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the Pattern Maker Akathist to the Holy Blessed Prince Theodore, David and Constantine, Smolensk and Yaroslavl Wonderworkers Akathist to the Holy Martyr John the Warrior Akathist to the Hieromartyr John (Pommer), Archbishop of Riga

Previous article Service of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth

Description of the Holy Face

The Reverend Martyr Elizabeth and the Martyr Varvara, who accompanied the Grand Duchess in her last ordeals, were glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992. From this time on, iconographic images of Elizabeth Feodorovna began to appear.

Icon of Saint Elizabeth

The external distinctive features of these icons are as follows:

as a rule, the Grand Duchess is depicted as an apostle;
with a cross in his right hand and the Marfo-Mary monastery in his left;
There are versions of the icon where Elizaveta Feodorovna and the nun Varvara hold the Mariinsky Convent in their hands.

In any such images, the Grand Duchess is very recognizable, as she is covered with a white apostle and has a martyr’s cross on her chest. During their lifetime, the couple made a vow not to have carnal relations and for almost ten years of marriage they kept it.

What does the icon help with and how does it protect?

Of all the Russian new martyrs glorified today, Elizaveta Feodorovna is the most revered, and her image is the most recognizable. Therefore, it is not surprising that they often turn to her in prayer before her image and ask for her help and intercession before God and ask her to help:

in difficult childbirth;
in the birth of premature babies and their further care;
in the healing of cancer patients, mainly female diseases: breast cancer, uterine cancer, etc.;
For those who endure suffering, pain and torment, turning to the venerable martyr will be very useful.

And in general, like every Orthodox saint who stands very close to the throne of the Heavenly King, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna can provide great help.

Icon of the Venerable Martyr Elizabeth Feodorovna

Text of the book “Holy Martyr Elisaveta Fedorovna (Romanova). Biography. Akathist"

On the first day of the revolution, March 1, 1917, a rioting crowd surrounded her house, which was also approached by a carriage full of people, mostly released prisoners, who had come for her to take her to the hall of the City Duma as a German spy. She sent all the frightened women to the back of the house and went out to the people who had come to her. "What you want from me?" – she asked. “We have come for you to bring you to justice, you have weapons hidden, and the German princes are hiding in your house.” “Come in,” she said, “look everywhere.” <.. > She gathered the sisters in the church to sing a prayer service. Then, turning to the revolutionaries, she said: “Enter the church, but leave your weapons at the entrance.” They followed her. After the prayer service, she approached the cross... Under the influence of her extraordinary calm, they followed her and venerated the cross. “Now go find what you think you will find with me.” The priest Father Mitrofan Srebryansky went with them, and they soon returned to the noisy crowd outside the monastery with the words: “This is a monastery, and nothing more.” The charm of her entire appearance was so great that it involuntarily captivated even the revolutionaries. <…> “Obviously, we are not yet worthy of the crown of martyrdom,” answered the abbess to the sisters, who congratulated her on such a successful outcome of her first acquaintance with the Bolsheviks. But this crown was no longer far from her. <.. > While Bolshevism was completely unbridled, in April 1918, the Grand Duchess sent the following lines to an old friend: “It is necessary to direct all thoughts to our wonderful country in order to see everything that is happening in it in the real light, and to be able to say: “Thy will be done” when our beloved Russia is subject to complete collapse. Remember that the Holy Orthodox Russian Church, against which not even the gates of hell can stand, still exists and will exist until the end of time. Those who can believe this will undoubtedly see the hidden ray shining through the darkness in the midst of the storm. But still, I am sure that the punishing God is the same loving one. I have been reading the Bible often lately, and if we believe in the Supreme Sacrifice of God the Father, who sent His Son to death and resurrection for our salvation, then we simultaneously feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, overshadowing our path, and our joy will be eternal even if , if our limited human hearts and minds go through the path of difficult trials. Think of a storm - it has spiritual as well as terrifying elements; some are afraid to hide from it, others are amazed by it, but the eyes of some are opened, and they see the greatness of God in it. Isn't this a true picture of the current times? We work, we pray, we hope, and every day we feel more and more the highest compassion within ourselves. That we are alive is an enduring miracle. Other people are beginning to understand the same thing, and they come to our church to find peace for their souls.” <.> She did not have a shadow of bitterness against the furies of the excited crowd: “The people are children, they are innocent of what is happening,” she said meekly, “they are misled by the enemies of Russia.”

She writes to one of her old friends: “Russia and her children at the moment do not know what they are doing, like a sick child, whom everyone values many times [more] in this state than when he is cheerful and healthy. Everyone strives to alleviate his suffering, help him and teach him to patiently endure all hardships. This is exactly what I think about more and more every day.”

The great suffering and humiliation that befell the Royal Family, which was so close to her, did not dishearten her. “This will serve to their moral purification and bring them closer to God,” she once remarked with some enlightened gentleness. <…> But the suffering that ensued could have been avoided if she had wished for it, but the Grand Duchess took this path voluntarily. In the spring or summer of 1917, the Swedish minister came to Moscow on special instructions from the German Emperor to advise the Grand Duchess to leave Russia, where horrific events were inevitably going to happen. The Swedish minister, being the representative of a neutral power, was received by the Grand Duchess and insisted on her following the advice of the German Emperor. She listened to him carefully and replied that it also seemed to her that terrifying times were just around the corner, but that she had decided to share the fate of the country that she considered her own, and could not leave the sisters of her community to their fate.

Protopresbyter M. Polsky [3]