Grand Duchess Elizabeth the New Martyr - Commemorated on July 18

Grand Duchess Elizabeth was the sister of the Czarina. She was brought up a German Lutheran, but converted to Orthodoxy after she married the Czar's cousin. She embraced her new found faith and, after her husbands assassination, she sold all she had and became a nun. She built St. Mary and Martha Convent in the poorest section of Moscow and, used it also as a hospital to care for the poor. She was indeed the "Mother Theresa" before Mother Theresa. She was well loved by the common people of Russia for her love of the poor. Yet she can still be seen on film footage walking in procession with the Royal Family during special State events.

Singled out by the Communists for death because of the people's love for her, here is a depiction of St. Elizabeth and her companions just before they were pushed down a mine shaft and bombarded with hand grenades tossed in by the guards..

O Holy New-Martyr Elizabeth, pray unto God for us!

Fr. John