In the church of St. Mary Magdalene in the Garden of Gethsemane, where the relics of the holy martyrs Grand Duchess Elisabeth Feodorovna and nun Barbara rest, on the day of their martyrdom – July 5/18, their commemoration was solemnly celebrated.
The head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), along with the clergy of the monastery, prayerfully led the celebrations. The sisters of the monastery sang and read the service composed by Metropolitan Mark (Arndt) in honor of the holy martyrs.
In the morning, at the Divine Liturgy, the abbess of the convent, mother Elisabeth (Smelic), who celebrates her saint’s day on this day was especially commemorated. Also, the sister of the monastery, the nun Barbara, was also prayerfully remembered on the occasion of her namesday. After the Liturgy, a prayer service was served at the relics of St. Elizabeth. Then Fr. Roman congratulated mother Elisabeth and “many years” was sung.