On December 31, 2024/January 13, 2025, the аbbess of the Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives, Mother Varvara (Novikova) retired from her duties.
The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia granted her petition to retire with the following decree:
The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia granted her petition to retire with the following decree:
At the meeting of the Synod of Bishops, held in New York from 22 November/6 December to 26 November/9 December 2024, WE HEARD: The report of Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky) on the state of affairs in the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.
RESOLVED: 1) To take note. 2) To grant the petition for retirement of Abbess Varvara (Novikova), abbess of the Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives, with gratitude for her efforts. 3) To appoint the priorissa, nun Ekaterina (Samara), as acting abbess of the convent. 4) To commemorate the name of the acting abbess of the convent in the designated places during services until a new abbess is appointed from among the sisters of the Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives.
For which this decree is given.
//s// Metropolitan Nicholas
Chairman of the Synod of Bishops
//s// Archbishop Kirill
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops
RESOLVED: 1) To take note. 2) To grant the petition for retirement of Abbess Varvara (Novikova), abbess of the Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives, with gratitude for her efforts. 3) To appoint the priorissa, nun Ekaterina (Samara), as acting abbess of the convent. 4) To commemorate the name of the acting abbess of the convent in the designated places during services until a new abbess is appointed from among the sisters of the Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives.
For which this decree is given.
//s// Metropolitan Nicholas
Chairman of the Synod of Bishops
//s// Archbishop Kirill
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops
Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky) the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem proclaimed the decree after Divine Liturgy. Fr. Roman thanked Mother Varvara for her diligent work carrying this difficult obedience since 2017. Mother Varvara did much in restoration work during these years often partaking in the physical work in the convent. She headed the Convent during the difficult time of the Covid pandemic and during the wartime upheaval of the past few years. But most important, she selflessly led her sisterhood on the monastic path of salvation.
Mother Varvara will remain in the monastery where the sisters can go to her for spiritual guidence.
The Acting-Abbess of the convent will be the priorissa - Mother Ekaterina (Samara) until a new Abbess will be appointed.
Mother Varvara will remain in the monastery where the sisters can go to her for spiritual guidence.
The Acting-Abbess of the convent will be the priorissa - Mother Ekaterina (Samara) until a new Abbess will be appointed.
