St Elisabeth Convent Minsk

JOIN US IN BUILDING A NEW ALMSHOUSE!

Dear Friends,

Christ is Risen!

A long-awaited vision is now becoming a reality—we have begun constructing an almshouse that will serve those with no one to help them.

This new facility will be situated adjacent to the monastery's Church of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. Just beyond our grounds lies a psychiatric hospital, whose medical staff we hope will extend care to the residents of our almshouse. Additionally, the sisters of the Convent will dedicate themselves to the well-being of those who will call this blessed home their own.

The almshouse will serve as a place where people who need constant care will live: lonely, elderly, infirm, and those who have no loved ones or whose relatives.

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' ~ Matthew 25:40

Archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok, our spiritual leader, shares his thoughts on this significant undertaking:

"In their later years, many require not only medical assistance but also support in daily living, as they no longer have the strength to manage on their own. It is crucial that we aid these individuals, ensuring that their final years are not marked by despair or a sense of worthlessness. Providing care, Communion, medical services, and hopefully, organizing activities to enrich their lives, embodies truly God-pleasing work."

🔔 What will this place look like, who will it serve, and how will everything be organized? Father Andrey and Dr. Tatyana Poloyko, a medical scientist involved in developing this project, discuss these questions in their interview: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/from-loneliness-to-love-building-a-haven-for-the-infirm

If you feel moved to support this God-blessed initiative, we would be profoundly grateful for your donations or prayers.

💖 To contribute to this noble cause and help build the almshouse, please visit our donation page by clicking this link and include the word "ALMSHOUSE" with your donation: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/donate-st-elisabeth-convent-facebook

HOW DO I DEAL WITH NON-CHRISTIAN COLLEAGUES?

Question: I’m the only Christian in my office. All my colleagues are non-Christians. Sometimes I feel that they don’t like me because of my faith. How do I deal with them?

Archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok’s answer: You have to look for the beauty hidden in your colleagues and pray for them. Don’t pitch yourself as a believer against them, the non-believers.

How miserable are those who live without the bedrock, the foundation of faith. Try telling your colleagues about the Church and holidays. If they reply with rude or insulting remarks, don’t be offended: take pity on them because they can’t understand it yet.

If you are in a good mood, if you have good thoughts and wish to support those people, they will feel it and maybe come to church eventually. It isn’t an accident that you found yourself in that environment. There must be a reason for that. Therefore, be courageous and make sure that your interaction with those people is peaceful and friendly and that you always do everything possible to help them.
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🔔 Use this link to ask Father Andrey Lemeshonok your question: https://obitel-minsk.org/ask-priest-your-question

MY THREE MOST MEMORABLE EASTERS

«No two Paschas are alike. All are unique and full of blessings. The Paschal joy transcends the universe. It reaches down to the gloomiest, darkest and most hopeless corners and brings light even to the most sorrowful and unbelieving souls..»

🔔 We invite you to read an autobiographical sketch by Tatiana Dashkevich, a Belarusian fiction writer and parishioner of St Elisabeth Convent, in which she shares her experience of God's love and enlightenment at different stages of her life: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/my-three-most-memorable-easters

My three most memorable Easters In an autobiographical sketch, a Belarusian fiction writer and parishioner of Saint Elisabeth Convent discusses her experience of God's love and enlightenment at different stages of her life.

HIERARCHICAL LITURGY CELEBRATED ON RADONITSA

The community of St Elisabeth has a long established tradition to celebrate Radonitsa (the Day of Rejoicing) in St Lazarus church located on the grounds of a nearby cemetery. This year the Divine liturgy there was officiated by Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

Photos by Maxim Chernogolov.

JOIN US IN BUILDING A NEW ALMSHOUSE!

Dear Friends,

Christ is Risen!

A long-awaited vision is now becoming a reality—we have begun constructing an almshouse that will serve those with no one to help them.

This new facility will be situated adjacent to the monastery's Church of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. Just beyond our grounds lies a psychiatric hospital, whose medical staff we hope will extend care to the residents of our almshouse. Additionally, the sisters of the Convent will dedicate themselves to the well-being of those who will call this blessed home their own.

The almshouse will serve as a place where people who need constant care will live: lonely, elderly, infirm, and those who have no loved ones or whose relatives.

And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' ~ Matthew 25:40

Archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok, our spiritual leader, shares his thoughts on this significant undertaking:

"In their later years, many require not only medical assistance but also support in daily living, as they no longer have the strength to manage on their own. It is crucial that we aid these individuals, ensuring that their final years are not marked by despair or a sense of worthlessness. Providing care, Communion, medical services, and hopefully, organizing activities to enrich their lives, embodies truly God-pleasing work."

🔔 What will this place look like, who will it serve, and how will everything be organized? Father Andrey and Dr. Tatyana Poloyko, a medical scientist involved in developing this project, discuss these questions in their interview: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/from-loneliness-to-love-building-a-haven-for-the-infirm

If you feel moved to support this God-blessed initiative, we would be profoundly grateful for your donations or prayers.

💖 To contribute to this noble cause and help build the almshouse, please visit our donation page by clicking this link and include the word "ALMSHOUSE" with your donation: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/donate-st-elisabeth-convent-facebook

From Loneliness to Love: Building a Haven for the Infirm A long-awaited project is finally coming to life: land has been allocated, plans are being developed, and soon construction will begin on a monastic almshouse. What will this place be like, who is it for, and how will it be organised?

SAINT HONORIUS OF AMIENS

St Honorius of Amiens, a 6th-century bishop, is remembered for his dedication to spreading Christianity in France and for his efforts in building churches and promoting charitable works.

St Honorius of Amiens is considered the patron of bakers and confectioners.

He is commemorated on May 16.

Photo: a hand-painted icon of St Honorius of Amiens, created in the icon-painting studio of St Elisabeth Convent.

ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF SVEN

The Sven Caves Icon of the Mother of God was painted by St Alypius of the Caves. It depicts the Mother of God sitting upon a throne, with the kneeling St Theodosius on the right side of the throne, and St Anthony of the Caves, on the left. Her pure hands rest on the saints and the Divine Infant blesses them. This is one of the oldest images of the saints that have survived to this day.

In 1288, the icon was transferred to the Briansk-Svensk Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. When Prince Roman of Chernigov became blind due to an unknown ailment, he sent a courier to the Monastery requesting that the icon be sent to him.

During the voyage the icon miraculously disappeared and was then found on a hill, resting in the branches of an oak tree. News of this reached Prince Roman, and he was led to the icon on foot.

The prince prayed fervently before the icon and vowed to build a monastery on that spot, donating all the land which could be seen from the hill. After praying, the prince regained his sight.

The icon was glorified by healings of the blind and of the possessed, and has long been regarded as a protector from enemies.

SAINT THEODOSIUS, A FATHER OF MONASTICISM IN RUSSIA

On May 16th, we honour St Theodosius, abbot of the Kiev Caves Monastery. A prominent ascetic and religious writer, he brought the strict Byzantine monastic rule to the Russian land, establishing the strong tradition of fasting, incessant prayer and almsgiving in monastic life.

🔔 We invite you to become acquainted with the life, deeds and miracles of Venerable Theodosius: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/saint-theodosius

Saint Theodosius, a father of monasticism in Russia The venerable Theodosius lived in the eleventh century, shining among the saints of the Russian church as a father of monasticism in Russia, a model of ascetic living, and a religious writer, whose prayer for all Christians is still remembered and said in our time.

TEN SAINTED DOCTORS

4. Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon, 3rd century

He was born in Nicomedia in Asia Minor, to the family of a noble pagan and a secret Christian (St Eubula). He learned medicine from the famous physician Euphrosynus and later became a doctor at the court of Emperor Maximian. His prosperous life changed when he met Presbyter Hermolaus and took baptism from him.

His father took baptism at the end of his life, and when he died, Panteleimon dedicated himself to helping the sick and poor. He helped everyone who asked without charging anything, prayed for his patients and ministered among prisoners.

The other doctors were jealous of his success and denounced him to the emperor. Panteleimon was arrested. By the time of his arrest, his teacher Hermolaus and two other presbyters had been put to trial and executed. Panteleimon endured cruel tortures and was beheaded.

He is venerated as a patron saint of doctors and intercessor for the sick.

Commemorated on July 27/August 9.

To be continued.

Photo: a handmade icon of St Panteleimon, from finely ground semiprecious stones, created in the crushed stone workshop of St Elisabeth Convent.

STS BORIS AND GLEB

On May 15th, we commemorate the Holy Passion-bearers Boris and Gleb of Russia, in holy baptism Romanus and David.

In the words of Hieromonk Silouan (Mezhinsky) of Optina Pustyn, «Boris and his brother Gleb did not shed the blood of their older brother for the sake of worldly glory, power or other finite gains. They both likened themselves to Christ, emulating His meekness and humility, and earned glory in heaven. They chose not to hold on to their life on this earth at any cost, but to live in eternity, and become an example for Christians of all generations.»

🔔 Please read the full sermon of Hieromonk Silouan reflecting on why the Church glorified princes Boris and Gleb: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/saints-boris-and-gleb

Boris and Gleb, Passion-Bearers of the Russian Church An ancient chronicler thus describes the nature of their exploit:

A HEARTWARMING PASCHAL CONCERT

This Bright Week saw a beautifully performed Paschal concert featuring our Ichthys Orthodox school students. It was followed by a charity event run by the Convent.

Photos by Brother John.

SAINT MACARIUS OF KIEV

May 14 marks the feast day of one of our Belarusian saints, Hieromartyr Macarius, metropolitan of Kiev.

St Macarius was renowned for his ascetic life, exemplary piety, steadfast devotion to Orthodoxy, and diligent performance of his duties. In the Trinity monastery of Vilnius, he worked tirelessly to strengthen discipline among the monks and uphold piety among the laity. The Council of Orthodox Bishops of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania elected him as metropolitan of Kiev and all Rus' in 1494.

In 1497, St Macarius travelled to his cathedra in Kiev. On 1 May 1497, the Tatars attacked him and his party outside Mozyr, halfway to the city.

His incorrupt relics were placed in Kiev's church of St Sophia. Multiple miracles connected with them have been recorded. Several times, the altar candles erupted in flames, and his tomb appeared to emit light.

FROM SINNER TO SAINT: THE STORY OF THE ICON «UNEXPECTED JOY»

Dear Friends,

Christ is risen!

Each image of the Mother of God tells an amazing story of Her great love for us. The story of the icon "Unexpected Joy" is about a repentant sinner who, in spite of his dissolute life, had a profound love for the Mother of God.

Realising the depth of his fall, he prayed to the Most Pure One that the Lord would forgive him his iniquities.

The unexpected joy of being forgiven by God came to the sinner when it seemed that it was already too late.

🔔 This story of the miraculous mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos, witnessed by St Demetrius of Rostov serves as an encouragement and consolation to the faithful. Please follow this link to read the story: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/the-unexpected-joy-of-repentance-and-forgiveness

We wish you a happy Feast and pray that the Most Holy Mother of God may make us all partakers of that Unexpected Joy!

✍🏻 With deep love for the Mother of God we pray to Her for all our benefactors. You can join us in a moleben, i. e. a service of supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos. To do this, please send us your prayer notes for the health of you and your loved ones by clicking this link: https://obitel-minsk.org/prayer-request-facebook

Reading the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos The commemoration of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THERE IS NONE DEAD IN THE TOMBS!

Dear Friend,

Christ is risen!

In patristic literature, there is an amazing example of how the departed share this triumph with us. It happened on Easter. An elder of the Kiev-Caves Lavra went to the caves where according to custom, the dead brethren are buried. He took with him a deacon with a censer. Entering the caves, they exclaimed, “Christ is risen, fathers and brethren!”

Immediately, the answer was heard from the tombs, "Truly He is risen!"

Archpriest Andrei Lemeshonok, the confessor of the Convent, also speaks about this in his sermon on Radonitsa:

"My beloved, go to the holy graves today and share with your departed relatives and friends everything that is inside of you. Today at the proskomedia, the blood of Christ washed the particles for your health and the continuation of your earthly journey, as well as in memory of your loved ones who have gone to eternity..."

🔔We invite you to read the sermon of our spiritual father archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok here: https://clck.ru/3AcLkW

On Tuesday of the second week of Easter, the Orthodox Church celebrates Radonitsa, a day of special commemoration of the dead, when the Church calls us to share with them the joy of the risen Christ.

The souls of the dead are in great need of our prayers. Some of them may not have been able to repent during their lifetime. They need our prayer help more than others because after departing from this world they no longer have the free will to do anything. In light of this, praying for the departed is the duty of every Christian.

📝Use our convent's online prayer notes to send us your prayer request for the repose of your relatives and friends. To do this, please follow the link: https://obitel-minsk.org/prayer-request-facebook

Together we will pray that the Lord may rest the souls of our loved ones in His Kingdom where there is “neither pain nor sorrow nor sighing, but life eternal”.

Christ is Risen, Rejoice! In the kingdom of heaven, there is no need for human values or hierarchy. It is a new life, a new world and new relationships. We need to focus on Christ, Who came not only to give us courage, but also to teach us to live differently.

CONCERT OF THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR IN ST. PETERSBURG

Dear Friends, we hurry to bring you good news — the Children's choir of our Convent made a pilgrimage to St. Petersburg on spring break and have safely returned back home. The young choristers were deeply impressed with the beauty and atmosphere of the great city; its sacred heritage is sure to have found itself a special place in their hearts.

It gives us great joy to offer our thanks and appreciation to all those who helped us in this good cause. Through your support, the children’s old dream has come true.

🎥 During their trip, the Choir gave a concert of spiritual songs and hymns at the Dormition courtyard of Optina Pustyn Monastery in St. Petersburg. As a token of gratitude, we share with you a video of the concert. Please follow the link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruSnKeX1GQk

The concert of the Children's Choir of St.Elisabeth Convent in St. Petersburg ✅ Donate towards our social work: https://obitel-minsk.org/donate-st-elisabeth-convent✏ The children's choir of St. Elisabeth Convent in Minsk was created i...

PASCHA, THE JOY OF EVERLASTING LIFE

In the words of Archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok, “We may be poor students, but we have a perfect Teacher. We do badly, but He forgives us. And so we will surely meet again in His Kingdom of Heaven. How can it be otherwise? God gives us so much love that there is no chance for us to end up anywhere else. So let us rejoice..”

🔔 Please read Father Andrey’s sermon on God’s love and His promise of life everlasting: https://obitel-minsk.org/en/pascha-the-joy-of-everlasting-life

Pascha, the joy of everlasting life Christ is taking us to a new life, free from all sin, sorrow and illness. We have a whole life to look forward to while we use our time on earth to practise.

CHRIST IS RISEN! GOD’S MIRACLES ON THE GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA

2. My mother takes communion

Several years ago, I was preparing to sing at the Paschal service in my church choir. My mother only goes to church when I ask her and only to put a candle and say a short prayer. She seldom goes to the church of her initiative.

That year, I was singing at the Paschal service and my church. Several days before the feast, our priest asked three singers from our choir to go to a rural church which had no singers at all. It was a faraway church with no heating and little repair. The priest had a hard time finding three volunteers to go there. But he succeeded, and I was one of them.

Soon after my decision, my mother asked me about coming to the liturgy and taking communion. That Easter, she came to church. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but one thing occurred to me that day: when we make a sacrifice to God and follow His will, He can fulfil our desires and do miracles. My mother’s communion on Pascha was truly a miracle to me. (told by Maria Kiselyova)

To be continued.

SAINT JAMES APOSTLE

May 13 marks the feast day of St James the Apostle, the brother of St John the Theologian.

We often hear that all apostles are absolutely equal. In spite of the fact that they all share the same Apostolic calling, they were still different in the level of their intimacy with Jesus. There are the Seventy Apostles, and there are the Twelve who were the closest to the Lord.

Similarly, the Lord always singled out the three of his closest disciples — Peter, James, and John — from the ranks of the Twelve Apostles.

James, along with his brother John and Peter, participated in the miraculous fishing (Luke 5:10), the healing of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), witnessed the Transfiguration of the Lord (Luke 9:28), and the prayer at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33).

The last piece of information the Scripture tells us of the life of St James, son of Zebedee, is that he suffered martyrdom for Christ’s sake. He was beheaded at the behest of King Herod Agrippa not long before St Peter the Apostle was arrested. Thus, St James was the first apostle to die preaching the Risen Christ.

We know from the Holy Tradition that one of the guards who led James to the court, was so impressed by his courage and words that he converted to Christianity and asked St James to forgive him. The apostle paused to think and then replied, Peace be to you! and kissed him, after which they were beheaded together.

St James the Apostle, son of Zebedee, son of thunder, pray to God for us!

THE RETURNED VOICE

From an interview with the abbot of the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra, Metropolitan Vladimir (Moroz):

The former rector of the Vladimir-Volyn Cathedral, Archpriest Yaroslav Antonyuk once told me personally about St Amphilochius appearing to him in a dream and healing his throat cancer.

Having lost his voice and learning about the “monk healing people”, Fr Yaroslav went to see St Amphilochius. The elder saw him among the other visitors and said, ‘Father, come here and put on your vestment; let’s celebrate a prayer service.’

Somehow the voiceless Fr Yaroslav began to serve, thinking to himself, “What kind of sainthood is this?!”

When he returned home, St Amphilochius appeared to him in a dream, asked Fr Yaroslav to open his mouth and pulled out some blotches with his fingers. On the following day, the sick priest came to the church and met a woman doctor, who had been treating him earlier. Father Yaroslav asked her to take a look at his throat. After examining her former patient, the doctor said in surprise, “There are scars there; it looks like you’ve had a surgery!”

On that day, during the akathist “Praise to the Mother of God” Father Yaroslav began to speak again. The tumor disappeared. After that, he served for another 30-40 years.
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May 12 is the feast day of Saint Amphilochius of Pochaev.

Photo: a hand-painted icon of Saint Amphilochius of Pochaev, created in the icon-painting studio of St Elisabeth Convent.

THOMAS SUNDAY - MAY 12

The second Sunday after Easter is called St Thomas Sunday or Antipascha. This is when we remember the appearance of Christ to the Apostle Thomas, which happened eight days after the Resurrection. This year it falls on May 12.

In his homily on the Gospel of John, St John Chrysostom explains, “And why does He not appear to him straightway, instead of after eight days (John 20:26)? In order that being in the mean time continually instructed by the disciples, and hearing the same thing, he might be inflamed to more eager desire, and be more ready to believe for the future. But whence knew he that His side had been opened? From having heard it from the disciples. How then did he believe partly, and partly not believe? Because this thing was very strange and wonderful. But observe, I pray you, the truthfulness of the disciples, how they hide no faults, either their own or others', but record them with great veracity.

Jesus again presents himself to them, and waits not to be requested by Thomas, nor to hear any such thing, but before he had spoken, Himself prevented him, and fulfilled his desire; showing that even when he spoke those words to the disciples, He was present. For He used the same words, and in a manner conveying a sharp rebuke, and instruction for the future. For having said, Reach hither your finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into My side; He added, And be not faithless, but believing (John 20:26).

Do you see that his doubt proceeded from unbelief? But it was before he had received the Spirit; after that, it was no longer so, but, for the future, they were perfected.”

PASCHALTIDE 2024

On May 5th, we celebrated the Holy Feast of Pascha and entered the joyous Easter season or Paschaltide. It continues for forty days until the eve of the feast of Ascension.

The next six Sundays after Pascha all have their themes (see our infographic) and remind us about some of the events from the Gospel with deep spiritual meaning to each Christian.

Have the most joyous Paschal season!