JERUSALEM: July 23, 2013
The Russian Convent in Gethsemane Marks Its Feast Day of New Martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara

On Thursday, July 18, 2013, the feast day of Holy New Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, who is leading a pilgrimage from the Western American Diocese to Jerusalem and Palestine, officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Russian Gethsemane Convent. He was joined by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and clergymen of both Russian Missions.

At the end of the service, His Grace performed a moleben at the relics of the saints, and then congratulated Abbess Elizabeth, who was also celebrating her namesday.

The pilgrims, nuns and clergymen then continued their celebrations at a trapeza.