August 15, 2012
Jordanville:
Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal led the 25th Anniversary Celebrations
in St. Elizabeth Skete
On
Wednesday, July 18, on the feast of the New Martyrs Grand Duchess
Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, the sisterhood of
St. Elizabeth Skete in Jordanville, NY not only celebrated 25
years of the existence of the small community of nuns, but also the
elevation of Mother Elisabeth (Czwikla; the convent’s rectress), to
the rank of abbess.
On Tuesday evening, July 17, the feast
began with the All-Night Vigil, led by His Eminence, Archbishop
Gabriel of Montreal, co-served by Archimandrite Luke (Murianka;
abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and the sisters’ spiritual father),
Archpriest Chad Williams (rector of St. Alexander Nevsky Church in
Richmond, ME), Archpriest Vladimir Tsurikov (convent cleric), and
clerics of Holy Trinity Monastery: Hieromonk Gabriel (Astrahankine),
Protodeacon Nicholas Olhovsky, Guardian of the Kursk Root Icon of
the Mother of God, Deacon Andrew Doubleday, and Deacon Ephraim
Willmarth. Priest Paul Ivanov (cleric of the Church of our Lady "The
Inexhaustible Chalice" in Brooklyn, NY) also prayed at the service.
The following morning, services began with
the Blessing of the Waters, followed by Divine Liturgy. During the
Little Entrance, Protodeacon Nicholas led Mother Elisabeth from the
choir to the middle of the church to Archbishop Gabriel, who read
the prayers elevating Mother Elisabeth to the rank of abbess. The
Liturgy was followed by a moleben to St. Elizabeth and a procession.
Just before the veneration of the Cross, Mother Elisabeth was led
once more to Archbishop Gabriel who handed her the Abbess’ staff and
read the instructions from the Book of Needs to guide her in her new
responsibilities and the sisters in their responsibilities to their
new Spiritual Mother.
All of the guests were invited to share in
the festal luncheon following the Liturgy. Abbess Elisabeth and the
sisters ask for everyone’s prayers, that the Lord might continue to
help the new Abbess and the Skete to prosper and grow to the Glory
of God.
