Nun Evpraxia

In Russia there was a tradition of having healing centers for spiritually sick individuals on the territory of monasteries. People, who first were rejected by society and then became useless even to their relatives, found shelter with God in the quietness of monasteries. Such individuals were even referred to commonly as being “ubogye”, that is, “with God”. Naturally, we cannot compare Europe’s largest Republican Clinical Psychiatric Hospital with the ancient almshouses, but even here the Lord does not deprive His sufferers of His special protection. In 1999, a monastery appeared on the territory of the hospital.

In this place, where even the air is filled with sorrow, there are no arguments about science and religion. The original mistrust of the medical personnel to the sisters of mercy was gradually changed into mutual understanding with the aim of relieving the suffering of our neighbors.

At the present time, each of 37 wards of the hospital is visited by its “own” mother.

Patients eagerly look forward to common prayer, interesting stories, simple human compassion. Once a week, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated within the walls of the hospital specially for the patients. The majority of people undergoing treatment at the hospital cannot go to church due to their illnesses. For this reason, priests confess, commune and baptize patients right in the hospital.

The monastery is located practically on the territory of the hospital. Every evening the ringing of church bells sounds over the hospital, piercing through the twilight of a damaged mind into the very depth of a soul created in the image and likeness of God.

Stories of sisters, impressions…

“One is happy when one is needed, when people wait for you – life is then worth living. When you approach the ward, you don’t know anything - O Lord, act!”

“You go from ward to ward, giving holy water and anointing with oil. You make contact with a person who is suffering and lonely. He is a person of God, not an insignificant creature in an enormous world, but a person dear to God.’’

“God hasn’t tired of loving us. We gather in the refectory. We say short prayers and have a talk. They ask question which you yourself have been struggling with – and you answer. The Lord gives joy. This is a mystery.”

“There is a foul smell in the long corridor of the hospital. And suddenly the Lord and Master who created heaven and earth enters into this place. In the hospital one can sense to what degree our God is humble and loves us. “Not the healthy have need of the doctor, but the sick.” (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31) The Lord says so and visits that place where sorrow, pain and sin reign, where human suffering reaches its limit.”

“The darkness of despair loomed over the hospital when the first Liturgy was served. Christ is Light. Several chronically ill patients say that they no longer fear coming to Novinky. “God is here.” Your soul becomes bright when you look out the window and see crosses shining in the sun and a dome with stars painted on it.’’

“The soul intuitively understands that what takes place here is not about this world. Here, in an unattractive hospital setting, a small repentance and prayerful word, which is so difficult for these people, will become their testimony at the end of life, and perhaps, those several or even single Communion will pull a tortured soul out of eternal suffering.’’