Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life! – this glorious Paschal troparion could be heard many times not only during church services and in the homes of Orthodox families, but also during the festive moleben in the National Psychiatric Clinic. The nuns and the clergy of St Elisabeth Convent warmly congratulated the patients on the Feast of Feasts and the Holiday of Holidays.

The brothers, sisters and guests of the convent gathered for a festive meal after the moleben.

Fr. Andrew addressed the monastics:

I would like to congratulate everybody on this Feast! We do have a feast, indeed – we see people coming to our convent with hope. Therefore, we cannot be indifferent towards what happens in this world, we cannot withdraw into ourselves and live a life of our own. On the one hand, it is very difficult because one would have to open up his heart, so people will see us in various moods and states. On the other hand, this is the only chance to overcome the sinful sullenness, isolation, and selfishness that conceals from our view both Heaven and neighbour. We would surely want to hide in the woods, in a quiet place where a creek flows and birds are singing. But there are hundreds of people around us who need our help. This help need not necessarily be financial. We must make it possible for people to see God inside us, love in our relationships and light in our eyes. Otherwise, there is no sense in this convent.

1160 people took Holy Communion at Pascha! Moreover, there were many children during the second service – the church was full of them! This is a joy and a great responsibility at the same time. We have begun to struggle for unity and discipline in the convent. This is by no means external pressure on individuals, this is out of desire to make our convent more capable of struggling. We have to struggle not only for ourselves and our relatives, but also for all those people who are coming to the convent in such large numbers.

I would like to wish you Paschal joy in the Lord. Christ is Risen!

Nun Rufina made a precious contribution to the festive meal with her words:

I remember our monastic meeting, when Mother Abbess was saying that our Saviour loved each one of His disciples equally, but why did Judas turn out to be a traitor? What was there inside his heart, why did God’s grace impact him in a different way, why did he betray our Saviour? So I thought: what must be there inside our souls so that we did not become like Judas and betray Christ? How can I learn to be grateful to God for everything that happens to me?

Certainly, there are ups and downs. Mother Tabitha said, “it’s much better not to fall”, but this is barely possible. When one falls down, one has to rise quickly. Matushka once said that when a person goes to church, he should think in advance that he will take part in the church services, in serving God and he ought to leave all earthly cares before he comes to church. You are where your mind is. That is why one can be present at church physically, but be unable to rise up to Heaven, remaining down here on the Earth just as he came.

Fr. Andrew: And vice versa: one can do one’s obedience and participate in the service…

Nun Rufina: Yes, this is also possible… I am very grateful to God. It seems to me that each Lent gives us enough strength to go for another year till the next Great Lent. Perhaps, a soul grows during that time, and one can feel how much it can bear the following year during Great Lent. We struggle for a peaceful mind all the time. There were days during Lent when the words of Divine services touched my mind and penetrated deep into my heart. I felt I did not want to leave the church. It was spring outdoors, and you just don’t notice that because what happens in the church is much more important. I thank God for everything. Christ is Risen!

Some Protestant clergy visited us during Holy Week and Pascha. Pastor Gunnar and Thomas greeted all the sisters of the convent and thanked them for their warm hospitality.

Thomas: We came from Sweden on Great and Holy Wednesday and spent all these days together with you. We thank God that we have had the honour to visit you. When we were here, we understood that the way you pray to the Holy Trinity is directly related to the way you live.

We visited your metochion today, and this moved us so deeply. There is a wonderful cathedral and magnificent icons! But if we do not prove the truths, which we try to express through art, this is meaningless. On the contrary, we can see that you live a real Eucharistic life. Christ is Risen!

Pastor Gunnar: I would like to thank you once more for your warm hospitality and for letting us be with you today and feel ourselves a part of your family. We are deeply impressed with what we saw last night and today. It was the first time we attended the Orthodox Paschal service. This is very important for us. Thank you, my friends. Christ is Risen!

Nun Anfisa wholeheartedly greeted the sisters and brothers:

People lead different lives. They have various values as well. Every one is precious. However, we all are common when we unite in Christ. There is no greater joy than when you can see something of your own in your neighbour. This is what sobornost’ is about. I am always struck by the wonderful words of God concerning Job, and how wonderful a person he was, and how he fulfilled God’s commandments. It is noteworthy how great his heart is and how great his love towards God is. Even though he was ill and suffering, even though he lost everything he had held dear, he did not say a word against God and remained loyal to Him. When his friends came to him, Job said to them, “Defend me from yourselves.”, i.e. defend me from your sins. I wish everyone to have our hearts expanded so that we could love one another. Everything else will follow…

Christ is Risen! – Truly He is Risen!