<![CDATA[Newsletter of the official website of St Elisabeth Convent]]> <![CDATA[obitel-minsk.by . Новости]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2012 08:25:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Who is More Necessary?]]> Helena Natykina
Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky

Are active adults who have their place in the world more necessary for sick kids who live within the four walls of a boarding home and are sincerely joyful when they see each new person coming to them? Or these poor children, who seem to be absolutely unhappy and who lack parental care and love are more necessary for us adults? ]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2012 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Love Defeats Sin]]> Archpriest Andrew Lemeshonok

The Kingdom of Heaven is inside one's heart. There is struggle for one's heart and mind going on all the time. This struggle is the path of a soul to Christ and the defeat of death.

The Lord enters our hearts when we are willing to change our lives, to learn to love, when we believe in the victory of God's love over our death. ]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[New From Novinki]]> Dmitry Shevarov

There is a suburb called Novinki on the outskirts of Minsk. Fifteen years ago this area had an extremely sad reputation. If a resident of Minsk was getting angry and wanted to tell the person he was talking to that the latter had lack of intellect, he would usually say, “It's time you went to Novinki!” ]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Follow God Till the End]]> Monastic tonsure was held in St Elisabeth Convent a couple of days before the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. Five new Rassaphore nuns and four new Stavrophore nuns put their lives into God's hands, took their crosses and followed Christ. The rite of tonsure was served by His Eminence Philaret, Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. ]]> Mon, 03 Jan 2012 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Two New Films]]> Russian text by Vadim Yanchuk.
Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky.

This studio in honour of St John the Warrior of St Elisabeth Convent has finished two new films: a fiction film called Three Parables – 2 (by Vitaly Lyubetsky) and a documentary called A Little of Paradise (by Maxim Mikhaltsov). These films may become a good gift for Christmas for all who love the works of the video studio of our Convent. ]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Like One Big Family]]> Russian text by Christina Odesenko.
Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky.

A group of young people are standing near the church watching the parishioners going back to their homes after the Liturgy on Sunday. The young people greet one another happily and go to the church in honour of the Royal Martyrs. ]]> Mon, 23 Dec 2011 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[One Never Makes a Good Warrior Without Fighting...]]> Today the Angels were with us... This is what we wanted to say after four of our sisters were received as novices. The hearts of those who attended this wonderful ceremony today could witness the meeting of two worlds: that of the Angels and that of the earthly creatures. The Lord has given us the joy that will help us to overcome all hardships and temptations we have to face on our earthly path. ]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Films of the Video Studio in Honour of St John the Warrior Have Won Prizes at Radonezh Film Festival]]> According to sobor.by, the winners of the XVI International Film Festival Radonezh have been determined. The jury of the festival headed by Vladimir Krupin, the co-chair of the Writers' Union of Russia, chose the following films produced by the Studio in honour of St John the Warrior to be award-winners in the category "The Best Producer": Three Parables by Vitaly Lyubetsky, The Nun by Halina Adamovich, Pascha on the Bald Mountain by Nun Joanna (Orlova) and A Little of Paradise by Maxim Mikhaltsov and Ella Milova. ]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Just a Little]]> Just a Little is the name of a new disc from the series Pilgrim's Songs, which is being prepared by the audio studio of St Elisabeth Convent. Shining Bright, the first disc of this series, is well known to those who like spiritual songs and canticles. ]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Fervent Prayer and Deep Faith Filled the Hearts]]> An Akathist in front of a newly painted icon of Ss Peter and Febronia of Murom was served in St Nicholas Church at St Elisabeth Convent on November 27 for the first time. Priest Alexander Malakhovsky consecrated this icon before the Akathist and every parishioner could kiss and venerate it. People ask these Saints to give them a happy family and children. In spite of the fact that the weather outdoors was bad and windy, it was warm in the church not just thanks to the candles but also thanks to fervent prayers warming up the hearts of the faithful. ]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Patron Saint s Day Celebrated in St Nectarios of Aegina Church in the Boarding Home for Mentally Challenged Children]]> Patron Saint's day was celebrated in the small and cozy church in honour of Saint Nectarios, Healer and Wonderworker of Aegina who guards the boarding home for mentally and physically challenged children in Minsk. All Night Vigil and a procession with crosses and icons were held the previous evening, and a Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the day of commemoration of this remarkable Saint. ]]> Mon, 02 Dec 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[God Took Back Those He Had Given to Us]]> We lost people who were very precious and dear to us on November 27: Sister Tatiana Masalovich and her children – Ann and Sergius – died in a car crash. They were hurrying to the church to take part in the liturgy. One of the sisters later said that they had been hurrying to the service on earth but found themselves at the heavenly service. ]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2011 13:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Spiritual Safety]]> Russian text by Dmitry Artyukh
Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky

It was a usual weekday. I was busy inspecting boiler stations together with Yury Prokhnich, the head of the Minsk department of the State Industrial Inspection, and Vassily Khatkievich, the senior state inspector for boiler stations. ]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2011 09:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[First Steps to God]]> Russian text by Helena Gulidova
Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky

It was not an easy task to find the kindergarten No. 94 amid the multi-storey buildings in Rafieva Street. One reason for it was that I was walking to this kindergarten in early morning and I could not see the numbers on the houses clearly and the other reason for that was that this route was new to me. ]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Books Uniting People]]> Novice Joanna (Pankova)

The 56th International Book Fair opened in Belgrade on Sunday, October 23. This book fair dates back to 1956 and offers to the attention of its visitors new books from around the globe every year. More than 800 participants from various countries exhibit their products on a square of 31000 sqm. Саjам књигa is the Serbian phrase describing this meeting of books with the readers. The exhibition was opened by Svetislav Basara, a prominent Serbian author. Each year, the fair is dedicated to a certain country. This year the fair welcomed representatives of Portuguese-speaking countries (Angola, Brazil, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Portugal) as honorary guests. ]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Three More Awards]]> The Festival of Festivals "The Toll Bell" took place in the city of Krasnodar in Russia from October 16 to October 19. Forty-three films from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Serbia participated in the contest. All those films had won awards at well-known international film festivals such as, "The Golden Knight," "Radonezh," "The Shining Angel," "Pokrov," "Vstrecha," "Russian Diaspora." ]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[I Submitted Myself to God, and Now I am Happy...]]> Part 3 (Part 1, Part 2)

The Jesus prayer

Novice Joanna: Father, can you tell us about the Jesus prayer? Have you had experience with it?

Hieromonk Eustathius: Of course, I have! I have had very rich experience... «I have reached great grace...» (laughs). ]]> Mon, 21 Oct 2011 08:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[The Grand-Prix]]> The IX International Orthodox Film Festival "Pokrov" was held on October 5 - 9, 2011 in Kyiv. This festival has become a family event in the recent nine years but this year it was a surprise for many. Forty documentaries, fiction films, short and animation movies from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Italy and France were presented at the festival. ]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[The Holy Hill of Grabarka]]> By Novice Joanna (Pankova)

It turns out that not only Greece has its Holy Mountain but Poland also has one. This sacred place is called Grabarka and it is located not far from the town of Siemiatycze and close to a village of the same name.

There is monastic presence on the Holy Hill of Grabarka, just like on Mount Athos. However, there is only one convent here. It is dedicated to the holy myrrh-bearers Martha and Mary and has twelve sisters as its residents. ]]> Mon, 04 Oct 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[The First Book of Sermons by Archpriest Andrew Lemeshonok published in Serbia]]> Russian text by Irina Stojicevic
Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky

It is thanks mainly to the effort of Nun Magdalena and her helpers from Belarus who have been coming to Serbia regularly for several years now that St Elisabeth Convent is known in Serbia. Monastics, priests and lay people are always happy to see the amazing products of the workshops of the Convent and are inspired by the sisters' diligence and optimistic mood. St Elisabeth Convent has made a lot of friends and helpers here in the years of cooperation. ]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Young Craftsmen Talents Bear Fruit]]> Dolphins jumping out of the water, sunflowers trying to reach the sun, Angels soaring in the sky together with an image of Christ wearing the crown of thorns and an image of Mother of God. If you come closer you will see all these things are drawings, emboidery and appliques made by the residents of the boarding home for mentally and physically challenged children. Other things they made from beads, ceramics and wood also stand here. ]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2011 10:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[EyeINsight]]> Helena Gulidova

This article is aimed at people who believe in God but are always attempting to see some miracles in order to be sure that He exists. Some people are not impressed by stories of others who received God's help. As a rule, such people wish to see something that would make them believe in God's existence with their own eyes. Sometimes one has to hear, "Well, I have so many problems, I have poor health, little money, no perspective in life. I keep asking God for help but He doesn't help..." ]]> Mon, 13 Sep 2011 12:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[I Submitted Myself to God, and Now I am Happy...]]> Interview with Hieromonk Eustathius (Khalimankov)

Part Two How I chose monastic life... Novice Joanna: Do you remember how it all happened, what words did you hear and how did you start to change? What was it like? ]]> Mon, 13 Sep 2011 08:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Our Choir Goes to Ireland for the First Time]]> The concerts of the monastic choir of St Elisabeth Convent are organized in Ireland for the first time. The concerts will be held in Randalstown, Borris, Tullow, Ennis, Naas, and Dublin on September 12 — 19.
Tour Schedule
]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[I submitted myself to God, and now I am happy...]]> Forty days passed since the repose of our brother in christ, schemamonk Peter, on august 16. The sisters and the brothers of our convent prayed for his blissful repose fervently during these days. We believe that the soul of father Peter dwells in the heavenly kingdom now, where he prays for all of us. ]]> Mon, 19 Aug 2011 08:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[I submitted myself to God, and now I am happy...]]> The team of our website has been to Holy Dormition Zhirovichi monastery recently. We travelled there in order to meet interesting people.We have already told you about one such meeting with His Eminence Gurias. Our other meeting was with Hieromonk Eustathius (Khalimankov). Father Eustathius has been a good friend of our Convent for years. His monastic path began in our Convent. Today Father Eustathius lives in Zhirovichi monastery and is the spiritual father of Holy Annunciation Convent in Slonim. We had a very long and interesting interview with Father Eustathius. Here is the first part of it. ]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[In Memory of the Late Schemamonk Peter ]]> Meeting of the Sisterhood on July 10, 2011

Priest Valery: Every week brings us some growth, perhaps. It is like a flower, which grows regardless of whether we water it or not. We continue to grow even if we cannot see it. The question is what direction our growth takes. Sometimes a gardener comes and starts to cut some branches because they impede growth of other branches and do not form the proper top of the tree. Same with us: when we repent we show God how we see ourselves and the people who surround us and He regulates our growth. ]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[The Feast of our Heavenly Patroness ]]> July 18 is a very special day for our St Elisabeth Convent. This is the Day of our heavenly patroness - Holy Martyr Grand Princess Elisabeth. It is common for the residents and the friends of St Elisabeth Convent to prepare for the heavenly patroness' day with great love, and there are always crowds of people gathering for the feast. This year was no exception. Let us recall the events of the recent feast and rejoice in the Lord! ]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[The Solovki Archipelago is the Place of Prayer, Silence and Grace]]>

Dedicated to the day of commemoration of Saint Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow

Solovki monks are special. There were no monks like them in all Russia…

The founders of the Solovki monastery Ss Herman, Zosima and Sabbatius crossed the White Sea to reach the silent island of Solovki. The first human words, which sounded on its shores were, "Praise ye the Name of the Lord now and ever and unto ages of ages! Amen," according to the ancient manuscript found in the treasury of the book chamber of a Solovki Archimandrite.

According to "Vigil Lamp", a book by Boris Shiryaev

]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[A Meeting with the Grand Princess ]]> Article prepared by Irina Chultsova

Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky

The Orthodox Church commemorates Holy Martyr Grand Princess Elisabeth on July 18. This is a very special day for our Convent. The residents of the Convent and numerous parishioners gather for the patron feast day in St Elisabeth Church in order to prayerfully thank Saint Elisabeth for joys, sorrows and difficulties. ]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:00:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Change the Attitude to HIV ]]>

By Dmitry Artyukh

Translated by Fyodor Vaskovsky

The interdenominational charity "Christian Social Ministry" announced a contest among the religious organizations of projects related to the problem of HIV early this year.

]]> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:25:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Continue in the Lord with all purpose of your heart...]]> The team of our website has had a trip to Zhirovichi Holy Dormition monastery recently. Needless is to say what this place is like. New meetings. New acquaintances. Impressions. Teachings. Lessons. It was God's mercy that we were able to interview Right Reverend Gurias, Archbishop of Novogrudok and Lida, the vicar of Holy Dormition Zhirovichi monastery. His Eminence Gurias answered our questions for more than an hour.

Your Eminence, can you please tell us what your road to monasticism was like? ]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2011 10:25:45 +0300 <![CDATA[A Step to Eternity ]]> Schemamonk Peter (Polyak) who had lived in St Elisabeth Convent died on July 8, 2011. Father Peter had his obedience in our Convent for many years. Parishioners, brothers and sisters of the Convent gathered in St Elisabeth Church for the funeral on July 10. Hegumen Gennadiy (Moshensky), a cleric of St Alexander Nevsky parish in Minsk, served the funeral service. Here is the sermon of Father Gennadiy after the funeral:

Photo album>>>]]> Mon, 12 Jul 2011 10:25:45 +0300 <![CDATA[Miracles and Lessons]]> Nun Juliania (Denissova)

It was God's grace that during the Lent I was able to travel to Bari where the holy relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker rest.]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:25:45 +0300