JERUSALEM: July 7, 2017
Acting Abbess of Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mount of Olives Takes the Helm

On Thursday evening, June 22, 2017, before evening services at Ascension of Christ Convent, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Abbess Elizabeth (Smelic) of St Mary Magdalene Convent in Gethsemane, retired Abbess Moisseia (Bubnova) and the nuns of both convents, along with pilgrims, ceremoniously greeted Nun Barbara (Novikova).

The abbesses led Sister Barbara to the church ambo of Ascension Church, where Fr Roman greeted her, reading a decree from the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on her appointment as acting abbess. Then, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR, Fr Roman donned the golden pectoral cross on Sister Barbara and proclaimed “axia” [“she is worthy”]. As the choir repeated “axia,” Fr Roman led her to the abbess’ designated seat.

Fr Roman then spoke words of guidance, after which the abbesses and nuns received his blessing and congratulated Sister Barbara.

The Editorial Staff of the official website of ROCOR wishes Nun Barbara Divine aid in her good works!