JERUSALEM: 30 May 2025
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad meets with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine and elevates a new abbess for Ascension of the Lord Convent

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Feast of Holy Pascha, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where he met with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine. He was accompanied by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and Nun Judith, who by a decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, was appointed Abbess of the Ascension of the Savior Convent on the Mount of Olives.

His Eminence Bishop Nicholas presented His Beatitude with a painted copy of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign."

During a conversation that took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas introduced Blessed Patriarch Theophilus to Nun Judith. His Beatitude blessed Mother Judith for her new obedience and said a few words of encouragement. At the end of the meeting, His Beatitude presented Metropolitan Nicholas with a holy panagia and an icon of the Mother of God of Jerusalem.”

The next day, on the feast day of the Ascension of the Lord, His Eminence, celebrating Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral Church of the Convent on the Mount of Olives, in concelebration with His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, Fr Roman, the mission clergy, and pilgrims in sacred orders, at the appointed time during the service appointed Sister Judith as the abbess, handing her the staff and placing upon her the pectoral cross.

After the completion of the divine service held by him at the very place of the Ascension of the Lord, Patriarch Theophilus visited the convent and greeted the hierarchs and clergy, wishing everyone many mercies and blessings from the Ascended Savior.