Sisterhood of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth

About Us

We are a Sisterhood of the Russian Orthodox Church within the Diocese of Sourozh.

More about the sisterhood >>>

Our Services >>>

Address

Rocks Farm
Ewhurst Green
Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5RJ

Community
Father David Smith
Nun Martha

0158 083 0303
0189 268 0818
0782 833 3408

gdelizabeth@gmail.com

How to find us

By train:
The nearest stations are Etchingham or Robertsbridge which both have regular service from London (Charing Chross, London Bridge, Waterloo).

By car:
Travelling on A21, after passing Hurst Green take the first left turn to Bodiam and follow the road until you reach Bodiam village; pass the village and follow the road for another mile, on the right hand side you will see a yellow cottage and just behind it three big stones with "Rocks Farm" sign and an entrance to the Community. Parking is available opposite the house.

Get directions via Google Maps >>>

Latest News

Feast of New Martyrs
4 February

With the blessing of our Archbishop, Vladika Elisey, we celebrated our second Patronal Feast, that of All the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, on Saturday 4th February. A large number of our parishioners and supporters came to worship with us at the solemn and beautiful rites of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Before the service began,one of our community, John Harwood, was tonsured as a Reader by the Archbishop. In his sermon, Vladika stressed the strong faith which had enabled the New Martyrs to face their tormentors with courage; a faith which we are called upon to emulate.

After the Liturgy, a Festal meal was provided for all by the Sisterhood and Vladika Elisey again spoke to us, telling us of his recent visit to Moscow and the address of His Holiness the Patriarch to the assembled Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church regarding the great responsibilities of his office.

It was an inspiring day for all of us.

Pilgrimage to Ephesus

Two parishioners of our Sisterhood recently made a pilgrimage to Ephesus in Turkey, and here recount their spiritual experiences, which may interest the readers of this site. For details and photos, see our Pilgrimages >>> page.

Pilgrimage to Kent
17 September

On 17th September, members of the Sisterhood joined the Pilgrimage, expertly organised and lead by Father David and the Community of the Holy Apostle Luke in Tunbridge Wells, to holy sites connected with two Anglo-Saxon Women-Saints, Ethelburga and Eanswythe. For details and photos, see our Pilgrimages >>> page.

St. Elizabeth and her mother Alice in Eastbourne

This article >>> about St. Elizabeth and her mother Alice in Eastbourne - our neighbouring town - is the result of thorough research by our parishioner John Harwood.

Pilgrimage to Canterbury

This year the pilgrimage to Canterbury, in honour of its ancient saints, organised by the Sisterhood of the Holy New-Martyr Elizabeth and by the Parish of St Luke at Tunbridge Wells took place on Saturday 2nd July. It was probably the most successful and inspiring so far. For details and photos, see our Pilgrimages >>> page.

Pilgrimage to Germany

Members of the Sisterhood organised a pilgrimage to Germany from 12th to 16th May in honour of our Holy patron the New Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth. The group of sixteen also included members of the London and Cambridge parishes. We stayed at the Saint Elizabeth Convent in Munich (ROCOR) and then visted Damstadt, its Russian church and various places connected with our Saint's life before her marriage. Finally we travelled to the beautiful city of Fulda where the Apostle of Germany, the Anglo-Saxon martyr Boniface is buried. We venerated his tomb as well as that of his kinswoman St Lioba at her nearby convent at Petersberg.

You can read a full account of the pilgrimage in the Pilgrimages >>> section. See our Photo Album >>> for photos of the pilgrimage.

Timetable

Sunday 22 January	Afterfeast of the Theophany. Martyr Polyeuctus of Mlitene in Armenia (259). + Hieromartyr Philip, metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia (1569). Prophet Shemaiah (Samaia, Semeias) (10th c. B.C.). St. Peter, bishop of Sebaste in Armenia (395), and brother of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa. St. Eustratius the Wonderworker of Tarsus (821). St. Adrian of Canterbury (710) (Celtic & British). New Martyr Parthena of Edessa in Macedonia (1375). St. Jonah (Peter in schema), founder of Holy Trinity Monastery in Kiev (1902)	10:00	Divine Liturgy
Sunday 29 January	Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-glorious Apostle Peter. Blessed Maximus of Totma (Vologda), fool-for-Christ (1650). Martyrs the brothers Speusippus, Eleusippus, and Meleusippus, their grandmother Leonilla, and with them Neon, Turbo, and the woman Jonilla (Jovilla), in Cappadocia (ca. 161-180). Martyr Danax the Reader in Macedonia (2nd c.). St. Romilos, monk of Mt. Athos and Ravanica (Serbia) (1375), disciple of St. Gregory of Sinai, and with him Sts. Nestor, Martinius, Daniel, Sisoes, Zosimas, and Gregory (Greek). New Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar on Mt. Athos and Gabrovo (Bulgaria) (1771) (Greek). St. Honoratus, archbishop of Aries and founder of Lerins Monastery (429). St. Sigebert, king of the East Angles, martyr (635) (Celtic & British). St. Fursey of Burgh Castle, enlightener of East Anglia and Langy (650) (Celtic & British). St. James of Tarentaise (429). New Martyr Nicholas of Mitylene (1777)	10:00	Divine Liturgy
Saturday 4 February	SYNAXIS OF THE NEW MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS OF RUSSIA (transferred from 5 February with the blessing of Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh) Apostle Timothy of the Seventy (ca. 96). Monk-martyr Anastasius the Persian (628). New Hieromartyrs John, Nicolos, Jacob, Peter, John, John, John and Euthymius priest (1938). Martyr Anastasius the Deacon of the Kiev Caves (12th c.). St. Macarius, abbot of Zhabyn (1623). Martyrs Manuel, George, Peter, Leontius, bishops; Sionius, Gabriel, John, Leontus, Parodus, presbyters; and 377 companions in Bulgaria (814). St. Joseph Samakus the Sanctified of Crete (1511). St. Brithwald of Wilton (1045) (Celtic & British). Patronal Feast. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh.	10:00	Divine Liturgy Comments >>>
Sunday 5 February	Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee Hieromartyr Clement, bishop of Ancyra, and Martyr Agathangelus (296). New Hieromartyr Seraphim, Virgin-martyrs Evdokia and Ecaterine. Virgin-martyr Militsa (1938). St. Gennadius of Kostroma, monk (1565). Translation of the relics (1786) of St. Theoctistus, archbishop of Novgorod (1310). St. Mausimas the Syrian, monk (4th c.). St. Salamanes the Silent of the Euphrates, monk (ca. 400). St. Paulinus the Merciful, bishop of Nola (431). Commemoration of the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681). Synaxis of All Saints of Kostroma. St. Eusebius, recluse of Mt. Coryphe near Antioch (5th c.) St. Dionysius of Olympus and Mt. Athos (1541).	10:00	Divine Liturgy
Sunday 26 February	The Sunday of Forgiveness. Cheesefast. Commemoration of the Expulsion of Adam from Eden. St. Martinian, monk, of Caesarea in Palestine (422). New Hieromartyr Silvester (Olshevsky) bishop of Omsk and Pavlodar. New Hieromartyrs Zosimas, Nicolos, Basil, John, Leontius, Vladimir, Parthenius, John, John, Michael priests and Martyr Paul; Virgin-martyrs Anna, Vera and Irina (1938). The holy woman Zoe of Bethlehem and Virgin Photina (5th c.). St. Eulogius, archbishop of Alexandria (607-608). St. Symeon the Myrrh-gusher, prince of Serbia (1200). St. Modomnoc, bishop of Ossory (6th c.) (Celtic & British). Apostle and Martyr Aquila, and Priscilla. St. Timothy, patriarch of Alexandria (385). St. Joseph of Volokolamsk (1515).	10:00	Divine Liturgy
Sunday 26 February		15:00	Vespers with the Right of Forgiveness

Calendar