06/08/2026
With both sorrow and joy, we inform you that on Wednesday, May 21/June 3, 2026, around 10:30 p.m., the Very Reverend Abbess Mother Dr. Elizabeth Hagielisabetissa, the beloved and venerable Abbess of the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia, in Etna, California, reposed peacefully in the Lord, full of years. The members of the Sisterhood surrounded her at her departure, which occurred very shortly after the Prayers for the Departure of the Soul had been read by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Bishop Dr. Auxentios of Etna and Portland. The body was quickly prepared and moved to the Convent Church, where the reading of the Psalter began.
At 3:30 p.m. the next day, May 22/June 4, 2026, the Funeral Service was served by Bishop Auxentios and the local clergy, in keeping with the ancient monastic custom of interring the body before sundown on the day of death. His Grace, the Right Reverend Bishop Maximus of Pelagonia, who was visiting for the sake of the commencement exercises held the previous Saturday at the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, was also in prayerful attendance, assisting at the Kleros. Following the funeral and burial, the Sisterhood served a traditional memorial meal for all in attendance.
Abbess Elizabeth was born on October 5/18, 1935, in Mingo Junction, Ohio. She converted to Orthodox Christianity in 1980, having been Baptized as “Parthenia” on June 16/29, 1980, by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna (1943–2019) of blessed memory.
Having raised a family of four children, she was Tonsured a Rasophore on July 25/August 7, 1984, at the Convent of the Holy Angels in Aphidnai, Greece, under her spiritual Mother, Abbess Kypriane Hagiotaxiarchitissa (1908–2000) of blessed memory. Her name became “Elizabeth,” after Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia (1864–1918), for whom Mother Elizabeth had developed a personal devotion after hearing stories about the Holy New Nun Martyr from Saint Elizabeth’s first cousin once removed, Abbess Alexandra (1909–1991), the former Princess Ileana of Romania.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Kyprianos I of Oropos and Phyle (1935–2013) of blessed memory, Mother Elizabeth returned to Etna, California, to found the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia, a dependency of the Holy Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina in Phyle, Greece. Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland Tonsured Mother Elizabeth a Schemanun on Pascha, April 2/15, 1990, and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna Enthroned her as Abbess on the Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas, March 1/14, 1998, with the participation of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America.
From the founding of the Convent, Mother Elizabeth quickly gathered a community of devout and dedicated Sisters who eagerly embraced the Angelic life and gratefully accepted her oversight. With equal enthusiasm, they collectively took up their Abbess’s mission to support the local Diocese and, in particular, its Archpastor, Metropolitan Chrysostomos, and his assistant Hierarch, Bishop Auxentios.
The Sisterhood of the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia plays an indispensable role in the operation of the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, where various of the Mothers and Sisters serve as administrators, faculty members, staff members, and in other unofficial capacities; several of the nuns are even alumnæ of the Seminary.
Mother Elizabeth leaves behind a dozen orphans, who mourn her departure, but who also take comfort in the good reward that awaits their revered Abbess and likewise gives her boldness before our God.
We ask all of you to keep Mother Elizabeth in your prayers, that God may grant her soul eternal rest in the Mansions of His Kingdom.
Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη!
Вечная память!
May her memory be eternal!
