Grand Duchess Elizabeth in the 'New York Times'

Holy New Martyr Elizabeth the Grand Duchess (Feast Day - July 18)

Grand Duchess Elizabeth, a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria of England and elder sister of Empress Alexandra of Russia (see July 4), was one of the most illustrious women of her day, known throughout Europe not only for her high birth and graceful beauty, but also for her modesty and goodness of heart. After marrying Grand Duke Sergius Alexandrovich, she converted to Orthodoxy, although this was not required of her by her position. After the assassination of her husband in 1905, Grand Duchess Elizabeth withdrew from public life, founding the convent of Saints Martha and Mary, of which she became the superior. There she dedicated herself to prayer, fasting, tending the sick, and caring for the poor. After the Bolsheviks seized power, she was exiled to the Urals, where she and those with her were martyred in 1918 when they were cast alive into an abandoned mine. The Novice Barbara followed Saint Elizabeth into exile. When she was separated from the Grand Duchess, Barbara asked to be allowed to join her again; to terrify her, the Bolsheviks told her that she would be allowed to do this, but only if she were prepared for unheard-of torments and a violent death. To their amazement, she consented, and was deemed worthy of martyrdom with the Grand Duchess. Their holy relics were recovered and taken through Russia to China, and came to rest in the Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem. When their reliquaries were opened in 1981, their bodies were found to be partially incorrupt, and sweet with the odour of sanctity. With them are also commemorated their fellow Martyrs: Grand Duke Sergius Mikhailovich; Princes John, Constantine, and Igor, the brethren; Prince Vladimir Paley; and Theodore Remez.

Below are reports made by the New York Times that reference Grand Duchess Elizabeth from her marriage to her burial:

March 16, 1884, Wednesday - The Russian - English Marriage

November 12, 1894, Wednesday - MOSCOW FULL OF MOURNERS; FUNERAL SERVICES OVER THE REMAINS OF ALEXANDER III. The Great City Draped in Sable and Crowded with Visitors -- The Most Impressive Funeral Procession Ever Witnessed in Russia -- Solemn Mass Said in the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael -- The Dead Emperor Lying in State.

March 27, 1904, Sunday - CZARINA'S MIDNIGHT DRIVE: Empress and Her Sister Fond of Emulating Haroun-al-Raschid

February 18, 1905, Saturday - TERRORIST BOMB SLAYS SERGIUS: Czar's Uncle Blown to Pieces in Moscow. DESCRIBED BY WITNESS Times Correspondent Tells of Tragedy and Causes. MOSCOW PEOPLE ARMING Leading Liberal Tells of Plan to Bring About a Revolution -Vengeance Actuated the Assassin

February 18, 1905, Saturday - ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF CRIME: Deed Committed by Single Man, Member of the "Fighting Group"

February 19, 1905, Sunday - Associated Press Article on the Assasination of Grand Duke Sergius

July 19, 1906, Thursday - Grand Duke Sergius's Body Moved

February 10, 1907, Sunday - ROYAL LADIES of CLEVERNESS and LEARNING: Queens and Princesses highly, and in some cases technically educated, work hard with brain and hand..

October 8, 1908, Thursday - GRAND DUCHESS IN CONVENT: Widow of Sergius, Assassinated at Moscow In 1905, May Take Veil

April 23, 1910, Saturday - GRAND DUCHESS BECOMES NUN: Elizabeth, Sister of Czarina, and Grand Duke Sergius's Widow, Takes Vows

September 10, 1911, Sunday - Associated Press Article Describing How Grand Duchess Elizabeth Forgave Her Husbands Murderer

September 17, 1911, Sunday - THE CZAR'S SISTER-IN-LAW A WOMAN SUFFRAGE LEADER: She's the Widow of Grand Duke Sergius --- Nicholas Sent Her to a Nunnery, But She Turned the Nuns Into Suffragists and He Had to Surrender

January 31, 1912, Wednesday - STORM IN RUSSIAN CHURCH: Bishop Hermogenes and Famous Priest Heliodorus Exiled

August 1, 1920, Sunday - SETTLES DOUBTS OF CZAR'S MURDER: Gen. Diederichs Tells How the Bolsheviki Killed Him and All His Family. BUTCHERED IN A CELLAR Called from Their Beds and Killed by Bullets, Bayonets and Rifle Butts. Empress Remained with Her Son. Prisoners Harshly Treated. SETTLES DOUBTS OF CZAR'S MURDER Butchered in a Cellar. The Bodies Were Burned

February 3, 1921, Thursday - GRAND DUCHESS BURIED: Body of Elizabeth, Late Czarina's Sister, Entombed In Jerusalem

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone

Emulating the Lord's self-abasement on the earth, thou didst forsake royal mansions to serve the poor and disdained, overflowing with compassion for the suffering. And taking up a martyr's cross, thou in meekness didst perfect the Saviour's image within thee. Wherefore, with Barbara, entreat Him to save us all, O wise Elizabeth.

Kontakion in the Third Tone

In the midst of worldliness, thy mournful heart dwelt in Heaven; in barbaric godlessness, thy valiant soul was not troubled: thou didst long to meet thy Bridegroom as a confessor, and He found thee worthy of thy martyric purpose. O Elizabeth, with Barbara, thy brave companion, pray to thy Bridegroom for us.