Jerusalem, June 2, 2025
Photo: missionrocor.ru
A new abbess was installed at the Mount of Olives Convent in Jerusalem last week during a pastoral visit by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
On Wednesday, May 27, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas met with the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Theophilos, representing him with a copy of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon, which is venerated as the patroness of the Russia diaspora, reports ROCOR’s Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.
In turn, the Patriarch gave Met. Nicholas an episcopal Panagia and a copy of the Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God.
During their discussion, the ROCOR head introduced Pat. Theophilos to Mother Judith, who was approved by the ROCOR Synod as the new abbess of the Holy Ascension Convent of the Mount of Olives. His Beatitude bless her and gave her a word of instruction on her spiritual calling.
Photo: missionrocor.ru
She was formally enthroned as abbess during the Divine Liturgy for the convent’s patronal feast of the Ascension on Thursday. The service was celebrated by Met. Nicholas and His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin, who had arrived in the Holy Land with a pilgrimage group.
The hierarchs were joined by the heads of both ROCOR’s and the Moscow Patriarchate’s Ecclesiastical Missions in the Holy Land.
During the Small Entrance, the Synodal decree on the appointment of Mother Judith as abbess was read out. Then Met. Nicholas read a prayer for her elevation and placed a gold pectoral cross on her.
The former abbess, Mother Varvara retired from her duties in January, after which Mother Ekaterina was appointed acting abbess. Mother Judith was then led by her two predecessors to the abbatial throne. After the Liturgy, a procession was held around the church, then Met. Nicholas presented Mother Judith with the abbess’ staff. She was also given an icon of her patron, the Righteous Judith of Bethulia.
Photo: missionrocor.ru
The Liturgy was also attended by Pat. Theophilos and His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchus of Constantia and a retinue of Greek clergy. The sisters presented the Jerusalem primate with a shroud of the Most Holy Theotokos sewn in the monastery.
After the service, everyone was treated to a festive meal in the monastery refectory.
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