Nice piece Michael. What really struck me in this essay was that, from the world’s perspective, Elizabeth was a woman of contradictions… royal yet poor, refined yet hidden, privileged yet forsaken. But in reality she is simply the very pattern of the Cross stamped into a human life.
The world reads her choices as folly, as a woman undone by sentiment or zeal. But she was not escaping the world, she was transfiguring it, bearing in her own body the unbearable weight of Love, made flesh. She was not a pawn in the political games of Europe, she was the living echo of the One who emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death. Her story is not history’s, not Lenin’s, not Wilhelm’s, not ours. It is Christ’s. And the Kingdom she entered is the only one that remains.
A lovely reflection on St. Elizabeth, thank you. Our parish is blessed to have some of her holy relics in our alter and her Icon adorns our walls. O Holy St. Elizabeth, please pray to God for us that He may grant us a measure of the love and humility He gave you!
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” - 1 Peter 4:14
Thank you for this wonderful telling of her story. She is one of my favorite saints.
I have a family connection. My great grandfather was a Hessian peasant during the reign of her father and got in trouble with the law. His family put him on a boat to New York City. That’s how my family got here.
Hello Michael, this is one of the best things I've ever read. Thanks. In our Church in Venice we have a beautiful icon of Her with her friend Saint Barbara..
Powerfully drawn portrait. Icon-like in its translucence. This little bit, however, needs fixing. "On February 18, 1905, the Grand Duke had lunch with Elizabeth at Nicholas Palace. was killed—blown up by a man called Ivan Kalyayev. "
Back in 2004, I went to the Panachida for Alexander Schmorell at his home parish in Munich. There was Liturgy, procession and Panachida at the cemetery, and then we came back to the church lawn for light refreshments. Alexander's (half-) siblings Erich and Natalia were there, and Erich said a few words. It was interesting, because he actually didn't say too much about his brother, but talked about his mother, Elisabeth Schmorell, a lifelong Catholic, whose life was touched by meeting two people who would be glorified as saints in the Orthodox Church. One was, of course, her stepson, who, despite having differences and sometimes difficulties with, she loved as her own child, and the other was St. Elizabeth, whom she met during the Great War, as Elisabeth Schmorell was also a nurse, and the she and St. Elizabeth met in the service of tending injured soldiers. Elisabeth Schmorell never became Orthodox herself, but certainly had a great respect for Orthodoxy, not just by not forcing her stepson to leave the faith, but paying for proper religious instruction for him, etc. It makes me wonder if some of that was influenced by her interaction with St. Elizabeth.
That's a really interesting connection. Moreso since I have a particular and personal interest in both saints: my wife and I chose Alexander Schmorell as our son's patron, and if we're ever blessed with a daughter, St. Elizabeth is a very likely choice for her.
If you ever have any questions about his life or things that have been written about him, feel free to drop me a line. He's been an integral part of my Orthodox journey & I feel very near to him. I used to have a pretty expansive webpage on the White Rose, but I do have some random things up at my blog & youtube (breathofhallelujah.com). I got interviewed by Jim Forest for his "In Communion" magazine before the glorification, and I kind of make brief "appearances" in two books about his life as well. Someday, I think I will have to write a book of my own, but that hasn't happened yet. :)
Nice piece Michael. What really struck me in this essay was that, from the world’s perspective, Elizabeth was a woman of contradictions… royal yet poor, refined yet hidden, privileged yet forsaken. But in reality she is simply the very pattern of the Cross stamped into a human life.
The world reads her choices as folly, as a woman undone by sentiment or zeal. But she was not escaping the world, she was transfiguring it, bearing in her own body the unbearable weight of Love, made flesh. She was not a pawn in the political games of Europe, she was the living echo of the One who emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death. Her story is not history’s, not Lenin’s, not Wilhelm’s, not ours. It is Christ’s. And the Kingdom she entered is the only one that remains.
🌐⛪☦️ Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr, pray for us!
Christ is Ascended….
A lovely reflection on St. Elizabeth, thank you. Our parish is blessed to have some of her holy relics in our alter and her Icon adorns our walls. O Holy St. Elizabeth, please pray to God for us that He may grant us a measure of the love and humility He gave you!
What a joy for your community.
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” - 1 Peter 4:14
How glorious is our God in His Saints!
Thank you for this wonderful telling of her story. She is one of my favorite saints.
I have a family connection. My great grandfather was a Hessian peasant during the reign of her father and got in trouble with the law. His family put him on a boat to New York City. That’s how my family got here.
Beautifully written Michael. I learned a lot.
I absolutely love this! Glory to God for this remarkable Saint !
And such beauty. Of form, and spirit.
Excellent article Michael, thankyou
Thank you for this beautiful reflection!
Hello Michael, this is one of the best things I've ever read. Thanks. In our Church in Venice we have a beautiful icon of Her with her friend Saint Barbara..
Glory to God! Thank you Andrea. What a blessing for your parish!
Last week i send you an email because i would like to buy the book After Christendom PDF using PayPal.. thanks a lot again..
Powerfully drawn portrait. Icon-like in its translucence. This little bit, however, needs fixing. "On February 18, 1905, the Grand Duke had lunch with Elizabeth at Nicholas Palace. was killed—blown up by a man called Ivan Kalyayev. "
My baptismal saint! Fantastic article, thank you.
Hey, I never noticed your profile pic! That’s amazing. You are blessed to have such a patron!
The story of Saint Elizabeth is most tragic--and beautiful. Thank you for reminding me, and for paying tribute to her beautiful, Christlike spirit.
Back in 2004, I went to the Panachida for Alexander Schmorell at his home parish in Munich. There was Liturgy, procession and Panachida at the cemetery, and then we came back to the church lawn for light refreshments. Alexander's (half-) siblings Erich and Natalia were there, and Erich said a few words. It was interesting, because he actually didn't say too much about his brother, but talked about his mother, Elisabeth Schmorell, a lifelong Catholic, whose life was touched by meeting two people who would be glorified as saints in the Orthodox Church. One was, of course, her stepson, who, despite having differences and sometimes difficulties with, she loved as her own child, and the other was St. Elizabeth, whom she met during the Great War, as Elisabeth Schmorell was also a nurse, and the she and St. Elizabeth met in the service of tending injured soldiers. Elisabeth Schmorell never became Orthodox herself, but certainly had a great respect for Orthodoxy, not just by not forcing her stepson to leave the faith, but paying for proper religious instruction for him, etc. It makes me wonder if some of that was influenced by her interaction with St. Elizabeth.
That's a really interesting connection. Moreso since I have a particular and personal interest in both saints: my wife and I chose Alexander Schmorell as our son's patron, and if we're ever blessed with a daughter, St. Elizabeth is a very likely choice for her.
If you ever have any questions about his life or things that have been written about him, feel free to drop me a line. He's been an integral part of my Orthodox journey & I feel very near to him. I used to have a pretty expansive webpage on the White Rose, but I do have some random things up at my blog & youtube (breathofhallelujah.com). I got interviewed by Jim Forest for his "In Communion" magazine before the glorification, and I kind of make brief "appearances" in two books about his life as well. Someday, I think I will have to write a book of my own, but that hasn't happened yet. :)
What refreshing content. Thank you.