Our history started in 2006 with the acquisition of a family owned property called “Rocks Farm” near Bodiam in East Sussex, with the aim of establishing a convent within the Russian Orthodox Church in Britain. It was decided that the new community would be dedicated to the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth, one of the most venerated saints in Russia. It was very appropriate that St Elizabeth was chosen as the principle patron saint of the Sisterhood.
The People
Our community is international, we have English, Scottish and Irish, Germans, Greeks, Slovaks, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Romanians and, of course, Russians. We use two languages, Slavonic and English, almost equally in the singing, with the priest’s prayers mostly in English. This is acceptable to everybody because all can then understand and participate.
Clergy and community
Priests
From the year 2006 until 2009 the community had no frequent services, but these years were very important for building up the community and Father Maxim Nikolsky helped a lot to establish the community liturgical life.
The situation changed in the years 2010-2012 when the services in the Sisterhood became more consistent. Father David Smith, who was serving the community from 2008, was appointed as a main priest for the Sisterhood in the beginning of 2010. He had a blessing to do church services for us on regular basis, major feasts and frequent Sunday services. One Sunday a month he served at St Luke’s in Tunbridge Wells where many people from the Sisterhood usually were present.
In November 2012 Father David moved to live abroad with his family. After that the community was given three priests serving in a rota: Father Maxim Nikolsky, Father Joseph Skinner and Father Mikhail Dudko, who was appointed as a main priest for the community in the beginning of 2013. He helped us to reshape the chapel making it more spacious. He returned to Russia in the Autumn 2013 and since then we have not had frequent services. Father Maxim Nikolsky and later Father Stephen Platt were coming to Bodiam from faraway to serve Liturgy at least once a month, when continuing serving at Tunbridge Wells ones a month, as well. Thanks to father Stephen, who was appointed as our Community priest in 2013, our project of building a new church became a reality and we are planning to start services there in 2015. We are grateful to father Stephen for his efforts to maintain our community life well organized during the time of important changes.
Some festal Liturgies during this period were served by our good friend and helper Father Ierotheos Georghiou, the Greek priest from St Mary Magdalen church in Hastings.
Readers
John Harwood joined the community in 2008. He was in charge of the English part of the service acting as a Reader and supplying all necessary liturgical materials. To celebrate 50 years of his church experience he was solemnly made a Reader by Archbishop Elisey in the year 2012, on the patronal feast of the New Martyrs of Russia.
Ekaterina Lakhovskaya was in charge of Slavonic readings and assisting the Sisterhood as an accountant. From the year 2013 Marina Wise took her role as a Slavonic Reader.
The choir
The choir has been guided from the beginning by Nun Martha who was later joined by Alexandra Livtchak, a professional musician. Elizabeth and Silas Coker, Anya Livtchak, Ekaterina Petrakova proved to be dedicated members of the choir. For big feasts our choir was usually assisted by skilful visiting singers Elena Davydova, Victor and Tim Levin.
The Sunday school
It was established in November 2012, on the Birthday of our Saint Grand Duchess Elizabeth. Since then Maria and John Harwood have been teaching a group of children and conducting Catechetical talks for adults. From 2013 Maria started using Skype for regular talks with the children providing them with immediate access to the Internet resources. The lessons have been conducted in Russian and English.