Venerable Elisabeth the Wonderworker (VII–VIII)

The Venerable Elisabeth the Wonderworker (VII–VIII) was chosen for the service of the Lord even before her birth. Her mother had a revelation that the infant would be a chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit.

The girl was brought up in a convent from childhood. Distinguished by a holy life, she received from the Lord the gift of healing bodily and spiritual ailments, and at last was chosen abbess.

The venerable mother’s abstinence knew no bounds: for many years she ate only herbs and vegetables, and never took wine or oil. Many times she spent the whole of Great Lent without food. In imitation of the publican’s repentance, for three years she did not raise her eyes to heaven, while her spiritual gaze was ever fixed on God. During the midnight prayers a heavenly light shone upon the saint.

Saint Elisabeth worked many miracles: by prayer she slew a venomous serpent, healed a woman with an issue of blood who had suffered for many years, and cast out evil spirits. After her death the saint’s tomb healed the sick. Even dust taken from her holy relics opened the eyes of a blind man.