July is Russia month in Orthodoxy. Not officially or anything, but we have the commemoration of St. Olga, of St. Vladimir , Equal to the Apostles, the Holy Royal Passionbearers and yesterday, of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr. At times during Soviet Rule, it seemed that they were the bookends of the Russian Christian story – but we now know that not only does Orthodoxy survive in St. Vladimir's land today, but that the witness of Christians, even as martyrs, shone through those dark days. Mary-Leah has a wonderful blog about Orthodoxy – featuring Russian hagiography and articles about the current situation of Orthodoxy in Russia. She has recently written about Sts. Elizabeth and Barbara.

Usually these commemorations come and go during a busy week, but through the blessing of this year's calendar, I was in church on both St. Vladimir's day Sunday and with St. Elizabeth's Mission yesterday. Both of their hymnography caught my attention.

Troparion - Tone 4

Holy Prince Vladimir,
you were like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
By sending servants to Constantinople for the Orthodox Faith, you found Christ, the priceless pearl.
He appointed you to be another Paul,
washing away in baptism your physical and spiritual blindness.
We celebrate your memory,
asking you to pray for all Orthodox Christians and for us, your spiritual children.

I particularly love the intertwining of St. Vladimir’s search for faith, most famously summed up in this quote: “When the Russian envoys arrived in Constantinople they were impressed to the depth of their souls by the splendor of the St. Sofia cathedral, the harmonious singing of the royal choir and the grandeur of the service conducted by the Patriarch. "We were not even aware if we were on the earth or in heaven," and the Pearl of Great Price.

Tone 2
Who can tell of thy great acts of
faith, O long suffering Grand Duchess Elizabeth, while enduring death in the depths of the earth, thou didst radiate the brightness of Paradise.
Rejoicing in psalms and hymns, thou
didst pray with the angels for thy torturers, "O Lord forgive them for they know not what they do."
O Christ our God, through her
prayers, have mercy, and save our souls.

The powerful story of St. Elizabeth in a mineshaft singing hymns and ministering to those who were murdered with her haunts me to this day. Her humility and love for Christ and ability to forgive are examples that I strive to emulate.

I had the pleasure of attending Hierarchical Liturgy at St. Elizabeth’s Mission yesterday, seeing James tonsured reader (and taper bearer), seeing old friends (hi Susan, thanks for the eggs, and hi Jeanie and Scott) and new (hi Liz!). It was a cool and rainy day, which is my favorite kind, especially after a few days of high heat. The only thing that was missing was the lovely Dawn , but I know that she is learning a lot at the workshop, and I cannot wait to hear about it.