Life Converted

As monastics under the rule of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr (Martha-Mary rule), we have vowed to dedicate our lives to the service of both God and neighbor. We work in the following obediences: serving the church, serving the forgotten, engaging in hospitality, and more. In the tradition of the original Martha-Mary Convent, we, without exception, serve the poor, bringing them physical and spiritual aid in their community. We continually try to grow spiritually, aiding the forgotten as we attempt to grow closer to Christ ourselves. It is a long road, but the journey is a good one.

We attempt to pattern our schedule on the original Martha-Mary Convent.

A typical weekday in our community:
– 7:30am: rise and engage in private prayer and quiet hours
– 9:00-10:00am: gather in our chapel for morning hours followed by optional breakfast snack
– 10:00am-noon: First section of the work day, during which obediences may be done
– noon-1:00pm: Typika in our chapel followed by mid-day trapeza in our refectory
-1:00-4:00pm: Second section of the work day
– 4:00-4:30pm tea (and coffee) is served (we attempt to honor the memory of Holy New Martyr Elizabeth, Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, by continuing this tradition that she began at her convent.)
– 5:00-6:00pm Brief evening prayers followed by evening trapeza in our refectory
– 6:00-9:00pm: private prayer, prayer rope, contemplation, reading, rest if needed
– 9:00pm common evening prayer and Compline in our chapel
– 9:30pm until morning: quiet hours

Saturdays, same as weekdays except:
– 5:00pm Vespers in our chapel followed by evening trapeza in our refectory

Sundays, same as weekdays except:
– 9:30am: gather in our chapel for morning hours and prayers
– 10:30am: Divine Liturgy on visiting priest days, otherwise Typica with the nuns.