Synaxarion of Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker

On the same day of the month (April 24th), we commemorate our Venerable Mother Elizabeth the Wonderworker.

Verses

Elizabeth, leaving the earth, O Word of God,
as a pure bride beholds You, the fair Bridegroom.
On the twenty-fourth Elizabeth departed to heaven.

This Venerable Elizabeth, from a young age, entered into ascetic struggles; therefore she received from the Lord the grace of healing, and she healed various sufferings and illnesses. Her birth was revealed from above by divine revelation, and it was foretold by God that she would become a chosen vessel.

The blessed one wore only a single garment, and because of this she endured hardship from the cold and frost of winter. She never washed her body with water. She spent forty days fasting. For three years she kept her mind entirely fixed on God, and with her bodily eyes she did not look at all upon the beauty and vastness of the sky. By her prayer she put to death a poisonous and very large serpent. For many years she did not taste oil. She did not wear shoes on her feet.

With such achievements and virtues, shining in a God-pleasing way, this thrice-blessed one reposed in the Lord. Even to this day she grants the grace of many miracles and healings to those who come to her with faith. For even soil taken reverently from her tomb heals every illness.*

Notes: 

* The Venerable Elizabeth was from Heraclea of Thrace and lived in the 5th century. She was born to Christian parents who were wealthy and well-known. Her parents were childless and could not have children, but after much prayer, and a vision they received, they were granted Elizabeth. Her parents wanted to marry her off and have her inherit their great wealth. But she, desiring the life of asceticism and virginity, refused. After the death of her parents, she distributed her inheritance to the poor and became a nun. Through her virtuous life and faith, she was deemed worthy to perform many miracles, both during her lifetime and after her death. She fell asleep in the Lord in a venerable manner on April 24.

Apolytikion
Tone Plagal of the First – “Ton synanarchon Logon”

From your mother’s womb you loved Christ, O Elizabeth, a delightful shoot of righteousness, and following in His footsteps, you cultivate the first fruits of eternal blessings. With your blameless way of life, working wonders, O God-minded one, for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion
Tone Plagal of the Fourth – “Os aparchas tis physeos”

As a temple of virginity and a treasury of virtues, you pour forth the goodness of miracles like an unceasing fountain, and you cleanse the sicknesses of souls and bodies, O Elizabeth, for those who devoutly sing to the Creator: Alleluia.

Megalynarion

As an august gift of the promise, you were made worthy of the promised blessings through a fitting life, O Venerable Elizabeth; through your intercessions, O Mother, make us also worthy of them.

Kathisma
Tone Plagal of the Third – “Theias pisteos”

You endured labors of self-control and received the grace of dispassion; and, O divinely-inspired Elizabeth, you were granted the gift of healings, to cure every kind of illness and to drive away the activity of demons. O most admirable one, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.