Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

The Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker becomes especially relevant in our time, chiefly because her entire life was — and continues by grace to be — an extraordinary presence of compassion toward the world. Especially today, when a large number of our fellow human beings live in sorrow and distress due to the many problems of daily life, the Venerable one comes as a foremost protector of those in affliction, to grant that grace which helps overcome sorrow and attain true joy. The Holy Hymnographer of our Church records this clearly from the very beginning of the hymns dedicated to her: “You received the grace to drive away the illnesses of souls and bodies, Venerable Mother, to expel evil spirits by the Holy Spirit, and to be the protector of all those in afflictions” (Vespers Sticheron).

Her entire life was a conscious effort to share in the suffering of her fellow human beings — that is, to live the true and genuine love brought by the Lord Jesus Christ. And this means, of course, that she struggled to remain firmly upon the rock of the Orthodox faith, since true love toward God and neighbor is known to be the most excellent flower of the right Orthodox faith. Faith and love are two sides of the same coin, and whoever thinks he can have one without the other is gravely mistaken. “You practiced compassion, Orthodox faith, and love toward the Lord and your neighbor, O Venerable one blessed by God, therefore the divine grace of the Spirit rested in you, Mother Elizabeth” (Vespers Sticheron).

Chapel of Venerable Elizabeth in Agios Amvrosios of Cyprus

In the village of Agios Amvrosios in Limmasol, Cyprus, there is preserved a very old medieval chapel with distinctive frescoes. This chapel is dedicated to the Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker and is considered a priceless jewel of the village.

The church has a unique architectural style and is situated in a secluded yet peaceful setting. In addition, the entire structure is protected by the Department of Antiquities.

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.