Ella as a religious figure and her convent

On her way to exile she wrote a letter to the nuns of her monastery:

Bless the Lord and may the Holy Christ's Resurrection console and strengthen you. May St. Sergei, prelate Dmitrii and St. Evphrosinia Polotzkaya preserve us all. I keep recalling the past day, all of your faces so dear to me. O, Lord, how much suffering there was on those faces, how my heart ached! You are dearer to me with every passing minute. How shall I leave you, how can I comfort and strengthen you? Remember, my dearest ones, what I had told you. Be always not only my children, but also good learners. Unite and be like one soul - everything for God's sake. Repeat after John Chrysostom, "Thank God for everything!" . . .

When I was prowling the Times (which seems to have ended it's free trial darn it), the Court Circular for not long before the outbreak of WW1 notes that Ella was in England visiting her sister Victoria. It made me rather sad to think that but for a few weeks, she, like 'Greek Minny' may have been "trapped" in England and thus spared.  

I also found it intriguing (and this was also in Camera and the Tsars) how much Ella actually did travel. The book shows her on vacation with her brother at their sister Irene's and notes she had "time off" for her nuns, unlike most convents. Plus the Court Circulars mention above note quite a few visits to her sister in England. I guess I always envisioned Ella rather secluded from her family after entering the convent and that seems not to have been the case.

I find it intriguing as well since I had the impression that Ella holed herself up in the convent, not making many visits except to Alix (before their falling out).  As such, Ella never interested me much, but now my curiosity is peeked.

Actually, one of the big rules of her convent was that the sisters were to have holidays, rest,  and visit their families.  They were not sealed.

Yes, I'm sorry that free trial is over, I've tried to get hold of them and get a subscription for a month or so, but can't seem to scare anyone up...darn.

I think one of the CCs mentioned her visiting Buckingham Palace as well (not surprisingly). I just can't image Ella with her serene countenance and pristine habit with all the regality of Queen Mary.  

In a similar vein, there are wonderful pictures of Alice of Battenberg, Pss Andrew of Greece wearing her nun's habit at the coronation of her daughter-in-law Queen Elizabeth in 1953; the simplicity of her attire must have contrasted sharply with the splendour of the coronation and all its attendant pomp and brilliance.
How much do you think that Alice was inspired by the example of her aunt Ella in deciding to retire from a worldly existence?

In Lost Splendor, Yussoupov tells of traveling a lot with Ella, mostly on pilgrimages and charity missions.

Hello, I am a new user but I love the site and would be very interested to know if anyone has any information on miracles through the intercession of St. Elizaveth. Although I am a Roman Catholic I have a great devotion to this saint and would love to hear of any {short!} orthodox prayers to her and any other information about modern devotion to her.
Thanks!
bluetoria

Bluetoria, please see Father Serfes site :http://www.serfes.org/lives/grandduchess/intro.htm

Holy St. Elizabeth,
Pray Unto God,
For Us!
Holy St. Barbara
Pray Unto God,
For Us!

Sunny

Thanks Sunny, I read that site but do you know of any more recent miracles i.e. people who have sought her prayers in recent years?
By the way, I haveread some other sites about her andthere seems to be a bit of a recent trend to decry her, accusing her of being cold etc.  I think that those who have described her in this way have little understanding of her character as, though I have studied the lives of countless Catholic saints, I have not yet 'met' one who provides such an inspiration as Ella does in all kinds of every day things.  

Bluetoria, if I may make a suggestion...you might IM forum member Pravoslavnaya, as I think she will be quite helpful, and Father Serfes is generous in responding to emails.

Hope this helps,

Sunny

Thanks again for replying. I contacted Fr. Sefes once before and he was exceptionally kind. Thanks!

I'm sorry if this has already been asked, but I can't find the thread! Does anyone, please, have a COMPLETE list of the nuns who made their vows with Ella in April 1910?
Thank you.

I guess this is probably a 'lost cause' question too but you never know!!    
In Ella's convent today, there is a piano which she brought from Darmstadt & her name (in childish writing) is scratched into the wood. (She must have sometimes been a naughty child!!  ). I don't suppose there's a remote chance of anyone having a picture of it, please??

In 9th April 1910 in Marpho - Mariinsky cathedral 17
nurses made their vows.
Elizaveta Feodorovna and  Finanice Director ( Kaznacheya) of the monastery V.S. Gordeeva was among them
(Extract from the  one russian book about Ella, no other names were mentioned)