On Wednesday, May 28, the Leavetaking of Holy Pascha, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where he met with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem & All Palestine. He was accompanied by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and Nun Judith (Zastavsky), who by a decision of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops was appointed abbess of the Ascension of the Savior Convent on the Mount of Olives.
Metropolitan Nicholas presented His Beatitude with a painted copy of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign."
During their conversation, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, His Eminence introduced Nun Judith to Patriarch Theophilus. His Beatitude blessed Mother Judith for her new obedience and offered a few words of encouragement.
At the end of the meeting, the Patriarch presented Metropolitan Nicholas with a holy panagia and an icon of the Mother of God of Jerusalem.
The next day, on the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the First Hierarch celebrated Divine Liturgy in the cathedral church of the Mount of Olives Convent, co-served by with His Eminence Mark, Metropolitan of Berlin & Germany, Fr. Roman, the mission clergy, and pilgrims in sacred orders. At the appointed time during the service, he elevated Sister Judith as the abbess, handing her the staff and placing upon her the pectoral cross.
After the completion of the divine service at the very place of the Ascension of the Lord, His Beatitude, Patriarch Theophilus, visited the convent and greeted the hierarchs and clergy, wishing everyone many mercies and blessings from the Ascended Savior.
