Grand Duchess Elizabeth of Russia: New Martyr of the Communist Yoke

by Lyubov Miller

Lubov Millar's biography, the most extensive to date, brings together a wealth of source materials, including never before published letters by the Grand Duchess and more than 40 photographs, to illumine the life of this extraordinary spiritual heroine and the turbulent times in which she lived.

A strikingly beautiful granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Grand Duchess Elizabeth married Grand Duke Serge Alexandrovich, governor of Moscow and uncle to Tsar Nicholas II. Her life in Imperial Russia began in a whirlwind of dazzling social engagements, a world soon eclipsed by war, the assassination of her husband and the gathering storm of revolution.

Consciously adopting the Orthodox Faith, she thoroughly dedicated herself to fulfilling the Great Commandment of Love nursing the sick, rescuing children from Moscow's slums, establishing the Martha-Mary Convent of Mercy-and thereby attained sanctity even before receiving a martyr's crown.

Genres: Biography, Biography Memoir, Russia, History, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction

388 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago, this was out-of-print, and a dear friend helped me to find a copy. It has since been reprinted and, I believe, updated, but this is the original. It's a fascinating time capsule of having been written before the fall of Communisim and some of the updates and rebuilding that has happened in Russia.'

A beautifully written hagiography of St. Elizabeth. What a wonderful example. Pray for us, Holy St. Elizabeth.

[Niklas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing account of the life of Saint Elizabeth, a Grand-Duchess who converted from Protestantism to Orthodoxy and radically lived out the faith to a degree that still baffles me. Despite her royal standing she remained more humble than anyone of us can even imagine and gave herself to labor of charity, perfectly combining the best of both Martha and Mary. In the convent she founded after the death of her husband, she sought to combine service to God with service to neighbour. Through the Grace of God she became a vessel of love and eventually was made worthy to be crowned with the crown of Martyrdom.

While reading this book you will also learn about pre-revolution era of Russian Orthodoxy and how alive it was. I highly recommend reading this after/before/alongside a historical work on the last Tsar Nicholas II.

God bless you 🙏

[Halli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thankful I read this book. Like many others I found St Elizabeth's example and piety something to strive for and am proud to have selected her as my patron saint.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with so many other books about Orthodox saints, this one is translated which always leaves me feeling I’ve had an incomplete understanding of what the author was trying to say. Besides that, it was refreshing to hear the story of Elizabeth and her insider view (in the form of excerpts from her personal letters) of the last of Tsars of Russia. Since her husband was a grand duke of Russia and her sister was Alexandria who married Nicholas II, Elizabeth had a unique perspective of all that took place. It was completely different from all other stories I’ve read, but seeing how those were written or shared by people who hated the Tsars, it makes me wonder how truthful their tales actually were. If you enjoy Russian history and have ever wondered about the Romanov family, this book could possibly be of interest to you.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written and detailed life of St. Elizabeth. The author does a great job at allowing the reader to go along with Elizabeth throughout her life, from her infancy and childhood through her martyrdom, the recovery of her body and those of her companions, and the subsequent journey her body takes to its current resting place. She uses Elizabeth's own letters to allow the reader a glimpse into what Elizabeth was thinking and feeling, rather than making wild, unsupported speculations (which, unfortunately, often find their way into biographies). When I finished the book, I felt as though I knew Elizabeth well. Highly recommended!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite saints and the sister of my patron saint. My one complaint would be that this book made no mention at all of her inability to have children or how that affected her.

[Two Hearts Homeschool · Rating 4 out of 5]

The translation was stilted in the first half of the book but it picked up after that. Amazing story of courage.

[Elizabeth Chichester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book about an amazing Saint. What interesting writing, unique historical perspective and intriguing way to read about St. Elizabeth the new martyr.

[Jacob Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book of this amazing saint.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting, as it was about a person, time and place in history about which I knew very little. In addition, it is very well researched, and while not well foot-noted, it is clear the author knows her material.

The largest problem with this book is that the author is extremely passionate about her subject. She clearly believes Grand Duchess Elizabeth did no wrong, was lovely, wonderful, dearly in love with her husband, the Grand Duke Serge, etc. There are absolutely no contrary opinions or opposing opinions cited whatsoever. When it comes to Tsar Nicholas and the reasons for the collapse of the government, it is simply ALL the revolutionaries' fault. There is no discussion whatsoever as to Nicholas' weakness as a leader or any other contributing factors. The Imperial Family are all victims; end of story.

In spite of this glaring weakness, this is still a book worth reading if one is interested in Russian history, European history in the late 1800s--1920s etc.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book has some issues (largely that it cannot decide whether it is a conventional biography or a religious hagiography) Millar has certainly assembled in the most recent edition the most comprehensive collection of materials both secular and religious relating to the life and work of the Grand Duchess on earth, and her martyrdom and religious elevation after her death.

While no new ground is broken here in the recounting of Elizaveta Feodorovna's childhood, marriage, widowhood, and her establishment of an unconventional convent in Moscow, Millar's evident devotion to the Grand Duchess does not do a disservice to this, probably the best work in English.

[Bob Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grand Duchess Elizabeth gives a brief introduction to the life of Elizabeth Feoderova, the Grand Duchess of Russia who was murdered in the name of socialism in 1919.

Elizabeth is a fascinating woman because while she had every earthly blessing, she gave it all up to be a nun and start a convent. By all accounts, Elizabeth was beautiful, young, and rich. But all things changed when her husband was assassinated. She became a nun in the orthodox church and then started a convent.

Millar is able to tell this story vividly, in a fast paced, easy to read manner.

I highly recommend this book for anybody who is looking for inspiration.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched and well written biography of Elizabeth Feodorovna Romanov: German princess, granddaughter to Queen Victoria of England, grand duchess of Russia, sister to Empress Alexandra the last Tsarina, and newly canonized Orthodox saint.