Elizabeth of Constantinople

Holy Venerable Elizabeth of Constantinople, the wonderworker, was chosen for the service of God even before birth. It was revealed to her mother that the girl would be a chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit.

From childhood her parents gave her to a monastery. She grew up in fasting and labour and received the gift of healing not only bodily ailments but those of the soul. The sisters chose her abbess. She wore a garment of rough hair, and her body was frozen, but her spirit burned with the flame of divine love.

Her abstinence was without measure: for many years she ate only herbs and vegetables, without bread, and never took wine or oil. Many times she spent the holy Lenten fast tasting nothing. Imitating the humility of the publican, for three years she did not lift her eyes to heaven, but with the eyes of the spirit she always looked toward God. At her midnight prayers the heavenly Light surrounded and illumined her.

She worked many wonders: by prayer she killed a fierce serpent, healed a woman with a flow of blood who had been sick for many years, and drove unclean spirits from people. After her death her tomb also gave healing from diseases, and even the dust taken from her relics gave sight to the blind.

She is commemorated on 7 May (new style).