We, the Bishops of the Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International, assembled in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, raise our joyful voices to Almighty God, in thankfulness for the salvation brought about through the Death and Resurrection of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, because He has bestowed on us the great and precious things promised and we have become partakers of divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4)
The Christian Church has always honored its martyrs. The liturgical year, as it is arranged, includes an element of the "Festivals of the Martyrs" as referred to by Tertullian, which were often local in character. (J G. Davies, The Early Christian Church. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, copyright 1965 page 153-154)
Much strife and bloodshed took place during World War II, with the martyrdom of thousands upon thousands Christians at the hands of ruthless and godless men. While we know some of the names of those who suffered for Christ, many of their names are only known to God.
God has raised up among us, Mother Maria Skobtsova (Elizabeth Pilenko) for her willingness to live the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She lived out her monastic vows in the world taking care of the poor and desperate in Paris, France. She never let the coldness of hatred for any of God's children dwell in her being. She protected numerous Jewish people from the hands of the Nazis, and because of this, suffered great hardship in concentration camps. In obedience to the Gospel command, "Greater love have no one than this, that one lay down their life for their friends" (John 15: 13), in Ravensbruck, Germany, she entered into eternal life on March 31, 1945 by exchanging her life for a prisoner condemned to die.
We, therefore, recognize Mother Maria's great sanctity and heroic deeds. We examined her life thoroughly and are convinced that as Christ's Church enters the twenty-first century, Christians need to emulate her courage and spiritual simplicity. We hereby decree:
1. That Mother Maria Skobtsova killed during World War II at the hands of Nazi persecutors, on March31, 1945, be numbered among those called "Blessed";
2. That liturgical services and propers be composed in her honor reflecting the needs of the various members of our Synod;
3. That the memory of Blessed Maria be commemorated on March31, on the day of her earthly demise;
4. That an icon for veneration of the newly-beatified martyr be painted according to the decree of the Seventh Ecumenical Council;
5. That a life (vitae) be published and distributed for the spiritual edification of believers throughout the world, by way of printed and electronic means;
6. That parishes, monastic communities, church societies, and bible study groups be encouraged to study Blessed Maria's life and discuss the spiritual implications for the modern age;
7. That a religious society or apostolate dedicated to Blessed Maria be initiated under the auspices of FOCUS;
8. That on behalf of the Federation of Orthodox Catholic Churches International the name of the newly beatified martyr be made known to Primates of the autocephalous Churches;
9. That a date and place of the formal canonization be determined and announced.
Finally, we quote Saint John of Damascus, (+749) priest and Doctor of the universal Church. 'the saints must be honored as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God. As John the Theologian and Evangelist says, 'But as many as received Him, He gave them the power to be made children of God.....' Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the apostles, martyrs, ascetics and just men who announced the coming of the Lord. Let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering, and perseverance unto death, so that we may also share their crowns of glory.’ (Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book 4)
Though the intercession of our Holy Mother, Blessed Maria, may the Lord strengthen us in the practice of His commandments. Glory to God! Amen!
Given in the City of Omaha, Nebraska, August 16, AD 1997
+Seraphim
+ Seraphim, Presiding Bishop, FOCUS, HOCC, member of The Federated Orthodox Churches Intl.
You may not think of the twentieth century as producing many martyrs, but there are many who undergo imprisonment and death for their beliefs. Such a one was Elizabeth Pilenko, or, as she became, Mother Maria Skobtsova, a Russian Orthodox nun. Born in Russia in 1891, she lived in Paris after the Russian Revolution. She became a nun in 1932, and because she saw so much suffering in the world, she and her friends determined to accept suffering on behalf of others and lovingly to lay down our lives for our friends and to follow in Christ's footsteps' - even to death.
At first, this led Mother Maria to help poor Russian exiles living in Paris, then during the Second World War she aimed at relieving the sufferings of Christ's own people, the Jews, bounded and persecuted by the Gestapo, the Nazi Secret Police. She and her friends gave refuge to and protected many Jews. However, Mother Maria was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp in 1943, where she stayed until she died just before the end of the war.
While she was in the camp, Mother Maria continued identifying herself, like her Master, with the suffering of others, saying, 'I completely accept this suffering... If I die, I see in this a blessing from on high'. She never lost her faith despite the hardships of the concentration camp. She inspired everyone by her love and devotion even in the hard labor Youth Camp' next to the gas chambers, though she became very weak during her time there.
It was Good Friday 1945, right at the end of the war, and the selections were being made for the gas chambers. Mother Maria was not among those selected, but suddenly she found the fulfillment of her life. Seeing the anguish on the faces of those chosen for death, she quickly changed places with one of them and walked into the gas chambers to her death - but she was free. She had given her life to her Master, and now her life's ambition was fulfilled - 'to quench the suffering of the world', with her own self. By her death she helped others to die bravely too. Hers was a life full of suffering but also full of love the kind of joy the misery of the world could not extinguish.
Mother Maria is a true witness of Orthodox Christianity in our own time, and by her actions she demonstrated the faith of her Church in her Master, Christ. In the words of Jesus about another women who served Him during His life. 'It shall be spoken of for a memorial of her' (Mark 14: 9).
The preceding essay was taken from Margaret Doak's book, The Orthodox Church, The Religious Education Press A Division of Pergamon Press. Oxford. Enqland, copyright 1978