Russian Church Abroad Strengthens Ties with Jerusalem Patriarchate, Appoints New Abbess on Mount of Olives
Metropolitan Nicholas meets with Patriarch Theophilos III and installs Abbess Judith at historic Ascension Convent
JERUSALEM—On May 27–28, 2025, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem during the leave-taking of Holy Pascha. He was received by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, in the small throne room of the Patriarchate.
Metropolitan Nicholas was accompanied by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and Nun Judith (Zastavskaya), a resident of the Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mount of Olives. During the meeting, conducted in a warm and fraternal atmosphere, the Metropolitan presented the Patriarch with a painted copy of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, a revered symbol of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
The main purpose of the visit was to introduce Nun Judith as the newly appointed abbess of the Holy Ascension Convent. Her appointment had been confirmed by the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR. Patriarch Theophilos warmly received Mother Judith, blessed her for her new obedience, and offered words of spiritual encouragement and pastoral counsel for her future leadership.
In return, Patriarch Theophilos presented Metropolitan Nicholas with a mother-of-pearl panagia and an icon of the Jerusalem Mother of God, as a sign of brotherly love and ecclesiastical unity.
The next day, May 28, on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the convent's Cathedral Church. He was joined by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, Archimandrite Roman, clergy of the mission, and numerous pilgrims. At the appointed moment in the liturgy, Mother Judith was officially installed as abbess, receiving the pastoral staff and pectoral cross.
Following the service, Patriarch Theophilos visited the convent, offering greetings and blessings to the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful gathered at the sacred site of the Lord’s Ascension—a moment underscoring the deep and enduring ties between the Russian Church Abroad and the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
UOJ-America previously reported on the arrival of Met. Nicholas in the Holy Land.
