"Elizaveta Iurievna Kuzmina-Karavaeva Skobtsova, later known as Mother Maria, was a Russian Orthodox religious thinker, poet and artist. Her multi-faceted legacy includes articles, poems, art, and drama. In the 1910s she was part of the literary milieu of St. Petersburg and was a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party. She fled Russia soon after the Bolsheviks' takeover and lived in Paris, where she became a nun. In 1935, she participated in organizing the so-called Orthodox Action, which was designed to help Russian immigrants in France. She and her fellow-workers from Orthodox Action opened a house for homeless and sick immigrants in Paris. During the Nazi occupation of the city, the house was transformed into a refuge for Jews and displaced persons. Mother Maria and her son were arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and died in the Ravensbruck camp in Germany. Mother Maria's selfless devotion to people and her death as a martyr will never be forgotten. In 2004, the Holy Synod confirmed the glorification of Mother Maria." - from Columbia University Libraries Special Collection link

What Happened in Rutba

There is a monastic house in the south - Rutba House.  It is named after a town in Iraq where some missionaries were cared for by Iraqi doctors.  During the hostilities of war, this hospital made a vow to care for anyone who needed care.  It did not matter what side they were on.  This amazing story of compassion reminds us of the harrowing words Jesus shares in the story of the Good Samaritan.

This group is a part of the new monasticism and is worth your time to follow their community.  Rutba House

Follow this link for the story: http://www.rustyparts.com/wp/2003/10/31/rutba-house/

Life affirming stories are often so lost in today's media blitz.  This story of grace has blossomed into a community of hope.

Peace,

Tom +

Saint Anthony - father of monasticism
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