After the tragic death of her husband, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine, founded the Marfo-Mariinsky (Martha and Mary) Convent with the proceeds from the sale of her jewels and donations from benefactors. The Convent had its distinctive rules: the Sisters made the vows of obedience and chastity but were not initiated into the monastic state. They served the needs of people but could leave the Convent after a certain time and start a family, unlike nuns.
Prior to preparing the Statute of the Convent, the Grand Duchess visited convents, studied ancient religious texts, and talked to the elders. Elizabeth Feodorovna was one of the supporters of the revival of the institution of deaconesses. In the period of Early Christianity, deaconesses were women who were consecrated but did not participate in the Sacraments of Church.
Prior to preparing the Statute of the Convent, the Grand Duchess visited convents, studied ancient religious texts, and talked to the elders. Elizabeth Feodorovna was one of the supporters of the revival of the institution of deaconesses. In the period of Early Christianity, deaconesses were women who were consecrated but did not participate in the Sacraments of Church.
