Andrei Halias

The St. Elisabeth Convent, located on the outskirts of Minsk in the Novinki district, is an active women's Orthodox monastery of the Minsk Diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Founded in 1999, it is named after Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna Romanova, who was canonized in 1992. This monastery is the only active monastery in the capital of Belarus and plays an important role in the spiritual life of believers.

History and Spiritual Mission
The history of St. Elisabeth Convent is closely linked to the namesake Sisterhood, which is actively involved in charity and spiritual assistance. The sisters of the monastery provide support to patients in various hospitals in Minsk, including the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health. An important area of the monastery's activity is helping people with special psychophysical needs. They work in psychiatric institutions, homes for children with disabilities, as well as other medical facilities.

The sisters of the monastery are actively involved in charity and the rehabilitation of those who find themselves in difficult life situations. The monastery provides shelter to people in need of help and spiritual support, including former prisoners, the homeless, alcoholics, and drug addicts. In the vicinity of the monastery, in its farmsteads, men and women suffering from various addictions undergo rehabilitation. Under the guidance of the monastic community, they work on farms, in gardens, and in the monastery's workshops, producing souvenirs, clothing, and church items.

Workshops and Monastery Products
St. Elisabeth Convent is known for its workshops where both nuns and novices work. The icon-painting, mosaic, ceramic, and woodcarving workshops create religious items, icons, and interior decorations for churches. The monastery also has blacksmith and metal engraving workshops where metal products are made. In the sewing and embroidery workshops, vestments for clergy, Orthodox clothing for laypeople, and various souvenirs are produced.

The products made in the monastery are in demand not only among the residents of Minsk and numerous pilgrims but also at Orthodox fairs in Russia and abroad. Souvenirs, baked goods, tea, and other products from the monastery attract visitors with their uniqueness and quality, as they are all made from environmentally friendly products grown on the monastery's own farms.

In addition, the monastery is engaged in educational activities. It has a film studio known for its work, including a series of films called “Parables” and animated films for children. The monastery also produces a weekly children's program “Lighthouse’s Little Room,” which helps the younger generation better understand Orthodox traditions and values.

Churches and Relics
The architectural ensemble of the monastery includes eight churches, among which the main one is the St. Elisabeth Church, where relics of saints are kept. The first church built at the monastery was the St. Nicholas Church. An important element of the monastery is the church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sovereign,” adorned with unique Byzantine mosaics. In its crypt is the church in honor of the Royal Martyrs, with a marble font for baptisms. This church, as well as other churches of the monastery, have become centers of attraction for believers.

The monastery grounds include a refectory, monastic shops, and residential buildings where the nuns live. In the shops, you can purchase souvenirs, icons, church vestments, as well as creams, tea, and monastery products. Many of the items are handmade by the nuns of the monastery and have a blessing for use by believers.

Social and Pilgrimage Activities
St. Elisabeth Convent actively supports social projects. The monastery has a pilgrimage service that organizes trips to holy places both in Belarus and abroad. Comfortable conditions have been created for visitors to the monastery. Anyone can join pilgrimage trips or stay at the monastery for spiritual rest and reflection. A special feature of the monastery is also its patronage service, which helps those in need of spiritual support and even offers assistance with burials.

The monastery also participates in international Orthodox fairs. One of these fairs, called “With Love from Belarus,” was held in 2016, where the monastery presented its products and souvenirs and also organized puppet shows for children. Such events help popularize Orthodox traditions and draw attention to spiritual values.

A Place of Tranquility and Spiritual Peace
St. Elisabeth Convent is not only a spiritual center but also a place where everyone can find peace and tranquility. The well-kept gardens and architectural beauty of the monastery create an atmosphere of grace and serenity, helping believers detach from the hustle and bustle of the world and find inner peace. For those seeking answers to life's questions or experiencing spiritual turmoil, a visit to the monastery can be a source of inspiration and support.

The monastery is open to all: both to those who firmly follow Orthodox traditions and to those who are just beginning to search for a spiritual path.

圣伊丽莎白修道院位于明斯克郊区的诺温基地区，是白俄罗斯东正教会明斯克教区的一个正在运作的女性东正教修道院。该修道院成立于1999年，以白俄罗斯大公夫人伊丽莎白·费奥多罗夫娜·罗曼诺娃的名字命名，她于1992年被封圣。这个修道院是白俄罗斯首都唯一的在运作修道院，在信徒的精神生活中扮演着重要的角色。

历史与精神使命
圣伊丽莎白修道院的历史与同名的姐妹会紧密相连，该姐妹会积极从事慈善和精神帮助。修道院的姐妹们为明斯克各医院的患者提供支持，包括国家心理健康科学实践中心。修道院的重要工作之一是帮助有心理和身体发展障碍的人群。她们在精神神经院、残疾儿童寄宿学校及其他医疗机构工作。

修道院的姐妹们积极参与慈善活动和为那些身处困境的人提供康复服务。修道院为需要帮助和精神支持的人提供庇护，包括前囚犯、无家可归者、酗酒者和吸毒者。在修道院周围，受助者在附属院落中进行康复，男性和女性都在这里接受帮助。她们在修士的指导下，在农场、花园及修道院的生产区域工作，比如制作纪念品、衣物和教会用品的车间。

修道院的工坊和产品
圣伊丽莎白修道院以其工坊而闻名，修女和听众在此工作。在图标绘制、马赛克、陶瓷和雕刻工坊中，制作宗教用品、圣像和教堂的内部装饰。此外，修道院还有锻造和铸币工坊，制造金属制品。在缝纫和刺绣工坊中，生产神职人员的祭服、东正教信徒的服装以及各种纪念品。

修道院生产的产品不仅在明斯克居民和众多朝圣者中受到欢迎，还在俄罗斯和国外的东正教集市上热销。修道院的纪念品、烘焙食品、茶和其他产品因其独特性和质量而受到游客的关注，所有产品均采用修道院自家农场种植的生态产品制作而成。

此外，修道院还从事宣传教育工作。修道院设有视频制作工作室，以其作品而闻名，包括“寓言”系列电影和儿童动画片。修道院还发布每周儿童节目《小房间》，帮助年轻一代更好地理解东正教的传统和价值观。

教堂和圣物
修道院的建筑群包括八座教堂，其中主教堂是圣伊丽莎白教堂，里面存放着圣人的遗骨。修道院第一座建成的教堂是圣尼古拉教堂。修道院的一个重要元素是以圣母保卫之像命名的教堂，装饰着独特的拜占庭马赛克。其地下室中有一座以王室殉道者命名的教堂，设有用于洗礼的大理石洗礼池。这座教堂以及修道院的其他教堂，成为信徒们的朝圣中心。

修道院内设有食堂、修道院商店和修女宿舍。商店出售纪念品、圣像、教会祭服以及面霜、茶和修道院产品。许多产品都是修道院住持的手工制作，并获得了信徒使用的祝福。

社会与朝圣活动
圣伊丽莎白修道院积极支持社会项目。修道院设有朝圣服务，组织前往白俄罗斯和海外圣地的旅行。为访问修道院的客人提供舒适的条件。所有人都可以参加朝圣之旅，或在修道院停留以进行精神休息和反思。修道院的一个特色是赞助服务，为那些需要精神支持的人提供帮助，甚至在葬礼上提供协助。

修道院还参与国际东正教集市。其中一场名为“来自白俄罗斯的爱”的集市于2016年举行，修道院展示了其产品和纪念品，并为儿童举办了木偶表演。这类活动有助于推广东正教传统，并吸引人们关注精神价值。

宁静与精神安宁的地方
圣伊丽莎白修道院不仅是一个精神中心，也是每个人都能找到安宁与宁静的地方。精心打理的花园和修道院的建筑美创造了一个恩典与安静的氛围，帮助信徒们从世俗的喧嚣中解脱出来，获得内心的平静。对于那些在生活中寻求答案或经历心灵烦恼的人来说，访问修道院可以成为灵感与支持的源泉。

修道院对所有人开放：无论是坚定遵循东正教传统的人，还是刚开始寻找精神道路的人。