Abbess Alexandra (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) - Revision history

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Reflections */

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Reflections

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	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

			Mother Alexandrea (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) lived an exemplary life of service in her earlier days ; and when she accepted the Lord's call to the way of repentance as a monk, she continued in a similar, Christ-directed and Christ-focussed path. She was not the first royal person to embrace the way of repentance in monasticism, but she was certainly amongst the notable ones who have done so over many centuries. Her embracing of this way of complete service to the Lord as a monk opened doors for many others to do likewise. The community she established began under her maternal guidance to bring hope, help, and firm direction to the large number of people who have turned to them until now. Moreover, her foundation effectively involved the establishment also of the daughter community in Michigan ; and the witness, and service continued and continues. Long after her repose in Christ, the epitaph on her grave-marker is an apt statement about her life in Christ, and an encouragement to us all.

	On the 25th anniversary of the repose of Mother Alexandra, the date was specially commemorated. She had begun life as Princess Ileana of Romania. She arrived in America, pawned her jewels, and founded Holy Transfiguration Monastery near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The monastery's journal on this occasion featured writings by Mother Alexandra. The following is one of them, found handwritten in a notebook :		On the 25th anniversary of the repose of Mother Alexandra, the date was specially commemorated. She had begun life as Princess Ileana of Romania. She arrived in America, pawned her jewels, and founded Holy Transfiguration Monastery near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The monastery's journal on this occasion featured writings by Mother Alexandra. The following is one of them, found handwritten in a notebook :

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Abbess Benedicta (Braga), 1981 */

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Abbess Benedicta (Braga), 1981

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	'''Archimandrite Roman (Braga)'''		'''Archimandrite Roman (Braga)'''

	[In 1983, https://orthodoxcanada.ca/index.php?title=Archimandrite_Roman_(Braga)&action=edit&section=12 Father Roman (Braga)] was assigned to serve as the spiritual father and serving priest at Holy Transfiguration Monastery. He was a younger brother of Abbess Benedicta.		In 1983, [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/index.php?title=Archimandrite_Roman_(Braga)&action=edit&section=12 Father Roman (Braga)] was assigned to serve as the spiritual father and serving priest at Holy Transfiguration Monastery. He was a younger brother of Abbess Benedicta.

	==Founding of Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery, 1987-1988==		==Founding of Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery, 1987-1988==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Founding Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1967 */

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Founding Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1967

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	In another interview with the Press in 1979, she said of her formation, "I was never raised to be soft. Even though I was well-educated, well-dressed and lived in castles, my mother did not shelter me from the world. She insisted that I see life as it is".		In another interview with the Press in 1979, she said of her formation, "I was never raised to be soft. Even though I was well-educated, well-dressed and lived in castles, my mother did not shelter me from the world. She insisted that I see life as it is".

	When she became Sister Ileana the title "Princess" became a thing of the past, but only for the profession she had embraced. The true-blue, royal blood of a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria could not be changed by the new habit she wore, nor did our people think otherwise. For them, she continued~~, and continues~~ to be a Domnitza, a Royal lady with capital letters.		When she became Sister Ileana the title "Princess" became a thing of the past, but only for the profession she had embraced. The true-blue, royal blood of a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria could not be changed by the new habit she wore, nor did our people think otherwise. For them, she continued to be a Domnitza, a Royal lady with capital letters.


			[[File:NewHabit 1.jpg]] '''Mother Alexandra in the new monastic habit'''

	==Abbess Benedicta (Braga), 1981==		==Abbess Benedicta (Braga), 1981==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Monastic tonsure */

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Monastic tonsure

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	==Monastic tonsure==		==Monastic tonsure==

	In 1961, with the blessing of the then [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Anthony_(Bloom)_of_Sourozh Bishop Anthony (Bloom)] of Sergievo and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Diocese_of_Sourozh the Exarchate of Western Europe] (who lived and served in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London London], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England England]), she began testing her sense of calling to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastic] life. She travelled to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France France], where she entered the [https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/12165/france/yonne/bussy-en-othe/monastery/our-lady-of-all-protection-orthodox-monastery Women’s Monastery of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God] in ] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussy-en-Othe Bussy-en-Othe], in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourgogne-Franche-Comt%C3%A9 ~~Bourgogn~~]e. While she was in this monastery, she was tonsured a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism#Monastic_grades Rasophore Nun], and she was called Sister Ileana.		In 1961, with the blessing of the then [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Anthony_(Bloom)_of_Sourozh Bishop Anthony (Bloom)] of Sergievo and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Diocese_of_Sourozh the Exarchate of Western Europe] (who lived and served in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London London], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England England]), she began testing her sense of calling to the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastic] life. She travelled to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France France], where she entered the [https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/12165/france/yonne/bussy-en-othe/monastery/our-lady-of-all-protection-orthodox-monastery Women’s Monastery of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bussy-en-Othe Bussy-en-Othe], in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourgogne-Franche-Comt%C3%A9 Bourgogne].

			While she was in this monastery, she was tonsured a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism#Monastic_grades Rasophore Nun], and she was called Sister Ileana.

			Sister Ileana remained in this monastery for 6 years, although she visited the USA each summer so as to maintain her [https://www.uscis.gov/green-card permanent residency status]. While there, she taught at the [https://www.oca.org/media/photos/the-80th-anniversary-of-the-vatra-romaneasc Romanian Vatra] about the Orthodox Christian Faith, and about monasticism.

			During this period, it became clear to her that North America needed an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language English-speaking] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] for women.

	Sister Ileana remained in this monastery for 6 years, although she visited the USA each summer so as to maintain her [https://www.uscis.gov/green-card permanent residency status]. While there, she taught at the [https://www.oca.org/media/photos/the-80th-anniversary-of-the-vatra-romaneasc Romanian Vatra] about the Orthodox Christian Faith, and about monasticism. During this period, it became clear to her that North America needed an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language English-speaking] [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism monastery] for women.
	In 1967, Sister Ileana (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) was tonsured to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism#Monastic_grades Stavrophore Nun], and she was given the name Alexandra.		In 1967, Sister Ileana (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) was tonsured to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monasticism#Monastic_grades Stavrophore Nun], and she was given the name Alexandra.

	At that time, Mother Alexandra was given the blessing to attempt the founding of a women’s monastic community in her adopted country, the USA.		At that time, Mother Alexandra was given the blessing to attempt the founding of a women’s monastic community in her adopted country, the USA.

	In 1964, property had been purchased at Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, with a view to the potential establishment of a monastery within the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA). This was under the [omophor] of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Valerian_(Trifa) Archbishop Valerian (Triva)].		In 1964, property had been purchased at Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, with a view to the potential establishment of a monastery within the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (ROEA). This was under the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Omophorion omophor] of [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/Archbishop_Valerian_(Trifa) Archbishop Valerian (Triva)].

	The search for a suitable monastery location went coast to coast for several years. From the many sites the search committee checked out, two potential properties for a monastery surfaced in 1966: a 40-acre property located in Smith Valley, Nevada, a desert-location much to the liking of Sister Ileana, considering the historical tradition of the beginning of monasticism to locate monastic communities in the desert, and the present 96-acre location in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania location had much in its favor regarding its proximity to Orthodox communities (centers) and accessibility to those communities, whereas the "desert" location recommended itself for its isolation and insulation from the jurisdictional squabbles of that time, from which this trail-blazing monastery wanted to stay away. Besides, the desert was more conducive to the contemplative life of a monastery, and Sister Ileana was attracted towards something she never had in her life: solitude. In the end, practical considerations prevailed and the present location in Pennsylvania was chosen.		The search for a suitable monastery location went coast to coast for several years. From the many sites the search committee checked out, two potential properties for a monastery surfaced in 1966: a 40-acre property located in Smith Valley, Nevada, a desert-location much to the liking of Sister Ileana, considering the historical tradition of the beginning of monasticism to locate monastic communities in the desert, and the present 96-acre location in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania location had much in its favor regarding its proximity to Orthodox communities (centers) and accessibility to those communities, whereas the "desert" location recommended itself for its isolation and insulation from the jurisdictional squabbles of that time, from which this trail-blazing monastery wanted to stay away. Besides, the desert was more conducive to the contemplative life of a monastery, and Sister Ileana was attracted towards something she never had in her life: solitude. In the end, practical considerations prevailed and the present location in Pennsylvania was chosen.

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose, 1991 */

2025-05-25T00:34:43Z

Repose, 1991

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	On Thursday evening, 24 January, 1991, the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.		On Thursday evening, 24 January, 1991, the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.


			[[File:HolyTransfigurationChapelEllwoodCityPascha 2.jpg]] '''Holy Transfiguration Monastery Chapel'''


	On Friday, 25 January, 1991, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served in the monastery chapel for the newly-departed Abbess Alexandra. Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Litya_for_the_Departed.pdf Memorial Litya] was served before the closing of the coffin.		On Friday, 25 January, 1991, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served in the monastery chapel for the newly-departed Abbess Alexandra. Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Litya_for_the_Departed.pdf Memorial Litya] was served before the closing of the coffin.

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose, 1991 */

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Repose, 1991

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	==Repose, 1991==		==Repose, 1991==

	Mother Alexandra reposed in the Lord on 21 January, 1991 surrounded by her worldly and spiritual family. She had had another heart attack.		Mother Alexandra reposed in the Lord on Monday, 21 January, 1991, surrounded by her worldly and spiritual family. She had had another heart attack.

	~~The~~ [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.		On Thursday evening, 24 January, 1991, the [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.

	Following the funeral obsequies, her body was taken in procession to the monastery cemetery, where it was interred. She had kept a small gilded box containing Romanian soil that she had saved since leaving her homeland in 1948. The box was interred with her at her request.		On Friday, 25 January, 1991, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served in the monastery chapel for the newly-departed Abbess Alexandra. Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Litya_for_the_Departed.pdf Memorial Litya] was served before the closing of the coffin.

			Following the funeral obsequies, her body was taken in a procession to the monastery cemetery, where it was interred. She had kept a small gilded box containing Romanian soil that she had saved since leaving her homeland in 1948. The box was interred with her at her request.

	She had requested the following verse to be on her gravestone : “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord, so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7).		She had requested the following verse to be on her gravestone : “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord, so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7).


	[[File:Oca.org-motheralexandra-gravemarker 2.jpg]] '''Grave-marker'''		[[File:Oca.org-motheralexandra-gravemarker 2.jpg]] '''Grave-marker Cross'''


			[[File:Grave-markerAbbessAlexandra 2.jpg]] '''Closeup of the grave-marker'''

	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Founding Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1967 */

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Founding Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1967

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	==Founding Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1967==		==Founding Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1967==

	After the tonsure, Mother Alexandra (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) moved back to the United States of America, and she founded the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monastery_of_the_Transfiguration_(Ellwood_City,_Pennsylvania) Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellwood_City,_PennsylvaniaEllwood City], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania], the first English language Orthodox monastery in North America. In doing so, she was the third female descendant of [Queen Victoria] to become an Orthodox Christian [Abbess] in a monastery of her own foundation. The others were Princess Elisabeth of Hesse, (later Abbess Elisabeth, and Saint Elisabeth), and Princess Alice of Battenberg (mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh). She served as abbess until her retirement in 1981, remaining at the monastery until her death.		After the tonsure, Mother Alexandra (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) moved back to the United States of America, and she founded the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monastery_of_the_Transfiguration_(Ellwood_City,_Pennsylvania) Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellwood_City,_PennsylvaniaEllwood City], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania], the first English language Orthodox monastery in North America. In doing so, she was the third female descendant of [Queen Victoria] to become an Orthodox Christian [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Abbess Abbess] in a monastery of her own foundation. The others were Princess Elisabeth of Hesse, (later Abbess Elisabeth, and Saint Elisabeth), and Princess Alice of Battenberg (mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh). She served as abbess until her retirement in 1981, remaining at the monastery until her death.

	Slowly, through Mother Alexandra's relentless efforts, the Monastery of the Transfiguration took shape and began functioning as a religious institution. A year after its founding, in September of 1968, the chapel of the monastery was consecrated by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Iriney, and six months later, Mother Alexandra was appointed Mother Superior of the Monastery and invested as such by His Grace, Bishop Valerian on March 25, 1969.		Slowly, through Mother Alexandra's relentless efforts, the Monastery of the Transfiguration took shape and began functioning as a religious institution. A year after its founding, in September of 1968, the chapel of the monastery was consecrated by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Iriney, and six months later, Mother Alexandra was appointed Mother Superior of the Monastery and invested as such by His Grace, Bishop Valerian on March 25, 1969.
	Building the community of nuns which the Monastery of the Transfiguration is today was not an easy task to accomplish. Postulants would come and go and at times she felt all alone, but she did not give up. Today, the Monastery of the Transfiguration is a viable, first of its kind institution, an all-American, English-speaking monastery in the United States, a part of the Orthodox Church in America and under the canonical obedience to Bishop Nathaniel, a religious institution in which any and all ethnic groups may feel at home.		Building the community of nuns which the Monastery of the Transfiguration is today was not an easy task to accomplish. Postulants would come and go and at times she felt all alone, but she did not give up. Today, the Monastery of the Transfiguration is a viable, first of its kind institution, an all-American, English-speaking monastery in the United States, a part of the Orthodox Church in America and under the canonical obedience to Bishop Nathaniel, a religious institution in which any and all ethnic groups may feel at home.

	Princess Ileana dedicated the last 30 years of her life to her Church, a dedication in which she found the, peace of mind she had been seeking. But they had also been physically stressful years, conquered only by her indomitable spirit to overcome physical pain and adversities. However, in July of 1981, because of ill health and failing strength, she most humbly requested Archbishop Valerian to release her from the responsibilities incumbent upon the Office of Abbess.		Princess Ileana dedicated the last 30 years of her life to her Church, a dedication in which she found the, peace of mind she had been seeking. But they had also been physically stressful years, conquered only by her indomitable spirit to overcome physical pain and adversities. However, in July of 1981, because of ill health and failing strength, she most humbly requested Archbishop Valerian to release her from the responsibilities incumbent upon the Office of Abbess.

	In an interview published in The Ellwood City Ledger, Grace Rischell described Mother Alexandra as "a woman with definitive ideas. In an age of situational and relative morality, she has something people don't mention much anymore: character. Her concepts about what is right or wrong are clear and steadfast." I found this to be a most accurate description of Mother Alexandra.		In an interview published in "The Ellwood City Ledger", Grace Rischell described Mother Alexandra as "a woman with definitive ideas. In an age of situational and relative morality, she has something people don't mention much anymore: character. Her concepts about what is right or wrong are clear and steadfast. I found this to be a most accurate description of Mother Alexandra".

			In another interview with the Press in 1979, she said of her formation, "I was never raised to be soft. Even though I was well-educated, well-dressed and lived in castles, my mother did not shelter me from the world. She insisted that I see life as it is".

	When she became Sister Ileana the title "Princess" became a thing of the past, but only for the profession she had embraced. The true-blue, royal blood of a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria could not be changed by the new habit she wore, nor did our people think otherwise. For them, she continued, and continues to be a Domnitza, a Royal lady with capital letters.		When she became Sister Ileana the title "Princess" became a thing of the past, but only for the profession she had embraced. The true-blue, royal blood of a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria could not be changed by the new habit she wore, nor did our people think otherwise. For them, she continued, and continues to be a Domnitza, a Royal lady with capital letters.

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose, 1991 */

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Repose, 1991

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	The [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.		The [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.

	Following the funeral obsequies, her body was taken in procession to the monastery cemetery, where it was interred.		Following the funeral obsequies, her body was taken in procession to the monastery cemetery, where it was interred. She had kept a small gilded box containing Romanian soil that she had saved since leaving her homeland in 1948. The box was interred with her at her request.

	She had requested the following verse to be on her gravestone : “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord, so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7).		She had requested the following verse to be on her gravestone : “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord, so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7).

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose, 1991 */

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Repose, 1991

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	Mother Alexandra reposed in the Lord on 21 January, 1991 surrounded by her worldly and spiritual family. She had had another heart attack.		Mother Alexandra reposed in the Lord on 21 January, 1991 surrounded by her worldly and spiritual family. She had had another heart attack.

	The ~~Funeral~~ Services for the Burial of a Monk were offered for her in the monastery chapel.		The [https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/funeral/Burial_Monk.pdfFuneral Services for the Burial of a Monk] were offered for her in the monastery chapel.

	Following the funeral obsequies, her body was taken in procession to the monastery cemetery, where it was interred.		Following the funeral obsequies, her body was taken in procession to the monastery cemetery, where it was interred.

	She had requested the following verse to be on her gravestone : “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord, so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7).		She had requested the following verse to be on her gravestone : “None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord, so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:7).


			[[File:Oca.org-motheralexandra-gravemarker 2.jpg]] '''Grave-marker'''

	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Marriage, 1931 */

2025-05-24T22:59:35Z

Marriage, 1931

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	==Marriage, 1931==		==Marriage, 1931==

	In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele%C8%99_Castle Peleș Castle] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinaia Sinaia], Romania, on 26 July 1931, Princess Ileana married the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Anton_of_Austria Archduke Anton ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Habsburg Habsburg-Lorraine) of Austria]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Anton_of_Austria Prince of Tuscany].		In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele%C8%99_Castle Peleș Castle] at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinaia Sinaia], Romania, on 26 July 1931, Princess Ileana married the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Anton_of_Austria Archduke Anton] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Habsburg Habsburg-Lorraine) of Austria]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Anton_of_Austria Prince of Tuscany].


			[[File:Bundesarchiv Rumänien, Hochzeit im Königshaus 2.jpg]] '''Archduke Anton, Princess Ileana, newlyweds'''


	Soon after the wedding, King Carol II claimed that the Romanian people would never tolerate a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Habsburg Habsburg] living on Romanian soil ; and on these grounds, he refused Ileana and Anton permission to live in Romania. Thus, they had no choice but to leave Romania.		Soon after the wedding, King Carol II claimed that the Romanian people would never tolerate a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Habsburg Habsburg] living on Romanian soil ; and on these grounds, he refused Ileana and Anton permission to live in Romania. Thus, they had no choice but to leave Romania.