Saint Elena of Diveyevo, in the world Elena Vasilyevna Manturova, came from an ancient noble family and lived in the ancestral village of Nucha in the Nizhny Novgorod province. At the age of 17, seeking a worldly life, she was turned to spiritual life after a vision of a terrible serpent, from which she called upon the Queen of Heaven with a promise to enter a monastery.
Elena Vasilyevna turned to Father Seraphim of Sarov for a blessing to enter the monastery, and only after three years did she receive his consent to join the Diveyevo Kazan community. The elder predicted that she would marry the Heavenly Bridegroom – the Lord Jesus Christ.
She worked diligently in obedience, fulfilling difficult tasks and was appointed as a church attendant and sacristan. Elena Vasilyevna showed extraordinary kindness, secretly helping the sisters. Once, when her brother Mikhail fell ill, Father Seraphim said to her: “He must die, Mother, but I still need him for our monastery. So here is your obedience: you must die for Mikhail Vasilyevich!”
Before her death, on May 28, 1832, she was graced with miraculous visions, including the heavenly monastery of Diveyevo. Elena Vasilyevna was buried next to Mother Alexandra, and miracles and healings occurred at her grave. In 2000, her incorrupt relics were discovered and placed in the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, and on December 22 of the same year, she was glorified as a locally revered saint of the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese.
Orthodox believers commemorate her on May 28 (June 10) and July 8 (21), and by the prayers of Saint Elena, miracles of healing from various diseases are performed.
