On the day when we commemorate the memory of the Righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth, the holy parents of St. John the Baptist, theh monastery also marks the Name Day of Maria (Ushakova), the first hegumenia of Diveyevo, according to her name at baptism.

The Ushakov family, besides Elisabeth, had other children named Vasily, Nicholas, Andrew, Ruth, and Natalia.

Venerable Seraphim of Sarov prophesied about her becoming the first Abbess of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery. Matushka Maria headed our monastery for more than forty years.

We can relate to her the words once spoken about the Venerable Moses of Optina: “The miracle of her life and her ministry is the Diveyevo monastery as it has flourished and become famous to practically become the spiritual center of Russia.”