…is a mission parish of ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) and was founded to serve and worship the Lord Jesus Christ and bring the healing Sacraments of the faith to both Russian and English-speaking Orthodox Christians.

In August of 2018 Fr. Theodore Obraztsov was ordained by His Eminence, Met. Hilarion, First Hierarch of ROCOR (blessed repose2022) and assigned as presiding priest of the mission in Stanwood Washington. The mission was originally created as a Western Rite parish of ROCOR. Following Fr. Theodore’s assignment he began studying and learning the Eastern Rites under the supervision of local Antiochian priest Fr. David Hovik (St. Andrew OC, Arlington WA) and ROCOR archpriest Alex Kotar (St. Nicholas Cathedral, Seattle WA).

After the repose of Met. Hilarion a Synod gathered in New York (2022) in which a new primate of ROCOR was elected; His Eminence, Archbishop Nicholas. At this sobor Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America and Bishop Theodosy (rector of the Seattle Cathedral) requested that the Stanwood mission come under the Western Diocese of America. This was granted and later that year (December 19th) at the 90 year celebration of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Archbishop Kyrill generously granted that the mission be renamed St. Elizabeth of Russia Orthodox Church.

Every day is very exciting for the mission. On July 20, 2024, days after the patronal feast of St. Elizabeth, the vision for the church came into fruition by the grace and mercy of our God. The Lord granted 2.5 acres of farmland to the mission. There is a house for Fr. Theodore and Mat. Helen and there is an extra building to be converted into the Church. The first services begin Saturday, July 27th.