This week marks 35 years since the repose of Mother Alexandra, born Princess Ileana of Romania, daughter of King Ferdinand I “the Unifier” and Queen Marie, according to basilica.ro.
She was born at Cotroceni Palace on 23 December 1908. Through her mother, she was related to the royal and imperial families of Great Britain and Russia and through her father, with the royal and imperial families of Germany, Portugal and Brasil.
The international press once called her “the most beautiful child in Europe”. She grew into a model princess, following in her mother’s noble footsteps through artistic talent and social involvement.
She founded the “Queen’s Heart” Hospital in Bran in memory of Queen Marie, worked as a nurse during the Second World War, and led Romania’s Girl Guides as well as the YMCA Christian Women’s Association.
Studies
She studied at Heathfield College in Ascot, Britain, and was athletic, with a passion for yachting—holding a long-distance captain’s licence—as well as for the fine arts. She studied painting with Jean Al. Steriadi and sculpture with Ion Jalea.
She married twice. From her first marriage to Archduke Anton of Austria, she had six children. In 1959, one of her daughters, Archduchess Maria-Ileana (Minola), died in an air accident.
“Duty comes first”
In 1965, she became a nun in France, taking the name Mother Alexandra. In 1967, she founded the first English-speaking Orthodox monastery in the United States, the Transfiguration Monastery in Pennsylvania, at Ellwood City, where she served as abbess.
She returned to Romania only once, in September 1990, when she was warmly welcomed by 2,000 people in Bran.
Mother Alexandra reposed surrounded by her family on 21 January 1991 in Youngstown, Ohio, at the age of 82. She was buried at the Ellwood City Monastery, with a handful of Romanian soil placed beside her.
“From the beginning of your life, you are a public person. You belong to the country. Your personal amusement plays no role. Your duty comes first,” she told Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia, who met her during his studies at Princeton University.
“In my heart, I always wished to become a nun. But there was so much to be done in Romania when I was young,” she said.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, far from the bustling skylines of Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, lies a place where time seems to stand rhythmic only to the tolling of bells. The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City is not merely a religious landmark; it is a profound testament to faith, a bridge between Romanian heritage and the American landscape, and a sanctuary for those seeking silence in a noisy world.
A Princess’s Vision: The Romanian Roots
The story of the monastery is inseparable from its founder, Mother Alexandra. After being exiled from her homeland following the communist takeover, she eventually settled in the United States.
In the 1960s, Mother Alexandra envisioned a place where women from all backgrounds could dedicate their lives to Orthodox monasticism while conducting services in English—a revolutionary idea at the time. In 1967, that vision became a reality on a quiet tract of land in Ellwood City. Today, her tomb remains at the monastery, serving as a site of pilgrimage for those who admire her journey from royalty to renunciation.
The Architecture of Prayer
The monastery complex is a visual dialogue between Byzantine tradition and American craftsmanship. The main chapel, dedicated to the Transfiguration of Our Lord, is adorned with intricate iconography that tells the story of the Christian faith. The vibrant colors and gold leaf flicker under the soft light of beeswax candles, creating an atmosphere of “heaven on earth,” as described by many visitors.
Life Within the Gates
The monastic community follows a rigorous yet peaceful daily schedule (horarium). The day begins long before sunrise with the Divine Office and the Liturgy, followed by periods of manual labor and hospitality.
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The Ministry of Hospitality: One of the monastery’s primary callings is receiving guests. People of all faiths (or none) visit the monastery for retreats, seeking spiritual counsel or simply a few hours of quiet reflection.
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The Bookstore and Arts: The sisters are known for their high-quality publishing house, producing spiritual texts, and their craftsmanship in making prayer ropes, icons, and candles.
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The Grounds: The “Garden of Gethsemane” and the forest paths offer a physical space for meditation, blending the natural beauty of the Pennsylvania Wilds with spiritual symbolism.
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