I lived in Moscow as a graduate student at MGIMO not far from the Novodevichy Convent in 1991, and this beautiful haven was a constant source of peace for me in a year of turmoil. I loved to walk through the gardens and visit the chapels, particularly in the spring and summer, although I also loved its quietude during the snowy winter months. I returned on subsequent business trips with others, and my first place to take newcomers to Moscow was to see Novodevichy. A visit to U Pirosmani restaurant, just up the street, would follow for some delicious Georgian food.

Now I am a Roman Catholic religious sister in the US, and I hope that someday I'll be blessed to again visit Moscow - after visiting the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Louis, where I attended Mass when I lived in Moscow, I will go to Novodevichy and again walk its peaceful paths, this time myself as a women consecrated to God through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.