**Registered Charity Number: 1121760**
## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH**
# **KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **CONTENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Community Information|1|
|Trustees Report|2 - 4|
|Independent Examiners' Report|5|
|Receipts & Payments Account|6|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|7|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|8|
## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **COMMUNITY INFORMATION**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
**Address** Rocks Farm Ewhurst Green Robertsbridge East Sussex TN32 5RJ **Trustees** The Very Reverend Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky Nun Martha (secular name: Olga Persianinova) Kateryna Cherkas (Treasurer and Administrator) **Charity Number** 1121760 **Treasurer** Kateryna Cherkas **Bankers** Lloyds 82 High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1JJ **Independent Examiner** John Caladine FCCA CTA FCIE Caladine Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Chantry House 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne BN21 1BF
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## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their Report and the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **1 Objects and Constitution**
The Trust is governed by a Trust Deed dated 4 July 2007 and registered with the Charity Commission No. 1121760. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Trust Deed, the accounting policies set out on page 8 and applicable law.
The Trust continues its objective to advance the Orthodox Christian faith, in particular by the formation of a monastic community, or more than one such community and to provide for members of the Orthodox Church and others a place of prayer and worship and hospitality.
## **2 Public benefit**
The Trustees consider that the objectives as described above and activities listed below fulfill the requirements of the Charity Commission's public benefit disclosure.
## **3 Organisation**
Trustees were in contact regularly during the year to oversee the work of the trust.
• Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky
- Nun Martha (secular name: Olga Persianinova)
- Kateryna Cherkas
## **4 Review of Activities**
- _(a) Monastic and Liturgical Life_
Mother Martha resides full-time within the Sisterhood, adhering to her monastic rule. Services without a priest are conducted from 6:00 am to 8:30 am and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
On Saturdays, services take place from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Sunday Liturgy, officiated by a priest, is held from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The services are primarily conducted in both English and Church Slavonic.
After the services, the Sisterhood organizes charity lunches for all visitors, accompanied by spiritual talks delivered either by the priest or Mother Martha.
## _(b) Spiritual Activities and missionary work_
- **Web site and Facebook page** provide information regarding the calendar of events and services, reviews of the Orthodox web sites in English, information on pilgrimages to British and Irish Holy places. https://gdelizabeth.org.uk
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**THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **4 Review of Activities (continued)**
- **Books.** We offer books in English and in Russian. Although the turnover is very small, we consider it necessary to continue it being one of the ways of educating our parishioners and giving them opportunity to learn more about Orthodoxy, its services and its saints.
- **Library.** Our parishioners use our library which includes books on Orthodoxy, lives of British and Russian Saints, Orthodox magazines in English and Russian, service books, DVDs etc.
- **Psalter.** The Psalter is read daily by Sister Martha and volunteer parishioners, with prayers offered for the sick and those in need.
- **Church choir.** Chanting is an important part of the Orthodox service and, therefore, the choir plays a major role in church services. Our choir mistress holds choir practices at least twice a week. In addition she provides one-to-one lessons for singers who need them.
## _(c) Missionary Outlook_
The Sisterhood has a missionary outlook.
Many people attending services have rather little experience of regular church life.
We organise and take part in the pilgrimages to the places connected with early Christian British and Irish saints and encourage our parishioners to learn more about early Christian tradition and saints who lived on the British Isles.
Nun Martha continues to organise pilgrimages to the holy places in the UK and she does extensive work on promoting their lives and educating parishioners of the Sisterhood on the history of pre-norman England.
Our priests, Nun and readers are ready to help people who require information about Orthodox teaching and practice.
The Sisterhood continues to have good relations with the local Anglican priest and parishioners.
The Sisterhood plays an important role in supporting and developing the local Orthodox community in Kent
## _(d) Receiving Pilgrims_
The Community welcomes pilgrims and helpers, many have contributed to voluntary work in the garden and helping with the church decoration, cooking, cleaning and other duties. A one-bedroom summer house was built by a few volunteers for parishioners and volunteers to stay overnight at Rocks Farm.
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## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **5 Financial Review and Reserves Policy**
The Community recorded a deficit for the year of £722 (2022: £2,160). Total cash funds at the year end amounted to £572 (2022: £1,294). The Community seeks to retain reserves when possible but not to the detriment of the work of the Community.
## **6 Risk Management**
The Trustees have examined the major strategic business and operation risks which the Trust faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
Rocks Farm Ewhurst Green Robertsbridge East Sussex TN32 5RJ
On behalf of the Trustees
**Kateryna Cherkas** Trustee
Date: 3rd October 2024
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## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Community Of The Holy Martyr The Grand Duchess Elizabeth. ('the Charity') for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- (2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **JOHN CALADINE FCCA CTA FCIE**
Caladine Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne, BN21 1BF
Date: 3rd October 2024
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## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Receipts**
Gifts and donations
Gift Aid recovered
Interest
Other income (loans)
**Total receipts**
**Payments**
Motor, travel and accomodation
Household costs
Building costs
Garden costs
Mobile and landline telephone
Stationery and postage
Honorarium/allowances
Bank charges
Accountancy
Council tax
Donations and gifts
Miscellaneous
**Total payments**
**Net receipts / (payments) in the year**
Cash funds at start of year
**Cash funds at year end**|**£**
**£**
38,133
-
2
900
**39,035**
4,699
13,628
4,500
179
2,049
272
9,500
21
800
1,956
1,455
698
(39,757)
**(39,757)**
**(722)**
1,294
**572**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
34,251
-
-
-
**34,251**
3,427
15,108
7,133
256
1,674
71
3,000
151
180
2,456
350
2,605
(36,411)
**(36,411)**
**(2,160)**
3,454
**1,294**
**2022**|**£**
**£**
34,251
-
-
-
**34,251**
3,427
15,108
7,133
256
1,674
71
3,000
151
180
2,456
350
2,605
(36,411)
**(36,411)**
**(2,160)**
3,454
**1,294**
**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|
||4,699
13,628
4,500
179
2,049
272
9,500
21
800
1,956
1,455
698|3,427
15,108
7,133
256
1,674
71
3,000
151
180
2,456
350
2,605||
||||(36,411)|
|||||
||||**(36,411)**|
||||**(2,160)**
3,454|
||||**1,294**|
## **There are no restricted funds.**
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## **THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Cash funds**
Cash at bank
Petty cash
**Liabilities**
Accountancy
Loan from supporter (interest free)
**Freehold Property**
See note 2|**2023**
**£**
572
-
572
720
900
1,620
-|**2022**
**£**
1,294
-|
|---|---|---|
|||1,294|
|||840
-|
|||840|
|||-|
Approved by the Trustees on 3rd October 2024 and signed on its behalf by
**Trustee** Kateryna Cherkas
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**THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY MARTYR THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY OF ST ELIZABETH**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
The Financial Statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.
## **2. Fixed Assets**
## **Freehold Property - Rooks Farm, Ewhurst Green, Robertsbridge**
The property is held on trust by the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (charity number 277508).
## **3. Incoming Resources**
Income is recognised upon receipt.
## **4. Resources Used**
Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is paid and allocated to the appropriate cost centre. Expenditure includes irrecoverable VAT.
## **5. Funds**
**General funds** represent the funds of the trust that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the community. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the community are also unrestricted and have been incorporated into the General Fund.
## **6. Transactions with Trustees**
None of the Trustees (or persons connected with them) received any remuneration.
An allowance of £3,000 (2022: £3,000) was paid to Nun Martha (Olga Persianinova) to cover out of pocket expenses. Nun Martha also provided the Community an interest free loan in the year of £900 which was still outstanding at the 31 December 2023 year end.
None of the other Trustees had financial transactions with Community.
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