Archpriest Sergius Filimonov is the rector of the hospital parish, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Candidate of Theology. At the same time, he is the chairman of the Society of Orthodox Doctors of St. Petersburg. and confessor of the Sisterhood of St. martyr Tatiana. The first mercy groups were created by Fr. Sergius in 1993. They consisted of Christian women who wanted to serve in the hospital. In 1995–1996 The priest founded the Center of Mercy, the Sisterhood of Mercy of St. Martyr Tatiana. At the same time, the charter of the sisterhood was written. The first edition of the textbook was published in 2000. The proposed book is the second edition, expanded and corrected. This publication summarizes more than two hundred years of experience of merciful sisterhood in Russia and provides a historical outline of women's church ministry since its beginning - the first centuries of Christianity. The book is also the result of the author’s personal practical experience of ten years and the service of the sisters of mercy he cares for in modern state and non-state medical institutions in St. Petersburg. In 2006, the Sisterhood of St. martyr Tatiana was taken under the patronage of the foundation of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, whose monogram is placed on the title page of the textbook.