Akathist to Saint Blessed Xenia of Petersburg
Kontakion 1
O chosen saint of Christ, holy blessed Xenia, we offer you songs of praise, honoring your patience and free suffering; But you, having boldness towards the Lord, in all troubles and misfortunes, intercede for us sinners who cry to you:
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Ikos 1
You lived like an angel on earth, blessed mother, after the death of your husband, who suddenly passed away without Christian preparation, you abandoned the worldly life, praying to God for your spouse’s soul. Lovat, having accepted the feat of foolishness on yourself, you have acquired spiritual perfection. For this reason, hear from us this praise offered to you:
Rejoice, saint of Christ, who lived above the world in peace; Rejoice, all who have conquered the world, the flesh and the devil.
Rejoice, you who have chosen free poverty for your whole life; Rejoice, thou who desiredst to have treasure in Heaven.
Rejoice, in your life you are equal to Andrei, for Christ’s sake; Rejoice, beloved and glorified by all Orthodox people.
Rejoice, you who calls us to remember the hour of death; Rejoice, you who teach us to love our neighbor’s soul more than this world.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 2
Seeing your strange life, blessed one, as in the flower of your youth, you clothed yourself in the clothes of your deceased husband, and you named yourself in his name, saying to yourself that you died, a house Having left yours and all the good things on earth, you created a wandering place for yourself, your relatives, the crazy you, were like me , the people of the love of God exulted: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The mind that was given to you by God, you hid in an imaginary madness, blessed Xenia; In the bustle of the great city, like a desert woman, you remained, constantly offering up your prayers to God. We, marveling at your life, sing to you:
Rejoice, heavy cross of foolishness, given by God, upon your frame; Rejoice, you who hid the radiance of grace with imaginary madness.
Rejoice, having been called by a man's name, having renounced the infirmities of a woman; Rejoice, you who patiently endured sorrow and sorrow.
Rejoice, thou who hast distributed all thy property to the poor; Rejoice, thou who has prepared a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit in your heart.
Rejoice, good consolation to all who come running to you; Rejoice, sudden deliverance from death.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 3
With the power bestowed on you, with grace and courage, you endured heat and severe cold, praying all night and performing prostrations; In the same way, your holiness, blessed Xenia, was glorified in our long-suffering Fatherland and throughout the Orthodox world, so that we call with you to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
You, O blessed mother, had heaven as your cover and the earth as your bed, you neglected your body, clothed in old clothes, but you offered up fervent prayers to God, this day Let us sing to you:
Rejoice, you spent your earthly life without shelter; Rejoice, thou who sought the heavenly blood and improved it.
Rejoice, you who prayed in the field all day long; Rejoice, you who made prostrations to the entire land of the world there.
Rejoice, you who protected the city of Petrov from troubles with an all-night vigil; Rejoice, you who turned away the wrath of God from him many times.
Rejoice, wonderfully warmed by the grace of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, the coldness of our souls melting through your prayer.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 4
You overcame the storm of life, in the city of Petrov, with meekness and gentleness, blessed mother, and you acquired dispassion in the midst of a vain world and thus, enlightened by the Holy Spirit Dear, you cried out to God, the Giver of the silence of the heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
People heard the wonderful gift of insight revealed by you, holy mother, and were surprised. Behold, you advertised to a certain wife: take a nickel, here is the king on a horse, it will go out. Those who do not know that you saw the burning of her house, came to you and saw your house in flames, and through your prayer the flame of fire was extinguished. Many suffering people resorted to your help, having already acquired it, they called out to you:
Rejoice, you who acquired the gift of insight through extreme humility; Rejoice, you who have shown this gift for the benefit and salvation of the afflicted.
Rejoice, unquenchable light, burning to God in prayers; Rejoice, you who extinguished the burning of houses through your fiery faith.
Rejoice, the coming sorrows of mankind, as well as the present, ripened; Rejoice, former physician, free and merciful.
Rejoice, for you strengthen us, weak in faith; Rejoice, for you illuminate Orthodox people with the radiance of your holiness.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 5
The God-bearing star appeared your holiness on the firmament of the city of Petrov, to the saint of God, enlightening your hearts with its dawn: already for people perishing in the madness of sin, you have shown the path of salvation, instructing them to repentance Let those who live cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen your feats of prayer, your great patience in cold and heat, people have weakened the desire for your suffering; You, the clothes and everything you brought them, gave away to the poor, you kept your poverty, like a treasure. For this reason, hear this from us:
Rejoice, you have based your wealth only in your love for God and your neighbors; Rejoice, you who had nothing earthly and made everyone rich spiritually.
Rejoice, you who have compassion with your merciful hearts; Rejoice, you who sent them help through good people.
Rejoice, stranger to the world, who did good to those living in the world; Rejoice, you who have learned to reject the vanity of this age.
Rejoice, you who move us to weep with those who weep; Rejoice, awakening the sinful from the heavy sleep.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 6
The holiness of your life, blessed one, was quickly preached by the inhabitants of your city, when you, about the baby not yet born, cared for a good wife, in the house given to you, who lived, advertised ́: God sent you a son, go to the Smolensk cemetery. The same one, with diligence, came to the orphan, the mother who was born, who suddenly suffered and died on the way, and received her into her home; All the summer of our life, thanks to you, this gracious family cried out to God the Lover of Mankind: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The glory of your exploits has risen, blessed mother Xenia, when at night you carried the hidden stones to the top of the Smolensk temple, the house of the Most Pure Ones was rewarded with benefits. Now all those who pray in this holy temple and throughout the whole world of God, looking at your image, sing to you like this:
Rejoice, thou who teachest to do good in secret; Rejoice, calling everyone to the feat of piety.
Rejoice, you who help the builder of the temples of God; Rejoice, thou who loved the sanctity of the church.
Rejoice, diligent haste in good deeds; Rejoice, our labors on the path of salvation have been eased.
Rejoice, you who performed great deeds for Mother under the roof of God and thus died; Rejoice, with Her now in Heaven praying for us to Christ.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 7
Although you want to arrange the fate of people for the good, you commanded the maiden’s mother-in-law on Okhta, prophesying that “your husband is burying his wife there.” The same one, even if perplexed, did not disobey your word, and there the young widower, weeping over the tomb of his wife, met and gave him consolation in prayer. The summer passed, she was married, and so many years of living in love and harmony, I instruct my children to you, holy mother, to honor and sing to God the song: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
You, blessed one, showed a new miracle, in the midst of human filth, your soul, hidden by foolishness, was preserved in the meekness of angels. Teach us, Mother Ksenia, to endure the small portions of your sorrows, those who cannot endure and wait for our days in grumbling against God and our neighbor, all sent from above to bear with patience, so that looking at your deeds, behold pure We call you with our hearts:
Rejoice, you who have shown grace-filled wisdom to an evil world; Rejoice, thou who has tasted spiritual poverty and bliss.
Rejoice, you who give us the image of patience and kindness; Rejoice, you who teach us to get rid of troubles through humility and repentance.
Rejoice, you who blessed children with prayer and love; Rejoice, you who miraculously healed them with the touch of your hand.
Rejoice, heavy despondency, crushing the soul, taking away from us; Rejoice, filling with undoubted hope in the mercy of God.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 8
Homeless wanderer, you walked the path of sorrowful life in the capital city of our Fatherland, blessed mother, seeking the city on high, Jerusalem of Heaven; Now in it, with the angels and all the saints, sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All abiding in prayers to the Creator, holy mother, until your dormition, you passed from suffering and labors to a more blessed and eternal life without restraint. For this reason, bending the knees of our hearts, we offer reverent singing to you:
Rejoice, rejoicing in the heavenly abodes from the faces of the saints; Rejoice, and do not forget us who pray to you.
Rejoice, you who showed countless miracles after your dormition; Rejoice, you who healed those who were mortally ill, who were abandoned by doctors.
Rejoice, in the drunkenness of those who perish there is intimidation and correction; Rejoice, good haste for those who have lost their place of service.
Rejoice, widows and wives abandoned by their spouses, patroness; Rejoice, nourisher of wanderers and homeless people.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 9
Assuage all illnesses, blessed mother Xenia, who hope in you and diligently flow to your help: just as those who remembered your soul before for the sake of their own salvation, according to your covenant, so Now remember all those who glorify you, the God who is wonderfully glorified in you, crying out incessantly: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Vitiia the vain cannot understand how with your madness you have exposed the madness of this world and with your weakness you have put the strong and strong to shame: for they do not know the strength in you and the wisdom of God. We, with reverence and love, call you, sice:
Rejoice, village of the Divine Spirit; Rejoice, great boldness towards God.
Rejoice, you who appear at your tomb to those who pray and help them; Rejoice, you who sanctified many people with earth and oil and healed them from ailments.
Rejoice, for you save those possessed by passions from destruction; Rejoice, for you have taught us to deny ourselves.
Rejoice, you who show us the path to salvation through love and humility; Rejoice, thou who art invisibly with us in the temple of God.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 10
If you want to save people, blessed mother Xenia, always grant them your wonderful intercession. Behold, the pious maiden and her widow, who on the eve of the wedding prayed earnestly at your tomb, saved you from marriage with the villain, who also killed the warrior, and his name and rank take it for yourself. On the same day, his murderer was suddenly exposed and, overcome with horror, confessed before everyone that the power of God delivered the orphan from marriage with him, but we, marveling at the power of your prayers that saved us, chanted Let us give to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You are an unbreakable wall, blessed mother, and the home of the Orthodox. Do not leave even now the separated spouses, help the parents who shed tears for their children for their sins, teach the young men and women to keep themselves in purity and for all of us to honor the sanctity of family ties and be united Our lips sing to you:
Rejoice, thou who deliverest pious virgins from unfaithful marriages; Rejoice, you who help them find a good life partner.
Rejoice, kinsman of those at war, good reconciliation; Rejoice, drying up of children's tears.
Rejoice, from the killing of babies in the womb there is a terrible reproach for women; Rejoice, houses were built on the rock of love and faith.
Rejoice, spouses, consolation for those separated by death; Rejoice, their eternal union is in immortal life.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 11
Singing of thanksgiving is offered to you, blessed mother, people of Orthodoxy, from troubles and illnesses through your prayers for deliverance; and now, if the All-Righteous Lord forgives us the sorrow of our sin for our sake, we will fall to you with tears, trusting in your merciful intercession for us to God, and let us sing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
A luminous ray in the darkness of this life, illuminating the path to the Unapproachable Light, you appeared, God-wise Xenia, shining with many miracles. In the cruel times of godless persecution, I did not retreat from your chapel, but, despising the fear of death, I flowed to you with faith and hope, singing with my heart:
Rejoice, hopeless hope; Rejoice, in the abyss of despair of those who are perishing there is salvation.
Rejoice, patroness of the humiliated and persecuted; Rejoice, defender from slander and unjust judgment.
Rejoice, consolation to the offended and disadvantaged; Rejoice, terrible admonition to those who offend.
Rejoice, intercessor of the city of Saint Peter; Rejoice, child of the Russian land, mother and nourisher.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 12
You pour out the grace of consolation abundantly, blessed Xenia, to all who honor your memory and flow to your intercession. Likewise, we, sinners, place our hope in you according to God and pray to you earnestly: do not leave us in a sorrowful situation, beg the Lord for strength, so that we do not fall away from the Orthodox faith, in which we affirm you, Let us call Him faithfully: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your many miracles, blessed mother Xenia, we praise you as our warm intercessor and speedy representative. Receiving gracious help from you, we tirelessly sing to you:
Rejoice, you who have illuminated all the ends of the earth with the light of your meekness; Rejoice, thou who through thy fasting life has put to shame the pride of the devil.
Rejoice, help and blessing to the royal house; Rejoice, the peace of God is planted in the hearts of the faithful.
Rejoice, ever praying for the salvation of our Fatherland; Rejoice in the Heavenly Fatherland, showing us the way.
Rejoice, according to the Mother of God, we are our consolation in sorrow and sorrow; Rejoice, through God there is forgiveness and eternal salvation for our sins.
Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 13
O holy blessed mother Ksenia, in your life you bore a heavy cross. Accept from us, sinners, this prayer brought to you, protect us with your prayers from the slander of the spirits of darkness, from troubles and misfortunes, beg the Almighty God to give us strength and strength, so that we may take up our cross and follow We come to Christ, singing to Him with you forever: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “Equal to the Angels on earth...” and the 1st kontakion “The chosen saint...”.
Prayer
O holy all-blessed mother Ksenia! You lived under the shelter of the Most High, guided and strengthened by the Mother of God, hunger and thirst, cold and heat, endured reproach and persecution, received the gift of clairvoyance and miracles from God, and you received peace under the canopy of the Almighty isishya. Now the Holy Church, like a fragrant flower, glorifies you. Standing at the place of your burial, before your holy image, as you live, who is with us, we pray to you: accept our petitions and bring them to the Throne of the merciful Heavenly Father, as you boldly She who has knowledge towards Him. Ask for eternal salvation for those who flow to you, our generous blessing for good deeds and undertakings, deliverance from all troubles and sorrows. Stand before our All-Merciful Savior with your holy prayers for us, unworthy and sinners. Help, holy blessed mother Xenia, to illuminate the infants with the light of holy baptism and seal the gift of the Holy Spirit, to educate youths and young women in faith, honesty, fear of God and grant them success in learning; Heal the sick and ailing, send love and harmony to families, grant monastics the honor to strive for good deeds and protect them from reproaches, strengthen the shepherds in the fortress of the Holy Spirit, people and preserve our country in peace and serenity, for those deprived of communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ at the hour of death. You are our hope and hope, quick hearing and deliverance, we send thanks to you and with you we glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Veneration and canonization
Researchers determine the time of death of the saint, comparing data from her life with historical events, between 1794 and 1806. Considering the fame that Ksenia of Petersburg enjoyed during her lifetime, we can say with confidence that the whole city saw her off on her last journey. Soon the text of the akathist was compiled, which believers read in churches or at the grave of their beloved saint.
She was canonized only in the 19th century. - first the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia did this, 10 years later (1988) and the Russian Orthodox Church. Icons of the saint, where she is depicted with a stick against the backdrop of a chapel located at the Smolensk cemetery (St. Petersburg), are found everywhere in Orthodox churches today. The saint’s grave immediately became a place of pilgrimage; every day near the chapel you can see people reading the akathist to Xenia of St. Petersburg.
