It is difficult to find a saint whom the Russian people would love more than Xenia of Petersburg. “Ksenyushka” is how her pilgrims affectionately call her. The chapel at her grave in St. Petersburg is constantly crowded with people, thirsty for help and consolation and receiving it. According to tradition, they write her notes with requests and leave them in the chapel, they also read akathists and order prayer services - and Saint Xenia helps everyone who prays with faith and repentance.
Blessed Ksenia of Petersburg is asked for everything in her prayers:
- about health;
- about the gift of a bride or groom, creating a family, happiness in love and marriage;
- about assistance in family problems, family preservation, reconciliation of spouses;
- about the gift of children, the health of infants;
- about assistance in raising children, their education;
- on assistance in solving housing and material problems;
- about healing mental and physical illnesses;
- about assistance in the construction of temples and houses;
- about protection from fires and other disasters;
- about successful trading and success in business;
- about admonishing those who have strayed from the true path, turning to faith;
- about getting rid of alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling addiction and other passions.
Prayer
Oh, holy all-blessed mother Ksenia! Having lived under the shelter of the Most High, knowing and strengthened by the Mother of God, having endured hunger and thirst, cold and heat, reproach and persecution, you have received the gift of clairvoyance and miracles from God and are resting under the canopy of the Almighty. Now the Holy Church, like a fragrant flower, glorifies you: standing at the place of your burial, before your holy image, as if you were alive and present with us, we pray to you: accept our petitions and bring them to the Throne of the Merciful Heavenly Father, as you have boldness towards Him , ask for eternal salvation for those who flow to you, and for our good deeds and undertakings a generous blessing, deliverance from all troubles and sorrows, appear with your holy prayers before our All-Merciful Savior for us, unworthy and sinners, help, holy blessed mother Ksenia, babies with the light of the Holy Illuminate Baptism and seal the gift of the Holy Spirit, educate boys and girls in faith, honesty, fear of God and chastity and grant them success in learning; Heal the sick and ailing, send down love and harmony to families, honor the monastic feat of a good struggle and protect from reproach, strengthen the shepherds in the strength of spirit, preserve our people and country in peace and tranquility, pray for those deprived of communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ in the dying hour: you are ours hope and hope, speedy 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 ages of ages. Amen.
Life
The exact date of birth of Blessed Xenia is unknown. It is believed that she was born between 1719 and 1730. Also, no information has been preserved about the origin of the saint and who her parents were. Only the father's name is known - Gregory.
Having become an adult, Ksenia married Colonel Andrei Petrov, who served as a singer at the Court. But their family happiness was not destined to last long. Soon Andrei died suddenly, and twenty-six-year-old Ksenia was left a widow.
The sudden death of her husband, who did not even have time to prepare in a Christian way for the transition to eternity, shocked the young woman. She suddenly realized how fleeting and illusory everything in this world is. Ksenia decided to leave home, a quiet life and take on the feat of the foolishness of Christ in order to save the soul of her beloved husband.
The young woman changed into her husband’s costume and began to call herself by his name, informing everyone that Ksenia had died. And she really has now died for this vain life. Ksenia began to distribute all her property to acquaintances or just random people.
This behavior of Ksenia made her relatives suspect that she was insanity due to severe shock. But after a conversation with her husband’s superiors, it turned out that she was absolutely healthy and of sound mind. Then Ksenia was given the opportunity to do whatever she saw fit.
From that time on, Ksenia began to lead a wandering life. During the day she walked around St. Petersburg, and at night she went to pray in the field. Occasionally, Ksenia stayed overnight in the houses of pious townspeople. Such a blessed life caused ridicule and talk, especially from the boys. Children often teased the saint and threw stones and earth at her. But after a while, the residents of St. Petersburg saw the homeless woman as a servant of God and began to honor her.
Soon her husband’s suit became dilapidated, and Ksenia dressed in rags. From the clothes offered by compassionate people, she only took skirts and sweaters in red and green (the color of her husband’s uniform). She refused money, except for coppers, and even gave those to the poor.
At night, Ksenia carried bricks for the Church of the Smolensk Mother of God, which was under construction, at the Smolensk cemetery.
For her selfless deeds, Ksenia was honored by God with the gift of insight and healing during her lifetime. The townspeople began to notice that sick children recovered after Ksenia held them in her arms. If the blessed one took something from a shop, then the merchant’s business was brisk. The saint's foresight is confirmed by the fact that she predicted the dates of death of Empress Elizabeth and Emperor John.
Blessed Ksenia endured the difficult feat of foolishness for 45 years. After her death, she was buried in the Smolensk cemetery. Over time, a chapel was built over the saint’s grave, where many people have gathered since then. According to the tradition that developed even before the official glorification of the holy tradition, notes with requests are written to Xenia of St. Petersburg and left in the chapel, stuck in the walls or even sent by mail.
In 1988, the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church canonized Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
Troparion and Glorification of Blessed Elder Xenia of St. Petersburg
Greatness
We magnify you, our holy blessed mother Ksenia, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.
Troparion, tone 7
Having loved the poverty of Christ, now enjoying the immortal table, having exposed the madness of the world with imaginary madness, you have received the power of God through the humility of the Cross.
For this reason, you who have acquired the gift of miraculous help, blessed Xenia, pray to Christ God to deliver us from all evil through repentance. Kontakion, tone 3
Today the city of St. Peter rejoices brightly, as many mourners find consolation, relying on your prayers, O all-blessed Xenia, for you are the praise and affirmation of this city.
Akathist to the Blessed Elder Xenia of St. Petersburg
Kontakion 1
Chosen servant of Christ, blessed holy Xenia, we offer you songs of praise, honoring your patience and free suffering; But you, who have 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 dormition of your husband, who suddenly died without Christian preparation, you rejected worldly life, praying to God for your husband to have mercy on your soul, having accepted the feat of foolishness on yourself, you acquired spiritual perfection. For this reason, hear from us these praises offered to you:
Rejoice, servant of Christ, who lived above the world in the world; Rejoice, all the enemies of the world, the flesh and the devil, victorious. Rejoice, you who have chosen free poverty for your entire life; Rejoice, you who desire to have treasure in Heaven. Rejoice, in your life you are equal to Andrey, for Christ's sake, the holy fool; Rejoice, beloved and glorified by all Orthodox people. Rejoice, calling 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 if in the flower of your youth you were clothed in the clothes of your deceased husband, you were called by his name, saying to yourself that you were dead, but leaving your house and all the good things on earth, you created a wanderer for yourself, your crazy relatives were me. , people hastened in love of God: Hallelujah.
Ikos 2
The mind given to you by God, you hid in 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, who has accepted it into her own frame; Rejoice, you who hid the radiance of grace with imaginary madness. Rejoice, having been called by the name of a man, having renounced the infirmities of a woman; Rejoice, you who meekly endured sorrow and sorrow. Rejoice, thou who hast distributed all thy property to the poor; Rejoice, you who have prepared a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit in your heart. Rejoice, good consolation to all who come to you; Rejoice, sudden deliverance from death. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 3
With the strength bestowed from above, with grace and courage, you endured the heat and severe cold, praying all night and making prostrations;
In the same way, your holiness, blessed Xenia, was glorified in our long-suffering Fatherland and throughout the world by Orthodoxy, so that we call with you to God: Alleluia. Ikos 3
You, O blessed mother, had the sky as your cover and the earth as your bed; You neglected your body, clothed in old clothes, but you offered fervent prayers to God, for this reason we sing to you:
Rejoice, you who spent your earthly life without shelter; Rejoice, you who sought heavenly blood and improved it. Rejoice, you who prayed in the fields all day long; Rejoice, you who made prostrations to the whole 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, you who melt the cold of our souls 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, but you acquired dispassion in the midst of a vain world, and thus, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, you cried out to the Giver of silence of the heart, God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
People heard the wonderful gift of insight revealed by you, holy mother, and were surprised. Behold, you said to a certain wife: take a nickel, here is the king on horseback: it will go out. The same one, not knowing that you saw the burning of her house, came into yours and saw your house in flames: and through your prayer the flame of the fire went out. 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 suffering. Rejoice, unquenchable light, burning to God in prayers; Rejoice, who through your fiery faith extinguished the burning of houses. Rejoice, ripening human sorrows that are yet to come; Rejoice, you who was a free and merciful doctor among people. 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 in the firmament of the city of Petrov, the saint of God, enlightening the hearts with its dawn: for people who are perishing in the madness of sin, you have shown the path of salvation, instructing them to repentance, so that they can cry out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing your prayerful deeds, the great patience of cold and heat, people weaken the desire for your suffering; You gave away the clothes and everything they brought to the poor, your poverty as if you were keeping a treasure. For this reason, hear from us, Sisitsa:
Rejoice, you have based your wealth only in love for God and your neighbors; Rejoice, you who had nothing earthly and enriched everyone spiritually. Rejoice, having compassion with your merciful heart for those who suffer; Rejoice, you who sent them help through good people. Rejoice, stranger to the world, who has done good for those living in the world; Rejoice, you who taught us to reject this world of superstition. Rejoice, weeping with those who weep, moving us forward; Rejoice, awakening one from the heavy sleep of sin. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 6
The holiness of your life, blessed one, was quickly preached by the inhabitant of your city, when you, caring for a baby not yet born, caring for a good wife, in the house you gave, lived, proclaimed: God sent you a son, flow to the Smolensk cemetery.
The same one, with diligence, flowed in, an orphan, born of matter, who suddenly suffered and died along the way, and received her into her house: all the years of her life, giving thanks to you, this gracious family cried out to God the Lover of Mankind: Alleluia. Ikos 6
The glory of your exploits shone, blessed mother Xenia, when you carried hidden stones to the top of the Smolensk temple at night, rewarding the house of the Most Pure One. Now all those praying in this holy temple and throughout the whole world of God, looking at your image, sing to you like this:
Rejoice, you who teach us to do good in secret; Rejoice, calling everyone to the feat of piety. Rejoice, thou who helpest the builder of the temples of God; Rejoice, thou who loved the shrine of the Church. Rejoice, diligent haste in good deeds; Rejoice, our labors on the path of salvation are relieved. Rejoice, you who performed deeds under the roof of God and died thus; Rejoice, now with Her in Heaven praying to Christ for us. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 7
Wanting to arrange human destinies for the good, you commanded the maiden to be the mother-in-law’s mother-in-law, 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 coffin of his wife, met and gave him consolation in prayer. The summer that passed, she was married, and having lived for many years in love and harmony, I instruct my children to honor you, holy mother, and sing to God the song: Alleluia. Ikos 7
You showed a new miracle, O blessed one, 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 who wait for our days in grumbling against God and our neighbor, who are sent from above to bear with patience, so that, looking at your deeds, with a pure heart we call to you:
Rejoice, you who have shown gracious wisdom to an evil world; Rejoice, thou who has tasted spiritual poverty and bliss. Rejoice, you who give us the image of patience and mercy; 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, filled with undoubted hope in God’s mercy. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 8
A homeless wanderer, you have passed through the sorrowful path of your life in the capital city of our Fatherland, blessed mother, seeking the city on high, Heavenly Jerusalem;
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 exploits to a blessed and eternal life without restraint. For this reason, bending the knees of our hearts, we offer you reverent singing:
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 and 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 places of service. Rejoice, widows and wives abandoned by their spouses, patroness; Rejoice, wanderers and shelterless nourisher. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 9
Alleviate all illnesses, blessed mother Xenia, who hope in you and diligently flock to your help: just as those who previously remembered your soul for the sake of their salvation, according to your covenant, so now remember all those who glorify you, to God, who is wonderfully glorified in you, crying out incessantly: Hallelujah.
Ikos 9
The vain Vetians cannot understand how with your madness you have exposed the madness of this world and how you have put to shame the mighty and mighty with your weakness: for they do not know the power and wisdom of God in you. We call you with reverence and love:
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 from it and healed them from illnesses. 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, you who dwell with us invisibly in the temple of God. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 10
People who want to be saved, blessed mother Ksenia, grant them your wonderful intercession.
Behold, the pious maiden and her widow, who on the eve of her wedding prayed fervently at your tomb, saved you from marriage with a villain, who killed a warrior, and appropriated his name and rank for yourself. On the same day, this murderer was suddenly exposed and, overcome with horror, confessed to everyone, as if the power of God had delivered the orphan from marriage with him, we, marveling at the power of your prayers that save us, sing to God: Alleluia. Ikos 10
You are an indestructible wall, blessed mother, and the home of the Orthodox. Do not leave the separated spouses now, help as a parent who sheds tears for their children for their sins, teach young men and virgins to keep themselves in purity and honor all of us with the sanctity of family ties, so that with one mouth we sing like this:
Rejoice, thou who deliverest pious virgins from unfaithful marriages; Rejoice, you who help them find a good life partner. Rejoice, kinsman of the warring, good reconciliation; Rejoice, drying of children's tears. Rejoice, for the killing of babies in the womb is a terrible punishment for wives; Rejoice, houses have been built on the rock of love and faith. Rejoice, consolation for spouses separated by death; Rejoice, in immortal life their eternal union. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 11
Singing of thanksgiving is brought to you, blessed mother, by the people of Orthodoxy, from troubles and illnesses through your prayers of deliverance: and now, if the All-Righteous Lord allows us to suffer our sins, we will fall to you with tears, trusting in your merciful intercession for us to God, so that we may 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 fierce times of godless persecution, I did not retreat faithfully 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, salvation in the abyss of despair for those who are perishing. Rejoice, patroness of the humiliated and persecuted; Rejoice, protector from the slander of an unjust court. Rejoice, consolation to the offended and disadvantaged; Rejoice, threatening admonition to those who offend. Rejoice, intercessor of the city of St. Peter; Rejoice, child of the Russian mother and nourisher of the earth. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 12
The grace of consolation was abundantly poured out, blessed Xenia, to all who honor your memory and flow to your intercession.
In the same way, we, sinners, place our hope in you according to God and pray to you fervently: do not leave us in sorrowful circumstances, pray to the Lord for strength, so that we do not fall away from the Orthodox faith, in which we are confirmed by you, we call Him faithfully: Alleluia. Ikos 12
Singing your many miracles, blessed Mati Ksenia, we praise you as our warm intercessor and speedy intercessor. Receiving gracious help from you, we tirelessly sing to you:
Rejoice, having 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, for the Mother of God is our consolation in sorrows and sorrows; Rejoice, according to God there is forgiveness of our sins and eternal salvation. Rejoice, blessed Xenia, prayer book for our souls. Kontakion 13
O holy blessed mother Ksenia, who bore a heavy cross in your life.
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 All-Bountiful God to give us strength and strength, so that having taken up our cross, we will follow Christ, singing to Him with you forever: Alleluia. This Kontakion is read three times. Then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read.
