Many believers know firsthand that St. Ksenia of Petersburg cannot be compared with anyone except the blessed Matrona of Moscow by the number of people who convert and performed miracles. For the cultural capital of our homeland - St. Petersburg - Ksenia has become a real charm from misfortunes and a defender of all adversities. The icon of Ksenia the Blessed in St. Petersburg has helped more than one thousand people.
In total, St. Petersburg has three intercessors, including Alexander Nevsky, who was canonized, as well as John of Kronstadt. The unusual interest of many historical figures is caused by the somewhat strange fact that the saints listed above have huge temples named after them, and Ksenia of Petersburg is buried in a small and very modest grave, next to which a miniature chapel was built. Nevertheless, the burial of the saint, as well as the icon of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg, whose photo and description of the life will be presented in this article, are still officially recognized as the most popular pilgrimage sites in St. Petersburg.
The phenomenon and unusual life of a saint
According to rough estimates, St. Xenia of Petersburg was born in 1720-1730, no exact information was found on this subject. Death dates from approximately 1790-1810. Ksenia, an ordinary woman, was still married to a singer who served in the retinue of Elizaveta Petrovna, whose name was Andrei Fedorovich Petrov. It is known that the husband of Xenia bore the military rank of colonel. The family life of Ksenia of Petersburg ended abruptly when Andrei Fedorovich went to another world due to infection with an incurable disease at that time.
The death of her husband left a huge imprint in the heart of a young woman, she fell into despair, led a hermit lifestyle and reacted to the name of her deceased husband, as if to her own. The situation was also aggravated by the fact that Ksenia felt immensely guilty that her beloved man had died without repenting to the Lord. Since then, Ksenia had no children, she did not enter into a new relationship and generally began to live as modestly as possible. Ksenia even sometimes had thoughts about saying goodbye to life.
Love is stronger than death
Even Ksenia Grigoryevna’s neighbors began to notice that not everything was okay with her. The woman, without any doubt and thought, put her own house at the disposal of the poor, she herself went to live in a modest hut with minimal amenities. Such an act looked truly strange even in the distant 18th century. As required to prove, the public sharply condemned the widow for the fact that she renounced worldly life in full. People decided to arrange a meeting between Ksenia and her husband’s former entourage, in order to persuade her and, perhaps, put her in some kind of shelter for the blessed ones or a similar haven. Nevertheless, contrary to expectations, Ksenia Grigorievna showed herself to be a very prudent woman, after which a decision was made to cancel the hospitalization of the future Saint. After that incident, the resigned citizens stopped glancing at the unfortunate woman, which was the start of her service to the Lord. Why is the icon of St. Xenia the Blessed so revered?
Prophecies of Xenia of Petersburg
How exactly the miracle of finding holy power in an ordinary woman happened is very, very difficult to say. It is only known that once Xenia predicted a fire, handing a coin to a passerby with the words: “Take this nickel, the king will soon go out”. Oddly enough, Xenia's very unusual visions came true, including this one. The stranger’s house actually caught fire, but was put out by the people with the speed of lightning. Another miracle tells that Ksenia saved the woman from whom she bought housing. By the way, that woman had long dreamed of having a child, and Ksenia foresaw that this child would come from heaven and be presented as a gift to a desperate sufferer. And so it happened. This happened due to the fault of the cab driver, who had fatal negligence to bring down a woman who was pregnant on a carriage. She gave birth, immediately after that she died and gave a healthy child to Paraskeva. The father of the newborn boy was never found, and Paraskeva raised him as her own son.
Asceticism
Ksenia of Petersburg died at the age of 70, 40 of which were carried out by her on the street. According to the assumptions of historians, a woman died no later than in 1806. Ksenia almost never slept, and spent nights at the construction of the temple and prayers for sinners. When the day came, the Holy One spoke with passers-by in her incomprehensible language, prayed for passers-by and instilled goodness with her actions.
The cemetery where Saint Xenia is buried does not at all resemble those that people are used to. Here young mothers with children, couples in love, cooing about their own things and even elderly people can walk quite calmly. This place was once memorable for Ksenia, since all her youth passed here.
What is the strength of Xenia of Petersburg?
Each person has his own opinion about St. Xenia. Someone considers her wonderful and even crazy, someone is afraid, and someone shows immense reverence. Undoubtedly, the icon of Xenia the Blessed is of great importance in the life of every Christian. In any case, they never remain indifferent to this holy fool.
Ksenia prayed during her lifetime, mainly at night, because at that time appeals to Jesus were purer and blameless. Passers-by and onlookers also saw this, which were immensely surprised. Unfortunately, the grave of Xenia’s husband has been lost, but she’s presumably located at the Smolenskoye cemetery, from where Ksenia moved from Vasilyevsky Island exclusively on foot.
The burial place of St. Xenia
The burial of Xenia itself, starting in 1902, was regularly visited by convinced Christians who took the miraculous earth in order to experience the miracle of healing. This is still happening today, which is why the burial place is regularly updated. In 1830, a chapel was erected over the tombstone of Xenia, the consecration of which took place already in 1902. The burial place with the relics of the saint, as well as the icon of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg, were made of the best materials. The walls of the chapel were covered with many different icons, among which the main was the face of the "mistress" of the temple. In times of repression and thriving atheism, politicians signed an agreement giving the right to rent the chapel building. As it became known later, among the landlords there was a clergyman named Alexei Zapadalov, who died several years later, like a martyr. This event took place in a place called Svirilag.
Even the war will not stop the saint
Before the outbreak of hostilities, and specifically in 1940, the chapel of Ksenia of Petersburg was closed, but not a single war could reduce the flow of pilgrims going for help to the Saint. Parishioners in crowds approached the gates of the temple, occupying a huge line.
During the time of merciless war, the tombstone of Xenia was defeated, and the chapel and icons were barbarously destroyed by fire. In 1946, a year after the end of the war, the chapel was restored and filled with new images, the appearance was restored. The chapel did not last long, since already in 1960 it was closed, and in its place a workshop of sculptural compositions arose. The birthday of St. Xenia is celebrated on June 6. This day was recognized as a holiday of the Christian faith in 1988. The icon of Xenia the Blessed possesses special power. A photo and a prayer of petition will be presented below.
The miraculous power of Xenia of Petersburg
As for the miracles that Ksenia performed, one of them happened in the city of Novorossiysk in 1911. Then, a woman named Ksenia was found to have breast cancer, which at that time was in no way treated. Doctors, desperate, did not take measures to treat the woman, recognizing the situation as hopeless. Then the sick woman was so weak that, except for ice, she could not swallow anything. The patient was not even able to move her hand.
At the same time, a letter was received by the relatives of the women that a memorial service was being held in the church of St. Xenia. It happened on July 21, at the same time a parcel arrived in the city containing 2 bottles of consecrated oil from the relics of Xenia. A friend of a sick woman immediately sent one of the vesicles with healing oil to the patient, and left the second bottle in order to cure her sick leg. The neighbor put sand from the grave of the woman under the pillow, and rubbed her breast with healing oil. Relief came very soon, which once again proves that Blessed Xenia is truly strong.
What helps Saint Blessed Xenia of Petersburg
The saint icon has truly miraculous properties. Like Matrona of Moscow, Blessed Xenia is asked to find happiness in family life, health and well-being. Among other things, the icon provides invisible help in finding love and prosperity. Also, unmarried girls ask St. Xenia to help find a groom. Many people wonder what else the icon of Xenia the Blessed is famous for, what helps?
Prayers in front of the icon of Xenia the Blessed
In front of the icon of St. Xenia, you can order a magpie for the health of loved ones, as well as expectant mothers to ask for health for the kids. In particular, the icon has a strong effect on those beauties who have not found their happiness and ask for it. When praying, the obligatory ritual is lighting a church candle. In addition, prayers addressed to the icon of Ksenia of Petersburg help to overcome such a serious ailment of female health as infertility.
The icon of Blessed Xenia also helps to save a loved one from addictions to alcohol and tobacco smoking. Another problem that can be solved by prayer before this icon is drug addiction. Even drug addicts with experience are cured after a visit to the church named after St. Xenia of Petersburg. Like any icon, the icon of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg accepts only sincere requests, so be honest and may the Lord be with you!
Prayer to Blessed Xenia of Petersburg for family well-being
Oh, all-blessed Mother, Blessed Xenia! I am sending my sincere prayer to you, contemplating your holy image. Hear me, servant of the Lord (name), full of sin. Do not leave me without Thy intercession, without blessing, support at the most difficult hour, do not turn away your face in difficulties.
Help, O Xenia, to establish peace in the family, so that my husband and I can live in harmony, in complete harmony, understanding and love. Let our family be filled with happiness and bathe in prosperity, and let any quarrel invariably end in peace. May feelings be strong and complete understanding reigns.
Give us little children so that we can educate them in the service of the Lord, so that our family continues with a worthy generation. I ask for obedience to my husband and his attentiveness. May peace prevail in our family, love, grace and mutual understanding.
Oh, holy Xenia, I pray you for these blessings. Shed your favor! I only trust in you, and I will bear the praise of you forever! Amen.