The Life of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg

From the Life of the Saints

To the glory of God and in remembrance of Saint Blessed Xenia, the memory of her ascetic days on earth has been recorded. However, the greater part of the humble life of this great saint consists of accounts of her wondrous and miraculous appearances, even after her repose.

And all this happened according to the Providence of God, for everything on earth is but a fleeting moment and a preparation, while in the Kingdom of God, there is eternal joy.

Much of the earthly life of this saint remains hidden and known only to the Lord. She was born between 1720 and 1730 and reposed sometime around the early 1800s.

Born in St. Petersburg, Xenia Grigorievna, young, beautiful, and educated, married court Colonel Andrei Feodorovich Petrov, never suspecting how fleeting and transient this happiness was. When her Andrei suddenly passed away—despite being young and healthy—Xenia was left without her beloved husband and without children. She gave away her possessions to the poor and a friend.

After her husband’s death, a spiritual transformation took place in her soul, though many people neither understood nor comprehended her ascetic struggle.

Dying to the world, Xenia devoted herself entirely to God and walked one of the most difficult paths—cloaking wisdom in the garment of foolishness. This is one of the greatest ascetic feats.

Though she endured ridicule, astonishment, insults, and even the cross of suffering and death itself, she bore everything with submission, keeping before her eyes only the image of the Innocent Sufferer, the Lord Christ, who endured all mockery and humiliation with patience.

Endlessly rich in spirit and wisdom, yet to people appearing as poor and foolish, she healed the sick, clearly perceived the thoughts and hearts of men, offering them help and guiding them to the path of repentance.

She performed many miracles and good deeds, including helping in the construction of a new stone church at the Smolensk Cemetery, dedicated to the Smolensk Mother of God.

On her tombstone, these sacred words are inscribed:
"Whoever knew me, let them remember my soul, for the salvation of their own soul!"

For nearly two centuries, Blessed Xenia has been an unfailing and swift helper. People turn to her in prayer for various needs, with faith and hope in God's mercy through her intercession.

May the Lord, through the prayers of Blessed Xenia, grant His mercy and blessing to all who turn to her heavenly intercession with faith and love. Amen.

Troparion, Tone 7

Having forsaken the vanity of this world,
you took upon yourself the cross of a homeless wanderer,
you were not afraid of deep sorrow and poverty,
nor of those who mocked you,
for you had known the love of Christ.
And now, rejoicing in this love in the heavens,
O Blessed and divinely wise Xenia,
pray for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 3

Today, the city of Saint Peter rejoices brightly,
for the multitude of the sorrowful,
who place their hope in your intercessions,
O all-blessed Xenia, find comfort,
for you are the glory and stronghold of this city.