St. Petersburg, February 7, 2025
At the relics of St. Xenia. Photo: mitropolia.spb.ru
St. Petersburg festively celebrated the memory of one of its most beloved saints, Blessed Xenia, on Thursday, February 6.
On the eve of the feast, His Eminence Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg was joined by His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Kronstadt for the celebration of the All-Night Vigil at the St. Petersburg church named for the beloved saint.
Met. Barsanuphius offered a homily reflecting on spiritual struggle through the example of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, who spent 45 years laboring as a fool-for-Christ in the imperial capital. Using her example, he taught that spiritual labors must be undertaken according to one’s strength and carried through to completion, suggesting simple but consistent practices like reading one chapter of the Gospels daily. He emphasized that God’s grace sustains those who persevere in their spiritual struggles, whether in St. Xenia’s time or in modern battles against passions and sins.
Photo: mitropolia.spb.ru
The next day, Met. Barsanuphius and Bp. Veniamin were joined by another six hierarchs and a host of clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, which St. Xenia herself secretly helped build under cover of night. This year marks the 235th anniversary of its consecration.
The church is located in the city’s Smolensk Cemetery, where St. Xenia’s relics are housed in a nearby chapel.
“Miracles happen,” Met. Barsanuphius preached. “Once, in the 18th century, Blessed Xenia was probably considered the lowest woman in this city, a beggar who wandered the streets, witnessing to her faith and love for God.”
“But we remember the Lord’s words that the last shall be first (Mt.. 20:16). And now, she has become the first woman in St. Petersburg, and indeed in Russia—everyone knows her, prays to her, turns to her with requests.”
Photo: mitropolia.spb.ru
“That’s how it is with the Lord,” the Metropolitan said.
And speaking of her great feat, he said:
St. Xenia of Petersburg preached Christian life at a time when Russia, having opened the door to the West, let in all the forces of atheism: blasphemy, godlessness—everything poured in here. And who stood against it? A simple woman. Through her life, foolishness and love for Christ, she showed that the main thing in life is to love God. He is our Lord, so we must love Him above all.
Following the service, the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful made a short procession to the St. Xenia Chapel, where a moleben was served.
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