HOLY SAINT BLESSED MOTHER XENIA, PRAY TO GOD FOR US! 

Troparion to St. Xenia, in the Fourth Tone

Having renounced the vanity of the earthly world,/
Thou didst take up the cross of a homeless life of wandering;/
Thou didst not fear grief, privation, nor the mockery of men,/
And didst know the love of Christ./
Now taking sweet delight of this love in heaven,/
O Xenia, the blessed and divinely wise,/
Pray for the salvation of our souls.

OUR RIGHTEOUS MOTHER XENIA OF SAINT PETERSBURG,
THE FOOL FOR CHRIST’S SAKE

“IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. HERE RESTS THE BODY OF THE SERVANT OF GOD, XENIA GRIGORIEVNA, WIFE OF THE IMPERIAL CHORISTER, COLONEL ANDREI THEODOROVICH PETROV. WIDOWED AT THE AGE OF 26, A PILGRIM FOR 45 YEARS, SHE LIVED A TOTAL OF 71 YEARS. SHE WAS KNOWN BY THE NAME ANDREI THEODOROVICH. MAY WHOEVER KNEW ME PRAY FOR MY SOUL THAT HIS OWN MAY BE SAVED. AMEN.”

Epitaph on St. Xenia’s gravestone

The Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg was born about the year 1730. She was married to a Colonel named Andrew; a court chanter. Her husband died suddenly, when she was twenty six years old. Left a widow without children, Xenia gave away everything that she had and vanished from St. Petersburg for eight years; it is believed that she spent this time in a hermitage, possibly learning the spiritual life. When she returned to Saint Petersburg, she wore her husband’s military clothing, and would answer only to the name of her husband. Mother Xenia took up the life of a homeless wanderer, and was abused by many as insane; she bore this with great patience, and praying for her husband’s soul. She was given great gifts of prayer and prophecy, and often foretold things to come; in 1796 she foretold the death of Empress Catherine II. Mother Xenia reposed in peace at the age of seventy one, about the year 1800. Her grave became such a source of miracles, and so many came to take soil from it as a blessing, that it was often necessary to replace the soil; when a stone slab was placed over her grave, this too disappeared over time, piece by piece.

Saint Xenia is especially called upon for help in finding employment, lodging, or a spouse.

ST. XENIA SISTERHOOD OF ST. VLADIMIR RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

The St. Vladimir Church’s Sisterhood is a Parish organization whose Heavenly patron is Saint Blessed Xenia of Saint Petersburg, the Holy Fool for Christ’s Sake. The Sisterhood feast day is celebrated on February 6. Each year a Molieben with Akathist for St. Xenia is served on that day in the St. Vladimir Church.

As a sisterhood we make every effort to support the church and parish life. Our main goals are to clean and beautify the Parish Church, Parish House and surrounding areas, to host receptions for special church events, and to organize various special parish projects – Sunday school, Orthodox Icon Exhibitions, “Yolka”, “Maslenitsa”, “Blini”, Orthodox movie presentations, also talks and discussions at the time of regular Sunday’s tea hour. The Sisterhood is also involved in a broad range of projects to serve the parish including kiosk item sales and most recently, “honey” sales which have enabled the Sisterhood to make substantial contributions to the parish. The Sisterhood takes part in several charitable activities throughout the year.
(See Church Calendar for schedule of Sisterhood meetings and events).

All women of the parish are considered members of St. Xenia Sisterhood.
For more information and to learn about the Sisterhood’s activities, or to make a contribution to our Sisterhood Fund, please contact:

Senior Sister, Xenia Fusarelli at ofusarelli@att.net

Treasurer, Lydia Krawtzova at lkrawtzowa@comcast.net

Statutes for Sisterhoods in North America (ROCOR link)

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