In the northern capital of Russia there are "their" especially beloved and revered saints - John of Kronstadt and Xenia of Petersburg. In terms of national significance, these two people are very far from each other. But they are both canonized and both enjoy the endless trust and love of both the natives of the city and numerous visitors.
Legends of Xenia
Ksenia enjoys special sympathy. This can be judged by the nickname given to her by the inhabitants of the city - Blessed Ksenyushka. Saint Xenia of Petersburg herself, prayer and rituals associated with her are all an integral part of the life of the city. The feast in her honor falls on February 6, the time of severe cold, but the huge lines to her chapel on this day are getting longer.
Legends associated with her name tell of the many exploits of Blessed Xenia. She possessed an amazing gift of foresight, predicted the dates of death and the healing of incurable patients. Many believe that the true defender of St. Petersburg is she, Ksenia of Petersburg. Prayer addressed to her with true faith and sincerity will certainly help in any, the most difficult matter. The number of testimonies of its miraculousness is infinite. In love and reverence for her, she can only be compared with Nicholas the Wonderworker and Seraphim of Sarov, the great saints of Orthodoxy.
Many people who survived the siege of Leningrad are sure that it was Ksenia of Petersburg who helped them survive. Prayer to her raised the fallen, gave faith in a speedy release, united people. The notes addressed to her then have survived to this day. She was treated like a native with any requests - from defeating the Nazis to increasing the daily ration by a few grams.
The path to canonization
From time immemorial, holy fools have been honored in Russia. Ksenyushka, who could not bear the death of her beloved husband, who gave away all her fortune to the poor, who accepted all the hardships of foolishness in the name of Christ, was especially loved. Gradually, the fame grew that everything she touches turns into good, even a meeting with her portends something good. Many were happy to provide her with a roof over her head and food, but Xenia continued to torture herself with cold and hunger.
When they began to build the Smolensk Church, she carried stones at night, helping the builders. Here, near the church, is her grave. The exact date of her death, as well as her birth, is unknown. It is believed that this is the very beginning of the XIX century. Over time, the wooden temporary chapel was replaced by a stone one. But both the grave and the very memory of Xenia were periodically subjected to prohibitions and persecution. But even when the chapel was turned into a utility room, and the memory of what was hereXenia of Petersburg was buried, prayer was performed daily at the walls of the tomb, and notes to Ksenyushka were put into the cracks of the walls every day. Such letters have become a special type of communication between city residents and "their" saint.
In 1988, through the efforts of the rector of the Smolensk Church, Father Viktor, the chapel was returned to the church, and Ksenia herself was canonized.
Charm of Xenia of Petersburg for a strong marriage and protection of children
According to legend, a couple about to get married must go around the chapel of Xenia several times, and the family will never fall apart. Orthodox faith in the miraculous power of the saint is endless, and the prayer of Xenia of Pererburg takes the form of a panacea.
Pray to her about everything that makes up the basis of human life: about your he alth and people close to you, about well-being. However, they especially pray for the family: for love, marriage, pregnancy. The saint is revered as the keeper of the hearth.
Ksenia of Petersburg's prayer for children takes a special place. In this city, which has endured an unprecedented hardship in terms of the cruelty and cynicism of the enemy, the victims of which were children in the first place, asking for them takes on a special meaning. They pray for the gift of children, for their upbringing and he alth, for them to pass all sorrows and misfortunes, so that the terrible tragedy that befell the great city never repeats.
