Xenia of St. Petersburg: what helps, what to pray to her for today

On February 6, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Memorial Day of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg, one of the most revered Russian saints, to whom people turn in a variety of life situations. In 2025, the celebration falls on Thursday. "Izvestia" tell what pray to the saint, and give the texts of the most powerful prayers that can be read in the temple or at home on the Church holiday.

In what helps Xenia of St. Petersburg: what to pray to the blessed one for

St. Blessed Xenia was born in the early 18th century in St. Petersburg. It is known about her that she came from a noble family. After coming of age, the girl married the court singer Andrei Fedorovich, who reached the rank of colonel. The marriage was happy, but did not last long. A few years later, Xenia's husband died suddenly, leaving her a widow at the age of 26.

Xenia had a hard time experiencing the loss. But most of all she was depressed that her husband before his death never had time to repent and absolve his sins, as a Christian should. Then Xenia decided to pray before God for the sins of her husband, taking on his guise. Clothed in the clothes of her husband, she began to assure everyone that Andrei Feodorovich is not dead, but still alive and well. She herself stopped responding to her own name, and responded only to the name of her deceased husband.

Most of the time the widow wandered around St. Petersburg, occasionally visiting acquaintances. And then again went wandering. At night Xenia went to the field, where in any season and weather she knelt in prayer until dawn.

Blessed Xenia spent almost 45 years in wanderings and prayers. For her patience and spiritual feat the Lord rewarded her with the gift of insight. Even during her lifetime she gained fame as a quick helper, comforter and miracle-worker.

One of the first miracles she performed was to help the childless non-commissioned officer's widow Praskovya Antonova, who thanks to Xenia was able to experience the joy of motherhood. There are also legends that the sick whom Xenia touched were miraculously healed, and the merchants from whom she bought something in the shop made a good profit from trade.

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The saint died about 1803, being a deep old woman. The Orthodox Church honors her memory twice a year: February 6 and June 6 - on the day of glorification of the Blessed in the countenance of the saints. The people often call these dates winter and summer Xenia of Petersburg.

The saint is buried in the Smolensk Cemetery in St. Petersburg. At the end of the XIX century a small chapel was built here, in place of which a large stone chapel in the Russian style was later erected. Every year on the day of the memory of Xenia of St. Petersburg hundreds of pilgrims come here. They leave notes, put candles and pray to the saint. People ask for health for loved ones, success in business, help in solving problems and comfort in grief, as well as for marriage, birth of children and happiness in family life.

The most powerful prayers to Xenia of St. Petersburg on February 6

It is believed that prayer is especially powerful on the day of the memory of Xenia of Petersburg. Here are some of the most powerful prayers that can be recited in the temple or at home before the image of the saint (published with abbreviations):

"O holy all-blessed mother Xenia! She who lived under the protection of the Most High, guided and strengthened by the Mother of God, who lived under hunger and thirst, cold and heat, who endured humiliation and persecution, who received the gift of clairvoyance and miracles from God. Now the holy Church, like a fragrant flower, glorifies you. Standing before thy holy image, we pray to thee. Accept our petitions and bring them to the throne of the merciful heavenly Father, and ask for eternal salvation for those who come to thee, for a generous blessing on our good deeds and endeavors, and for deliverance from all troubles and sorrows. Heal those who are sick and infirm, send love and harmony to the families, preserve our people and country in peace and serenity. To you we give thanks, and with you we glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Oh, holy benefactress of God, Blessed Xenia! Look mercifully with your eye upon us, servants of God (names), before your sacred icon, praying and asking for your help and intercession. Extend to the Lord our God your fervent prayers and ask for absolution for our souls. But we ask you, do not despise us, unworthy, who pray to you and need your help, and ask for everything useful for salvation, so that through your prayers to the Lord God, having received grace and mercy, we may glorify the Source of all blessings and gifts, the Giver, One God, glorified in the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

"O glorious holy blessed mother of our Xenia, fervent for us before God in prayer! As before those who fell to your tombstone, so now we also, after your glorification, resorting to your relics, ask: pray to the Lord that He may sanctify our souls and bodies, that He may enlighten the mind, purify the conscience from all filthiness, impure thoughts, evil and blasphemous designs, and from all exaltation. Grant us sincere repentance, contrition of our hearts, humility, meekness and tranquility, reverence, spiritual reasoning with all prudence and thanksgiving. Ask for deliverance of our country from grievous troubles, for the renewal and correction of our life. Keep us in every pious Orthodox confession of the Christian faith. Amen."

Earlier in February, the Day of Remembrance of St. Timothy the Apostle was celebrated. "Izvestia" told what this saint is known for and whom he helps.