Saint Blessed Xenia was born in the first half of the 18th century to pious parents. At the age of 26, she became a widow after the sudden death of her husband, Colonel Andrei Fyodorovich Petrov. Deeply shaken by his passing, Xenia decided to pray for his soul and, giving away all her possessions to the poor, took on the feat of foolishness for Christ.
Dressed in men's clothing, she began to assert that her husband was alive, while she herself had died. Wandering through Saint Petersburg, she attracted the attention of those around her with her strange behavior and appearance. Despite mockery and humiliation, she displayed meekness and humility.
Xenia spent her nights in prayer in the fields and during the day helped the poor. She also performed miracles, aiding people and predicting the future. For her feats and patience, the Lord glorified her during her lifetime with the gift of foresight.
At the age of 71, she passed away, and her body was buried at the Smolensk Cemetery. Many miracles occurred at her grave, and soon a chapel was built where her devotees gathered. Even after the revolution, despite the attempts of the godless to close the chapel, the people continued to honor the memory of Blessed Xenia and believe in her intercessory prayers.
