Akathist to St. Xenia of St. Petersburg
Kontakion I
O holy and blessed Mother Xenia, chosen favorite and fool for the sake of Christ, who elected to undergo the struggle of patience and the suffering of affliction, we who honor thy holy memory offer thee hymns of praise. Help us against our enemies, visible and invisible, that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Ikos I
After the death of thy husband, O blessed Mother, thou sought the life of the angels and rejected the beauty of this world and all that is in it—the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life; and thou acquired the understanding of Christ. Wherefore, thou heareth these praises which we offer unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou wast the peer of Andrei, the fool for the sake of Christ!
Rejoice, for thou renounced thine own name, referring to thyself as dead! Rejoice, for thou assumed foolishness and took the name of thy husband, Andrei! Rejoice, for thou called thyself by a man’s name, renouncing woman’s weakness! Rejoice, because for the sake of Christ thou accepted voluntary poverty!
Rejoice, for thou distributed all thy substance to good people and to the poor! Rejoice, for by thy foolishness thou hast taught us to reject the vain wisdom of this age; Rejoice, good comforter of all who have recourse to thee in prayer!
Rejoice, for thou were full of wisdom transcending the world!
Rejoice, for thou preferred mockery and ridicule to earthly glory!
Rejoice, for thou have been glorified by God;
Rejoice speedy helper in times of trouble and despair!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion II
Perceiving thy manner of life as strange, for thou spurned thy home and all worldly riches, thy kinsmen in the flesh thought thee deranged; but the people of Saint Petersburg, seeing thy humility, lack of acquisitiveness, and voluntary poverty, sang unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos II
O blessed Xenia, thou hid the understanding given to thee by God under an apparent mindlessness; and amid the vanity of the great city thou lived like a desert-dweller, unceasingly offering thy prayers up to God. And, marveling at thy manner of life, we cry out to thee in praise:
Rejoice, for thou took upon thy shoulder the heavy cross of foolishness which God had given thee!
Rejoice, O blessed one who bore it without hesitation!
Rejoice, for thou hid the radiance of grace under an assumed insanity!
Rejoice, for thy foolishness was most wise!
Rejoice, for through extreme humility and feats of prayer thou acquired the gift of clairvoyance! Rejoice, for thou showed forth this gift for the benefit and salvation of the suffering! Rejoice, for thou beheld the sufferings of the people clairvoyantly, as from afar! Rejoice, for thy prayers brought relief to those in pain and distress!
Rejoice, for thou prophesied to the good woman the birth of a son!
Rejoice, for thou entreated God, that He grant that woman a child!
Rejoice, for thou hurry to entreat the Lord on behalf of thy neighbors!
Rejoice, for thou hast taught all to flee to God in prayer!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion III
By the power given to thee by God from on high, thou manfully endured burning heat and bitter cold, crucifying thy flesh and the passions and lusts. Wherefore, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, thou cried out unceasingly unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos III
With the sky as thy roof and the earth as thy bed, O blessed one, thou spurned the comfort of the flesh for the sake of the Kingdom of God. And we, beholding thy manner of life, cry out to thee with compunction:
Rejoice, for thou gave thy earthly home to the people!
Rejoice, for thou sought and received the shelter of heaven!
Rejoice, for thou possessed nothing that was earthly, but enriched all spiritually! Rejoice, O treasurehouse of the gifts of heaven!
Rejoice, for thou accounted every material thing as nothing!
Rejoice, for thou were thus freed from every loss!
Rejoice, for thou endured hunger and cold in ragged clothing!
Rejoice, for by thy life thou teach us endurance!
Rejoice, for thou showed forth the love of God for all!
Rejoice, for thou hath been adorned with the fruits of piety!
Rejoice, for thou showed the world patience and guilelessness!
Rejoice, O our fervent intercessor before the throne of the Most High!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion IV
The tempest of life which assailed Saint Petersburg thou weathered by meekness and guilelessness, O blessed Mother, and thou acquired dispassion toward this corrupt world; therefore, thou sing unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos IV
Hearing of thee, that, having endured a multitude of afflictions for Christ’s sake, thou comfort the sorrowful, strengthen the weak and guide the lost to the straight path; the suffering hasten to thine aid, singing unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou loved the path of Christ with all thy heart!
Rejoice, for thou joyfully bore the Cross of Christ!
Rejoice, for thou endured every offense offered thee by the world, the flesh, and the devil! Rejoice, for thou thus emulated the ascetics of the desert!
Rejoice, for thou were full to overflowing with the gifts of God!
Rejoice, for thou freely bestow spiritual gifts upon those in need!
Rejoice, for thou showed love for thy neighbors!
Rejoice, for thou offered consolation to the suffering!
Rejoice, for thou shed unceasing tears of repentance!
Rejoice, for thou wipe away the tears of those who weep!
Rejoice, for thou sought neither comfort nor warmth for thyself!
Rejoice, for thou were wondrously warmed by the grace of the Holy Spirit! Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion V
Thy holiness, O blessed Xenia, was like a divinely guided star illumining the sky of Saint Petersburg; for unto all perishing in the madness of sin thou showed the path of salvation, calling all to repentance, that they might cry out to God: Alleluia!
Ikos V
Seeing thy feats of prayer and thy endurance of heat and cold, pious folk sought to alleviate thy sufferings, offering thee clothing and food; but thou distributed all these things to the poor, desiring to maintain thy struggle. And we, marveling at thy voluntary poverty, cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, for thou willingly endured burning heat and freezing cold the sake of Christ! Rejoice, for thou were warmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!
Rejoice, for thou remained continually in prayer!
Rejoice, for thou never tire in interceding for mankind!
Rejoice, for by all-night vigils in prayer thou preserved Saint Petersburg from misfortunes! Rejoice, for many times thou averted from it the wrath of God!
Rejoice, for every day of the year thou prayed at night in a field!
Rejoice, for by thy fervent tears thou warmed the cold earth!
Rejoice, for thou tasted the sweetness of paradise in poverty of spirit!
Rejoice, for in this sweetness thou left behind all earthly things!
Rejoice, for thou abide wholly in God!
Rejoice, for thou delight in the bridal banquet of thy Master!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion VI
All who have been delivered by thee from different ailments, misfortunes and sorrows—the rich and the poor, the old and the young—proclaim the holiness of thy life, O blessed one of God; therefore, and glorifying thee, we cry out unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos VI
The glory of thy struggles shone forth, O blessed Mother, when at night thou secretly carried stones for those who were erecting the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, lightening the tasks of the builders; and mindful of this, we sinners cry out to thee such things as these:
Rejoice, for thou teach us to perform virtuous deeds in secret!
Rejoice, for thou call all to feats of piety!
Rejoice, for thou aided those who were building the churches of God!
Rejoice, for thou loved the holiness of the Church!
Rejoice, for thou labor for the Lord of the vineyard!
Rejoice, for thou ease our labors on the path of salvation!
Rejoice, for thou continually call upon the name of the Lord!
Rejoice, O speedy helper of those who have recourse unto thee!
Rejoice, for thou hath found rest in Christ thy Master!
Rejoice, O good comforter of all the sorrowful!
Rejoice, for thou sanctified thy city by thy painful footsteps!
Rejoice, O heavenly aid of the city of Saint Petersburg!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion VII
Desiring to deliver from sorrow the mourning physician who had buried his wife, thou commanded a certain maiden to hasten to Okhta, there to take him as her husband and to console him. And they did as thou said, singing unto God in joy: Alleluia!
Ikos VII
A new wonder thou revealed in thy prayer, O blessed Mother, when thou said unto a pious woman: "Take a five-kopek piece, and it will go out!" thus prophesying that fire would strike her house; and at thy supplication the flame of the fire was extinguished. Therefore, mindful of these things, we cry out praises unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou unceasingly grieved over thy sins!
Rejoice, for thou extinguish the sorrows of the people!
Rejoice, for thou bore suffering in body and soul!
Rejoice, for before God thou show forth boldness for the suffering!
Rejoice, O inextinguishable lamp burning brightly in prayer to God!
Rejoice, O our intercessor amid misfortunes and perils!
Rejoice, for thou save from perdition those beset by the passions!
Rejoice, for thou turn pious virgins away from marriage with unbelievers! Rejoice, for thou crucified thy flesh with constant mortification!
Rejoice, for thou deliver from despair those who have been wounded by a curse! Rejoice, for thy defender was the Most High!
Rejoice, O speedy defender at an unjust trial!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion VIII
As a homeless wanderer thou trod the path of thy life in the capital city of Russia, bearing afflictions and reproaches with great patience; and, abiding now in the heavenly Jerusalem, in joy thou sing unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos VIII
Thou wast all things to all, O blessed Xenia—comfort for the sorrowful, protection and defense for the weak, joy for the grieving, clothing for the poor, healing for the sick; therefore, we cry out unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou dwell in the mansions on high!
Rejoice, for thou pray there for us sinners!
Rejoice, O good one, who shows us a model of service to God!
Rejoice, O provider of our every need!
Rejoice, O protectress of the persecuted and oppressed!
Rejoice, for thou by thy supplications help the Orthodox people!
Rejoice, for thou endured much affliction and grief!
Rejoice, for thou defend the afflicted who pray to thee!
Rejoice, for thou rebuke those who abuse their fellows!
Rejoice, for thou put to shame unbelievers and those who babble!
Rejoice, for thou wast clothed in rags and tatters!
Rejoice, for God hath adorned thee with the splendid raiment of righteousness!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion IX
O blessed Mother, thou endured all illness, bodily poverty, hunger and thirst, and the reproach of iniquitous people who considered thee to be insane; yet, praying to the Lord, thou continually cried out to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos IX
Even the most eloquent of orators are unable to understand how by thy foolishness thou reproved the madness of this world, and by thy weakness thou put the mighty and wise to shame, for they do not know the power and wisdom of God which are in thee; but we, receiving thy aid, sing to thee such things as these:
Rejoice, O bearer of the divine Spirit!
Rejoice, for with the Apostle Paul thou boasted in thy weakness!
Rejoice, for thou reproved the world by thy feigned foolishness!
Rejoice, for thou spurned the glamour of this world for the sake of salvation! Rejoice, for thou disdained the beautiful things of this earth!
Rejoice, for thou loved the good things of heaven with all thy heart!
Rejoice, for thou were attentive unto the inner voice of the Lord!
Rejoice, for thou call us to the path of salvation!
Rejoice, O dread denouncer of drunkenness as a sin!
Rejoice, for thou wast renowned for thy kindness and love!
Rejoice, O holy protectress of the Orthodox family!
Rejoice, for in Christ thou found comfort for thy sorrows!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion X
Desiring to save thy soul, thou crucified thy flesh with its passions and lusts; and, utterly denying thyself, thou set thy cross upon thy shoulder and followed after Christ with all thy heart, singing unto Him: Alleluia!
Ikos X
Thou art a firm rampart and an unassailable refuge for those who pray to thee, O Mother Xenia; therefore, by thy supplications help us against our enemies, visible and invisible, that we may cry to thee:
Rejoice, for thou worked diligently in the garden of Christ!
Rejoice, for thou move us to spiritual labor!
Rejoice, for through steadfastness of faith thou escaped the devil’s snares! Rejoice, for thou deliver us from the snares of the enemy!
Rejoice, for thou offered thyself unto God like incense in a censer!
Rejoice, for thou bring the peace of God into the hearts of the people!
Rejoice, for thou shed rays of Christian love upon all!
Rejoice, for thou extinguish the spirit of malice in the hearts of the oppressed! Rejoice, for thou impart blessing unto good children!
Rejoice, for by mystic supplication thou heal their ailments!
Rejoice, for through foolishness thou attained heavenly wisdom!
Rejoice, for thou hath shown forth the wisdom of God to the afflicted world! Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion XI
Those who have been saved from misfortunes, sorrows and all dangers offer thee hymns of praise, O blessed Xenia, and with thee joyously sing unto God: Alleluia!
Ikos XI
Thy life, O holy Mother, hath been shown to be a radiant light illumining the people amid the darkness of this life; for thou hath delivered those who have fallen into the mire of sin and directed their path to the light of Christ. Therefore, we cry out to thee:
Rejoice, O favorite of Christ, who, while in the world, lived above the world! Rejoice, for thou enlighten the Orthodox with the light of God!
Rejoice, for thou by thy many labors acquired great grace!
Rejoice, for thou shone forth with the grace of God in the darkness of sin! Rejoice, for thou set thy hope upon the Almighty!
Rejoice, for on the path of salvation thou giveth a helping hand to the desperate! Rejoice, for thou wast clad in the brilliant robe of unwavering faith!
Rejoice, for thou strengthen those who are weak in the Faith!
Rejoice, for thou wast renowned for thy kindness and love!
Rejoice, for thou put to shame the spirits of malice!
Rejoice, for thy ways were those of an ascetic of the wilderness!
Rejoice, for by thy manner of life thou amazed the angels!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion XII
Thou pour forth grace in abundance upon those who honor thy memory and flee to thy protection, O blessed Xenia; therefore, upon us who pray to thee do also pour forth streams of healing from God, that we may cry out to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos XII
Hymning thy many wonders, O blessed Mother, we praise thee and entreat thee with all our heart: Forsake not us sinners amid our grievous circumstances, but beseech the Lord of hosts, that we fall not away from our Orthodox Faith, but that, strengthened in it by thy prayers, we may cry out to thee:
Rejoice, for thou teacheth us to have sympathy for the suffering!
Rejoice, for thou bearest our infirmities with all thy heart!
Rejoice, for thou instruct us to crucify the flesh, together with the passions and lusts! Rejoice, for thou cometh to our aid amid every spiritual battle!
Rejoice, for thou heareth our every supplication!
Rejoice, O intercessor and protectress of those who honor thy memory!
Rejoice, for thou traveled the path of tribulation!
Rejoice, for thou thereby obtained everlasting salvation!
Rejoice, for thou giveth joy to those who hasten to thy tomb!
Rejoice, for thou art a speedy helper in every misfortune!
Rejoice, for thy light hath shone forth before all!
Rejoice, for thou ever mediate the salvation of thy people!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion XIII
3 times
O holy and blessed Mother Xenia, who bore a heavy cross during thy lifetime: Accept from us sinners this entreaty offered unto thee. By thy supplications protect us from the assaults of the spirits of darkness and from all who plot evils against us. Beseech our most compassionate God, that He grant us power and might, that we may bear our own crosses and, following Christ, may go forth, singing with thee to Him: Alleluia!
Ikos I
After the death of thy husband, O blessed Mother, thou sought the life of the angels and rejected the beauty of this world and all that is in it—the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life; and thou acquired the understanding of Christ. Wherefore, thou heareth these praises which we offer unto thee:
Rejoice, for thou wast the peer of Andrei, the fool for the sake of Christ! Rejoice, for thou renounced thine own name, referring to thyself as dead! Rejoice, for thou assumed foolishness and took the name of thy husband, Andrei! Rejoice, for thou called thyself by a man’s name, renouncing woman’s weakness! Rejoice, because for the sake of Christ thou accepted voluntary poverty! Rejoice, for thou distributed all thy substance to good people and to the poor!
Rejoice, for by thy foolishness thou hast taught us to reject the vain wisdom of this age; Rejoice, good comforter of all who have recourse to thee in prayer!
Rejoice, for thou wast full of wisdom transcending the world!
Rejoice, for thou preferred mockery and ridicule to earthly glory!
Rejoice, for thou hath been glorified by God;
Rejoice speedy helper in times of trouble and despair!
Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Kontakion I
O holy and blessed Mother Xenia, chosen favorite and fool for the sake of Christ, who elected to undergo the struggle of patience and the suffering of affliction, we who honor thy holy memory offer thee hymns of praise. Help us against our enemies, visible and invisible, that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O blessed Xenia, who ever intercedeth for our souls!
Prayer I
O blessed wanderer Xenia, heir to the Kingdom of the Father, who was homeless on the earth and most simple in the manner of your life: Like those who in the past fell down before thy tomb, so do we, who have recourse unto thee, now ask: Pray that, as the Lord says, our steps may be guided rightly toward the doing of His commandments, and that the soul-corrupting iniquity sown by the godless may not prevail over our generation. O thou who hid thyself from the wise of this age, yet were known to God, ask humility, meekness and the pledge of love for our hearts, faith in prayer, hope in repentance, strength in labors, the mercy of healing in sickness, and restoration of our whole life from this time forward, that, blessing thee, we may with compunction confess the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the consubstantial and indivisible Trinity, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer II
O holy and most blessed Mother Xenia, who lived under the protection of the Most High and was strengthened by the Mother of God, and who endured hunger and thirst, cold and burning heat, oppression and persecution: Thou hath received from God the gift of clairvoyance and the power to work miracles, and thou rest under the shelter of the Almighty. The Holy Church now glorifies thee as a fragrant blossom. Praying before thy holy icon, we ask thee, as one who is alive and with us: Accept our petitions, and offer them up before the throne of the loving Father of heaven; and, since thou hath boldness before Him, for those who have recourse unto thee, ask eternal salvation, compassionate blessing upon our good works and undertakings, and deliverance from all misfortunes and sorrows. In thy holy supplications before our most merciful Savior, intercede for us, the unworthy and sinful. O holy and blessed Mother Xenia, help our children to receive illumination by the light of holy baptism and the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit; raise our youths and maidens in faith, honesty, and the fear of God, and grant them success in their studies; heal the infirm; send down love and concord upon families; account
monastics worthy to fight the good fight and protect them from oppression; make our pastors steadfast in the might of the Holy Spirit; preserve the Orthodox faithful in peace and tranquility; and pray for those who at the hour of their death are deprived of the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Thou art our trust and hope, speedily hearkening to us and delivering us, and unto thee do we ascribe thanks, and with thee do we glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Comments