day 24

January 24: Venerable Mother Xenia

Litany & dismissal.

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 4 stichera, in Tone I: Spec. Mel.: “Joy of the ranks of heaven…”—

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, automelon, in the same tone—

Troparion, in Tone IV—

The 24th Day of the MONTH OF JANUARY

While thou wast homeless upon the earth, by thy humility thou didst prepare within thy heart a home and dwelling-place for the Holy Spirit; and thou now rejoicest in the bridal-chamber of Christ, O blessed Xenia, thou intimate of Christ. Twice

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone & melody—

Commemoration of Our Venerable Mother Xenia

When thy husband died suddenly, the desire for a worldly life died within thee, and thou didst give thyself wholly over to Christ, appearing to the world like one bereft of reason; and thou didst seek life everlasting.

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

For This Day We Provide also the Service for St. Xenia of St. Petersburg

Homeless and a stranger to the world, thou didst seek Christ as thine only refuge, O Xenia, who art close to God and men. Wherefore, rejoicing now in the kingdom of Christ, be thou mindful of thy friends who have recourse to thine intercession.

January 24: Holy Xenia, Blessed in Christ, the Homeless Wanderer of Saint Petersburg

Joy of the ranks of heaven and mighty intercession for men on earth, O all-pure Virgin: save us who flee unto thee, for upon thee, after God, O Theotokos, have we set our hope.

Also on The 24th Day of the MONTH OF JANUARY

Then, “O gladsome Light…” Prokimenon of the day. And after “Vouchsafe, O Lord…”, these stichera aposticha, in Tone VI: Spec. Mel.: “On the third day…”—

Commemoration of the Holy Xenia, Blessed in Christ,

A stranger to the world, yet not estranging thyself from those therein, taking pity on the people, though called a fool, thou instructest in wisdom, and, showing all manner of endurance, thou healest those who suffer; for the power of Christ is made perfect in thy weakness.

the Homeless Wanderer of Saint Petersburg

Stichos: The Lord preserveth the proselytes. He shall adopt for His own the orphan and the widow.

If the superior so desire, this service may also be celebrated on September 11th, the anniversary of the solemn glorification of the blessed one.

Thou didst give away thine earthly wealth, O Xenia, as though it were something unrighteous. And thou didst spurn the shelter of thy home, covering thyself with the mercy of God. And, emulating the wandering of Christ, thou hast attained unto the kingdom of Christ.

AT LITTLE VESPERS

Stichos: The Lord setteth aright the fallen; the Lord loveth the righteous.

Thou didst show forth an example of patience and guilelessness, O Xenia, reproving the foolishness of the world. We know thine intercession before God. Pray thou for us amid our needs, and guide those who are homeless and driven from their native land, that they may reach the heavenly homeland.

Love hath waxed cold, and iniquities have multiplied, as the Lord foretold. Protect us, O Theotokos, from the machinations of the soul-destroying enemy; and as thou art the Mother of the Most High, ask for us help from on high.

Spurning the vanity of this earthly world, thou didst take up the cross of a homeless life in wandering. Thou didst not fear tribulations, privations and the mockery of men, but didst come to know the love of Christ, wherein thou dost now delight in heaven. O divinely wise and blessed Xenia, pray thou for the salvation of our souls.

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.