Xenia of St. Petersburg, Fool-for-Christ
Our righteous Mother Xenia of Petersburg was born about the year 1730. She was married to a Colonel named Andrew; when she was twenty-six years old, her husband died suddenly, having been drinking with his friends. Left a childless widow, Xenia gave away all that she had, and vanished from Saint Petersburg for eight years; it is believed that she spent this time in a hermitage, learning the spiritual life. When she returned to Saint Petersburg, she wore her husband's military clothing, and would answer only to the name Andrew, that is, the name of her late husband. She took up the life of a homeless wanderer, and was abused by many as insane; she bore this with great patience, crucifying the carnal mind through the mockery she endured, and praying for her husband's soul. She was given great gifts of prayer and prophecy, and often foretold things to come; in 1796 she foretold the death of Empress Catherine II. Having lived forty-five years after her husband's death, she reposed in peace at the age of seventy-one, about the year 1800. Her grave became such a source of miracles, and so many came to take soil from it as a blessing, that it was often necessary to replace the soil; when a stone slab was placed over her grave, this too disappeared over time, piece by piece. Saint Xenia is especially invoked for help in finding employment, lodging, or a spouse.
The Liturgical Guide Book published by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians identifies the hymns that are sung, especially noting changes, in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday and other select feasts for the ecclesiastical year. It also includes a bibliography of liturgical music, recordings, and other music resources. This resource is very useful for chanters, choirs, and parish offices.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate will present a series of three webinars in its fourth Halki Summit, entitled, "COVID-19 and Climate Change: Living with and Learning from a Pandemic". Halki Summit IV sessions will be held as three Zoom webinars on January 26–28, 2021 from 8:00–9:30pm EST each day.
At the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service: Almighty God, shower Your blessings upon our President, Joe Biden & our Vice President, Kamala Harris. Grant unto them wisdom, grace, and fortitude to lead our Nation to a brighter, safer, and more healthful future for all Americans.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has been invited by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to offer prayer at the Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. The Service will be held on Thursday, January 21, at 10:00 AM ET. Then-President Joe Biden will join the virtual event hosted by the Washington National Cathedral, and the service will be live-streamed
On this week's episode of "Live with the Louhs," a radio ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Fr. Nicholas and his wife, Dr. Roxanne Louh, a Clinical Psychologist, will be speaking to two African American Orthodox Christian Priests, Fr. Paul Abernathy, a relative of the late Civil Rights icon, Ralph Abernathy and Fr. Martin Johnson, on their ministry, "The Neighborhood Resilience Project."
The Cathedral School is a Nursery (3 year old program), Pre K 4, and Kindergarten - 5th grade co- educational day school that offers a nurturing environment while preparing young minds for a rigorous academic education rooted in the principles of Hellenism. The curriculum integrates the most up to date educational methods while adhering to the ancient Greek tradition of paideia which views education as character formation, responsibility and the pursuit of excellence in all forms.
