All the saints, who became fools for Christ were often admired and
venerated by the people while still alive, following their repose their
veneration seemed to only increase in the eyes of the public. The cause for
this is their closeness to the people. Xenia of St.Petersburg - a saint, who
is known not only to the Orthodox. People ask for her help and protection throughout
the world. There have also been known miracles from her icons and oil that has
been blessed on her relics. Even our convent is connected with the name of
saint Xenia. The very first church opened by the convent was a small home
chapel on the grounds of the boarding home number 3 for the elderly and
disabled, where for over 20 years the brothers and sisters of the sisterhood
have taken an active part in helping the residents of the boarding home.
And so, on the eve of this wonderful feast day, I asked several of our
brothers and sisters to remember something wonderful, that happened to them
while visiting and helping at the boarding home:
The Truly
Blessed
Miracles did not bypass me. While some may see
nothing special in this, for me it was very important and even amazing. At the
boarding home, one of the residents came up to me and gave me a big hug (they
are in fact very open, very compassionate people with warm and honest hearts)
and began to speak and ask about things that he could not know about. He spoke
about the passing of his grandmother and the sorrow that lives somewhere deep
inside, about the house that burned and about his uncle who used to drink. I
believed every single word said to me and at the same time, revering how
natural and simple everything seemed to be. Nevertheless, most of all I found
it very comforting.
Africa
Meanwhile Father Nickolas was eating and
mumbling something. Suddenly, amidst all this the two sisters heard clear words
directed to them:
– Africa, no, do not go to Africa…
Patience
One of the white sisters (not monastic) of mercy
wanted to get married. She look up to and prayed to Saint Xenia to help her by
going to the church services at the chapel of the boarding home. Evidently, her
prayers were answered. She was standing in the chapel as usual and one of the
residents of the boarding home comes up to her and Sais:
-
Youre going to get married very soon…
The sisters looked at him with joy. He he continued
while pointing to his tie:
-
…and I am the groom.
Here an interesting story: one of the sisters of
mercy who visits the boarding home is named Xenia. The patients always ask the
sister to bring them sugar, tea, sweets, art supplies and letters. She would
always oblige and bring what is necessary. They in turn would tell others that Xenia brings those pencils, paper, and candy and brings everything that we ask
of her. For quite some time many began to think that Saint Ksenia herself visits
the sick and brings them “everything they ask for”.
Sister Xenia admits that there is some truth in
this because whenever the residents of the boarding home ask her for something
someone would mysteriously either donate money or specific items that they ask
for.
A Clear Sky
Some sisters believe that by the prayers of the
sick, even the weather can change. Aleksei, who deeply loves Katia, diligently
prayed because they had stay inside due to freezing weather outside. Because of
this, they could not see each other and could not stand to be apart. Very soon,
as if an answer to Aleksei’s prayers, the cold weather stepped aside and flowers
began to appear around the convent.
I remember another moment, in early spring. After
feeling exhausted from a long winter we were walking with the residents after liturgy
and taking them back to the boarding home. Light sleet was falling from the sky
and there were many puddles around us. In my heart, I asked the patients of the
boarding home to pray, so that we could see even a glimpse of the sun. And what
do you know, in about an half an hour through the small cracks of the clouds we
could see the clear blue sky and the shining spring sun!
We will never
let you go
Sister Nina:
“One time I came to the boarding home in a
troubled state of mind with deep feelings of sadness. As I was attending the
service, trying to pray, little Katia comes up to me and starts to hug me
repeatedly. I also embraced her took her by the hand and we began to sing and
pray together but the feeling of sadness is still bothering me. Suddenly Katia
turns to me and says, “We will never let you go. We love you very much!”
Saint and Sinner
Me and another sister of mercy are roommates and
we both visit the sick at the boarding home. Once, after visiting the residents
she told me about a dialogue between two of the residents where one says to the
other:
-
I drink holy water and partake in the Holy Mysteries.
So I must be a saint.
The second resident, is certain that they can
not be saints and that they are sinners. And so the “saint” keeps turning away
from the “sinner” not wanting to list to him. At the same time one of the
sisters was reading the words of the prayer “Lord, Have mercy on me a sinner”.
And the second resident joyfully raises his head gently taps the first resident
and proclaims.
-
You see! We’re sinners after all!
An Ordinary
Miracle
There are many extraordinary stories. I think
that every person who visits the boarding home and its blessed residents has a
story or a miracle, something interesting or unique to tell about. But we must all
be sure in one thing: the residents need the sisters and brothers as much as
the brothers and sisters need the residents of the adult boarding home, who teach
each and everyone one of us such virtues as patience, love, and purity of
heart. Most importantly the joy and happiness that we have each other.
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