Xénia de Saint-Pétersbourg
v. 1730-v. 1803 18th century Feast day: January 24
Carrying another's name before God; the freedom of those with nothing left to defend.
Who was Xénia de Saint-Pétersbourg?
Widowed at twenty-six by an officer who died unconfessed, she gave away everything she owned, took her husband's name and uniform, and lived on the streets for forty-five years. She was seen at night on building sites, carrying the masons' bricks. The city first took her for mad, then came to ask her to pray.
In their own words
Andrei Fyodorovich is not dead; it is Xenia who died.