"Who is this knocking upon the gates of the Kingdom of the Heavens?"

St. Xenia of St. Petersburg (Source)

  

APOLYTIKION

Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg

January 24. Mode pl. 4.

In thee, O wandering stranger, Christ the Lord hath given us an ardent intercessor for our kind. For having received in thy life sufferings and grief and served God and men with love, thou didst acquire great boldness. Wherefore, we fervently hasten to thee in temptations and grief, crying out from the depths of our hearts: Put not our hope to shame, O Blessed Xenia.

 

Kathisma I

Mode pl. 4. By conceiving the Wisdom.

With that rending of heart at thy husband's death * came the tearing-away of the heavy veil * of life's deep deceitfulness * and its transient vanity; * and by sorrow illumined in soul to seek after Christ, * thou didst win Him as Bridegroom, betrothed to Him by His Cross. * Now, as thou enjoyest grace and life everlasting * and boldness before the Lord, * Mother Xenia, remember us, * who sing thy praise while crying out: * Intercede with Christ our God * that forgiveness of all their transgressions be * granted to them that with longing * keep thy holy memory.

 

KONTAKION

Mode 3.

Reader: Having been as a wandering stranger on earth, sighing for the Heavenly homeland, thou wast known as a fool by the senseless and unbelieving, but as most wise and holy by the faithful, and wast crowned by God with glory and honor, O Xenia, manly-minded and divinely wise. Wherefore, we cry to thee: (intoned) Rejoice, for after earthly wandering thou hast come to dwell in the Father's house.

  

OIKOS

Reader: Who is this knocking upon the gates of the Kingdom of the Heavens***, her garments white, her face shining brighter than the sun? Where doth she come from, asking for such great things? It is the daughter of the Heavenly Father, the faithful handmaid of the Son of God, and the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, who hath been wandering on the earth like a stranger. Now is she translated to the heavenly homeland; wherefore, quickly open the doors for her, and greet her with rejoicing, crying out: (intoned) Rejoice, O Xenia, for after earthly wandering thou hast come to dwell in the Father's house.

  

SYNAXARION

On this day we commemorate our righteous Mother, Blessed Xenia, the Fool for Christ's sake and Wonderworker of Saint Petersburg.

 

Verses

They that are at a loss invoke Blessed Xenia,

Who having lost all things, won Christ as her Bridegroom.

On the twenty-fourth Xenia was in Heaven.

(source)

  

***Note: Likely an beautiful and poetic allusion to the Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8).

  

St. Xenia of St. Petersburg (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!