Blessed XeniaBlessed Xenia of St. Petersburg was married early in life to a colonel, but his sudden and unexpected death left her widowed at the young age of 26. Realizing in her grief the transitory nature of this life, she gave away all her earthly possessions and became a "fool for Christ", wearing the uniform of her departed husband, and called herself by his name. She spent the remainder of her life among the paupers of St. Petersburg, enduring mockery and

in frail health but strengthened by the power of the Lord

it comprises a conscious teaching of spirituality suited to the needs of both men and women

glossary and index

Based on a book published by Optina Hermitage

Flowers of Cyprus

Artemy's gentle

this is the standard prayer book for Orthodox Laity

and their heavenly voices joining his in hymnody could sometimes be heard by visitors outside his cell

The sections of the book are:

through his reading it

Peach Blossom Bar Soap

From the book: "