Feast of St. Xenia: History of the Holiday, Signs, Prohibitions and What to Ask of the Saint.

January 24 is celebrated as the day of Blessed Xenia of Rome - the patroness of women with this name. On this day, women named Xenia are also congratulated.

Life of Blessed Xenia

Blessed Xenia lived in the 5th century. She was born in Rome to a senator's family and was named Eusebia. Since childhood, she devoted her heart to God and wished to dedicate her life to Him. But her parents planned to marry their daughter off to a wealthy suitor. To avoid such a marriage, Xenia left home with two maidservants and sailed away on a ship.

On her way, she arrived at the monastery of Saint Andrew the Apostle and asked the abbot of one of the cities in Great Greece to accept her into the monastery. Xenia bought land in the city of Milas and founded a women's monastery there. She became a deaconess and was distinguished by her restraint, prayer, humility, and ability to perform miracles.

Blessed Xenia helped everyone: she was a protector for the poor, a comforter for the grieving, and a mentor for the sinful. However, she considered herself sinful and worse than anyone else. On the day of her death, a lighted crown with a cross appeared above the monastery, covering her body, and accompanied her to burial.

Signs and Traditions

January 24 is considered the holiday of 'Xenia Half-Baker' in the folk domestic calendar, as on this day the bread supplies were traditionally halved. On that day, there was an interesting folk custom - the weight of the bread taken in the evening was compared to the weight of the same bread the next morning. If the weight did not change, the price of bread was expected to remain stable.

It is also believed that the hardest days begin on January 24, as food supplies are running low, and the winter harvest (the first bread) has not yet arrived. If on that day the price of bread increases, it is said to indicate bad harvest prospects in the future.

In folk wisdom, it is said that the weather on this day indicates the character of spring:

• If the sun warms pleasantly, spring will be warm and early;
• If the wind blows at the beginning of the day, spring is still far off;
• If this day was warm, there will be many rains in spring.

Prohibitions

• Do not criticize, do not offend, and do not curse;
• Provide assistance, do not refuse it;
• Do not sew, cut nails, or hair;
• Do not change the bedding, do not start heavy work or new affairs - this may lead to misfortune.
• It is advisable to refrain from tying knots, as this may bring troubles.

Requests to Blessed Xenia

Saint Xenia is the patroness of all women with her name and a supporter for all others. She serves as our protector in illness, during pregnancy, and in requests for a happy family life and successful marriage.

It is considered a tradition when honoring Saint Xenia to perform a good deed: help those in need, visit the sick or the elderly, provide valuable advice - all this will return to you twofold.

It is also worth mentioning that January 24 is marked as the Day of External Intelligence of Ukraine, International Education Day, and International Women's Sports Day. Everyone observes these celebrations, while believers also honor the memory of Blessed Xenia.