In the 18th century, the capital of the Russian Empire was St. Petersburg. It had beautiful magnificent palaces; exceptional urban planning; imposing buildings; wonderful churches! But there was also another St. Petersburg. It consisted of the poor neighborhoods... Dominated by small narrow streets, filled with dirt and mud; and the poor (usually wooden) houses! And the farther you went from the center, the more everything was: poorer; more miserable; more humble; filled with deprivation and hardship.

Like today, ten minutes away from the White House in Washington, there exists... a shantytown.

There, for a full 45 years, a 'fool for Christ' lived; a woman who, after the death of her husband, forgot the world and lived for Christ and for her soul. At that time, she spread kindness around her; her own; from her struggle; and that of Christ; with the miracles she was privileged to perform. And she reminded a wayward world of faith and piety. And now, this fool, after 200 years, is honored not only in Russia but all over the world. Her name was Xenia. And truly, she lived in the world like a stranger.

Let us follow her life, her passage on this earth (we are all pilgrims in this world); to understand what God was saying to the world then; and what He is saying to us now.