Becoming St. Xenia: A Study of Sanctity and Madness

Abstract

Through researching the holy fool Saints of Russia this paper hopes to unearth the scope and significance of sainthood in the Russian Orthodox tradition. This work examines the multitude of relationships with regards to the saints, local communities, Muscovite cults, the Russian Orthodox Church, and tsars of Russia. Xenia of St. Petersburg was an individual who evolved the prototype of the Russian ‘holy fool’ or yurodivy in order to best inspire her eighteenth century St. Petersburg audience. Her sainthood thrived despite the strong opposition from Russian Orthodox establishment. During the mid-18th century, the established Church condemned the practice holy foolery in Russia because many took up asceticism for political reasons. Holy foolishness had to adapt across time and culture as this work finds that St. Xenia’s brand of holy foolishness was unique to her time—she is often spoken of as a “transvestite saint.” St. Xenia is one of 30 saints in Russia whom are remembered for their unique style of asceticism as yurodivy. Her success and popularity as a yurodivy is profound and this work will survey her rise to sainthood, her audience, and her project of restoration.