Holy Great Martyr Xenia of Kalamata

Saint Xenia (Xenίa) was born at Kalamata (Kalamáta) in the Peloponnesos (Pelopónnēsos) in the year 291. Her parents were named Nicholas and Despina (Déspina), who were devout Christians from the eastern part of Italy. However, due to the continuous and harsh persecution against Christians during those years, they fled to Kalamata and settled on a farm outside the city, because her father was a farmer.

From a young age, instead of playing unseemly games and engaging in idle talk, Xenia stayed at home with her mother, and adorned her soul with fasting, self-control, silence, regular prayer, modesty of speech, tears and vigils. She also helped the poor, as well as widows and orphans with all her strength. She fasted in order to feed the hungry, a practice which befits her name.¹

She had curly blonde hair, and her brows framed her large and lively dark blue eyes. Though tall and statuesque, she remained humble, and she loved going to church to hear about Christ's miracles. Her conversation was pleasant and simple, filled with virtue and grace, and she never gossiped or condemned anyone. As she grew older, her virtuous qualities also increased.

When Xenia reached a marriageable age, Dometian, the brutal eparch of Kalamata, happened to pass near her farm and was dazzled by her beauty. He had the Saint brought before him and asked what her name was. She replied, "My name is Xenia, and my parents are Christians who live outside the city. I am the handmaiden of my Lord Jesus Christ, Who made the world and everything in it."

Those who were present were astonished by her answer. Her words, however, only served to enflame the tyrant's lustful desires. Concealing his anger, he said, "O Xenia, I marvel at your beauty, but I am struck by your effrontery. I want you to be my wife, and I will give you many gifts, untold wealth, honor, and glory which the gods bestow on those who worship them. If you refuse, you shall be tortured, and receive harsh punishments, and then a horrible death."

The Saint was not disturbed by his words. Instead, she told him, "You shall never separate me from Christ, nor is it possible for me to desire any other bridegroom but Christ. Do whatever you wish, but if you torture me, I hope to be glorified by Christ, and to inherit everlasting life. I am not sorry to lose my life, for one day all of us must die. Do not imagine that I shall ever change my mind, nor my belief in the only true God, Jesus Christ."

Saint Xenia adamantly refused to renounce her faith in order to become the wife of a pagan ruler. Then Dometian enlisted the help of a sorcerer in order to make Xenia love him, but she was guarded by the power of the honorable Cross. Dometian became furious, and had her confined in a dark chamber. There she prayed that the Lord would preserve her in her faith until the end.

The next day, Domitian went to the chamber to see if she had changed her mind, for he still desired to take her as his wife. Not only did Xenia refuse him, she also rebuked him for his behavior. The Holy Martyr was dragged out of the chamber by her hair. Then he ordered his guards to strip her and suspend her from a post. Furthermore, he commanded the guards to cut off her breasts and then burn her wounds with lit torches. They also did the same to her sides and to her entire body.

The Saint did not feel any pain, for an Angel of the Lord appeared to her and helped her, but only she could see him. After further torments, she was brought back to the chamber. During the night, Xenia prayed for the Lord to sustain her. At midnight she beheld a heavenly light which illumined the chamber. The Savior said: "Do not fear the torments, Xenia, for my grace shall be with you and deliver you from every temptation."

Then He healed all her wounds, and ascended into Heaven.

The next morning the soldiers brought her before the eparch. When he saw her unharmed, and without her injuries of the previous day he marveled and said, "Xenia, do you see how the gods love you? They have healed your wounds and restored your health. Therefore, do not be ungrateful, but enter the temple with me and bow down before them." Saint Xenia replied, "How is it possible for them to have power to heal me, since they are senseless, and fashioned by men's hands? It was not they who restored me, but Christ. But let us enter the temple of your gods, and let us see which of them you want me to adore."

Domitian was overjoyed, thinking that she had changed her mind. But as soon as she entered the temple and stood at its center, she knelt and prayed to the true God, "Lord Jesus Christ, my God, Creator of Heaven and earth, Who hears the supplications of the faithful, hear me now, and destroy these idols so that everyone will see that You alone are the true God."

Then there was an earthquake, and all the idols were shattered. Domitian, instead of worshiping the true God, subjected her to more torments, and she was healed as before. After many days had passed, Domitian realized that Saint Xenia would not change her mind. He sentenced her to be beheaded, and to have her heart cut out, and to chop her body into tiny pieces. and cast into a fire to be consumed. Then an ineffable fragrance came forth, demonstrating that her holy relics were filled with divine grace.

Saint Xenia received the incorruptible crown of martyrdom from Christ God on May 3, 318.

The eparch Domitian was punished for his inhumanity and ungodly deeds. He was struck by lightning and burnt to a cinder.

In 1993 a holy temple was built in her honor, which is located west of the city of Kalamata and belongs to the parish church of the Holy Trinity in Kalamata as a chapel.

Father George Nasis, the rector of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in New York City from 1942-1967 was praying one day when a beautiful woman appeared to him. She said her name was Xenίa, a martyr who had been forgotten for almost 1700 years. She asked him to paint an icon depicting her holding a cross.

At first Father George did not mention this to anyone, thinking that perhaps people would mock him. Then he decided to inform the Archbishop. Researchers tried to find references to Saint Xenίa of Kalamata, but they were not successful. Finally, they found her name in a list of Saints, where she is described as a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.

¹ The Greek name Xenia means "hospitable."