"Saint" Matrona of Moscow

[Matthew]

In 1994, M. Shilauskene, a young woman from Klaipeda, Lithuania, successfully passed her exams to enter Moscow’s St. Tikhon’s Theological Institute, but still did not have a place to live. Housing is extraordinarily difficult to find in Moscow, one room averaging $500 a month – well beyond the budget of a Russian student. She did her best to solve the problem through the Institute’s administration, through contacts with friends, and by asking a local priest for help, but her efforts were fruitless. Finally, a friend encouraged her to visit Matrona’s grave at Danilov cemetery to ask for her prayers. She did so, begging: “Matushka, please help me!” The following day after attending liturgy at the Church of All Saints near the Sokol metro, the priest suddenly appeared saying, “Here, you will live at her place – Matrona’s,” and he introduced her to an old woman named Matrona. How could she help thinking it was a miracle? The coincidence of the names was amazing – Matrona is an extremely rare name even in Russia.

[Barbara]

Lovely !
Yes it is a rare name. I think there are 2 St Matronas.

The other one was a disciple of St Tikhon of Zadonsk, I think. Earlier than this one who lived in the XX century.

Is the blind one ? I have an icon of her somewhere, which I made a copy of and gave to an elderly church member
who has a great respect for THAT St Matrona.

Even then a flat in Moscow cost $500 a month ? WOW ! What about after the ruble collapsed in '98 ? Terrible.

Really great story.
I love hearing these. So inspiring.
Please post more as they become available !

[Matthew]

Glad you enjoyed it. Here is another.

• My name is Tatiana Kolbina. I am from Stary Oskol. I was praying at Blessed Matrona’s grave with the accountant of our Church of the Holy Ascension at the moment my son and his entire family were in a terrifying car accident. I found out about it only when I arrived home. There were six people in the car. The car itself was horribly smashed, completely destroyed, but none of the family was injured in the slightest. The accident occurred at 12:15 p.m., the very moment we were leaving the grave. I am convinced that this was because of St. Matrona’s intervention.

[Maria]

In 1994, M. Shilauskene, a young woman from Klaipeda, Lithuania, successfully passed her exams to enter Moscow’s St. Tikhon’s Theological Institute, but still did not have a place to live. Housing is extraordinarily difficult to find in Moscow, one room averaging $500 a month – well beyond the budget of a Russian student. She did her best to solve the problem through the Institute’s administration, through contacts with friends, and by asking a local priest for help, but her efforts were fruitless. Finally, a friend encouraged her to visit Matrona’s grave at Danilov cemetery to ask for her prayers. She did so, begging: “Matushka, please help me!” The following day after attending liturgy at the Church of All Saints near the Sokol metro, the priest suddenly appeared saying, “Here, you will live at her place – Matrona’s,” and he introduced her to an old woman named Matrona. How could she help thinking it was a miracle? The coincidence of the names was amazing – Matrona is an extremely rare name even in Russia.

Glad you enjoyed it. Here is another.

• My name is Tatiana Kolbina. I am from Stary Oskol. I was praying at Blessed Matrona’s grave with the accountant of our Church of the Holy Ascension at the moment my son and his entire family were in a terrifying car accident. I found out about it only when I arrived home. There were six people in the car. The car itself was horribly smashed, completely destroyed, but none of the family was injured in the slightest. The accident occurred at 12:15 p.m., the very moment we were leaving the grave. I am convinced that this was because of St. Matrona’s intervention.

Moderator request:

Symeon, could you please list the source for these two stories. A link or a reference to a book or article would be adequate.
Thanks.
Maria

[Matthew]

Ah, yes, the source is Road to Emmaeus Journal, Vol. 8 No. 1, (#28); pp. 69-73.

[Maria]

Ah, yes, the source is Road to Emmaeus Journal, Vol. 8 No. 1, (#28); pp. 69-73.

Thank you.

[Matthew]

I thought it might be a good idea to put a little bit here on St Matrona herself:

St. Matrona led an ascetic life on her bed of pain. She fasted constantly, slept little, her head resting on her chest, and her forehead was dented by the innumerable signs of the Cross that she made. Not only the Muscovites but also people from afar, of all ages and conditions, thronged around her to ask her advice and her prayers. In this way she truly became the support of afflicted people, especially during World War II. To those who came to ask her for news of their relatives in battle, she reassured some and counseled others to hold memorial services. She spoke to some directly, and to others in parables, having in view their spiritual edification and recommending them to keep the Church’s laws, to marry in the Church and to regularly attend Confession and take Communion. When the sick and possessed were brought to her, she placed her hands on their heads, saying several prayers or driving the demons out with authority, always insisting that she was doing nothing of herself but that God was healing by her mediation. When asked why the Church was undergoing such great persecutions, she replied that it was because of the sins of the Christians and their lack of faith. “All the peoples who have turned away from God have disappeared from off the face of the earth,” she affirmed. “Difficult times are our lot, but we Christians must choose the Cross. Christ has placed us on His sleigh, and he will take us where He will.”

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