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[[Image:Matrona Moskovskaya.jpg|right|thumb|<center>St. Matrona of Moscow<br>(Blessed Matronushka)</center>]]
Saint '''Matrona the Wonderworker of Moscow''' (born '''Matrona Dmitrievna Nikonova,''' Russian: Блаженная Матрона Московская, 1881 - May 2, 1952), is a renowned saint of the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] who had the gift of spiritual vision and the gift of healing from early childhood. Her [[feast day]] is commemorated by the Church on [[May 2]].<ref group="note">St. Matrona passed away on the actual calendar day of May 2nd, and is in fact commemorated by the Russian Orthodox Church on May 2nd (noting that the [[Revised Julian Calendar|new calendar]] day of May 2nd is regarded as April 1919th in the [[Julian Calendar|Old Style]] ).</ref> The readings for her feast day are Galatians 3:23-29, and Luke 7:36-50.<ref>HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, a parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow. ''[http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/ index.php?year=2011&today=2&month=5&trp=1&tzo=-4 Monday, May 2, 2011 / April 19, 2011 (Church Calendar)].''</ref>
An account is preserved whereby St. [[John of Kronstadt]], upon discerning the 14-year old Matrona among a crowd of [[Pilgrimage|pilgrims]] that had come to see him, asked everyone to step aside and let the girl come through and approach him. As she walked towards him he exclaimed: ''“Here is my successor, the eighth pillar of Russia.”'' To this day no one can explain the significance of that phrase spoken by him. However, the fact that Saint John of Kronstadt, known for his gift of spiritual foresight, singled Matrona out in the crowd and sought to converse with her, testifies to his having recognized the Holy seal on her, and how she would serve Russia and the Russian people during the [[w:Treatment of Christians in the Soviet Union|persecution of the Church]].
Rejoice, thou who assuagest sorrow and affliction.<br>
Rejoice O righteous mother Matrona, fervent intercessor before God for us.<br>
==References==
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==Notes==