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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]], in both the Old and New Calendar churches.<ref group="note">St. Matrona passed away on the actual calendar day of May 2nd, and is in fact commemorated by the [[Church of Russia|Russian Orthodox Church]] on May 2nd - noting that the [[Revised Julian Calendar|new calendar]] day of May 2nd is regarded as [[April 19]] th in the [[Julian Calendar|Old Style]]. Therefore, while the Russian Orthodox Church will also commemorate the rest of the saints for April 19th together with St. Matrona (on May 2nd), in New Calendar churches by contrast, the list of saints for May 2nd (a different set of saints) will be commemorated together with St. Matrona (on May 2nd).</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]].
===Baptism and Infancy===
As is the custom, she was [[Baptism|baptized]] 40 days after birth. When the local clergyman Vasily Troitsky dipped her into the [[font]], a column of light, sweet-scented steam rose up from the font to the ceiling. The clergyman was amazed, and said: ''“I have christened many an infant, but have never seen anything like this! This infant shall be a [[saint]]!”''. The child was christened Matrona, in honor of the venerable Matrona,<ref group="note">Saint Matrona, Abbess of Constantinople ([http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/matrona.html Matrona of Perge]), + ca. 510, feast day [[November 9]].</ref> a Greek zealot of the 5th century.
A friend of Natalia’s later related that when the child was still nursing, her mother complained, ''“What can I do? The baby doesn’t take my breast on Wednesday and Friday – she just sleeps all day and it is impossible to wake her up.”''
==Revolution and Later Life==
[[Image:St Matrona of Moscow1.jpg|right|thumb|<center>St. Matrona of Moscow.</center>]]
When still a teenager Matrona predicted the Revolution in Russia. She described in detail how churches would be desecrated and plundered, how believers would be persecuted, and what a bloody struggle would unfold for the land.
==Death==
[[Image:Matrona 1 big.jpg|right|thumb|<center>Holy relic of St Matrona of Moscow.</center>]]
She is said to have predicted her own death three days in advance, accepting all visitors during those final days. She gave all the necessary instructions, asking to have her funeral service in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe on Donskaya Street, where Fr. Nikolai Golubstov served. She also asked that people not bring plastic flowers and wreaths to her funeral. Until the end, she frequently had confession and [[Holy Communion]]. She was very humble and like ordinary sinful people, she was afraid of death and did not hide her fear from those who were close to her.
Rejoice, thou who assuagest sorrow and affliction.<br>
Rejoice O righteous mother Matrona, fervent intercessor before God for us.<br>
==References==
<div><references/></div>
==Notes==
* [http://www.pravmir.com/article_102.html Blessed Matrona], Orthodoxy and the World, Russian Orthodox Church Website.
* [[w:Matryona Nikonova|Matryona Nikonova]] at Wikipedia.
* Great Synaxaristes: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/2865/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ἡ Ὁσία Ματρώνα ἐκ Ρωσίας].'' 2 Μαΐου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Unmercenaries]]
[[Category:Wonderworkers]]
[[Category:20th-century saints]]
[[el:Ματρώνα ἐκ Ρωσίας]]
[[pt:Matrona de Moscou]]
[[ro:Matrona din Moscova]]