Blessed Matrona the Blind, Wonderworker of Moscow

Blessed Matrona was born in the 1880s in Sebeno, Russia, about 300km south of Moscow. Her parents were peasants and poor, and before Matrona's birth her mother had planned to place her in an orphanage, fearing the family could not support another child. However, in a dream she saw Matrona come down from the sky as a bird with a human face, the eyes shut; she took this as a sign from God and abandoned the plan. As the dream foretold, Matrona was born blind, her eyelids firmly shut.

From a very young age Matrona showed the gift of spiritual vision. At age 7, she began to show the gift of healing, and soon sick and suffering people from all over the region were coming to the family's home begging for Matrona to pray for them. In gratitude for healings and help, people left gifts and food, and so Matrona, instead of being a burden, became the main support for her family.

At 14, a benefactress took her on a pilgrimage to holy places in Russia. At one point, while they were waiting in a crowd to receive the blessing of St. John of Kronstadt, he suddenly called out "Matrona, come here!". He said of her, "She will be my successor, and the eighth pillar of Russia."

At 17, she lost the use of her legs and had to be carried to go anywhere, but she accepted this without complaint. She sat cross-legged on her bed, receiving all who came, healing, prophesying, exhorting, admonishing and encouraging, whatever was needed by those who came. After her mother's death in 1945, she moved frequently, kept hidden by the faithful from the Communists (who, fearing her influence, wanted to arrest her). She always knew when they were coming, and the police frequently would arrive only to learn she hed left an hour or two earlier.

Matrona foretold the day of her death (May 2, 1952), and gave instructions for her funeral arrangements. Before reposing in peace, she called on all to tell her of their troubles as if she were alive, and that she would hear and come to their aid. Many miracles have been reported at her tomb.