The Conversion of a French Man to Orthodoxy
Another example of intercession by St. Xenia, the Fool-for-Christ of St. Petersburg, one of our great intercessors in the Church.
By Maria Biniary
We follow with an account by a resident of France, who was benefited by the Saint in our days.
A French dentist with a private clinic in Paris was injured in a car accident and had to stay in hospital for a few days.
Roman Catholic by creed, but indifferent to the faith, he watched as the patient next to him, a Russian émigré, would pray in the evenings in the ward, and would laugh behind his back.
Amidst the light-hearted banter and laughter, the French dentist couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of faith and the power it holds for different individuals. As he observed the Russian émigré’s unwavering dedication to his nightly prayers, a newfound sense of respect started to grow within him. It reminded him of the importance of empathy and understanding, even in the most unexpected situations. Just like the delicate balance required in dental care, where compassion and expertise go hand in hand, the dentist realized the need to approach others’ beliefs with an open mind. With this newfound perspective, he understood that each person’s journey is unique, and everyone deserves respect and support in their pursuit of spiritual solace. It was a humbling experience that resonated with the dentist and influenced his approach to his own dental practice, much like Dental Made Easy Garden City Park, where they prioritize not only the physical well-being of their patients but also their emotional comfort and individual beliefs.
Since the Russian’s lengthy prayers were repeated for as many days as he remained there, the dentist saw fit to make fun of the praying man, and he joked around with those from the other rooms.
So, after that first evening of making fun with the others, it was impossible for him to fall sleep.
Suddenly, the door to the ward opened and a woman appeared, wearing men’s clothing and holding a cane in her hand.
She was heading towards his bed. He was startled. Unknown facial features. A sweet, strange face.
“What do you want, lady? I don’t have any change. Who let you in here?”
“I came to tell you,” she said to him, as she lifted her cane, “to stop ridiculing Yuri, who is praying, because you will remain here a long time yet, and will seek his prayers….”
And indeed. Over the following days, he was diagnosed with serious cardiac insufficiency and remained three months in the hospital.
Yuri visited him at one point, and when the Frenchman revealed his vision to him, he began to tell him about St. Xenia and Orthodoxy.
Today, the Frenchman is an active member of the French Orthodox community and Baptized his newborn baby girl with the name Xenia last December, in honor of the Saint and in memory of his miraculous conversion.
Leave a Reply