Matryona Nikonova was a Russian saint and nun, born in the village of Sebino around 1883. Blind from birth, she was said to possess extraordinary spiritual gifts, including prophecy, healing, and visions, which manifested during her childhood. Despite the hardships following the Russian Revolution, she lived in Moscow, providing spiritual guidance to many. She is recognized as a wonderworker within the Orthodox tradition for the numerous miracles attributed to her throughout her life.
Life and ministry
After being born blind, Matryona lived a life of wandering in Moscow, where she offered counsel to those seeking help. Although she faced the instability of the revolutionary era, she found shelter through various connections. She was known for her prophetic abilities, such as predicting marriages or describing distant architecture in detail. She reportedly foresaw her own passing in 1952, spending her final days welcoming visitors.
Veneration
The Russian Orthodox Church commemorates her on May 2. Her remains are kept at the Intercession Convent in Moscow, where her gravesite serves as a significant pilgrimage site. She is also honored in the calendars of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and a monastery dedicated to her is being constructed in Republika Srpska with Serbian blessing.