Saint Matrona was born in 1881 in the village of Sebino (Epifaniskaya district of Tula province, now Komiovski), to devout and virtuous parents, Dimitri and Natalia. She had three siblings: Ivan, Mikhail, and Maria. Because of their poverty, her parents initially considered sending the unborn child to the Golitsyn orphanage. However, her mother saw in a dream before her birth a bird with a human form but without eyes resting on her right hand, which she understood as a divine sign that the child would be chosen by God.
Matrona was born blind. At her baptism, performed by the priest Basil—known for his piety and spiritual discernment—a fragrant cloud appeared above the baptismal font, signifying her future holiness.
From childhood, her only place of refuge was the church. Even as a young girl, she was believed to have been granted the gifts of spiritual insight and discernment. She could perceive the illnesses, struggles, and moral states of people and would advise and guide them accordingly.
During her pilgrimages across Russia, she once met Saint John of Kronstadt, who, without having seen her before, called out to her by name and declared her his spiritual successor, calling her “the eighth pillar of Russia.”
At the age of seventeen, Matrona became completely paralyzed in addition to her blindness, yet she lived in this state for fifty years without complaint, accepting her suffering as part of God’s will. She often warned believers of coming trials, urging them to remain faithful and to choose the Cross in difficult times.
She blessed those who visited her, prayed over them, and offered spiritual guidance. Through her prayers, many were healed and strengthened in faith.
Three days before her repose, she gave instructions for her funeral. Saint Matrona reposed peacefully in 1952 and was buried in the cemetery of the Danilov Monastery.
