This morning I was browsing through some back issues of The Handmaiden when I ran across the following excerpt from The Life and Miracles of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, Holy Trinity Monastery 1997."Till that moment I had prayed constantly and with deep faith to the Lord...but the Lord did not seem to hear me. In actual fact, however, He hears our every prayer, but sometimes, wishing to glorify His saints, He demands from us sinners, that we run to their intercession, and then, by their prayers, which are pleasing to Him, our desires are filled to our own good."I've been asked on several occasions to explain to non-Orthodox friends and family why we pray for the saints intercessions. I've explained it every which way I could but I never feel like I've given an adequate explanation. I think the above passage is perfect and I wanted to share it with you.The original article is from the Summer 2008 edition, Miracles & Pilgramages. The article was written by Jill Wallerstedt and is simply entitled My Encounter with St. Xenia.The article begins,"My story is one of undeserved grace. What happened for me can happen for you. God chose to allow Saint Xenia to visit my home, and through me, my church community."It is a beautiful article and has placed a yearning in my heart for the intercessions of St. Xenia. I highly recommend ordering this back issue when it becomes available (contact Conciliar Press for details).