Sunday, December 20

Modern · 1829–1908

St John of Kronstadt

Wonderworking priest and pastor of all Russia

John Sergiev was born in the village of Sura in Russia's far north and served for over fifty years as a priest of St Andrew's cathedral in Kronstadt, the naval port near St Petersburg. Confronted with the city's poverty and drunkenness, he gave himself to the destitute, founding a House of Industry that provided work, schooling, and shelter for thousands. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy daily and called the faithful to frequent communion, at a time when receiving once a year was the norm. Renowned as a man of prayer, he received countless letters and telegrams asking his intercession, and healings were attributed to his prayers across Russia and beyond. His spiritual diary, My Life in Christ, became a classic of Orthodox devotion. He foresaw the catastrophes approaching Russia and called the nation to repentance. He reposed in 1908 and was glorified as a saint.

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