Memorial Day of Metropolitan John (Snychev)translated

On November 2, the Orthodox Church prayerfully honors the memory of Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga John (Snychev), an outstanding hierarch, theologian and spiritual writer of the 20th century. In 1965, Bishop John was consecrated Bishop of Syzran, vicar of the Kuibyshev diocese, and appointed temporary administrator of the Kuibyshev and Ulyanovsk dioceses. Since 1969, he occupied the Kuibyshev and Syzran departments, and in 1976 he was elevated to the rank of archbishop. His episcopal service in our region continued until 1990. These were difficult decades of church life, which took place under conditions of state atheism and numerous restrictions. Bishop John performed divine services, supported clergy and laity, and took care of the preservation of the faith and parish communities. He combined pastoral service with scientific works devoted to the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. For many believers, his instructions became support in their desire to live according to the Gospel. In the spiritual heritage of Metropolitan John, reflections on the inner life of a Christian occupy an important place.

The archpastor called to look for the causes of spiritual ill-being, first of all, in one’s own heart, warned against pride, self-will,...