Selected letters

Paragraph 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Letter 1 S.P. and D.I. Malkin My dears - Semyon Prokofievich and Daria Ilyinichna with the whole family! I received your letter and learned from it that Evdokim was surrendered as a soldier, that you had a lot of tears and grief, that you needed money, that there was no one to work for you after Evdokim was surrendered as a soldier. Stop grieving: now it’s good in the Tsar’s service, better than home life; Moreover, you must serve the Tsar and the Fatherland, and instead of Evdokim, hire a stranger for rural work. As long as I am alive and well, I will not forget you, and I will send you money. So now I’m sending you a hundred rubles. Thank God for everything, and take care of yourself, your health, your peace of mind, love God and the Most Holy Theotokos, diligently visit the church of God on Sundays and holidays; be hardworking, not lazy, temperate, honest, friendly; and the Lord will not leave you. O. Fedor - my deepest bow with his wife; To Ivan Alekseevich - bow with Evdokia Filippovna and everyone who knows and remembers me. I recently sent three hundred rubles to your Church. I believe I will soon send a plan for the new Church. I don’t undertake to run the business, although your Society with Fr. Theodore and asks to take over this matter. I have no time. I have work to do every day from morning until late evening. Forgive and pray to God for yourself and me and for everyone. Archpriest John Sergiev. Reprinted from: KP. 1912. No. 3. P. 52–53. September 26, 1888. Kronstadt Your Excellency, dearly respected Princess Elizabeth! I received your letter and read it with heartfelt sympathy. May the Lord reward you for your feasible assistance in establishing Orthodoxy in the region where the Lord destined you to live and act 1 for the good of the people and for the Glory of God. You ask God for a miracle to successfully spread Orthodoxy and to help the poor Estonians and Latvians. God is a God of miracles at all times. He has created and will create miracles in your Brotherhood 2 and will confirm your work to the end. I have the honor to send 3 two hundred rubles 4 for the needs of the Society. I sincerely bow to you, princess, Your humble servant and Bogomolets, Reprinted from: KP. 1999. No. 1. P. 239–240. Autograph: Central State Historical Archive of the Russian Federation. F. 812. Op. 1. Unit hr. 255. L. 791–94. Letter about. I. is a response to the following letter from E.D. Shakhovskaya from September 13. 1888: Dear Father John, Your name and your affairs are too well known for me to need to explain to you in many words why I, unknown to you, decided to contact you. I ask you for a miracle - not for myself or another person close to me, but for a cause that I love very much, but every minute I feel how weak my strength is and how imperfect I am in serving it. The name of my husband, Prince Sergei Vlad. You seem to know Shakhovsky, especially since you met him at V.K. Sabler and this meeting will remain an indelible grateful memory for the prince. God was pleased to instruct him to serve the fatherland with the goal of the closest reunification of Russia with its Baltic outskirts, which was still very easily torn away from it by enemy slander by a foreign spirit, unusual for us. Along with the publication of new laws, with various reforms in the field of government of the region, it was necessary for him to take care that the Russian spirit, the spirit of Orthodoxy and the deeds of brotherly love towards the Estonian people did not become scarce, but grew with greater strength and more closely connected the abandoned local rural population with us with strong bonds of brotherhood and respect. By the way, in this area, he also allocated a corner for me to work and instructed, together with my kind mentor in Orthodoxy and faithful friend - Mother Maria, the abbess of the Kostroma Epiphany Monastery, to take care of the organization in one of the central points for Russian influence on the rural population, in Ievva, a number of charitable institutions that would arise and grow under the auspices of the Orthodox Church. It was difficult to start this business, but it was precisely on that trip of the prince to St. Petersburg, when he met you at Sabler’s in December 86, that it began and has been growing since then with incredible, miraculous speed: funds were given where they could not be expected, favorable obligations formed by themselves, surpassing the wildest hopes. How many times have I said: “if this succeeds, then it will be a miracle,” and a miracle happened, and the more miracles were performed, the faster the matter grew, its demands increased, the previous framework became cramped. A school for 150 students is being built on land voluntarily given to us by a local landowner, from whom we did not expect this at all; it will be ready by October 1st. Our house church already has a permanent priest, the hospital is open, and patients from all over the area 70 miles away are flowing to us in such numbers that we did not at first expect. There is no shortage of staff, sisters from Kostroma experienced in caring for the sick and in church service; The demands of life and the local environment on me increase so quickly that I lose courage and cannot rely on my own strength. I see that it is now necessary to open a hospital with several permanent beds in order to familiarize the population even more closely with the help in their physical and mental suffering that the Russian Orthodox Community can give them, we need a permanent doctor, it is necessary to gather Orthodox Estonian orphans scattered in extreme need in different parishes under our shelter; people who are up to the task (which is so rare) are available for all this, and cash is extremely scarce for all this. We must wait for a miracle again. And now, in my great spiritual anguish and concern, I turn to you: Holy Father, pray that it is the Will of God to send this miracle again. On behalf of the prince, I am enclosing two brochures about the Mother of God Mountain, which lies on the 1st 2nd route between Ievve and Syrents, a Russian village on Lake Peipus, as well as a small icon depicting the Assumption, made in Moscow in memory of our wonderful holiday on August 15th. Unfortunately, the views taken from the Mother of God Mountain are not yet ready, and we do not have an authentic photograph from the Pyukhtitsa Icon of the Assumption: all this still needs to be done. We will ask you to send a sister skilled in icon painting from Kostroma. The report for 1887 and the Charter of our Ievven branch of the Baltic Brotherhood will give you an idea of ​​the foundations on which our work of rapprochement with the Estonian population began. Once again I beg you to help him. I take this opportunity to ask you during the liturgy to take out portions for the health of Sergius and Elizabeth and their relatives, as well as the father of my servant of God Demetrius. With deep reverent feeling asking for your blessing, I remain your humble servant E.Sh., born. gr. Milyutina. Letter 3 books. D.M. Galitsina 5 Illustrious Prince Dimitri! Great is your grief and that of your wife, Princess Zinaida. I sympathize with you brotherly. But if human wisdom and knowledge are powerless to alleviate this grief and suffering of your dear wife, then the Lord is always good and strong to help and comfort and save all those who trust in His name. First of all, in any bodily illness, repentance before the Lord is necessary, because the body most often suffers from sin. Behold, thou art in health, and thou shalt not sin. The eyes need to be treated with holy water, or washed with plain water with the thought of the Lord and faith in Him. Otherwise, surrender to the all-good Providence in everything and do not give up prayer. Venerable Mother Taisiya! May the peace of God be with you and your sisters; May the Lord grant you to prosper in all spiritual and worldly affairs with good health. How is my niece from Sur, Anyuta, getting used to living and working and studying with you? May the Lord make her wise and may he prepare her heart for His habitation, according to the Scripture: “Do you not know that you are the church of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you” (1 Cor. 3:16). She is simple-minded, humble, obedient; I hope she turns out to be a good person. I have been staying in Moscow for several days with my kindest friend, Madame Maria Pavlovna Duhamel, where I feel as comfortable as at home. On July 22 I am leaving for St. Petersburg. I was near Kharkov on July 15 and 16, and on the way there, as well as there, I had a severe toothache, which subsided upon arrival in Moscow. When I come to St. Petersburg, I’ll look at your construction, and then, God willing, I’ll write you something. The Tver convents of Vyshnevolotsky and Bezhetsky are waiting for me; I don’t know when to go to them. Farewell! Archpriest John Sergiev, a humble pilgrim. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. P. 5. Most Honorable Servant of God – Milius! 6 With all my heart I thank you for your love and your desire to give me an hour of your courtly, beautiful, exemplary singing. This happy time for me could be December 16 or 17 7 and preferably in the evening, at 5 or 6 o'clock. You will notify me when it is more convenient for you on these or other days or times. His Excellency To the Most Honorable Manager Court Chapel Milia Balakireva from Archpriest John Sergiev. Printed by autograph: IRLI, f. 162, op. 4, no. 1025. Dearest Mother Taisiya! Congratulations on the upcoming great holiday of Christmas in the flesh of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ! How is your health? What is the state of your soul, much caring and much labor? What about my niece Anyuta? 8 Does he succeed in learning? does he pray earnestly? – this is the main thing. Aren't you bored? What about the sisters of your monastery? is everyone healthy? May God grant you all health, peace, silence, piety and fear of God and spiritual prosperity. Mother Taisiya! I don’t like Academy student P-v 9 with his arrogant, secular claims that his bride should play the piano and almost dance; I thought about him, judging by his father, that he was also a pious man, as befits a young man preparing to take holy orders, to be a shepherd of human souls. And with such views I would not want a person for my dear Anyuta. I propose to choose a groom for Anyuta from among the seminarians who graduated from the course with more modest requirements. May the Lord arrange everything, if He pleases, for my niece to be a friend of the shepherd - the servant of the altar of the Lord 10. I have just returned from Rostov-on-Don, where I was invited 11. Your pilgrim, humble Archpriest John Sergiev. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. pp. 5–6. Dear sister Daria Ilyinichna! I bless and kiss and hug you in absentia; together with you, your children and your daughters-in-law and your grandchildren, with whom the Lord has blessed you. 12 Your daughter Anyuta is well and is now visiting with Mother Superior Taisiya in St. Petersburg. Yesterday I prayed with her for the All-Night Vigil in the same house at the birthday girl A.I. 13, where there were quite a few other worshipers. Anyuta is a bride and is preparing to marry the future Priest I.N. Ornatsky. He will be a priest in St. Petersburg. 14 Thank God that although your daughter will be a clergywoman, having a mother of clergy rank, who became a peasant by her husband. I’m preparing her dowry and, God willing, we’ll have a wedding. Now I wish you health and success in your peasant affairs. I am sending you 15 three hundred rubles for three families - one hundred for each. I help Evdokim, he already lives in a new house. May God grant you happiness and contentment, peace and order in everything. In the summer I’m thinking of visiting Sura again, praying and taking care of the construction. 16 My bow to all the Suryans I know. Reprinted from: KP. 1912. No. 3. P. 53–54 17 Russian Apollo Nikolaevich! Thank you very much for sending me your wonderful essays. 18 I love everything that is truthful and sincere in literature, and I highly value the gift of speech in a person. I fulfilled your request - to pray for the healing of your daughter-in-law Ekaterina Alexandrovna 19, although I have not yet notified you about it. 20 Thank you for your trust in me as a mediator, albeit an unworthy one, between the Heavenly Doctor and those being treated. 21 I am glad to greet you and kiss you brotherly. Archpriest of Kronstadt Apollo Nikolaevich Maykov. Foreign Censorship Committee 22. I ask you, take Anyuta yourself to the Ornatskys’ dacha, 23 and you can leave her there for a stay for two or three days, if they ask. I’m going to my homeland after May 17, 24, and I’ll take Anyuta with me, not so much for a visit there, but for my mother’s blessing for marriage: this is a great thing! 25 Bring her to Vologda directly to my ship, which will be waiting for us there 26. Fulfill and bless, O Lord, all Your desires, that everything may be accomplished according to Your holy will. Your humble servant and prayer book, Archpriest John Sergiev. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. pp. 6–7. "Yaroslavl Provincial Gazette" Hereby I declare, who should know, that a certain Alexey Sergiev Gladkov, assigned to the peasant society of the Shchennikovsky volost of the Rostov district and living in the city of Rostov, on Blagoveshchenskaya street, in the house of Rakhmanov, is brazenly abusing my name, telling the common people that I gave him the blessing to teach the people and heal people’s illnesses 27 - which never even occurred to me - and as if the laity should turn to him, the impostor, and not to the legitimate shepherds appointed by God. I testify by God and my priestly conscience that Gladkov is a deceiver and a false teacher. 28 Published from: Kronstadt Bulletin. 1894. 21 Aug. No. 99. Letter 11 to Abbess Taisia Dear, dear Mother Taisiya! May God's blessing and peace be with you and with the spiritual sisters entrusted to you by the Lord for spiritual guidance for their salvation. At the same time, I wish you health from the Lord, since you are in poor health and need to maintain it. 29 E.B. visited me several times and said that she wanted to enter the Korotsk monastery, but she doubted whether she would stay there, that is, whether she would get along. I let her weigh these words, since you write something completely different about her: I myself don’t know how to get rid of her; I can see for myself that she is a difficult person. Forgive me for burdening you with it. I'll move on to another matter. Let me ask you: how is my Anyuta behaving and generally doing? What kind of enlightenment is given to her? Is she healthy, pious, obedient? May God grant that monastic life and monastic upbringing in a religious spirit serve as an excellent beginning for her subsequent life, because life in a monastery should be the beginning of all virtue, just as for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, upbringing in the Temple of Jerusalem. I rely on you, its leader. 30 Christ is with you! Your servant and prayer book Archpriest John Sergiev. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. pp. 7–8. Letter 12 K.P. Pobedonostsev Your Excellency Dear Konstantin Petrovich! Today I had the honor to receive your dear letter, and sincerely grieving the painful condition of our kind, generous and merciful Sovereign, I offer my heartfelt prayer everywhere for his healing and preservation for many years as the all-powerful King of all reigning. And I wish you fullness of spiritual and physical strength. 31 Your humble servant and humble a prayer book according to rank and soul, Published by: RGIA. F. 1574. Op. 2. D. 190. L.1. Your Excellency Dear Anatoly Nikolaevich! With loyal joy I accepted your notification of the highest gratitude to me 32 for my assistance in church building in Siberia. In response to your letter dated November 25, No. 1041 of this year, I have the honor to notify you that I would like to name the proposed church for construction in the village of Novo-Rozhdestvenskoye, Tokmyk volost, Tara district of Tobolsk province in the name of St. Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. 33 I teach you, by the grace given to me, God’s blessing. May the Lord bless you for many years to come. With deep respect and sincere devotion, I have the honor to be - Your Excellency humble servant and worshiper Published by: RGIA. F. 1642. Op. 1. D. 437. L. 1. The letter is written in the hand of the secretary and signed by Fr. I. In a letter dated April 20, 1904, Kulamzin wrote to the priest: “The day after tomorrow is exactly 10 years since you blessed the collection of donations for the construction of churches of God among the settlers of Siberia. On this highly significant day for this matter, I published a report, the first copy of which I consider it my duty to present to you. In it, your name, dear to all who honor you, is mentioned in the preface on pages 6, 7 and 11; in the church report: pages 29, 30, 31, 57, 58, 73 and 76; in the list of donors on pages 81, 82. Your last donation is mentioned on page 7 of the preface, but is not mentioned in the list, because it dates back to 1904, because you blessed me with it on February 19 of this year. Through your prayers this work is moving forward and by January 1, 1904, 214 churches had been undertaken (to build), of which 17 were completed, and since the new year 5 more churches have been undertaken (to build). – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 16A, l. 168–169 vol. February 16, 1895. Kronstadt. Rector of the Kronstadt Cathedral, February 16, 1895 Kronstadt. His Eminence, Gury Bishop of Samara. I have the honor to most respectfully respond to your attitude towards me dated January 30, this year, No. 1642. 34 Your Eminence! I am amazed at the cunning and cunning of the evil serpent, the sower of many different weeds in the human race, how he tirelessly tries to pervert our true, right and saving faith and turn it into a reason for harm to the foolish and worldly, who seek their own, albeit sad and harmful, fame, and not the true knowledge of God and the glory of God and the salvation of their neighbor. God knows that I did not give the peasant woman Klipikova the slightest reason for her to recognize me as Christ - I am a sinful and weak person. The grace of God and long-term service in the priestly rank 35 , with a previous higher theological education 36 - so strengthened me in the true faith and in the awareness of my weakness and sinfulness and in the constant assistance of the power of God that I never thought highly of myself, but recognized myself for what I am - “weak and sinful above all.” I am amazed at the absurdity, senselessness and rudeness of the said woman - and now I am denouncing her and those listening to her in this letter of the madness, absurdity and destruction of Klipikova’s teaching, as an ignorant vagabond, illiterate and senseless. I affirm before everyone that there is no other name under heaven, in which it is appropriate to be saved, except the Name of Jesus Christ, by which I am constantly saved and overcome sin and the adversary the devil, and Jesus Christ abides in heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father and always invisibly abides with his faithful in his church on earth, according to His promise: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) – And “if we or an angel from heaven preach more good news than we preach, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8). If, Your Eminence, you find it useful and necessary to publish in print this accusatory writing of mine regarding Klipikova, order it to be published in diocesan or provincial bulletins, let everyone who needs to know know that I am a sinful person, but living, cleansed, sanctified and guided continually by the grace of Christ for the sake of the grace of the priesthood resting on me - and in me acting according to my faith and zeal, and let all the worldly and ignorant be silent, those who do not know what they say or what they affirm.” Your Eminence, humble novice Archpriest of the Kronstadt Cathedral Ioann Sergiev. Published from: Samara Diocesan Gazette. 1895. No. 6. Official part. pp. 61–62. Letter 15 to Abbess Taisia Beloved of Christ and reverent I received your letter, in which you ask me about the state of my health and, among other things, say that through this physical illness I can at least somewhat rest my spirit from the onslaught of people with their trifles. I’ll tell you this: my illness is so difficult that it gives me one continuous, constant, severe suffering, often even causing groans. I had no rest for 8-37 days and couldn’t even read. Thank you for the books sent (Small format menses). But now I read, besides St. Gospels, works of Basil the Great. I couldn’t write at all and didn’t write to anyone. Now I’m starting little by little, so I’m writing to you: 1) I rejoice that you feel God more vividly in your heart and receive from Him the illumination of your soul, darkened by everyday worries, sorrows and sorrows. “I have seen the Lord before me, so that I may sit at my right hand, so that I will not be moved” (Ps. 15:8). 2) On the second point, you speak the truth, and thank God for the cross. Do not be discouraged because you do not do or do not fulfill the prayer rule. The Lord will impute your labors to you instead of a rule, but without a prayer rule, always remember God and have a contrite spirit and a humble heart, praying for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of a pure heart and a right spirit. Conceit - aside; say: “I am an unbreakable servant, even though I should have created them, I have created them” (Luke 17:10). 3) Your spiritual literary pursuits are not only not sinful, but also useful, as long as they do not distract you from the most important matters, from the only thing you need. Remember that you must firmly base all your works on Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition 38 . 4) The enemy is undoubtedly treacherous over you, as he is over all of us during prayer; but resist him, and he will flee from you. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), says the Apostle. “Pray and do not be cold” (Luke 17.10), says the Savior. 5) Where you see evil, especially threatening the entire society, be sure to denounce and speak out. If you yourself are powerless, tell the strong ones, remembering that if you don’t tell, then the sin that results from this evil will remain on you: I knew, but didn’t say; could have prevented it - and did not do what was necessary. Evil must be eradicated everywhere and always, and goodness must be planted. I will hardly go out to serve this week. My leg still hurts – it’s bandaged. I would like to serve and receive communion myself. The second week - without the bread of Life and the cup of salvation. I will not confess or give communion to the people this week. I bow to you and your sisters. 39 bows to the Ornatskys. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. pp. 9–10. Letter 16 to Prince E.E. Ukhtomsky Начитавшись в газетных известиях о страшных бедствиях, постигших армянский народ 40 и о крайней нужде армян, оставшихся в живых после разгрома 41 , я, из горячего сочувствия к их бедствию и ради посильной им материальной помощи, жертвую 200 рублей, в пример и поощрение моих соотечественников, чтобы и они отозвались сочувственно к своим братьям по вере – христианам. I ask you, Prince, to announce this in your newspaper for the sake of a good cause. Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1896. December 31st. No. 269. Letter 17 to M.N. Milyutin and O.A. September 4, 1898. Kronstadt. Dear and dear sisters in Christ - Maria Nikolaevna and Olga Nikolaevna! Ваше ко мне письмо, в котором так сквозит ваша вера в Господа и любовь к ближнему, тронуло меня до умиления. Молю Господа моего, Благого и Скоропослушливого, да исцелит он верную рабу Свою Юлию, не исцеленную никаким врачом земным – и в то время, когда я пишу эти строки, да получит она, по вере моей в Господа, всякое облегчение и совершенное исцеление рабы Его Юлии, и прощение грехов ее. – My heartfelt bow to you. Archpriest of the Kronstadt Cathedral Maria Nikolaevna Milyutina from Archpriest John Sergiev Letter 18 to Abbess Taisia I received and read your letter and thank you for everything. I have been sitting at home in Kronstadt 42 for a whole week, although I serve liturgy in the cathedral every day. I received a letter from the Most Reverend Jonathan in response to mine. 43 He answers me with gracious words, but he refuses our request. Apparently, he is dissatisfied that Senator Mordvinov, with whom you were, arranged such a solemn meeting for you, although, in my opinion, you had nothing to do with it, since, in all likelihood, you could not only have imagined, but even expected. The senator in general is a very strange person. Well, God be with him; If God pleases, everything will work out. 44 May God grant you many years of health and not to be disturbed by empty events that are inevitable in the life of every person on earth. I'll visit you when I get better. 45 To all the sisters and Fr. Bow to John of Ornatsky and his wife, my Anyuta. 46 Archpriest John Sergiev. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909, pp. 29–30. Thank you, my dear spiritual daughter, for your spiritual submission to me; So, listen: for the sake of the Lord, fast during both fasts this summer - Petrovsky and Dormition - on Wednesdays and Fridays, eat fasting, drive away the indulgences of the flesh from yourself, enslave the flesh, reject self-indulgence, be a slave of the Lord, and not of the flesh and its lusts. 47 The most sinful of all is John of Kronstadt. Reprinted from: E. Dukhonina. How Father John of Kronstadt put me on the path of salvation (Diary of a Spiritual Daughter). M.: Publishing house "Father's House", 1998. P. 47. The letter dates from the time of departure of Fr. John in Sura (see note to the letter dated May 28, 1900). Letter 20 to Abbess Varvara Dear sisters in Christ! Peace and blessings of God be upon you. I am writing you my first letter from Kholmogory. I will describe to you how we sailed from Sura to Kholmogory. You have already been told, probably by our fellow swimmers to Verkola, how many hours we stood on the shallows, not reaching Lavela, and then, having passed a little Lavela, before the village of Repishche, and with what incredible efforts we refloated: from 5 to 6 hours we tried to get off the sand; It’s good that we weren’t standing on rocks. But what would have happened if we had set off from Sura later one day? “We would have stayed completely on dry land.” Then they sailed about fifteen versts from Verkola, the steamer hit a large stone - so the ship leaned on its side, and by nightfall there was a lot of water at the bottom of the steamer, which had to be poured out with buckets, and the holes were plugged with plugs of tow. That's how much trouble we have suffered! And then, right up to the city, they ran aground more than once. What a treacherous river Pinega! You can never rely on her. 48 Now, thank God, we're on the big water. May God grant you a safe and secure path forward. But how do you begin your monastic life? Do you have fun singing to God, praying, working? Do not forget that for the sake of eternal life in heaven you became nuns and ascetics. So strive to achieve eternal bliss. “This is how you will understand” (2 Peter 1:10). Having arrived in Arkhangelsk, we will ask the Bishop to petition to rename the community into monastery 49 and to grant you a permanent priest. 50 This is necessary. Mother Taisiya is healthy like an old woman, cheerful, cheerful; everyone works, writes papers: thanks to her, the unceasing worker. 51 I am writing before the mass that I will serve at the Kholmlgory convent on June 24, Saturday. Today, Saturday, we will go to Arkhangelsk. Forgive and pray for us; we are for you. Published by: TsGIA (S.-Pb.). F. 2216. Op. 1. D. 14. L. 314–315. For the first time: KP. 1913. No. 41–42. pp. 716–717. Letter 21 to Abbess Varvara August 24, 1900. St. Petersburg. Honorable Mother Varvara! I am sending you novices newly entering the Sursk monastery - Pelagia Afanasyeva, Elena Tseloukhova, Matrona Mogilenkova and Evdokia Kucherenko, worthy to become nuns in time. 52 – I ask you to accept them and include them among the novices. - Write down what you are doing; Has your new priest, Fr., taken office? Georgy Makkabeev 53 and whether he received my salary sent to him in the amount of 500 rubles. According to the certificate, where it follows, it turned out that he would not receive a salary from the treasury, so the monastery was obliged to find funds for his maintenance 54 . Have you looked at the dacha donated to me by the Tsar for the benefit of the Sura monastery? - If not, look and write what kind of forest is in it, what species, except conifers, and what can be done for the monastery from this dacha? The ministry ceded this grove to us only after my second very convincing letter, and if I had not written what I wrote, the dacha would not have been ceded to us. Thank God and pray to Him for the King, for the minister and for me. 55 – Write more often about everything that interests you and me. Yes and oh. Remind Maccabee that he must write to me about all the orders of the monastery. Farewell. God's blessing to everyone. Our farmstead in St. Petersburg is moving forward very quickly. 56 Today, August 24, I was with Abbess Taisia. God bless! Published by: TsGIA (S.-Pb.). F. 2216. Op. 1. D. 14. L. 318–319 vol. For the first time: KP. 1913. No. 41–42. P. 718. Your Excellency Gracious Sovereign Fyodor Petrovich! Your nephew Alexey Mikhailovich Agarev told me about your sincere desire that I assist you in establishing peace in the Lintul community, shocked by prolonged strife. I welcome your wonderful intention and am ready to meet your endeavors halfway in order to help the community obtain a good Christian dispensation, both spiritually and materially. But at the same time, I consider it necessary to declare and warn you that only if I can hope for complete pacification in the Lintul community, if my responsibility as a leader in the spiritual life of the sisters, i.e. No one else will be called to the post of confessor of the community, but only Alexey Mikhailovich Agarev, well known to me, on whose reports I mainly based my opinions on the Lintul issue, and to whom, if necessary, I will always be ready to help with appropriate instructions. I allow myself to hope that you will not resist this good advice and oppose the Eminence Nicholas to carry it out and thereby force us to respect your rights to a much greater extent. Provided to you as the founder of the community, in the matter regarding the election of a new abbess. If you would like to personally discuss the above with me, I am always at your service. I have read your letter, given to me by Agarev. Address of Fedor Petrovich Neronov: Art. Terijoki according to Finl. Zhel. Dor. Or St. Petersburg, Zabalkansky Prospekt Corner of 4th company, building No. 35, apt. 2 Transfer to General Agarev There is no signature on the letter Dated approximately in connection with the letter to the abbot. Taisiya dated April 5, 1901 (M. Florentia was dismissed from her post on January 24, 1901. Her place was taken by M. Feoktista). Letter 23 to Abbess Taisia Christ is in our midst, and is, and will be! So I got to Sura and have been visiting and serving here for the third day. 57 This year, with great difficulty, we got - and not all of them - to Sura; The water in Pinega is extremely low and did not allow us to reach our homeland by boat. 58 Having not sailed 80 versts, we had to get off the ship at Karpovaya Mountain and go up the mountain on horseback. We were all very shaken from being unaccustomed to it, even me, who was unaccustomed to tarantasses. After railways and steamships, travel in village tarantasses is extremely difficult. On the way back to the city of Pinega, where the steamer stopped to wait for us, we want to go on a small shallow-draft monastery barge. We don’t know whether this extraordinary journey by water will be possible. Tomorrow, June 11th, we leave Sura. 59 We were in a government grove allocated to the monastery, 16 versts from Sura. 60 The place is enchanting with its location and huge ship scaffolding. Most of it is mountainous and covered with forest; At the very top of the mountain, several forests were cut down and the place was emptied for the construction of a small church, like a monastery. 61 The village of Surskoe is perfectly visible from the mountain, and the horizon is extremely vast; You can look around a space of 40 miles - such a height! Lower down, in the same mountain—half a mountain—a house was built for the sisters, but it’s not ready yet, not finished. Here we drank tea with all our companions - priests, deacons, Hieromonk Feofan and Mother Superior 62, Anna Semyonovna 63, Anna Yakovl. Lezhoeva and many sisters. Here I read the Gospel aloud to everyone - the parable of the wedding feast, the vineyard 64 and explained what I read. A “sermon on the mountain” came out, reminiscent of the Mount of Beatitudes 65; We stayed here for two hours or more and went back in five pairs, and others on foot; drive 3 hours forward and the same time back. Somehow we will manage to travel on a barge without a steamer! Lord help us! – I haven’t visited Arkhangelsk yet; God willing, I will be on the way back. I’ll stay in Arkhangelsk for 3–4 days 66, and I’ll write to you from there. How is your precious health, Mother? How are the sisters doing and being saved? May you all receive help from above. The Sursky sisters all bow to you. They are extremely happy about my arrival and my visit with them. I was at a common meal today; it has the same order as yours. The sisters sing well, and one can see a lot of zeal for God and service. God bless! Quite 67 buildings have been erected, and the building is still being built again. 68 We have a sawmill and a brick factory, a flour-grinding machine; I saw production - a saw, a brick machine and a flour grinder. Everything is good, everything is useful. God grant that everything improves. I expect to be with you on the 22nd or 23rd of June, with the assistance of God. Your unworthy pilgrim, Archpriest of Kronstadt John Sergiev. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909, pp. 42–43. Letter 24 to Abbess Taisia I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the telegram with which you so lovingly congratulated me and the sisters of the Surskaya monastery (monastery) on the consecration of the church of the monastery. 69 I thank you for your letter and I pray to God that He will give you a lot of courage and patience to endure the arrogance of teacher S., who has raised her head. For the common good, it is necessary to remove her from the monastery immediately, as I already wrote to you, according to the instructions of the Apostle: “take away the evil from you, samekh” (1 Cor. 5:13). She is exactly what the Apostle meant. I hope to see you when you come next January. We have great joy at the consecration of the small church of the Sursky metochion. May the Lord and the Mother of God protect our sisters, and the church, and the entire courtyard from enemies, visible and invisible. And to you, Mother, may He continue your days in health for many more years, for our common consolation. Bow to you and all the sisters. Your pilgrim, Archpriest John Sergiev. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909, pp. 47–48. Letter 25 to Abbess Antonia E.B 71 willingly goes to your monastery 72, to a quiet refuge, where she hopes to find satisfaction for her soul, confused by the bustle of life. 73 Accept this meek, kind dove and console her. 74 I bow to you and the sisters of the monastery. 75 Reprinted from: E. Dukhonina. How Fr. Put me on the path of salvation. I. Kr. M., 1998. P. 96. The letter was written in Dukhonina’s house in Moscow in her presence; in the first part of the letter from Fr. I. thanks Mother Antonia for her attention and trust in him. Letter 26 To the officers of the French squadron Greetings to dear guests, highly respected cultural French, representatives of a highly educated nation, led by its highly respected President Emile Loubet. 76 I invoke upon all of you, gentlemen, the blessing of our common God and Savior Jesus Christ and I pray to Him humbly and with all my heart, may He make your short stay in our country desirable, joyful and prosperous for both great nations, and may your return journey to your country be in good health, with the shouts of jubilation of your compatriots. Please accept my apology that due to official circumstances that called me to St. Petersburg, I cannot be among you. 77 Abbot of Kronstadt Reprinted from: Prot. P.P. Levitsky. Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev. Petrograd, 1916. P.35–36. Letter 27 to Abbess Taisia My dear mother and sister Taisiya! Today, May 16th, Thursday, I had the honor to serve at your Leushinsky courtyard, upon returning from Moscow. 79 There were many people, according to custom. Said the word. He gave communion to all the sisters and gave communion to a hundred and two people. I wish you all sorts of good wishes, especially good health and happy completion of exams at your exemplary school. May God see you and your sisters in the summer. All the sisters and Elizaveta Pavlovna bow to you, Fr. John and Anna Semyonovna too, Angelina and her sisters send you greetings. It's warm in St. Petersburg, like summer. In Moscow there is a lot of foliage and greenery in general. Goodbye to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Goodbye. John of Kronstadt. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. P. 54. On May 21, I received a letter from the Most Reverend Vissarion of Kostroma, in which he forwarded to me your thoughtless, insane, sacrilegious and blasphemous akathist to my unworthiness. 80 Who inspired this akathist to you, ignoramus? I guess it's Satan. How stupid of you dared to use my name for evil, and for me, a sinful person, even a priest, to compose an akathist suitable only for saints? What have you not heaped up, what inimitable blasphemies? It is impossible for any sane person to read the countless absurdities in your book-abuse. And you read the words of your madness to simple-minded people, simple and unlearned, and they believed you, a madman and an impostor? Pathetic. And what was your intention when compiling this billboard? Found your own schismatic society, gather your own meetings and excommunicate good, simple people from the Church of God? Isn't it in St. churches of their godly akathists? And how did you dare, a sinner, to make me a saint? Who do you think you are? You have forgotten the most important thing, namely, that you are ignorant, thoughtless, crazy. I curse your akathist. Say this to all your listeners and followers. Archpriest of the Kronstadt Cathedral May 20th, 1902 Kronstadt. Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1902. No. 126. June 6. S. 3. Letter 29 to O. Vladimir Volkovsky Venerable Fr. archpriest! I am amazed at the madness and ignorance of your sectarians who evade their shepherds. I assure in all my words that I am the same priest as all my other brothers and priests, and it never occurred to me to be called by the name of the great prophet Elijah. Please instill this in your absurd and unthinking sectarians. I testify by God that I have never given anyone any reason to consider me, a sinner, for Elijah the prophet. Assure the madmen that they err by their own free will and will answer to God for their madness and indignation. Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1902. August 8. No. 177. P. 3. Letter 30 to Metropolitan Anthony Autumn 1902. Kronstadt - St. Petersburg ...Having founded, with God’s help, with the help of good people and with incessant daily prayerful labors, a magnificent and extensive courtyard with a majestic church, named after the Sursky courtyard, to support the convent I founded in my homeland in the village of Sursky, Arkhangelsk province, I found that this building in the capital is too artistic and extensive to be a courtyard and to be under two principles of spiritual management: Vladyka of St. Petersburg - Metropolitan and Bishop of Arkhangelsk, and that it is better for it to be an independent St. Petersburg convent and under the jurisdiction of one Metropolitan of St. Petersburg 81, with the always constant condition that the third part of the income of the monastery (but not from the income of the 5-story stone house at the monastery) went annually at different times of the year to the Sura convent and that at first not impose various obligations and taxes on this new monastery, requiring large monetary expenditures. Published from: Orthodox Russian monasteries. Full illustration description of all Orthodox Russians. monasteries in Russia empire and on Athos. St. Petersburg Book publishing house P.P. Soikina, 1910. (Reprint). P. 185. “I am sending a blessing, I am informing you that the consecration of the church will be on December 17, 82, please welcome, get your ticket here. Archpriest John of Kronstadt » Reprinted from: E. Dukhonina. How Fr. Put me on the path of salvation. I. Kr. M., 1998. P. 104. Letter 32 to Abbess Taisia February 27, 1903. St. Petersburg. I am writing to you after mass in your church and after the meal. The grace of God be with you and with your abode. By the grace of God, he uttered a decent word, very instructive and edifying, on the troparion of the 6th hour: “And on the sixth day and hour.” 83 I always receive and read your letters with gratitude, but if I don’t answer quickly, then because of many matters. Thank you for the constant feelings of your spiritual friendship in Christ. You probably already know that Elder Senator Mordvinov donated his estate to our monastery of Ioannovskaya. 84 Angelina left to inspect this estate. 85 Spring is coming, albeit early; the rivers begin to open up; and the Lord is preparing the way for us - both to Sura and to you in Leushino. 86 This year I’m thinking of going by car to Vologda, and from there by my ship to Sura. 87 God bless you and your sisters. God help you deal with Ferapontov. 88 Christ is with you. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909, pp. 61–62. Letter 33 To Christians in Chisinau To my beloved in Christ God to the brothers of Kishinev Christians. From the subsequent (after the first) newspaper news about the Kishinev pogrom, I was reliably convinced that the Jews themselves were the cause of the murder, mutilation and killings that marked the 6th and 7th of April. I was convinced that the Christians, in the end, remained offended, and the Jews, for the losses and injuries they suffered, were rewarded from their own and other brethren. I also know this from private letters written to me by the most sincere people who have lived in Chisinau for a long time and thoroughly know the matter. Therefore, I appeal to the Christians of Chisinau: forgive me exclusively for the reproach I addressed to you for the outrages that have occurred. 89 Now I am convinced from the letters of eyewitnesses that the Christians alone cannot be blamed for the riots caused by the Jews, and that the Jews themselves are primarily to blame for the pogrom. 90 Kronstadt Archpriest John May 23, 1903 Kronstadt. Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1903. No. 119. May 29. Letter 34 to Abbess Taisia June 15, 1903. Arkhangelsk. My dear mother Taisiya! I received your dear letter dated June 7 on June 15, 91 in Arkhangelsk immediately after my arrival there. I thank you with all my heart for your maternal care for me and for your unfailing devotion to me. May the Lord reward you for them a hundredfold. May God grant, in equal retribution, that I have equal love for you and for your entire monastery, which I have. May God grant you success in all your enterprises and construction projects for the benefit of the monasteries. God willing, I will make the bookmark with joy. 92 I remember you during my travels and during the service of liturgies, which I celebrate almost daily in monasteries and parish churches - both urban and rural. About the affairs of your beloved “Pustynka” 93 I rejoice. Courses for teachers in your Leushinsky monastery are manna from heaven for Russia 94; people like those from your school are needed now for Russia, in view of Tolstoyism, which is diligently spreading blasphemy against God, against the Church, against the Government, against the priesthood throughout Russia. I’ll say a few words when I was at the “courses” 95 I stayed in Sura only three days 96; the water dropped extremely; This year I had to ride 300 miles on horseback. 97 I will stay in Arkhangelsk for two days; On the 17th I leave Arkhangelsk for Kholmogory to visit my dear sister (who is married to a priest) and to the Kholmogory convent. There - two days. from there on June 20th I will go to Ustyug, there for one day, I will be there no earlier than the 24th 98, from there to Vologda on the 27th; 28th - to Kubenskoye Lake and to the locks; On the 29th we will probably get to Sheksna. June 30th and July 1st – Sheksnoy to your pier. At this time we will talk to you. 99 Help us, God, in everything. I bow to you from the bottom of my heart and to all my sisters and brothers. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909, pp. 62–63. Letter 35 To an unidentified person September 14, 1903. Kronstadt. Thank you for your nice letter and for your desire to refute my insurance in print. Believe that this was done without my consent and in spite of it. I don’t know how the members of society managed to do this. 100 That was eight or ten years ago. I served a prayer service at an insurance company; there was no word about my agreement to take out insurance, and then they sent me insurance; It lies with me until now aimlessly. I didn't pay anything and I don't pay anything. 101 They played their trick on me for their own purpose. I have never been insured and have never insured anything of mine. Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1909. Letter 36 to Metropolitan Anthony December 12, 1904. Kronstadt. In the last months of my life, feeling unwell and senile illnesses 102 and approaching the end of my earthly career 103, I turn to you, my most merciful archpastor, with my most humble request - to allow, in the event of my death, to carry me into eternity and to have a funeral service for me, under your primacy, in the founded women's monastery of St. John 104, and to bury my body under the lower church Venerable John Rylskog 105. Reprinted by: Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenko). Father John of Kronstadt. P. 521. Letter 37 To the editor of the newspaper “Kotlin” At 10 min. At 1 o'clock in the morning I had the good fortune to receive from Their Majesties the Sovereign Emperor and Sovereign Empress Alexandra Feodorovna the following most gracious telegram: “We thank you warmly for your words of true consolation; We pray to the Lord to strengthen your precious health. My telegram to Their Majesties was as follows: “Your sorrow 106 is indescribable; the Savior’s sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane for the sins of the world was immeasurable; add your sorrow to His sorrow - you will find consolation in it. Loyal Archpriest Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1905.No.30. February 8 Letter 38 to Abbess Taisia End of October (after 27) 1905. St. Petersburg. Dear, invaluable Mother Taisiya! I thank you for your dear letter and for your kindred feelings, with which all your letters are always full. Regarding my health, I feel quite good as an old man, and when serving God, I feel very good, and I thank God. In Kronstadt we have a real problem: naval and artillery troops are smashing and setting fire to houses, robbing shops, shops, killing just about anyone. 107 Horror takes not only to see, but also to talk about what is happening. I left Kronstadt for a while; For now I live in my monastery. 108 Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. P. 73. Letter 39 to Abbess Taisia October 31, 1905. St. Petersburg. Invaluable Mother Abbess Taisiya! Grace and peace to you and all the sisters of your monastery from our Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing in your courtyard cell after fryshtik 109 at Maria Ivanovna’s, our common benefactor. Thank you for your letter and for the invitation to come to you and live until the troubled time passes. Now, apparently, everything in Kronstadt has calmed down, although, however, those who were robbed and lost their homes through arson by hooligans did not calm down. Woe, great grief! How many were left homeless, without food, having lost everything through the all-consuming flame! 110 How will all this end? When will the Lord punish seditionists, murderers and arsonists? It seems that in Sodom and Gomorrah they lived better than some people living in Russia today! But in all likelihood, the culprits are Jews who bribed our hooligans to kill, rob, and torment Russian people with fires. I sent a letter with three hundred rubles to the Ferapontov Monastery in your name. Nina 111 yours is healthy. I saw her several times. He won't be staying here for long on business. God bless your holy monastery, you and all the sisters. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. P. 78. Letter 40 To the editor of the newspaper “Kotlin” I ask the respected newspaper 112 to place my following note in one of its first columns. Due to the incomprehensible, inexpressible hatred towards me of the editors - publishers of the Petersburg Listok, Petersburg Gazeta and the recently born "Rus" of the young Suvorin 113, these three newspapers publish on their pages constant slander against me, false news and curses 114, and exile me either to Solovki 115, then to Siberia, or retire me after the new year, wanting to somehow harass me and completely remove me from this world. As long as God tolerates my sins, I calmly remain in Kronstadt and serve God and people, although I often travel at the request of the faithful to St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other cities. I am not retiring, although I am a veteran in years, but not decrepit in strength. I write and print and tell everyone the truth, and not from today, but a long, long time ago, and I remain unchanged in my respectable life, no matter how evil tongues slander me. But they will give an answer to the Judge of the right of the entire universe. I especially ask you to reprint my note in Komarov’s respected and truth-loving newspaper “Svet”. 116 Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1905. No. 261. November 23. Letter 41 to Abbess Taisia Dear, invaluable Mother Abbess Taisiya, red sun! Thank you for your letter and for your feelings of condolences about me. In my Lord Jesus Christ I easily endure all the mockery of evil people against me. It’s a pity that they themselves fall so low, bathing in the devil’s malice, and stain their souls. 117 By the grace of God I am still the same servant of God, and I do not change in the evil direction. You know how people, both old and small, strive for me by the grace of God; how children greet me everywhere with joy, just as Jewish children once greeted Christ with joy, with triumphant faces and songs. 118 So now, everywhere, simple people and gentle children greet me with joy. What does it mean? This means that the grace of God lives in me and draws all simple-hearted people to me, and through me to God, Whom I serve. Today I served in the Leushinsky courtyard. May the Lord bless you for many, many years to come. Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909. P. 87. Letter 42 to Abbess Taisia Dear and most kind Mother Abbess May the grace and peace and mercy of God be with you and with your monastery and school. 119 I wish you good health and good health, dear. I am healthy and prosperous; I don’t care about the slander of the Yiddish scribblers and their ridicule. 120 The Lord will take revenge on them for me 121; for when he touches me maliciously, he touches the apple of God’s eye. - On Varvarin Day, which falls on Sunday, I will not serve in the Leushinsky courtyard, but will be at home in Kronstadt. I will serve on another day, at my choice. I will not celebrate the anniversary of December 12, 122 and I will not accept congratulations - everything will be modest, due to current circumstances. 123 Today, November 26th, I served with you at Basseynaya 124; gave Holy Communion to the sisters and many people; spoke a word to the words of the Lord: “Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19) I bow to the monastery, you and all the sisters. Goodbye. Your prayer book Archpriest John Sergiev. November 26, 1906, (Venerable Alipius the Stylite and St. Great Martyr George). Reprinted from: Letters from Fr. Archpriest John to Abbess Taisia. St. Petersburg, 1909, pp. 88–89. I ask the venerable editor to print my statement in a column. The rogue wanderers, scattered throughout different cities and villages and inquiring about the simple-minded and gullible peasants and peasant women, confuse them with stories, as if they heard from me, that the Last Judgment will soon happen, that we must rather take care of our souls and put aside all worldly cares, sell our estates and give the money to them, who come, as if to hand it over to me - for the poor. At the same time, they inspire the gullible that they need to go to Kronstadt, because there is the only way they can supposedly get salvation. From many localities I received similar statements from dean and simple priests (Luke 24:36; John 20.19) and wrote to them that I had nothing in common with such scoundrels and never asked any of them to help me financially and did not collect from anyone not only rubles, but also kopecks, knowing that it is better to give than to receive. 125 Reprinted from: Kotlin. 1907. No. 77. April 4. For the first time: Light. 1907. April 1. Prince S.V. Shakhovskaya, husband of E.D. Shakhovskaya, was the governor of Estland. Orthodox Baltic Brotherhood. The Ievvensky branch of the Orthodox Baltic Brotherhood took an active part in the formation of the Pyukhtitsa Orthodox parish, established in 1885 by order of the Holy Synod, “in order to protect the Pyukhtitsa shrine (the Miraculous Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary) from heterodox encroachments.” The first monetary donation by Fr. John on the foundation of the Pukhtitsa monastery on the Mount of God in Estonia dates back to 1887. In 1891, when the Pukhtitsa Orthodox parish was transformed into the Assumption women's community, Fr. John personally prayerfully blessed the new heritage of the Orthodox Church. Addressee Established by content: Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Galitsin was married to Zinaida Vasilievna Ladomirskaya; in the 90s of the XIX century. lived in Moscow; was related to the Sumarokovs-Elston, in whose archives the letter was kept. On the indicated days, the concert could hardly take place, since due to freezing the steamship communication between Kronstadt and Oranienbaum was interrupted. O. John, who visited Sura every year, in 1891 (his trip was timed to coincide with the consecration of the St. Nicholas Church), living in the house of D.I. Malkina, with her consent, decided to take his niece Anyuta with him to Kronstadt in order to give her the necessary education. During the celebrations, 16-year-old Anyuta attracted everyone's attention. A. Nartsizova writes about her in her memoirs: “We all had trouble, as they say, our mouths were full. The soul of all the handicrafts was the young blue-eyed Anyuta, the daughter of Father’s beloved sister, Daria Ilyinichna. A typical type of northern beauty, tall, healthy, with flaxen hair and clear eyes, like Father himself, she kept up with everything: in the church she helped tidy up and sew what was needed for the consecration, and in the dining room she decorated the walls with intricate decorations, even better and more quickly than us. Citizens. Although before, living constantly in Sura, I had never seen anything like this. She helped everyone everywhere and brought some kind of revival and joy everywhere and immediately became our common favorite. And dear Father, with what paternal love he watched over her tirelessness." - KP, 1916, No. 23, p. 367. Perhaps this means 3rd year student of St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences Ivan Popov, a graduate of the Arkhangelsk Seminary. In 1893 Father John was an honorary member of the Academy and had the opportunity to communicate with students during exams and academic celebrations. – Memorial book of the St. Petersburg Academy of Civil Aviation for the 1893–94 academic year. St. Petersburg, 1893. P.26. Probably Fr. John visited the dacha of the Kharkov merchant P.P. Ryzhov, located near Kharkov at the Ryzhovo railway station. The Kharkov newspaper “Southern Region”, with reference to the capital’s newspaper “Petersburg Listok”, reported on July 13, 1893: “Fr. John of Kronstadt, who, having visited his homeland Sura, has now left for the Solovetsky Monastery, intends to soon visit the southern cities - Odessa, Kharkov, etc.” (No. 4303). But further information about visiting Fr. John of the Kharkov province did not appear in the newspapers. Perhaps Fr. John undertook the trip, avoiding wide publicity, because. his stay in Kharkov and Ryzhov in the summer of 1890 was accompanied by huge gatherings of people (see about this: Zybin A.A. I.I.S.; Essay on life and activities. Petrograd, 1892. P. 158–166) Father John visited Rostov-on-Don on December 10–12, 1893 at the invitation of the local merchant G.F. Parshina. A few years earlier, G.F. Parshin brought his wife and daughter, who suffered from serious illnesses, to Kronstadt. The sick received healing through the prayers of Fr. John, and the priest promised Parshin to visit Rostov-on-Don at the first opportunity. During his stay in the city, Fr. John stayed in the house of public figure S.N. Solodova. (Azov region. 1893. No. 311, December 8; No. 312 December 9; No. 315 December 12; No. 316 December 13.) The Malkin family had 4 sons (Andrey, Evdokim, Mikhail and Alexey) and 2 daughters (Anisya and Anna). Everyone, except Mikhail, who died early, had several children: Andrey had 7, Anisya and Evdokim had 8 each, Anna had 14, Alexey had 9. Possibly Alexandra Ivanovna Zaitsevskaya. Fr. John is referring to the upcoming service of Fr. John of Ornatsky in the church in honor of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian; The consecration of the main chapel of this church took place on November 21, 1894, and the appointment of a new priest took place on August 10 of this year: by order of the leadership of the Novgorod diocese, “the psalm-reader of the Cherepovets City Annunciation Church, Ivan Ornatsky, was appointed to a priestly place in the St. John the Theological Church of the St. Petersburg Metochion of the Leushinsky Convent.” - Novgor. Eparch. Gazette. 1894. No. 17. September 1st. Part of the official P.782. Father John regularly sent financial assistance to his sister Daria, who lived with her son Alexei, and her eldest children Andrei and Evdokim, who had their own families. Later, when Anisya Malkina married Gerasim Kochnev, Fr. John began to send money for 4 families. – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 5, l. 98–99; 102–104, etc. Father John arrived in Sura on June 1 together with Archangel Bishop Nikanor. On the same day, at 10 o'clock in the evening, work began on preparing the laying of a new stone building for the parochial school: the site was measured and the workers immediately began digging ditches. The next day, a prayer service was held and the site of future construction was consecrated. “After sprinkling the building materials with holy water, a metal plaque was placed in the north-eastern corner of the building with an inscription engraved on it about the foundation of the building during the reign of Emperor Alexander III, through the zeal of Fr. John with the Most Reverend Nikanor." - Arhang. EV. 1894. No. 11. Ch. neof. pp. 283–288. Dated in connection with the letter of Abbess Taisia ​​dated May 4, 1894 and the content: John of Ornatsky was appointed priest to the church of the Leushinsky metochion in St. Petersburg on August 10, 1894 (see note 3 to this letter). In 1894 A.N. Maikov could give Fr. John his three-volume Complete Works, published in 1893 in the 6th edition. E.A. Maykova, wife of N.A. Maykov, the poet’s eldest son. On March 3, she gave birth prematurely to a dead child. The unskilled actions of the obstetrician led to “diphtheria blood poisoning,” which was complicated by external erysipelas and general weakening of the body (E.A. Maykova spent a long time caring for her son Mitya, who had scarlet fever). The extreme deterioration of the patient’s situation on March 11 (the temperature rose to 40.5) forced A.N. Maykov to seek help from Fr. John: “So far there is nothing, but I wrote to Fr. John on Saturday." – IRLI RO, f. A.N.Maikova, house 17004, l. 20 rev. In a letter from A.N. Maykov to his son V.A. Maykov, there is a mention of his correspondence with Fr. John: “I sent Fr. John his writings and asked to pray for Katya - he notified by letter that he had prayed and today sent a huge stack of his recorded sermons and writings. Very interesting to read." – IRLI RO, f. A.N.Maikova, house 17004, l. 19 rev. E.A. Maykova’s condition improved on March 14, the day after sending the letter to Fr. John. In a letter to V.A. Maikov, A.N. Maikov reported: “Yesterday, on Sunday, that after the second bath she felt an appetite for both soup and cutlets, so everyone brightened up. The situation was very dangerous.” 0 IRLI RO, f. A.N.Maikova, house 17004, l. 20 rev. Since 1852, A.N. Maikov began serving as a junior censor in the St. Petersburg Committee for Foreign Censorship; in 1875 he headed this committee (with the rank of full state councilor) and served until his death in 1897. In the Cherepovets district of the Novgorod province lived the family of Anyuta’s future husband, I.N. Ornatsky, the son of the priest N.I. Ornatsky and the younger brother of Fr. Philosopher Nikolaevich - relatives b. Bishop of Penza Ambrose Ornatsky, author of “The History of the Russian Hierarchy”. Departure o. John's homecoming was scheduled for Monday, May 16, but was postponed to Sunday, May 22. On the day of the priest’s departure, a poem by A. Trifonov dedicated to this event appeared in the Kronstadt Messenger newspaper. – Kronstadt Bulletin. 1894. No. 58. May 18; No. 60. May 22. About the search for a groom for A.S. Malkina, see above, letter from Abbess Taisia dated December 16, 1893. Father John arrived in Vologda on Tuesday, May 24, by evening train from Moscow. The next day after the liturgy in the Church of the All-Merciful Savior, he left the city by boat. - Vologda lips. statements. 1894. No. 21. May 27. Ch. neof. During his summer trip to his homeland, Fr. John learned that the tailor Gladkov lived in Rostov, posing as his follower. The Kronstadt Bulletin reported that Gladkov, having learned about the intention of Fr. John to visit Rostov, disappeared in advance. E.B. is an unidentified person. About A.S. Malkina (see letters dated July 20, 1893; December 16, 1893; May 4, 1894; spring 1894. In the archives of the Ornatsky Saznyuvy family there is a photograph of Abbess Taisiya with the inscription: “To my dear and unforgettable Anna Semyonovna Sergieva, Abbess Taiseya, who sincerely loves her. July 1894 5th day. Leushino." Taisia's mistake in Anyuta's surname: "Sergieva" instead of "Malkin" was for her the daughter of Fr. On September 17, a message appeared in the newspapers about the departure of Emperor Alexander III to Livadia for treatment: on September 18, this message was reprinted by the Kronstadt Bulletin (No. 3). On April 22, 1894, Father John blessed the collection of donations for the construction of Orthodox churches among the settlers of Siberia. Subsequently, he constantly provided financial support to the foundation named after Emperor Alexander III, headed by A.N. Kulomzin, and to the cause of church and school construction in Siberia. In 1899, the total amount of donations from Fr. Ioanna amounted to 25,134 rubles. 50 kopecks (St. Petersburg Spirit. Vestn. 1899. No. 14. P. 169). Since the amounts donated by Fr. John's contribution to the work of church construction in Siberia was very significant, A.N. Kulomzin considered it his duty to consult with him on the distribution of these amounts and the names of the churches being built. So, in a letter dated March 14, 1905, Kulomzin asks the priest where to send his ten thousand donation. “I remembered the settlers of 4 Siberian villages, who had long dreamed of a church of God, who gathered together feasible financial sacrifices and yet were not able to build a church.” – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 16 A, l. 190–191. In his official address to Fr. To John, His Eminence Gury asked him to try to stop the heretical teaching spread by the peasant woman E. Klipikova. In November 1894, the parish priest of the settlement of Alexandrov Guy, Novouzensky district, brought to the attention of the diocesan authorities that his parishioner Ekaterina Klipikova, upon returning from Kronstadt, began to spread ridiculous thoughts among her fellow villagers about the archpriest of the Kronstadt St. Andrew's Cathedral. “The real Fr. John, she asserted, disappeared a long time ago and now it is no longer Fr. John, but Christ himself, who came to earth in the flesh to instruct the corrupt human race.” Klipikova said that “the face of Fr. John changes: apparently it comes in three forms, which means the trinity of persons of the deity in it.” She also conveyed that Fr. John had already been summoned to trial before the Holy Synod, and to the prohibition to call himself the Savior, he replied: “They (those who come to him), like little children, by their faith call me what I am; but if they remain silent, the stones will cry out” - Samara EV. 1895. No. 6. Part of the official P.60–62. Father John served as a priest since 1855. This refers to his studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy (1851–1855). The first message about Fr.'s illness. John appeared in the Kronstadt Bulletin newspaper on March 1: in the article “The illness of Fr. John" it was said that "the illness of the Venerable Fr. John is currently improving, but the wounds that have opened on his legs force him to remain inactive for some time" (Kronstadt Bulletin. March 1, No. 26). On March 10, the state of health of Fr. John improved so much that he was allowed to leave home (Kronsh. Vest. March 10, No. 30). In 1892, the second edition of “Spiritual Poems of Abbess Taisia, Abbess of the St. John the Baptist Leushinsky Monastery” was published (St. Petersburg, 1893). In a review of it, published in “Addition to the Church Gazette” (1893. No. 29), N. Kutepov wrote: “The main idea that permeates almost all the poems is the consciousness of limitless dependence on the Almighty Creator, one’s insignificance and sinfulness before Him, a fiery hope for mercy and the all-forgiving mercy of God. Some of the poems are expressions of the personal feelings of Abbess Taisia ​​and were written about the private circumstances of life and activities in the position of abbess of the Leushinsky monastery. Other poems are written on topics taken by the author from the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, liturgical books and Chetiyh-Menya. These poems, compared with others, can be called the best in their edification, warmth and liveliness of feeling from the technique of versification of the abbot's poem. Taisii, with a few errors in the size of the verse, are correct and sonorous.” – Additions to the Church Gazette. 1893. No. 29. July 17. P.1085). Probably Fr. John conveys his regards to Fr. John and A.S. Ornatsky (see letter to nun Florentia dated June 25, 1894 and notes to it), who lived near the church of the Leushinsky metochion, on Basseynaya street at 25. Appeal from Fr. John to the editor of the newspaper “St. Petersburg Vedomosti” E.E. Ukhtomsky (Armenian by nationality) is associated with the aggravation of the so-called. the “Armenian question”, the sources of which go back to 1639, when, after the division, the western part of the country went to Turkey. In the 2nd half. XIX century In the seceded part of Armenia, the liberation movement intensified - for reunification with eastern Armenia as part of Russia. No. 218 of St. Petersburg Vedomosti, dated August 10, reported on the bloody events in the Turkish part of the country: “The Armenians, under the pressure of an unbearable yoke, turned to the Christians of the West in the hope of influencing the lazy policies of Europe. From that moment on, the Armenians were declared revolutionaries. The beating of the Armenians, unprecedented in cruelty, began. They were crucified on crosses, tortured, without distinction of gender and age, given complete freedom cruelty and bloodthirsty fantasy. And only a conversion to Islam could give life to a Christian.” The mentioned defeat, which began on August 15, 1896, was provoked by the seizure of the Ottoman Bank by Armenian revolutionaries; “then,” according to the newspaper, “the killings and persecution of Armenians began on the streets of the capital and in the suburbs, and probably not only hundreds, but also thousands of innocent Armenians, who in most cases were just walking, fell victim.” – St. Petersburg Gazette. 1896. No. 228. August 15. Father John could not leave Kronstadt due to unfavorable weather conditions - ice drift, strong winds and snow blizzards - which made steamship communication with Oranienbaum impossible. About a close acquaintance with Fr. John with the Archbishop of Yaroslavl and Rostov is evidenced by a congratulatory telegram dated November 30, 1893. The letter mentioned here from Fr. John is unknown. Probably, we are talking about the desire of Senator Mordvinov to donate in favor of Fr. John and for the needs of the monasteries he established his Vaulovskoye estate, located in the Yaroslavl province. See about this below, letter 241. (prov!) Mordvinov’s close contacts with the Leushinsky monastery are evidenced by the fact that the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Gracious Heaven” for the church on the senator’s Vaulovsky estate was consecrated by the priest of the Leushinsky metochion in St. Petersburg, Evgeniy Jerusalemsky, while the monks of the choir of the same metochion sang. The consecration took place on April 12, 1900 - reported by employee L.A. Shchennikova. Igum. Taisiya was in St. Petersburg at the courtyard of the Leushinsky Monastery and repeatedly turned to Fr. John with a request to give her time for a conversation. In her letter, dated the first days of November, she, for example, wrote: “I need to talk with you in detail, without haste, and therefore I ask you, my Joy, my father and guide, provide me with a convenient opportunity for this. Or take me with you to go somewhere, at least to Kronstadt; or spend the night with us in view of your services here tomorrow and November 7, or as the Lord inspires you, just satisfy the necessary request of your devoted to the grave and loving abbot. Taisii. – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 7 V, l. 198–199. About I.N. and A.S. Ornatsky, see above, notes to the letter dated June 25, 1894. From Dukhonina’s diary it is known that the answer was to her letter sent from the Oryol Vvedensky Convent, in which she asked for instructions from her spiritual father. The navigation of steamships along Pinega was difficult due to the large number of sandy rapids (locally called “sastrugi”). The most favorable time for traveling along the river was the time of the spring rise of water, by which time Fr. John usually timed his trip. In 1900, the trip to Sura had to be postponed until mid-June so that the newly established convent there had the opportunity to prepare for the opening. This passage by boat became possible because at the beginning of June it rained and the water rose, but due to the hot weather that set in in the middle of the month, the river quickly became shallow again. The petition to rename the Sura women's community into a monastery was sent by the diocesan authorities to the Holy Synod on July 13, 1900. It said: “The rector of the Kronstadt St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Archpriest John Sergiev, having visited the now established by decree of the Holy Synod of October 30, 1899 No. 6877, in the village of Sura, Pinega district women's community, told me that he was pleasantly surprised by its rapid success both in terms of buildings and, even more so, in terms of internal improvement: the beautiful harmonious singing of a relatively small choir, meaningful and correct reading in church, the singers' knowledge of the church charter, the presence among the small number of sisters who were experienced and sufficiently trained for every task needed in the monastery, such as: sacristan, candle holder, prosphora maker, refectory maker, cooks, not to mention various branches of handicrafts, etc. The internal character of the hostel bears the imprint of hard work and obedience and other accessories of monastic life. In terms of external appearance, the monastery currently has a grandiose, beautiful two-story wooden, iron-covered building, accommodating up to 20 spacious cells; the church, although a house-like one, is very spacious, two-story, bright, with a three-tiered iconostasis, with a sacristy and deacon, and a large octagonal dome above the church. To support the said monastery, a courtyard is being built in St. Petersburg, which will undoubtedly be able to deliver sufficient supplies to the monastery.” Based on all of the above, His Grace Ioannikiy petitioned to rename the community into “the women’s monastery of St. John the Theologian with the appointment of a clergy member consisting of a priest and a psalmist.” – RGIA, f.796, op.181, d.1798, sheets 1–2 vol. Father John arrived in Arkhangelsk on June 25 and celebrated the Liturgy in the cathedral. On June 26, he submitted a petition to the Arkhangelsk Spiritual Consistory to appoint a dean, confessor and permanent priest for the Sura community. By a resolution of June 26, Hieromonk Hilarion, rector of the Verkolsky Monastery, was appointed Dean of the Sur community, and Hieromonk Ioannikiy was appointed confessor. And on July 1, 1900, the deacon of the Sursk parish of the Pinega district, Georgy Makkaveev, was assigned to the Surskaya Ioanno-Theological women's community to a priestly place. – GAAO, f.310, op.1, d.1 A, l.13, 20–20 vol. Igum Taisiya brought the first nuns of the future monastery to Sura (see note 2 to the letter of May 28, 1900) and left the homeland of Fr. John with the priest on June 20. The petition cited above was probably one of the documents drawn up by Abbot Taisiya on the ship. The names of the four people sent by Fr. John, new novices first appear in the lists of the Sur community for 1900 (SAAO, f. 310, op. 1, d. 2, l. 14 vol.). The reports of 1901 indicate that Pelagaya Afanasyev is undergoing choir obedience; Elena Tseloukhova – obedience at the altar; Matrona Mogilenkova - in the economic department (ibid. - no. 11, l. 4 vol. - 5). By 1904, of the four named sisters, only Elena Pavlovna Tseloukhova remained in the monastery; on September 21, 1904, she was identified as one of the indicated novices (ibid., d. 26, l. 8 vol.–9). On March 13, 1913, she took monastic vows with the name Raphael. See note. 4 to the abbot’s letter. Taisiya dated August 4, 1900 The Sursky communal monastery was classified as non-staff, i.e. who do not receive salaries from the treasury, but exist on donations and income generated by clergy and the labors of monastics. See note. 6 to the abbot’s letter. Varvara dated August 4, 1900 See note. 6, 8 to the letter of December 28, 1899; note 6 to the letter of Abbot Taisiya dated August 4, 1900. Father John arrived in Sura on June 8 at 5 pm. On June 9 he served in the monastery church; On June 10, he celebrated Matins and Liturgy in the parish church in the name of St. Nicholas. The shallow waters of the Pinega River were associated with the early onset of heat and lack of rain. Father John left Sura on June 11 on horseback. And his companions set off through the shallow waters on the monastery barge. About the Letovskaya ship grove, see note. 6 to the abbot’s letter. Varvara dated August 4, 1900. The skete church in the name of the Life-Giving Trinity in Letovskaya Grove was consecrated. Parable of the wedding feast: (Matthew 22:2–14), (Luke 14:16–24); Parable of the Vineyard: (Matthew 21:33–41), (Mark 12:1–12), (Luke 20:9–19). Father John arrived in Arkhangelsk on June 13. On June 14, he celebrated the Liturgy in the city's cathedral; 15 – in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. That same day in the evening, Father left Arkhangelsk. – Gazette of St. Petersburg. Hail. 1901. June 19 No. 131. In 1901, a wooden three-story residential building with 28 cells for sisters was erected at the Sursky Monastery; rooms o. John and the church in the name of St. ap. John the Theologian, designed for 600 worshipers; a stone two-story building for a refectory with basements; a plank hayloft for 300 cartloads of hay. – GAAF, f. 310, op. 1, d. 11, l. 2, 2 rev. On June 11, before leaving Sura, Fr. John blessed the foundation of a two-story stone house for the economic needs of the monastery. Consecration of the church in the name of St. John of Rylsky at the metochion of the Sursky Monastery in St. Petersburg took place on December 17, 1901. The Consecration and Divine Liturgy was performed by Fr. John in concelebration with Archpriest. Philosopher Ornatsky, priest. John of Ornatsky, rector of the Leushinsky metochion; priest Alexander Zybin, rector of the Pyukhtitsa Monastery in Revel; priest Viktor Torbaev and others. See also letter dated 4 December. 1901 E.V. Dukhonina. E.V. – Ekaterina Vasilievna Dukhonina, spiritual daughter of Fr. I. Oryol Vvedensky Convent. On the advice of Fr. Ioanna E.V. Dukhonina took the path of monastic life, sold her property and in December 1901 was ready to go to the Oryol Convent. O John visited Dukhonina in Moscow and blessed her on the road with the following words: “On your departure, I bless you with joy, and let the abbess give you orders and instructions; I will only say one thing: more patience, humility and condescension towards the weaknesses of others; watch yourself strictly so as not to have attachments to anything worldly, pray well and go to services without fail, look and watch carefully yourself - your inner world and try to catch your thoughts and correct yourself.” - Dukhonina. P.96. In April 1902, Abbot. Antonia wrote to Fr. John: “The kind, meek Dove (as you called her in the telegram), your spiritual daughter Ekaterina Vasilievna, who settled with us until an unknown time, gives us comfort with her useful conversations and edifies us with her good customs, and we often remember you, calling to our aid your prayers pleasing to God, and inspiring ourselves with what she heard from you, His Holiness Father.” – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 7 B, l. 129 vol. E.V. Dukhonina, in whose presence this letter was written, reported that at the beginning of the letter to Fr. John thanked the abbot. Anthony for his attention and trust in him. - Right there. On May 7, 1902, the President of the French Republic, Emile Loubet, accompanied by a French squadron, arrived in the Kronstadt port. The President, who visited Russia at the invitation of the Russian Tsar, had a ceremonial dinner prepared in the halls of the Great Tsarskoye Selo Palace, and the French sailors were honored in Kronstadt and St. Petersburg. On the evening of May 7, the officers of the French squadron were invited to dinner at the Kronstadt commercial meeting. However, only 4 guests were able to attend the dinner, because... the rest were accepted by St. Petersburg society. - Kronsh. Herald. 1902. May 8. No. 53. Perhaps Fr. John hurried to St. Petersburg for the patronal feast of the Leushinsky Metochion Church - the day of remembrance of St. John the Theologian. On the evening of May 7, he took part in the All-Night Vigil at the courtyard: he went to the veneration, read the akathist and canon. – Gazette of the St. Petersburg City Administration. 1902. May 9. No. 100. A few days after the gala dinner on May 7, Emil Loubet, through his ambassador Count Montebello, sent 1000 rubles to the wife of the chief commander of the Kronstadt port, K.N. Makarova, with a request to transfer this money to Fr. John Ilyich Sergiev for distribution, at his discretion, to the poor residents of Kronstadt. – Kotlin. 1902. No. 103. Father John arrived in Moscow on the morning of May 15. Straight from the station he went to the Imperial Lyceum. Tsarevich Nicholas, where the cathedral celebrated the Liturgy. After the service, Father went to the director’s apartment, where he was offered tea. During the day he visited many sick and acquaintances and at 9:30 in the evening he left for St. Petersburg. – Moscow Gazette. 1902. May 16, No. 133. Ivan Artamonov composed “Akathist to the Great Wonderful Companion John Ilyich Sergiev, Glorified in the Trinity.” At the insistence of St. Synod of Fr. John not only wrote a letter, but also personally traveled to the Kostroma province to denounce heresy. The trip took place on October 1 – 5, 1902. See the abbot’s letter. Taisiya from September 28. 1902 By definition of the Holy Synod of December 11-January 15, 1900–1903. No. 148, it was decided to turn the monastery of the Sursky monastery, established by Archpriest John Sergiev in St. Petersburg, into an independent monastery with as many monastics as the monastery would be able to support at its own expense, and to transfer this monastery from Arkhangelsk to the St. Petersburg diocese. The newly established monastery will be called Ioannovsky. - Church Gazette. 1903. No. 4,5. On December 17, the solemn consecration of the main chapel of the church of the new St. John's Monastery (former Surskoe metochion) took place in the name of the 12 apostles. The rite of consecration was performed by His Eminence Anthony, Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, in concelebration with numerous black and white clergy. The church was crowded with worshipers, among whom were many high-ranking officials. At the time of consecration there were 80 sisters in the monastery. The consecrated church on the 3rd floor of the monastery building was decorated in a strictly Byzantine style. “And on the sixth day and hour, on the cross, nail the daring sin of Adam into paradise, and remove the handwriting of our sins, Christ our God, and save us.” The 6th hour is read before the start of the Liturgy. Donated on February 28, 1903 by V.P. Mordvinov's estate consisted of 890 acres with all land, buildings and equipment, located 11 versts from the city of Romanov - Borisoglebsk in the village of Vaulovo. On the territory of the estate there were two stone non-parish churches. An indispensable condition was for the donor to install a shelter on the estate for elderly and sick sisters and to grant him the right to lifelong use of the old manor's house. Abbess Angelina went to inspect the donated estate, probably after February 25: on this day Fr. John visited the Ioannovsky Monastery, served the Liturgy of the Most Blessed Gifts and blessed the abbess for the trip. In 1903 John left for Sura on May 25. As always, he visited the Leushinsky Monastery. The first part of the journey about. John made the “Agathia” and “Shestovets” on the ship of the Vyshegorsk merchant Lopareva. Ferapontovsky Convent by the decision of St. Synod of December 10, 1903 No. 5975 was established on the site of a monastery abolished in 1798. The restoration of the ancient monastery, which preserved many historical and artistic monuments, was started by Metropolitan Isidore of Novgorod and St. Petersburg. After his death, Archbishop Gury of Novgorod submitted a petition to the Holy Synod to restore the monastery. The land of the restored monastery consisted of 204 dessiatines. land allocated by local peasants, and 87 dessiatines. the estate of a generous benefactor. The abbot took over the restoration and initial organization of the Ferapontov Monastery. Taisiya. Probably, she was inflamed with the desire to restore monastic life in Ferapontovo back in 1898 after acquiring the book by I.I. Brilliantov and other publications dedicated to the 500th anniversary of this forgotten historical place. In his speech about the Kishinev pogrom, Fr. John, in particular, said: “I read in one of the newspapers the sad news about the violence of the Chisinau Christians against the Jews, beatings and murders, the destruction of their houses and shops, and I could not be surprised at this out-of-the-ordinary event. I remember that there was a similar event in 1881, in the south of Russia. But it was much less powerful and acute and was the result of harmful hobbies and delusions. And now, what gave birth to this, shocking to the depths of the soul, riot of the Christian, Russian people, who in general are distinguished by their simplicity and kindness? The impact from outside malicious people is strongly felt. Instead of a Christian holiday, they organized a foul-killing holiday for Satan: they turned the earth into hell. Is this what Christians learned from Christ, their heavenly Teacher, meek and humble in heart? - Word from the bishop. Anthony and Fr. John of Kronstadt regarding the violence of Christians against Jews in the city of Chisinau. Odessa, 1903. According to information published in the newspapers “Znamya” and “Kotlin”, the appearance of this letter was preceded by a conversation with Fr. John with one “venerable person” who arrived from Chisinau. The visitor outlined Fr. John gave his view on the reasons that caused the pogrom, to which Father replied: “I already know this and I regret what I said earlier... I have already sent first 300 rubles for the families of Christians, and then 500... When the interlocutor described the difficult situation in which, thanks to the pogrom, not only the families of those arrested in connection with the pogrom found themselves, but also hundreds of Christian artisans who had lost their income from the Jews, o. John shed tears and said with deep sadness: “I was going to write a letter to the mendicant Christians... I will write now.” He was given pen and ink. And then, in the presence of other visitors, he wrote on a small-sized postal sheet “a letter to my beloved brothers, Chisinau Christians.” The publisher probably made a mistake in the date. Father John arrived in Arkhangelsk on the night of June 14-15. We are talking about the foundation stone of the winter Trinity Church in the Leushinsky Monastery, which Fr. John performed on the second day of his stay at the monastery. “Pustynka” (or “Krestin”) is a small monastery located one mile south of the Leushinsky Monastery. The emergence of the monastery is associated with a visit to Fr. John of the monastery in June 1892. He found strawberries in the forest on the site of the future monastery. The place became the subject of everyone's attention because... the berries were found in an unusual place and at too early a time. In 1893, on the site of the miraculous find, a chapel and cell for Fr. John. In 1898, Archbishop. Theognostus blessed the construction of the church in the name of St. ap. and ev. John the Theologian. From then on, Pustynka became Fr.’s favorite place of prayerful retreat. John. In the summer of 1903, with the permission of His Eminence Gury, Archbishop of Novgorod and Staraya Rus', the diocesan school council opened pedagogical courses at the Leushinsky Monastery for teachers of parochial schools in four nearby districts of the diocese. Father John fulfilled this promise: after lunch, he, accompanied by the abbess and guests, visited the courses and gave a teaching word to the students, explaining the high task to which they were called and advising them not to succumb to the temptations of modern writers. Father John talked for a long time with the future teachers about their private lives and took photographs with them and their leaders. – Kotlin. 1903. No. 162. July 18. Father John arrived in Sura on June 8 at about 4 pm and left his homeland after lunch on June 10. Since r. Pinega became shallow due to hot weather and lack of rain; the return journey from Sura o. John did this on three horses and was able to transfer to his steamship “Nicholas the Wonderworker” only on the evening of June 12 in the area of ​​Pinega. One day stop about. John in Veliky Ustyug was apparently caused by the zealous requests of the Ustyug residents to take part in the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the blessed death of St. right Procopy of Ustyug. “If it is impossible to arrive at the holiday itself (July 8), the executive committee asked Father “at least during the journey to serve the Divine Liturgy and a prayer service before the shrine of the saint of God for the well-being and salvation of the city and those living in it.” – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 16 A, l. 148–149. On the evening of June 16, Fr. John arrived in Kholmogory; On June 19 he stopped in the village of Yagryshi, 120 versts from Kotlas; On June 20 he served in Veliky Ustyug; On June 22 I was in Vologda; 23 – on Lake Kubenskoye; June 25 Fr. John met with Abbess Taisia, who caught up with the steamship “Nikolai the Wonderworker” not far from Cherepovets. The General Life Insurance Society issued an advertising brochure in which it was stated that Fr. John of Kronstadt is insured in their society. From a letter from his nephew Fr. Ioanna E.V. Fidelin is aware of the connections of Fr. Ioanna with the First Russian Insurance Company: “Dear uncle! Now I came from Mikhail Grigorievich, who advised me to contact Vladimir Ivanovich Savin, state councilor, director of the First Russian Insurance Company, who respects you very much. I ask you, dear uncle, to write him a letter with which I will come to him, and whether he will provide any place in the insurance company.” – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f.2219, op.1, d.5, l.56. About the nature of the ailment Fr. John, local newspapers reported the following: “Unfortunately, recently the lack of rest and backbreaking daily work from early morning until late at night have greatly weakened the shepherd’s health - he has become seriously ill, so that he is forced to temporarily stop even performing church services.” – Kotlin. 1904. December 12. No. 281. See also note. 1 to the letter of December 11. 1904 Father John addresses a letter to Metropolitan. Anthony on the day of the 49th anniversary of his priestly ministry. See letter dated November 15, 1902. Both requests by Fr. John were satisfied. The telegrams refer to the murder of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich by terrorists, which was committed on February 4 in Moscow. According to eyewitnesses, the unrest in Kronstadt reached its peak on the night of October 26-27, when mutinous sailors took possession of guns, smashed the naval meeting buffet, opened indiscriminate shooting in the streets and attempted to free prisoners in a civil prison. (Arch. Levitsky. Archpriest I.I. Sergiev of Kronstadt. From 62 – 63) On October 27, Father John left Kronstadt on a common ship via Lisiy Nos, having served Matins and Liturgy. According to the memoirs of E. Dukhonina, he served a prayer service in the Ioannovskaya Monastery, and then went to serve the all-night vigil at the house of his admirers. fulfilling the promise made two weeks earlier. – (Dukhonina, pp. 221 – 222.) To Kronstadt, Fr. John returned on October 31. M.I. – the person has not been identified. Letter about. John shows how unfair were the reproaches of indifference sent to him both in letters from private individuals and from the pages of newspapers. So, for example, on November 1, 1905, Father received a letter from “citizens of the Russian land.” Which said: “having learned by chance that you returned to Kronstadt after leaving it on October 27, having survived the terrible night of general defeat carried out by sailors and artillerymen. Using your influence on Father the Tsar, you should put all your efforts up to and including prayer for the unfortunate, once maddened, sufferers, our sailors and other soldiers, so that they do not die at the hands of the executioners - their own brothers. “There is no greater love than anyone who will lay down his life for his friends.” Citizens of the Russian land. TsGIA SPb, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 55, l. 14. Nina is the elder sister of the Leushinsky metochion in St. Petersburg. The editors and publishers of Kotlin were E.P. Tveritinov. The editors of the listed publications in 1905 were: N.A. Skrobotov (“Petersburg leaflet”), N.S. Khudyakov, P.F. Levdin (“Petersburg newspaper”) and A.A. Suvorin (“Rus”). For example, in No. 13 of the newspaper A.A. Suvorin “Rus” (dated November 8, 1905) a note “Fr. John and the Kronstadt riots” signed “Bayan”, in which O.I. accused of “shamefully fleeing” from the city. About the attacks of the newspaper “St. Petersburg Listok” Fr. John repeatedly wrote in his diary: “May 17, 1905...I thank the Lord, who pacified my heart, embarrassed by the slander of the scribblers of the St. Petersburg Listok; July 4, 1905 ... I thank the Lord, who quickly answered my secret prayer of repentance in my grief over the hostility of Hieromonk V. and Priest Z., who slandered me in the newspaper “St. Petersburg Listok.” I prayed for them." (Bishop Arseny (Zhadanovsky). Memoirs. M, 1995. P. 174, 181.) Rumors that Fr. John retires to the Solovetsky Monastery, had a fairly wide circulation in 1905, as evidenced, in particular, by the letter of the Oryol Abbess Antonia dated June 30, 1905: “... If it is true that you are our luminary, you are retiring to the Solovetsky Monastery to be with the One God, then with all the deprivation to hear your word (which was through Ekaterina Vasilievna (Dukhonin- ed.)) our grief is overcome by the thought that you, the tormented Sufferer of Christ, will find peace for your soul in unity with God...” - Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, building 7 V, l. 24. And a letter from the Surskaya Abbess Porfiria dated January 14, 1905: “Our Arkhangelsk building interests everyone and serves everyone’s judgment and envy... They have already sung that there will be nothing that Fr. John has retired and is settling in Solovetsky, I even cried bitterly from the stubbornness of this conversation.” – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op 1, d.2, l. 88 – 88 rev. About friendly relations and trust Fr. John's newspaper kept in the archives of Father, with the inscription: “Monetary, with an investment of 100 rubles. V.S. – Petersburg, to the editorial office of the newspaper “Svet”. Vissarion Vissarionovich Komarov." – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 1, l 18. We are talking about attacks on Fr. John in the press (see letter dated November 22, 1905). “Arkhangelsk Diocesan Gazette”, with reference to the newspaper “Kolokol”, reported: “most of our press organs have been reporting for several months now, day after day. They refine their wit in order to pillory, to kill the authority of the one whom just the day before they extolled one over the other, picking up, so to speak, his every word, every step. This time, unfortunately, the object of such slander from our press is the name of the venerable Kronstadt shepherd, Fr. John." Father John was accused of “escaping” from Kronstadt during the sailors’ uprising, and also of the fact that the heralds of his words were Kronstadt tramps. The newspapers reported that most of the Russian people stopped seeing Fr. John the Righteous, as a result of which “the flow of generous donations from the remote province almost completely stopped.” - Arhang. EV. 1906. No. 5. pp. 164–167. About the teacher's school at the Leushinsky monastery, see note. to the letter dated June 11, 1903 See note. 1 to the letter of October 31. 1906 Around this time, a litter made by Fr. John in a letter to Maria Handel: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord!.. Having the Lord within me, I fear no one and fear nothing. He is my help, my protection. He will take righteous revenge for me, His enemy and mine. May God be all things (everything) in me forever. – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op1, building 14 V, l. 239. 51st anniversary of the priestly service of Fr. John. Messages about the priestly anniversary of Fr. John’s works were not published even in the newspapers closest to him, such as “Kotlin” and “Vedomosti of the St. Petersburg City Administration”. Those. in the church of the Leushinsky Monastery on Basseynaya Street. In the personal archive of Fr. John, many letters of this kind have survived. Priest s. Perniki, Pokrovsky district, Vladimir province. Alexey Zlatoustov, for example, wrote: “My written appeal to you is due to necessity. In mid-February of this year, three female personalities came to us from you, from Kronstadt, and said to themselves that they were sent by you among the people to collect all kinds of sacrifices for you... Moreover, these women preached to us the following, which you allegedly preach to everyone: 1) the true priesthood and service only with you in Kronstadt, and nowhere else; 2) money is the seal of the Antichrist; 3) You did not die - and you will not die; 4) only you and your portraits should be prayed for. I am asking you in the hope of receiving a written answer from you, so that we can calm the worried ones in time.” – Central State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, f. 2219, op. 1, d. 7 A, l. 72–73. You might be interested in: