Letters

Introduction Letters 1927 My dear students and students! 1947 Your Eminence, dear and respected Bishop! 1950 Regarding the idea of ​​​​the Monarchy of 1950, Your Eminence, dear Vladyka Leonty! 1951 To the beloved flock in the Philippines 1951 Dear Father Leonty! 1951 Dear Bishop Leonty! 1952 Letter to the pupils of the orphanage of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk 1952 Your Eminence, dear and respected Bishop! Dear Praskovya Sergeevna and Marya Alexandrovna! 1952 Dear Evgenia Nikolaevna! 1953 Dear children! 1953 Dear children! 1953 Dear guys! 1954 To the children of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk 1954 Suffering Olga! 1954 Dear children! 1955 Letter to the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bishop Meletius of Regia 1955 Dear boys! 1956 Letter to the King of Belgium 1956 On Holy Christmas Night 1958 to Oleg E. Levitsky 1959 Regarding communion by a Uniate priest 1962 Letter to the boy Sasha Cybruk 1964 to His Holiness Patriarch Herman of Serbia This collection includes both previously published in various publications and letters of John the Wonderworker unknown to a wide circle. The first ten letters, collected from various sources, were first published together in the book “Do not be sad, do not lose heart, I am with you” (the seventh book about help and veneration of John the Wonderworker). Immediately after the publication of this book, the John the Wonderworker Foundation received ten more letters from Lydia Nikolaevna Ionina (San Francisco, USA), which had not been published anywhere before. All these letters were published in the eighth book of testimonies about the help and veneration of St. John. After the release of the eighth book, biographer of John the Wonderworker Bernard Le Caro (Geneva, Switzerland) sent five new letters from the Bishop to the Foundation: three in Russian and two in Serbian. At the John the Wonderworker Foundation, the decoding of all the letters of St. John in Russian was carried out by Natalya Alekseevna Kadulina (Moscow, Russia). This edition publishes for the first time the letters of John the Wonderworker to St. Nicholas (Velemirovich). The decoding and translation of these letters from Serbian into Russian was done by priest Miodrag Glisic (Baden-Baden, Germany). Archpriest Miodrag is the rector of two churches: the Transfiguration of the Lord in Baden-Baden and St. John the Wonderworker in Karlsruhe. For ten years he served in Marseille (France), in the very church about which John the Wonderworker writes in one of his letters. By publishing the letters of St. John as a separate book, we hope that the owners of the Bishop’s letters or their heirs will respond to this initiative, and that the Orthodox world will gain new priceless treasures from John the Wonderworker himself. John the Wonderworker Foundation, Moscow, Russia Letters of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker 1927 My dear students and pupils! To my great regret, I was not left by your teacher of the law. For two academic years I was with you, teaching you the truths of the Orthodox faith and preaching the word of God to you. The time I spent with you will never fade from my memories. As always, I still remember all of you, each individually. I will always consider you my dear students, and I will be pleased if you do not forget me, sending me letters from time to time. But most of all I will rejoice when I know that my work with you was not in vain, that you are doing what you have always heard from me. Love God, be devoted to the Orthodox faith. Don’t think that now you don’t have to come to church, since I’m not there to look after you. You need to go to church not for the sake of people, but for God, who sees who comes and with what heart. Obey the one who will be your teacher of the law, and study the Law of God not for the sake of grades, but in order to know the will of our Heavenly Father. Be submissive to your parents, just as Christ was submissive to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Be obedient to your teachers and all elders who teach you good. Work hard and beware of laziness, which is the mother of all vices. And most of all, beware of quarrels, forgive each other when you are offended. Remember: whoever quarrels amuses the devil; who makes peace with others helps Christ and will be accepted in the Heavenly Kingdom as the son of God (Matthew 5:9). Not being able to send this letter of mine to everyone, I send it to everyone whose addresses I know, but through them I address everyone and would like, if possible, for every student of mine to read it and (so that) my words fall into your hearts and leave a mark on your souls. The letter was published in the book “Vladyka John – Saint of the Russian Abroad,” 2008, pp. 30–31 Your Eminence, dear and highly respected Bishop! Shanghai, September 16, 1947 Your letter brought great joy despite the fact that there is also sadness. I wanted to answer you right away, unfortunately various matters prevented you from answering quickly. I found out that you are sick and it worries me very much. I remembered you at the Liturgy at which I served. We don’t know anything about your life... we will wait, and I hope that I will receive a good answer from you. I am very sorry that my dear students are no longer among us: Father Irenaeus... and Father Hieromonk John Pokaich. I believe that they are now serving God in the church of heaven. Many times, since I received your letter, I pray for them at the liturgy. When did they die and for what reasons? Do you know anything else about our seminarians and priests? A few days ago I received a letter from America from Bitol from Grandma Zake and others who attend the Church of the Annunciation. This letter was signed by Tanevich, who is the rector of the Annunciation Church. In Shanghai, last year there were many problems in the fight against Archbishop Victor, who switched sides. Now church life is peaceful. Saint Naum, whom they had never known before, is highly revered here. Over the course of several years, on his Day of Glorification, a not entirely normal person recovered in front of his icon. His memory returned and he died in normal condition from tuberculosis. In our cathedral church, which has not yet been consecrated, but we are already serving, there is a full-length icon of St. Naum painted. It would be a great joy for us if you could visit us. May the Lord send you health and help in everything and Serbia - liberation from evil. Pray for us. John Archbishop of Shanghai Greetings from Father Ilya and Nikolai, who work a lot, and Mikhail Angelovich and his family. A letter to St. Nicholas Velemirovich is published for the first time Regarding the idea of monarchy “As for the idea of ​​a monarchy, you are completely wrong. Arbitrariness happens under all kinds of authorities, but the Monarch is responsible before God and conscience (in an Orthodox country there can only be a believer and professing the Orthodox faith), and under the rule of the people (republic) everything comes down to satisfying the masses, in any way, and calculation and profit are at the head of everything. The Orthodox Church can exist under any government, but the question is which one is more conducive to moral principle. The Church is not connected with anyone and does not make itself dependent on any system.” The letter was published in the book of Bishop Savva (Sarashevich) “Chronicle of the Veneration of Archbishop John”, 1998, p. 167 Your Eminence, dear Vladyka Leonty! Russian Spiritual Mission in China. JOHN, Bishop of Shanghai. Rev. Theodora, Rev. Sergius and Herman of Valaam. It is with sincere joy that I turn to you for the first time in such a way as to warmly greet you with the grace of God that poured out on you and made you the archpastor of Christ’s Church. May the Great Shepherd give you “the right to rule the word of truth” and in due time accept the reward of a good and faithful servant of the Lord. Elevation to a spiritual degree is the elevation to the cross or the erection of a new cross on your shoulders, but also, by faith in the power of the Cross, accept what was destined on the day of your birth. I regret one thing, that I could not personally (take) part in what has long been my desire, but I have been with you in thoughts, spirit and prayer since the eve of this day. Today during the liturgy, with the blessing of Archbishop Tikhon, I proclaimed your name at the great entrance and after the consecration of the Holy Gifts, and after the liturgy I called on the gathered flock to prayerfully wish you many years to come. Yesterday I arrived in San Francisco to arrange premises for the Orphanage of St. Tikhon Zadonsky, to whom the calls will be sent in a few days, the production of which is being done in Washington according to instructions from the State Department and with the assistance of the IRO office there. My arrival here turned out to be necessary for church affairs, because... Archbishop Tikhon asked me to stay here for some time and replace him in divine services and other matters that he could not perform due to illness. The Lord will strengthen you and help you in everything! God's blessing to dear Father Anthony. Loving you + John, Archbishop of Shanghai. I am enclosing a copy of the review of your election as bishop. The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation, “He was more accessible than anyone else,” 2012, p. 17 To the beloved flock in the Philippines Now, when the Angels sing to the Born Child, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” when the star of Bethlehem shines brightly, showing the Magi the way to the Son of God who descended from heaven, covering with his mind’s eye the entire flock, I especially turn it to you, beloved spiritual children still in the Philippines. The disaster that befell you and the terrible hours you experienced during the formidable domination of the elements filled our soul with horror and sorrow, like many who were with you before on the island that was memorable to all of them. We internally feel your suffering during a natural disaster, much less than what was experienced before by others now in other countries. Why did nature, which for almost three years spared those who found refuge on Tubabao, now so mercilessly break out on a small remnant, when the final resettlement is near? We are reminded of the words of the Savior: Do you think that those eighteen people on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them were more guilty than all those living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way (Luke 13:4-5). What has happened now is a reminder to everyone who was there before of what could have befallen them and what they escaped. It is a warning to all those who have been saved, no matter where they are now, and those who have suffered are now sacrifices for all. Consciously or subconsciously, many felt this and received the news of what happened with particular pain. We are with all our hearts and souls with you who have experienced the wrath of nature. In these holy days, we especially grieve that you are deprived of even the consolation of glorifying Christ in the church, which was demolished by a whirlwind, depriving you and all of us of that sacred refuge, a place of prayer, established by those who first arrived on the island. We believe, however, that your trials will end, and the light of the Star of Bethlehem will illuminate your future paths. Strive to always direct your life along the right paths, and the rays of the now rising Sun of Truth will dry up the rain streams that have fallen on you and all your sorrows, will disperse the clouds of sorrows, and the light of Benevolence, peace and prosperity will shine for you. May Christ, born in Bethlehem and baptized in Jordan, strengthen, guide and bless you. abiding with you in Spirit. + Archbishop John Nativity of Christ 1951 The letter was published in the book “Vladyka John – Saint of the Russian Abroad,” 2008, pp. 125–126 St. Leo, Pope of Rome. House of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, 598–15 Av. San Francisco. I congratulate you on the Day of the Angel, your Heavenly Patron, whose now you bear not only the name, but also the rank, “on the throne of the priesthood.” May the Lord grant you to stop the mouths of, if not verbal lions, then at least wolves in sheep’s clothing, like Him, illuminating your flock with the light of God’s understanding. I am glad now to have you as my collaborator and co-priest. I received your letter. Did a great job visiting the Shelter. Regarding the Cadet Corps, I spoke with the Kulevsky Foundation here, but it turns out that they are already helping him and are aware of things, the question about him was just next in line. Regarding other matters, it is not clear to me yet. The time of my arrival is still difficult to determine, since the hassle about a visa is complicated by shortcomings in my exit documents, which have to be filled out. I am currently in San Francisco, staying in a new building purchased by the same foundation for the Shelter, which arrived here in January. Its ........ groups have already been installed. Thank you very much for your troubles about him, and also for I. Sech, who helped in that... May the Lord help you in everything. Loving + Archbishop John The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation, “He was more accessible than anyone else,” 2012, p. 19 Finding the relics of St. Leonty Bishop of Rostov, Rev. Euphrosyne of Polotsk, House of St. Tikhon of Zadonsky. I heartily congratulate you on the day of your Heavenly patron, I wish His help to you in your labors, not only pastoral, but also archpastoral, for now you have not only His name, but also the rank. I will be glad to meet you soon and hope that you will be as good a colleague as you were a spiritual child. I have already received a visa to France and expect to leave soon. I have the intention of going to Venezuela for 2 weeks to see my parents, which coincides with the need for statutory matters so that one of our hierarchs visits the country where our groups were opened only 2 years ago. I received my transit visa today. I’ll probably fly there right after Trinity, and then go through New York or fly (today it’s difficult to get a seat on a boat) to Paris. If everything goes as planned, I will probably be there around St. Valentine's Day. The Apostles Peter and Paul, perhaps earlier. May the Lord help you and everyone. Loving you + Archbishop John. The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation, “He was more accessible than anyone else,” 2012, p. 20 Letter to the pupils of the orphanage of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk in San Francisco, USA Presentation of the Virgin Mary into the Church From this day forward, we sing in church services: “Christ is born, glorify!” This announces to us the coming of the Nativity of Christ, and we are thus called upon to prepare to meet Him. What does this preparation mean? It means that you need to tune your soul in such a way that it can become, as it were, a manger for the Infant Christ. And the holiday should help us with this. At the end of the Nativity Fast, the Church especially praises the three youths and the prophet Daniel, pointing them out to us as role models. But how did they become famous? You know, when they were children and brought up at the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, they refused all the exquisite dishes of the royal table and ate only vegetables, so as not to violate the law of the Old Testament Church. For such abstinence and obedience to church law, God rewarded them, giving them wisdom in which they surpassed all their peers. Through the experience of fasting, their souls became stronger, and they were able to reject the king’s demand to bow to the idol. And when, without fulfilling the wicked order, the three youths were thrown into a burning furnace, and the prophet Daniel into a den of lions, the Lord protected them from everything. Hymns about this are sung every morning, reminding us of the heroism of these young men and holding them up as an example to us. Children! You are now in a situation similar to that of those young men in Babylon. We are surrounded by people who do not know the Orthodox faith and do not obey the laws of the Church. You have a choice: either fill yourself with food forbidden by the Church, or, like Ananias, Azariah and Misail, freely reject what is forbidden. Who do you want to be with - with those young men or with those who were against them? Do you want to imitate these saints, the same age as you, or do you want to follow the broad path, ignoring all the rules? Great courage and strength of character were required from the three youths so that they could fulfill church laws and fatherly traditions: in the end they remained among the countless number of unbelievers. For this, God in His mercy glorified them before the whole world for centuries. The Lord will reward each of you if you follow the example of those young men. Whenever you are tempted to please yourself by eating what others eat who do not know the divine laws of the Church of Christ, remember Daniel and the three youths. And give yourself an answer whether you are with them, ready to follow them and be under God’s protection, or are you more interested in enjoying sweets that may look innocent, but turn us into destroyers of what made those Youths strong, glorious and invincible. Who are you children with and who do you want to follow? May the Lord protect you from temptations. May he strengthen you, and may Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk teach you to follow the straight path. May the blessing of the Lord be with all of you, my dear children. Archbishop John, who loves you The letter was published in the book “Blessed John the Wonderworker,” 1993, pp. 256–257 I congratulate you on your Glory on the Cross and your name day, with all my heart I wish you God’s help and his mercy. Today we pray for you in the Church of St. Nicholas in the Cadet Corps in Versailles and remember your name at the liturgy where they pray for the Hierarchy. Today this building glorifies its glory, which bears the name of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II. It’s a shame that you couldn’t come to Brussels. This would be a great joy for all Russians and Serbs. I live here in Versailles, in the building. I sometimes go to Brussels as an assistant at the Church of Tsar Nicholas II. Cedomir Ostojic, whom everyone loves, serves there. Bishop Dionisy released him to our diocese for a while, but he remains a cleric of the Serbian Church. I would like to invite you to accept the position, I don’t know whether it’s right or not. Here in Paris, the priest of the Serbian Church, Vladimir Garic, is good. In August I was in Marseille and served a memorial service at the site of the assassination of King Alexander. It was impossible to light the candle there, then it was placed in the Russian Church of St. George the Victorious. Thank you for starting the process for the canonization of John of Kronstadt. All of us, clergy of the foreign church, gave a statement to our Synod. Many people think that now is not the right time for such a thing. Metropolitan Vladimir also thinks so, despite the fact that he greatly reveres John of Kronstadt. I ask for your holy prayers. Archbishop John, devoted to you with love. Dear Praskovya Sergeevna and Marya Alexandrovna! I thank you and everyone at the House of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk for the Easter greeting and for sending the prosphora and Easter cake. Everything turned out perfectly and after the Easter liturgy, first of all, I ate part of the prosphora (sent). They served in the church depicted here (filled with people) and in the courtyard. May the risen Christ bless you (and your family). The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 45, no date Dear Evgenia Nikolaevna! I congratulate you on Merry Christmas, and also especially on Angel’s Day. May your Heavenly Patroness help you in your labors for the younger generation and may the Newborn Infant Christ crown them with success! Thank you very much for your letter some time ago. My illness and many things did not give me the opportunity to answer right away. I am very grateful to you for your messages about the Shelter, and also very grateful for your efforts in laying a material foundation for it. I was just very upset by your phrase, what... m. then the house will need to be changed to a smaller one, because the number of children will decrease, and there will be no new ones. The purpose of the Shelter is to provide education to children who need it for one reason or another. There will always be such children, if not from San Francisco itself, then from other places. Here in the Corps one boy is from Indo-China, and one was flown in from the Congo. I, knowing that the current am. the laws do not allow this, but the preservation of our youth is an urgent need for the Russian diaspora, and with persistence we can achieve the abolition of those restrictions, as we have achieved many others; after all, at first it was even considered impossible for the Shelter to move entirely to America, and the IRO wanted to disband it in the Philippines; it took me great effort to prevent this. I am very upset by the latest information about new troubles in the Shelter; I understand how difficult it is for you. The actions of some who have forgotten everything you did to them are very regrettable. I was glad to see Praskovya Sergeevna here the other day (find out everything about the Shelter from her and talk to her). From her you will also learn my thoughts on various issues. God bless you and your family. Respectful to you + Archbishop John. The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 26 Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Today is the feast of St. John the Baptist and the School dedicated to him at the Shelter where you studied. I don’t know how you are spending this day, but I remember you and pray for you. You remain close to me and are always with you in spirit, although with regret I see that much has changed for you. May the Lord, through the prayers of St. John the Baptist and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, confirm you to always follow the right path, keeping firmly all that is good and following it! The blessing of the Lord be upon you all! Loving you + Archbishop John. The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 29 I congratulate you on the Day of your Heavenly Patron. May He protect you and guide you to goodness, and you listen with your heart to His suggestions, look at His example and you will be true children of St. Tikhon. May He always be with you, and the blessing of the Lord be upon you all. Loving you + Archbishop John The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 30 Pupils of the House of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk I was glad to spend a month with you, to see you again and be with you. I was pleased to see that you are becoming conscious and developing your mental and other abilities. I've learned that you can be very good when you want. Watch yourself, avoid everything that can deviate you from good paths or lead you to bad ones; always try to be the best. Be especially zealous for your (church), take care of it, and with special diligence attend the Russian gymnasium and study well in it. Being far from you, I will always rejoice in your successes and goodness; However, whatever bad thing happens to you will greatly upset me. May the Lord protect you all, and may St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and the Great Martyrs Demetrius and (Panteleimon) help you. The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 27 Children of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk St. Parthenia, ep. Lampsakian (IV). St. Luke of Greece (c. 946). I congratulate you on the Foundation Day of the Shelter of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, with all my soul I feel what is happening to you and grieve for you. You are on the verge of some changes that could change your whole life. Remain, my dears, always children of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, do not be seduced by the bait and do not be afraid of dangers! Some people (perhaps) find fasting and other things that Orthodox Christians need difficult. Do not succumb to the temptations of the devil, who seduced Adam and Eve with the fruit, and offered the Lord Jesus Christ himself to turn stones into bread, or, by worshiping him, to receive all the kingdoms of the world. Be Orthodox Christians not only in name, and do not imitate animals, for whom the main thing is to satisfy themselves in any way. Don't get carried away by other temptations. Do not be afraid that you will remain lonely and defenseless if you do not find new patrons. Your Patron from your early childhood, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, will not leave you if you are faithful to Him and call upon Him. He preserved you during the difficult years in Shanghai, and against all dangers he brought you across the sea to the country where you are now. Hold fast to what was the foundation of His House, what you were raised in and what you held on to. He will help you now. Remember the inscription on the sword of St. Prince Vsevolod (in the baptism of Gabriel), on whose day the Shelter was founded: “I will not give my honor to anyone.” Don’t give your honor to anyone, don’t sell your birthright for lentil stew. May the Lord protect you all through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother, St. John the Baptist and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk. I invoke the blessing of the Lord on each of you. The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 32 Finding the honest head of St. John the Baptist February 24 / March 9, 1954 May the Lord help you and heal you. The Lord allows us to suffer so that we feel our weakness and strive more diligently towards the Source of all good, Our Creator, who gives everyone what is useful to them. May the Lord strengthen you. I prayed for you and will pray during the Liturgy. May the Lord forgive you all your sins. Go to confession and take communion of the Holy Mysteries. May the blessing of the Lord be with you and your sister Sophia. May God help the sick Hyde. The letter was published in the book “Vladyka John – Saint of the Russian Abroad,” 2008, p. 142 Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk I congratulate you on the holiday of the patron saint of yours and the House in which you are growing up. Let His Day remind you of your duty to Him to be raised as Orthodox young men devoted to their Fatherland, as (even more so) St. Tikhon taught. With deep sorrow and shame for you (I received information) about your successes in the Russian school over the past academic year, clearly showing your frivolous and disdainful attitude towards that part of the teaching that should be sacred for you and come first. Show this year that you have a conscience and a good heart and in the coming school year (correct) what happened in the past. May Saint Tikhon always be before your mind's eye, protecting you from evil and helping you. The blessing of the Lord is upon you! The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 36 Letter to the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Bishop Meletius of Regia: Your Eminence, I earnestly ask you to convey to His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Greek people my deepest sympathy regarding the wild persecution to which they have now become victims. The destruction of shrines - churches and sacred objects causes deepest sorrow throughout the Orthodox world, and the cruelty committed against the Greeks fills all Russian souls with sympathy, especially since the Russian people have always considered it their duty to help the Greek people achieve their freedom and unity. I pray to the All-Good God to send down His gracious consolation to the Greek people in their great distress. I entrust myself to your holy prayers. The letter was published in the book “Vladyka John – Saint of the Russian Abroad,” 2008, p. 214 Svtt. Peter, Alexy, Jonah, Philip and Hermogen Although I am far from you and due to current circumstances I do not have the opportunity to directly take care of you and guide you, you always remain in my heart, just as when you were kids, and I follow your life from afar. Everything that happens to you that is good makes me happy, and it makes me sad when everything is bad for you. Your attitude towards the Russian school saddens me very much. The school is inextricably linked with the Shelter, because you must not only grow, but also develop. While we were in Shanghai, the students studied at the Priyutskaya or one of the Russian schools. Here you are required to study at a government school, but there is no Law of God, no Russian language, no other Russian subjects. That's what you get in a Russian school. Do you really think that you don’t need either the Law of God or knowledge of the Russian language and history? Do you really think that you don’t need knowledge of this, because... does it not provide material benefits? If you think like this, then it is extremely painful that you have become such materialists. We had many children in the orphanage, both good and bad in behavior, but there were few who had no needs other than material ones. The Law of God gives the most (important) thing for a person - knowledge about God and about His holy will, about the path that must be followed in earthly life in order to be blissful and not suffer in eternal life. You need the Russian language and other Russian subjects because... Most of you are children of Russian parents and belong to the great Orthodox Russian people. But even for those of you who are not of Russian origin, it is good to know the language of that society, that House where he was brought up and in which he can read many books that are necessary and useful to him. Moreover, do not think that you will not need everything for your life in the near future. Russian is now spreading everywhere and becoming the (personnel) language. It is compulsory in almost all Slavic countries, is taught in many schools in France, is studied in China, Germany, and in an endless number of other countries. You know that near San Francisco, in Montera, there is a military language school where more than 100 Russian teachers serve. From your older peers who serve or have served in the American army, you can learn that many of them got to the best places thanks to their knowledge of the Russian language. Regardless of language, Orthodoxy is spreading and expanding. There are French, German, and English priests. There is a church in The Hague where services are held in Dutch, and both hieromonks are Dutch. In Paris, Catholics asked me on the bus about spiritual issues and turned out to know Orthodox books well. Wouldn't it be a shame for you, Orthodox Russian youths, to know your faith and your language worse than (non-Orthodox) and foreigners? Think about it. After all, you have both youth and intelligence. (God help.) (God's blessing be upon you!) The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 40 I learned that members of my parish who are still in China are in an extremely dangerous situation and are pleading for help. They are deprived of all means of subsistence, since all work is provided exclusively to people of Chinese nationality. The only way for them to escape is to leave China; they had previously failed to do this and will now need help in this regard. Only recently have the Chinese authorities stopped preventing their departure and even begun to encourage it. As far as I know, the only obstacle appears to be the position of the Soviet consulate. Its representatives put pressure on Russian emigrants to force them to return to the Soviet Union and take part in public works. Now these unfortunate emigrants are faced with a difficult choice: either die of starvation in China, or be deported to “voluntary” work in the USSR, where, as former emigrants, they can count on nothing but poverty. The only saving opportunity for them is to live in a free country, where they can earn their bread in accordance with their intellectual or physical abilities. I appeal to Your Majesty with a request to come to the aid of these people through the mediation of the Governments of UN member countries and thus save many people from imminent death. May God bless Your Majesty and your people! + John, Archbishop of Brussels and Western Europe The letter was published in the book “Vladyka John – Saint of the Russian Abroad,” 2008, pp. 169–170 On Holy Christmas night I invoke God's blessing to the House of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, his pupils and all those living The Son of God Who Came to Earth May he protect and bless you all! The letter was published in the book of the John the Wonderworker Foundation “Always with you in spirit”, Moscow 2011, p. 41 Venerables Pelageya and Taisia May the Lord bless the creation of a scout squad at the Church of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and under the spiritual leadership of its Rector, Father Philaret. Being founded at a church, it must especially observe church rules and during holiday services not arrange anything that distracts from attending church, and if possible, everyone should be at the service. The issue of using the premises of the House of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk for gatherings and other needs of the squad must be agreed upon with the Head of the House, Maria Alexandrovna Shakhmatova. I invoke God's blessing “Regarding communion by a Uniate priest “Concerning the initiation of the Orthodox by a Uniate priest, there is, of course, nothing in the ancient church rules, because Catholicism appeared much later. But canonical rules, starting from apostolic times, prohibit prayerful communication with non-believers, considering this as a falling away from the faith; the return to the Orthodox faith, as well as the acceptance into Orthodoxy of persons who are unwise, but whose basic dogmas are intact and whose anointing is accepted, is accomplished through the sacrament of Communion (canon 95 of the Sixth Ecumenical Council). The Orthodox Church is governed by this rule, as is the Catholic Church. Therefore, an Orthodox person who has received communion in the Catholic Church has fallen away from Orthodoxy and joined the Catholic faith. In some places, Catholics made extensive use of this, persuading the sick to take communion in the Catholic way, and then upon death they were buried as Orthodox. In Shanghai twice I did not recognize such a conversion to Catholicism, because... it was committed on people whose will had already weakened, and they had been Orthodox all their lives and never thought of converting to Catholicism. The communion of Orthodox Christians by Catholics is an undoubted conversion of them to Catholicism, and anyone who gives a different explanation is a person who does not understand what, of course, cannot be said about Catholic priests, or is simply a cunning deceiver.” The letter was published in the book of Bishop Sava (Sarashevich) “Chronicle of the Veneration of Archbishop John”, 1998, pp. 167–168 Letter to the boy Sasha Tsybruk May the Lord fulfill your wishes and send to all those about whom you write what they need! The Lord hears the prayers of everyone and gives everything we ask, if it is useful to us. God bless you, your parents and everyone you wrote about. Archbishop who loves you. John The letter was published in the book of Bishop Savva (Sarashevich) “Chronicle of the Veneration of Archbishop John”, 1998, p. 32 His Holiness Patriarch Herman of Serbia I have the honor to inform you that the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church has decided to solemnly glorify Father John of Kronstadt as a new saint of God. This glorification was first proposed by Bishop Nikolai Zhichsky ten years ago, and since that time we began to work in this direction and collected many testimonies about his life and holiness. The glorification of the new saint and wonderworker John will take place on Sunday, October 19 / November 1, 1964. We would be glad if the Serbian Church, following our example, glorified Father John. The second day of glorification is set in his honor on December 20 / January 2. The letter was published in the book “Vladyka John - Saint of the Russian Abroad, 2008, p. 192 Send your letters to the following address: John the Wonderworker Foundation, B. Balkansky lane, 13–3–138, Moscow, Russia, 129090 Moscow 2013 John the Wonderworker Foundation. United Museum of St. John the Wonderworker You might be interested in: