Selected Letters

Contents 1. Letter from K.P. Pobedonostsev to the director of the office of the chief prosecutor I.A. Nenarokomov 2. From the newspaper “Novoye Vremya” (XII 20, 1883, 1st edition) 3. Letter from K.P. Pobedonostseva to I.A. Penarokomov 4. Letter from I.A. Nenarokomov to the rector of St. Andrew’s Cathedral P.V. Trachevsky. 5. Letter from the head of the Main Directorate for Press Affairs E. M. Feoktistov to K. P. Pobedonostsev. 1. Letter from K. P. Pobedonostsev to the director of the office of the chief prosecutor I. A. Nenarokomov 1 Look at what is published in Novoye Vremya today, along with announcements about theaters and so on. I think the priest is not without sin here. What kind of person and in whose department? Not at Pyotr Evd[okimovich] Pokrovsky 2? K[onstantin] P[obedonostsev] 2. From the newspaper “New Time” (XII 20, 1883, 1st edition) Statement of thanks. We, the undersigned, consider it our moral duty to testify to our sincere spiritual gratitude to the archpriest of St. Andrew's Cathedral in the city of Kronstadt, Father John Ilyich Sergiev, for the healing provided to us from the diverse and serious illnesses from which we suffered and from which medical help could not save us previously, although some of us spent a long time in hospitals and were treated by doctors. But where weak human efforts were in vain, warm faith in the Almighty Healer of all evils and diseases, who sent down help and healing to us sinners through the medium of a pious archpriest worthy of the Lord, turned out to be saving. Through the holy and beneficial prayers of this ascetic, who deserved so much before the Supreme Creator of all blessings, we all received not only complete deliverance from the bodily ailments that oppressed us, but some of us were miraculously healed from moral infirmities, which irrevocably carried them along the path of vice and destruction, and now, strengthened by such a clear sign of God’s mercy towards them, we felt the strength to leave our former sinful life and remain longer. firmly on the path of honest work and God-fearing behavior. Considering it especially useful for the edification of many in our time of little faith to declare publicly about such a visible manifestation of the All-Good Providence of God, tirelessly caring for sinful humanity, we recognize it as our unwavering duty to openly, in the face of everyone, declare our deep gratitude to the Reverend Father Archpriest, who has helped us so much, asking him in the future not to forget us, sinners, in his prayers. At the same time, trying to firmly remember ourselves, let us also convey to others the only highly moving saving advice given to us by a much-worthy pastor-servant during our appeals to him: to live according to God’s truth and to take holy communion as often as possible. Through the prayers of the worthy Archpriest Father John, I received from the Merciful Lord complete healing of my serious illnesses. For four years I suffered from relaxation and aching in my legs, severe rheumatism in my head, and I also had severe chest pain. Previously, I visited doctors many times, but no remedies helped. Sennaya, Gorstkina st., 2, apt. 41 For more than three years I suffered from heart disease, combined with severe pain in my head, in addition, my legs hurt very much, in a word, I was all relaxed; I contacted doctors, but in vain. She received complete healing from Father John. Suffering stubbornly and painfully from an internal illness, I lay in the Alexander Hospital for a long time, but, not receiving recovery, I was finally discharged and the patient went to Kronstadt, where he immediately received a miraculous healing from the venerable father, Archpriest John. I suffered from severe chronic rheumatism throughout my body, feeling unbearable pain in my head, chest and legs. No home or medical remedies helped. Having turned to Father Archpriest John, through his sacred prayer I immediately seemed to come to life and received a complete recovery. My son, a 6-year-old boy, was sick with fever. Father Archpriest, having prayed over him, laid his hand on him, and the boy immediately became completely healthy. My 8-year-old daughter suffered from some incomprehensible illness, she was thin, pale and exhausted, she was drying up day by day and was also healed by the holy prayers of Father John. My wife was completely weakened by illness and had no appetite for food. She received healing from the same archpriest. Sennaya square[ad], no. 3, apt. 19 I was a completely lost person, I drank heavily and dissipated, I gave up all honest work and got to the point where I didn’t even have daily food; in a word, he was completely lost. Father John, having prayed for me, blessed me for an honest life, and God strengthened me, I became a different person, and through the holy prayers of the reverend father, my affairs are now going well. Sennaya square[ad], no. 3, apt. 16 For three months I was ill with some kind of internal illness, I was completely relaxed and felt severe rheumatism in my legs. I visited doctors a lot, but could not get any benefit. Father Archpriest, after praying, blessed me, and I immediately felt completely healthy. Large Italian one, in the house opposite Passage For seven years I suffered from an unbearable headache that gave me no rest day or night. No matter how much I was treated by doctors, no remedies helped. I turned to Father Archpriest John, he laid his hands on my head, and at that very moment I felt complete healing from the pain that tormented me. The same father, the archpriest, also provided me with other help. I am a carpenter by trade and have my own workshop. There was complete stagnation in my business, and the prepared goods were completely out of stock. I went to Kronstadt and asked Father John to pray that God would send success in my affairs. Upon returning home, I immediately received many orders and in one week I sold goods worth 2,000 rubles, and since then my business has been going well. My young daughter was constantly sick and did not start walking for a long time. The good father, at my invitation, came to our apartment, prayed for her, and the next day my daughter completely recovered and began to walk. Corner of Saikina Lane and Voronezhskaya st., 16, apt. 14 For 12 years I suffered from a hernia, considered incurable by doctors, and severe rheumatism in my legs. Through the holy prayers of Father John, I was immediately cured. Alexander Ivanov Stroganov Apraksin lane, Bazarova village, apt. 12 For 12 years I was possessed by an evil spirit, I could not stand in church, I screamed and fought furiously, so that 10 people could not restrain me. Father John prayed for me, confessed and communed the Holy Christian Mysteries. The evil spirit left me, and since then I have felt completely healthy for the second year. For three years I suffered from epilepsy and could not receive healing from anywhere. Father John prayed for me, and the evil illness left me: now I am completely healthy. Gorstkina st., 75, apt. 38 For 12 years I led the most sinful life, did not know God, did not go to church at all and was entangled in the devil’s nets: my right hand was affected by an incurable disease. Father John laid his hand on my head, and I became healthy and felt the strength to completely leave my former sinful and dissolute life. For four years I suffered from uncontrollable drinking and led the most dissolute life. Through Father John’s prayer I was completely healed. For five years I suffered from severe attacks of epilepsy. Through the prayers of Father John after receiving the Holy Christian Mysteries from him, she was completely healed and is now completely healthy. Due to the crazy hobbies of my youth, I led the most dissolute life for four years, which I could not leave. Father John prayed for me, and I began to lead a sober and correct life and now I am constantly healthy and cheerful in spirit. For many years I suffered from an incurable heart disease, was constantly in unbearable melancholy and an anxious state of mind, and suffered greatly; I contacted doctors, but no medical treatments helped. I was completely cured by the prayer of Father John. Zabalkansky Ave., village of Sholtsa. Having suffered from heart disease for many years, I constantly felt unbearable heartache and headache. She was treated a lot, but to no avail. She was healed only by the prayers of Father John. 3. Letter to K.P. Pobedonostseva I. A. Penarokomov I ask you to write or let the rector of St. Andrew's Cathedral know on my behalf so that he does not disturb Father John about the publication, because after careful research I am convinced that he himself did not participate in it at all and did not know about it, and it was made out of ignorance of the consequences by ordinary people who wanted to testify to the priest their gratitude. 4. Letter from I. A. Nenarokomov to the rector of St. Andrew’s Cathedral P. V. Trachevsky 3. January 3, 1884 No. 1. Confidential. Your Reverence, Gracious Sovereign. You, no doubt, know that a publication appeared in the newspaper “Novoe Vremya” expressing gratitude to the Archpriest of the Kronstadt St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Ioann Sergiev, of several people who received healing from various ailments through Sergiev’s prayers. This publication, as inappropriate, could not help but attract the attention of the spiritual authorities. But according to a precise investigation carried out by order of Mr. O[ber]-Prosecutor of the Most Holy Synod, His Excellency was fully convinced that Father John himself did not participate in the drafting of the said publication and did not even know about it, and that it was made out of ignorance of the adverse consequences by ordinary people who sincerely wanted to testify to their revered Archpriest Sergiev gratitude. On behalf of Mr. Chief Prosecutor, I make it my duty to inform you, Your Reverence, in order to prevent the possibility of any troubles and worries about [Father] John regarding the said publication. His High Reverend P.V. Trachevsky. 5. Letter from the head of the Main Directorate for Press Affairs E. M. Feoktistov 4 to K. P. Pobedonostsev. Dear Sir, Konstantin Petrovich. I thank Your Excellency very much for giving me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the attached note 5. This is a very touching story, and God grant that we have more clergy like this. I wrote to General Gresser 6 to let him leave the matter without consequences. With deep respect and sincere devotion, Your humble servant Nenarokomov Ivan Aleksandrovich (1832–1890) – director of the office of the chief prosecutor of the Holy Synod (since 1869), privy councilor, master of the Moscow Theological Academy, member of the Educational Committee of the Holy Synod. Pokrovsky Pyotr Evdokimovich (1802–1888) - archpriest, chief priest of the army and navy, spiritual writer, contributed to the establishment of a society for the care of the poor military clergy. Trachevsky Pavel Vasilievich (c. 1807–1895) - archpriest, rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called in Kronstadt. Feoktistov Evgeniy Mikhailovich (1828–1898) – writer, publicist, editor, censor, privy councilor, head of the Main Directorate for Press Affairs (1883–1896), senator (since 1896). The mentioned note is not contained in the archival file. – Note. A. Yu. Polunova. Gresser Pyotr Apollonovich (1833–1892) – adjutant general, mayor of St. Petersburg (1883–1892).