Блаженная кончина о. Иоанна

Transfer of the coffin from Kronstadt to St. Petersburg, to Karpovka. Funeral services. Commemoration on the 9th, 20th and 40th day. Wonderful signs of the afterlife prayers of Fr. John. The highest rescript for the perpetuation of his memory At the beginning of December 1908, dear priest’s illness intensified and worsened. On December 6th he served the liturgy, but then, after he celebrated his last liturgy on December 9th, he finally went to bed and could no longer receive anyone. Until his death he received communion daily. Instead of any medicine, the priest drank only water from the spring of St. Seraphim of Sarov and drank almond milk. In recent days, Father John heard almost nothing. He had to scream in his ear. He was always in a room with an open window, always wearing a fur coat and reclining in a chair. Dear father foresaw his death long ago. When the foundation stone for the new Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt was laid 13-15 years ago, Fr. John seemed to predict his death. After a welcoming speech on the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony, he said: “And when the walls of the new church are put under the roof, I will no longer be there.” And so it happened. Shortly before his death, being completely ill, the deceased asked several times how many days were left until December 20th. In November, he sent in advance to all postmen, delivery boys, etc., people who carried out his orders, Christmas holidays - “otherwise they will not receive them at all.” While in oblivion, on December 18, he asked the abbess of the Ioannovsky Monastery on Karpovka, Mother Angelina: “what is the date today?” They answered him “eighteenth.” “Well, okay, that means two more days,” said Fr. John lost consciousness again. In the last three days the illness has become especially severe. On December 17, he wished to be outdoors and went for a ride in the carriage of a random cab driver, who did not know Father’s habits, drove him for a very long time, and Father caught a cold. The disease became more complicated. The next day he felt very weak, and on December 19 in the morning he could no longer go out into the hallway to meet the priest with the Holy Gifts, as he did every day, and received only Holy Communion. All this day, the martyr shepherd seemed to be in oblivion, with his eyes closed, remaining almost the entire time in his chair. At times his groans could be heard, telling those present about his grave suffering. However, Father’s consciousness was clear to the end. He made his last order on December 19 at 8 o'clock. evenings. The abbess of the Ioannovsky convent, Abbess Angelina, who spent the whole day with Father, asked him for his blessing to consecrate the church tomb, which had been ready for a long time, but had not been consecrated. To this request, Father answered: “yes, yes, consecrate,” and raised his hand as a sign of blessing. The abbess, having accepted the blessing, left for the monastery to prepare for consecration. (The consecration of the church was performed on December 21 by the dean of the monastery, Archimander Macarius, with the clergy of the monastery). The widow of the deceased, who had long suffered from dropsy, due to the deteriorating health of her husband, became completely upset and fell ill. She had an acute nervous attack. At the request of his elderly and sick wife, Fr. John Elizaveta Konstantinovna, the priest John of Ornatsky stayed in Father’s apartment for the night, as well as R. G. Shemyakin (relatives of the deceased), who, together with Father’s servants, did not leave him all night. But they could not ease the suffering of the sufferer. Father resolutely refused any medical help, and after 8 o’clock he only agreed to take a few drops of Holy water twice. At 10 o'clock Father expressed a desire to get up from his chair. They lifted him up and helped him into bed, but after a few minutes he again wanted to get up and remained in the chair until one in the morning in the same position as before. It is unknown where the thoughts of the suffering shepherd were at this time. Most likely, he prayed for the last time that mental prayer that he loved to indulge in at the time when, exhausted by all-day labor, he returned to the city of Kronstadt, in a carriage and on a steamer. And now something more important was coming. Tired of many years of deeds of shepherding in his earthly life, dear priest approached another city, heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal abodes of the Kingdom of Glory, where his resting place had already been prepared for him. At two o'clock in the morning, Father made a sign with a trembling hand that he wanted to get up. He was raised again; this time his legs refused to serve him. The sick person was put to bed. At the same time, seeing his difficult situation, they asked to celebrate the Liturgy earlier than usual, which began at three o’clock in the morning, and at about four o’clock the priest John Arzhanovsky, who replaced Father’s sick confessor, and the cathedral priest Nikolai Petrovsky arrived with the Holy Gifts. Father took Holy Communion for the last time. After communion, he himself wiped his lips, and for some time was completely calm, then he uttered the last words: “I’m stuffy, stuffy,” and with signs he asked to be freed from excess clothes, being in a warm cassock. The request was fulfilled. Soon Father fell into oblivion. The breathing was calm, but it became quieter and quieter. The priest of Ornatsky began to read the canon on the outcome of the soul, and then the departure, and when he approached the dying man’s bed, he lay motionless with his hands folded on his chest; His last breaths were barely noticeable, and the great shepherd completely calmly surrendered his spirit to God. The eyes, hitherto closed, opened slightly and clear tears appeared from them, like crystal. These were the last tears of the great prayer-martyr. It became obvious that his righteous soul had passed into that world where there is no illness, sadness and sighing, but endless life. The powerful spirit left the mortal body of the old man at 7:40 a.m. on December 20th (in the 80th year from birth). The wife was brought (due to her extreme weakness) to say goodbye already when the great guardian of the faith departed to the mountain monastery. Sobs and tears, hitherto suppressed, burst forth from eyewitnesses of the great mystery of death, and the news of it began to be passed from mouth to mouth with the speed of lightning. The first to arrive at the bed of the deceased was the sacristan of St. Andrew's Cathedral, Archpriest A. Popov, who himself fell ill with pneumonia that day, and other members of the clergy of St. Andrew's Cathedral. All of them, together with priests Ornatsky and Arzhanovsky, performed the anointing of the entire body of the deceased with oil as required for priests according to the charter of the Church, and they marveled at the extreme exhaustion of the sufferer; It was as if there was no stomach at all - just bones. After being anointed in God, the deceased was dressed in all the sacred clothes that he himself had intended for this; a miter is placed on the head, like a victorious crown. The face of the deceased took on a stately and calm appearance; and all of him, dressed in full priestly white vestments and a white miter, resembled a bright Angel. We believe and hope that the Lord accepted the angelic soul of His faithful servant into His bright abodes, and that Orthodox Rus' will have in Him a prayer book and representative at the throne of the Lord. After being vested, he died in the arms of the clergy, preceded by the clergy, and was transferred from his deathbed to another room, where the first requiem mass was immediately celebrated. At the same time, the bell of St. Andrew's Cathedral rang solemnly and sadly, notifying the residents of Kronstadt of a great, irreparable loss. The death of the highly revered shepherd was immediately reported by telegraph to Tsarskoe Selo, Gatchina, Metropolitan Anthony of St. Petersburg and Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod. On the latter’s most submissive report on the death of Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev, the Sovereign Emperor was pleased, on December 21, to write with his own hand: “With all those who revered the deceased Archpriest Father John, I mourn his death.” On behalf of Their Imperial Majesties, Empresses Maria Feodorovna and Alexandra Feodorovna, wreaths were laid on the coffin of the deceased. With the permission of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, His Eminence Kirill, Bishop of Gdov, went to Kronstadt, as Father himself asked him to do before his death. Rev. Kirill arrived in Kronstadt on December 20 at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Having driven straight to Father John’s apartment, he performed the 3rd memorial service. The 2nd was served at 1 o’clock in the afternoon in the presence of the Chief Commander of G. Kronstadt, Gen. Artamonov, Chief Commander of Kronsht. port K.-adm. Grigorovich and other senior officials. In the evening, the body of the deceased was placed in an oak coffin, and a requiem service was served for the Most Reverend. Kirill, with the participation of local clergy. On the same day, all of St. Petersburg already knew about the death of Father. Immediately, funeral services began in almost all churches. Earlier than other churches, sad news was received at the Ioannovsky Monastery. Immediately all the sisters gathered in church, and their sobs accompanied the entire service of the memorial service. On the morning of December 21, at the Baltic station, countless crowds of people took tickets, rushing to Kronstadt. No conversations could be heard; Everyone rode in silence, occasionally exchanging fragmentary remarks. A special, reverent mood was created. Until dusk, the trains brought more and more pilgrims. In Oranienbaum, the demand for cab drivers was enormous; wagons, logs, and sleighs stretched across the ice in a black line all day long. All night on December 21, there was a crowd of people at the gates of the church house: there was a long chain of people wishing to say goodbye to Fr. John. From 11 pm, the door to the deceased shepherd’s apartment was closed and public access was stopped. At 9 o'clock in the morning the last funeral service was held at the apartment of the deceased. Representatives of the local administration and many admirers gathered for the memorial service. The small apartment could not accommodate all those gathered. After the funeral service, the coffin was carried out of the apartment in the hands of the clergy. In the courtyard he was received in the arms of the Chief Commander of Kronstadt, Lieutenant General. Artamonov, Kronstadt Military Governor K.-Adm. Grigorovich, commandant of the fortress, mayor, cathedral elder Y. K. Markov and other persons. Under the sad ringing of the cathedral bells, the procession, preceded by icons and banners, headed along Andreevskaya Street to St. Andrew's Cathedral. Along the street, ground troops stood in trellises, barely holding back a crowd of thousands. The windows, fences, and even the roofs of the houses were dotted with people eager to see the transfer of the body of the highly revered shepherd. A crowd of thousands of sobbing people stood behind the trellises. Loud cries burst out: “Dear father!”... “darling!”... “red sun!”... “don’t leave us!”... “pray for us sinners!”... etc. When the sad procession approached St. Andrew's Cathedral, the coffin was again taken into the arms of the clergy, led by the Most Reverend. Kirill and brought it into the church, decorated with tropical plants. The cathedral was overcrowded, but thousands of people still crowded the square and Nikolaevsky Avenue. The liturgy began, which was performed by Rev. Kirill, with the participation of numerous clergy. After the liturgy, a memorial service was served. This memorial service made a touching impression. The sobs of the people, sometimes drowning out the cries of the clergy, produced a stunning impression. After the funeral service, farewell to the deceased shepherd began. People were allowed into the cathedral one by one. There is a long queue at the right side entrance to the cathedral, where only two people are allowed in. They exit from the left side. We had to stand in line for hours. In the cathedral itself, requiem service follows requiem service. At 6 o'clock in the evening a memorial service was held in the cathedral for Fr. John from the shelter of Tsarevich Nicholas. The coffin stands on a high platform. The candles around him are burning brightly. The face of the deceased is covered with air, as is done with all deceased priests; Only the emaciated hands are visible, to which many thousands of people have touched today. In his right hand is a small gilded cross. At 7 o'clock in the evening the parastas (funeral all-night vigil) began, which lasted until 11 o'clock at night. The cathedral was open all night from December 21 to 22 until 6 a.m. And all night long the people walked continuously to say goodbye to the deceased. Most have tears in their eyes. Muffled sobs and exclamations are heard: “Our sun has set! To whom did my dear father leave us?! Who will come to the aid of us, the orphaned and the weak! At 6 o'clock. on the morning of December 22, St. Andrew's Cathedral was closed, and entry to those who wished to say goodbye to Father was stopped. Today there was a long journey ahead - transporting the body of the deceased shepherd to the St. Petersburg St. John's Convent. At 7 o'clock the liturgy began. By the end of the liturgy, the entire cathedral, the square in front of it and the surrounding streets were cordoned off by troops. Beyond the cordon line, people could be seen in thick masses along the streets, in the windows of houses, on roofs, fences and trees. Petersburg Gate, through which the sea road leads to Oranienbaum, at 9 o'clock. mornings are closed, all movement of passenger carriages and sleighs on the ice is stopped at 10 o'clock. in the morning, and from 11 there is pedestrian traffic. Police officials are especially bustling around the cathedral; ranks of troops stand in the square; the people became quiet and patiently waited for the coffin to be carried out into the square. This whole picture is brightly illuminated by the cold winter sun. The priest of the cathedral, Fr. Pavel Vinogradov delivered a simple, but heartfelt and touching funeral eulogy. “We cannot thank our dear deceased in any other way than by bowing to the ground,” he concluded his speech. Almost the entire church fell to their knees after these words. Bishop Kirill in his speech described Fr. John as a person surrounded by a halo of heavenly glory. It is difficult to convey everything that happened in the cathedral. The cries of the clergy and the singing of the singers were interrupted every minute by sobs. Exactly at 11 o'clock. 30 min. In the morning the removal of the body from the cathedral began. The oak coffin was surrounded by a religious procession around the cathedral and placed on a chariot while the bells were ringing. Military bands played “Kol Slaven.” There were banners in the ranks of the troops. Banner bearers from all Kronstadt churches gathered to participate in the procession. At the head of the procession were dragoons with a banner and a choir of music. Next came the singers, the clergy, the chariot with the body of the deceased and the commanding officials, led by Lieutenant General. Artamonov. The procession was closed by a company of the 94th Yenisei Regiment and the people, numbering at least 20 thousand people of both sexes. At the Naval Cathedral, at the Church of the Epiphany and near the chapel at the Petersburg Gate, built in memory of Adm. Makarov, litias were committed. Along the entire road through the city, troops stood in trellises. The Lutheran Church on the seashore honored the memory of the dear deceased with a long funeral bell. Next was the path across the sea. By order of the Chief Commander of Kronstadt, everyone who wanted to escort the deceased across the sea was ordered to follow in rows at least two steps apart from each other, due to the fragility of the ice. Five rescue stations were set up along the entire sea route, and special bridges were built across cracks found in the ice. Bishop Kirill and some clergy rode forward to Oranienbaum to meet the procession at the station. The entire journey was completed in less than three hours. The funeral singing and the sounds of “How Glorious” did not cease for a single moment. In Oranienbaum, the procession was expected by both old and young, rich and poor, in a word, the entire population. The local clergy, led by Rev. Kirill set off in a religious procession to meet the procession to the seashore. Bells rang out throughout Oranienbaum. The coffin was carried onto the platform and placed in the funeral carriage of a special train. By order of the head of the northwestern railways, Chamberlain Valuev, to transport the body of Fr. John and those accompanying the procession, several mourning carriages were assigned to the train leaving for St. Petersburg at 3:30 a.m. on the day. On the morning of December 22nd, admirers of Fr. began arriving in Oranienbaum by train. John and the clergy. A lot of people came from Peterhof and Strelna. St. Petersburg trains were overcrowded. A brief lithium began. The platform resounded with the sobs of the Oranienbaumites. At 4 o'clock the train started moving. Many crossed themselves on their knees as the train departed. Approaching each station, the train slowed down, but did not stop. At all stations there were a lot of people meeting the last journey of dear Father along the Baltic Road, along which he made many trips throughout his life. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon the funeral train arrived in St. Petersburg. The procession of transporting the body of Fr. was full of mournful tenderness and majestic sadness. John from the Baltic Station to the Ioannovsky Convent, to his resting place. Thousands of people had been standing along the Obvodny Canal and all along Izmailovsky Prospekt since three o'clock. The clergy gathered in the front rooms of the station. Here, His Eminence Sergius, the Archbishop of Finland, Bishop Micah of Arkhangelsk and Bishop. Narva Nikander, Archimandrites: Theophan, rector of the Theological Academy and Benjamin, rector of the Seminary, dean of the Ioannovsky Monastery, Archimandrite Macarius, Rector of the Patriarchal Antioch Metochion, Archimandrite Ignatius, who specially arrived from Moscow. Chairman of the Society for Religious and Moral Education Archpriest F. Ornatsky and rectors or representatives from all metropolitan parishes. St. Isaac's banner bearers with banners arrived at the station; there were banners from the parish churches, from the St. John's Monastery and the consecrated Fr. John banner-gonfalon from the “Union of the Russian People”. Along the entire route of the funeral procession to the monastery, traffic on the streets was stopped. When the train stopped under the arches of the Baltic Station, Rev. came out of the saloon car. Kirill and the priests who accompanied the body joined those greeting them. A litany was performed by a host of Bishops and priests in front of the open funeral carriage. The choir of singers of the Semenovsky regiment sang. In the hands of the clergy, the oak coffin was carried out of the carriage and placed on a sad chariot with a silver canopy, crowned with a miter. As soon as the sad procession moved from the station, the sad sound of a bell rang through the air; the people in the square began to cross themselves, sobs were heard, which turned into general crying when the sad procession entered the square. In front of the chariot walked, led by the mentioned archpastors, the clergy of all the capital's churches in silver vestments, among them there were 8 mitred archpriests, on their sides they carried church banners and banners of patriotic organizations, consecrated by Father John himself; Behind the chariot walked the St. Petersburg mayor, Major General Drachevsky, and the former commandant of Kronstadt, now the commander of the Kiev Military District, Lieutenant General Ivanov. Along the entire route of the procession, countless crowds of people occupied squares and sidewalks; even the roofs of houses and fences were dotted with spectators. The procession moved slowly to the sad sound of bells; The crying and sobbing of the masses drowned out the singing of the singers and the ringing. From among the singers and clergy all the way, the touching melodies of the canon were heard: “Helper and patron be my salvation.” The people following the coffin formed several choirs that sang “Holy God,” “Eternal Memory” and other spiritual chants. They saw the chariot, standing along the procession in the squares and sidewalks, countless crowds of people, they heard singing, and the air was filled with crying, and sometimes this crying was so loud that it broke through the powerful singing, causing the voices of those singing to tremble. It was felt that these voices were reaching heaven and that the worthy shepherd would, indeed, have eternal memory. So the people saw off the shepherd, who was himself the people’s kindness, the people’s conscience, the people’s faith. As long as there are such shepherds, there will be faith in Russia. It seems that there has never been a funeral with such a huge, crying crowd of people of all ranks, from commoners to high dignitaries. From the Resurrection Church of the Society for Religious and Moral Education, which is near the Warsaw Station, the priests of the Society’s churches came out with a procession of the cross; the chairman of the council performed the litia, and the priests joined the procession. At the Izmailovsky Cathedral of the Holy Trinity near the Church of the Ascension, the bells rang back, the clergy came out with banners, and litias were celebrated. At St. Isaac's Cathedral, at the head of a large clergy with a choir of St. Isaac's singers, the venerable rector, mitred archpriest I. A. Sobolev, came out to serve the lithium. Then the procession headed, by special order of the Sovereign Emperor, along the Neva embankment, past the Winter Palace. Thanks to this Highest command, the procession had to move past the building of the Holy Synod and stop in front of it for a short time to serve the lithium. Here we remembered Father’s prediction for this stop, made by him three weeks before his death. His longtime zealous admirers, merchants V.P. Krutov and A.A., came to visit Father. Zabelin. In a conversation with them, Father, among other things, said: “After all, they are waiting for me at the monastery, and the sisters want to take communion. Well, yes, I’ll get ready for the holiday (Christmas), but I probably won’t have to take communion. They also ask me to visit the Holy Synod. I’ll be there too, even if it’s only for half an hour or a few minutes. But I’ve never been there, I don’t know how to get in; but, by the way, they will show.” This prediction has now come true... The rector of the Synod Church, chairman of the educational committee, Archpriest Belikov, served the litiya at the Holy Synod. As the procession passed along the Palace Embankment in the palaces of the Grand Dukes Vladimir Alexandrovich and Mikhail Nikolaevich, even the windows opened. The procession followed along the Neva embankment to the Trinity Bridge, where there were no people. A lithium was also celebrated behind the bridge at the capital's oldest Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The procession headed along Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt. Having thinned out on the embankment, masses of people gathered here again. Tens of thousands of people - tens of thousands of tears. Along the way, lithiums were served in several places on Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt, and banners from the St. Matthew Church and the Institute of the Princess of Oldenburg were added. Let us draw your attention to a gratifying fact. The four bishops walking in front of the coffin completed the entire journey without rest. Numerous clergy walked, despite the rain and the long journey, in full vestments, from St. Andrew's Cathedral in Kronstadt, having been there since 7 o'clock in the morning, to Oranienbaum on the ice and from the Baltic station to the Ioannovsky Monastery on the Karpovka River - on foot no less than a total of 25 versts. As soon as the procession began to approach the Karpovsky Bridge and was already not far from the monastery, many clearly saw how a star quickly fell from the sky. Her path was precisely in the direction of the monastery. “It was Father’s soul that flew from heaven,” said some poor woman. The people discussed the incident in different ways - they saw the falling stars as a heavenly sign. At 8.5 pm a sad procession arrived at the monastery with the sad ringing of the monastery bells. The Ioannovsky Monastery at that time looked like a small fortress. The entire Karpovka embankment was cleared of the public and crews. Only with tickets were people allowed into the church, which was filled with worshipers long before the funeral procession arrived. At the entrance to the church stood all the sisters of the monastery, headed by the abbess, Abbess Angelina, as well as the clergy. Everyone went out to meet the dear patron and prayer book, who arrived at his monastery on the occasion of the Nativity of Christ, but already lifeless and voiceless. In the arms of the clergy, preceded by the sisters singing “Helper and Patron,” the coffin was carried into the large cathedral church and placed in the middle of the church on a hearse covered with a white eyelet. All around, near the columns, there were living plants. With great difficulty the coffin was put in place; everyone tried to give in. It took a lot of effort to restore order. At 9 o'clock in the evening, a parastasis began in the cathedral church, which was served by Bishop Micah of Arkhangelsk, the spiritual son and zealous admirer of Father. Up to 40 priests and deacons took part in the service. This service was majestic and touching, especially in those moments when all the clergy sang, gathered together with a movement of ardent love and zealous veneration for the newly departed Father Archpriest John. At 12 o'clock at night the Divine service ended, and immediately everyone who wanted to say goodbye to dear Father began to be admitted one by one. The sisters were the first to approach, shedding burning tears. Is it possible to depict their state of mind during this last kiss? They said goodbye to someone who was closer to their own father. He accepted them into the monastery. Most lived in poverty and harsh conditions. Father warmed them up, helped them in everything, taught them, guided them, nourished them physically and spiritually... After the sisters, the lay people came up. Many of them passed by, kissing the exhausted right hand of the venerable shepherd, but even more remained who were unable to fulfill their passionate desire - to say goodbye to Father. At 6 o'clock access to the coffin was stopped. At this time, the early liturgy began in the tomb church, which was celebrated by Archimandrite Ignatius, with the participation of many other priests. It was necessary to clean up the Cathedral Church and prepare for the liturgy and funeral service. Near the tomb, the reading of St. continued all night. Gospels and requiem services were served continuously. Many, touching Father’s hand, lit a candle, which they took away as a souvenir. At 8.30 o'clock. In the morning the good news for the late liturgy began. The first to arrive from the Archpastors was Kirill, Bishop of Gdov. Soon arrived: Serius, Archbishop of Finland, Micah, Bishop of Arkhangelsk, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy Archimandrite Theophan, rector of the Seminary Archimandrite Veniamin, mitred archpriests A. A. Dernov and F. N. Ornatsky, and other clergy appointed by the Metropolitan to serve the Liturgy, including 12 archimandrites, archpriests and priests. – At 9 o’clock, His Eminence Anthony, Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, arrived, and the Divine Liturgy began, which was attended by: Comrade Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod of Mysteries. owls Rogovich, Managing Office of the Holy Synod G. Grigorovsky, St. Petersburg Mayor D.V. Drachevsky, secrecy. owls V. N. Mamontov, Lieutenant General. Count N.F. Heyden with his wife and many other high-ranking officials, representatives of the merchant class and people of various ranks. A few minutes after the start of the service, the sun suddenly appeared in the church, as if signifying the victory of light over darkness, and brightly illuminated the coffin and those standing near the deceased with its rays. At the end of the liturgy, the chairman of the Society, Distribution. Rel.-Morals. Rev., Archpriest F.N. Ornatsky, with the blessing of the Metropolitan, gave a heartfelt, edifying speech. The shepherd's words were interrupted several times by loud crying from those present in the church. The preacher himself spoke through tears. At three quarters past twelve the Liturgy ended and the funeral service began, very touching, reserved only for clergy. In addition to the mentioned Hierarchs, up to 60 priests and up to 20 deacons attended the funeral service; almost as many were present as ordinary pilgrims, due to lack of space and vestments. As soon as the touching and mournful words of the funeral chants were heard, wax candles began to light up like stars in the hands of worshipers throughout the church. The crying of the worshipers mixed with the prayerful exclamations of the Archpastors and shepherds. “Rest with the Saints” was sung on knees by all those present at the funeral service - along with the choir. During the funeral service, “Immaculate” was read by Rev. Kirill, and the canon is Archpriest F. Ornatsky. After a touching final farewell to the deceased by the Metropolitan and the clergy, the open coffin with the body of the deceased was carried out by the hands of the priests from the upper church to the lower church - the tomb. It is difficult to convey the grief of the nuns at the sight of this removal. They all cried bitterly. Many, at the same time, lost consciousness. The pallbearers cried, and everyone who stood in the way of the sad procession cried. Many bitter tears were shed in the most remote places of Russia at the news of the death of the ever-memorable shepherd. The face of the deceased, like a clergyman, was covered with air, but laying a halo on the forehead of the deceased, the priest - confessor Fr. John told us that his face, as at his death, was completely calm; the eyes are slightly opened, and the pupils are directed upward, as if praying. And this feeling of living connection and inextricability of unity in love and faith with the dear deceased was even more tangibly imprinted in the heart there, in the lower church near the marble tomb, where the coffin with the remains of the dear Father was lowered at 2:15 on December 23. We make a brief description of the church-tomb. The entrance to the tomb leads from the main vestibule to the right along the corridor, not reaching the doors of the Church of St. John of Rylsky. From the small platform where candles are sold, there is a wide staircase of 16–18 steps going down. Here, in the dungeon, under the mighty arches supporting the entire colossal building of the church, a church of wonderful beauty was built. All walls, pillars, columns and ceilings are covered with polished slabs of white marble, or made to look like marble. The church is small, occupying only 35–40 square meters. fathoms, and very low, only about 3 arshins in the highest places. The entire iconostasis is carved from white marble, with wonderful decoration, designed in the Russian-Byzantine style. A mass of electric light bulbs floods the entire church with light, reflecting in the snow-white marble walls. This church, like the entire monastery, was built according to the plan and instructions of the architect N. N. Nikonov. – The marble work was carried out by A. A. Barinov, and all the icons were painted by the famous artist Fed. Kiril. Platonov. In front of the iconostasis on the right side is the tomb of Fr. John. The walls and floor of the tomb consist of continuous solid slabs of white marble. Behind the slabs of marble is a solid frame made of thick boiler iron. The walls of the grave rise half an arshin above the floor of the church; they are also covered with marble. Two inches of fine sand was sprinkled at the bottom of the grave, and the coffin was placed on the sand. The coffin is not buried in the ground, but is covered only with a massive marble slab. The church-tomb was consecrated, as already said, on December 21 in the name of the Holy Prophet Elijah and the Holy Queen Theodora - the names of Father and Mother of Father. In this wonderful, white and bright church, corresponding to the bright personality of dear Father, he now rests in a peaceful sleep. From the very first day after the burial, a real pilgrimage of St. Petersburg residents and many visiting pilgrims began here. Already in the morning, busy traffic begins daily along the sparsely populated Karpovskaya embankment from Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt to the monastery: every now and then carriages and cabbies pass by, ordinary people walk in groups. In the tomb, from morning to evening, the service of memorial services at the tomb is continuously performed. The singing of the choir of nuns is beautiful. Thousands of pilgrims go to the tomb of Father, as if to their living comforter, healer and mentor. They go not only to offer prayers for the repose of his pure soul in a bright place, in a green place, in a place of peace, in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but they also hope to receive the consolation of Christ here and get rid of all sorrow, anger and need. Amazing activity by Fr. John of Kronstadt had long been attracted to him by common love and spread fame about him - about his kindness and the power of his prayer, in all layers of the population from the Royal Chambers to the wretched corners of the poor. The deeply religious Father himself had a great gift from God - to strengthen people’s faith and inspire hope. His prayer brought him back to his feet and often healed such sick people for whom doctors could no longer provide any help. Numerous cases of healing through the prayers of Fr. John became generally known and attested in print. The name of the deceased, as a wonderful spiritual doctor, attracted countless numbers of pilgrims from everywhere to Kronstadt. Faith that Fr. John can beg God for forgiveness of sins, and was a guiding star for them to Kronstadt. This same faith now directs Father’s admirers to his dear grave. New rector of Kronstadt St. Andrew's Cathedral By the resolution of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, set out in decree No. 9143 of December 30, 1908, assistant archpriest Fr. John Ilyich Sergiev, keymaster of the cathedral, archpriest, master of theology Alexander Petrovich Popov. Dear Fr. Archpriest A. Popov is an excellent speaker and preacher, has extensive theological knowledge and belongs to deep admirers of the “dear priest.” The highest rescript and solemn commemoration of Fr. John on the 40th day We already know what fiery and fervent prayers were offered by many spiritual children of Fr. John about the repose of the soul in God of the deceased shepherd. These prayers were undoubtedly strengthened by the powerful prayer in the afterlife of the deceased great prayer book of the Russian land himself. These fiery prayers of believers, together with the powerful afterlife prayer of Fr. John penetrated the barrier separating the earthly world from the heavenly, like a fragrant censer, they ascended to the Throne of the King of Glory and were heard by God. A sign of this was the Royal Rescript to the All-Russian High Hierarch on perpetuating the memory of the wondrous shepherd. Orthodox Rus' deeply believes that the heart of the Russian Tsar, as God’s Anointed One, is in the hand of God. Therefore, we must look at the Highest will expressed in the rescript to perpetuate the memory of the deceased shepherd as an expression of the will of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Himself, who heard the prayers of His faithful servants for the repose of the soul of the great prayer book of the Russian land, the chosen one of God... The memory of God's chosen ones must be eternally alive and not disappear with time... The blessings that the Lord has chosen and accepted. Their memory lasts forever. His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of St. Petersburg It was the will of the inscrutable Providence of God that the great lamp of the Church of Christ and the prayer book of the Russian Land, the popularly revered shepherd and righteous man, Father John of Kronstadt, should go out. Sharing with all our hearts the great sorrow of the people over the death of the loving shepherd and benefactor, We renew in Our memory with special feeling the sorrowful days of the dying illness in God of our deceased Parent, Emperor Alexander III, when the fading Tsar, beloved by the people, wished for the prayers and closeness of the people’s beloved prayer book for the Tsar and the Fatherland. Now, together with Our beloved people, having lost Our beloved prayer book, We are imbued with an indispensable desire to give a worthy expression to this joint grief of Ours with the people through prayerful commemoration of the deceased, annually commemorating with it the day of the death of Father John, and this year timed to coincide with the fortieth day of the mourned event. Being, both by Our own spiritual attraction and by the power of the Fundamental Laws, the first guardian in Our Fatherland of the interests and needs of the Church of Christ, We, with all its faithful and loving sons, expect that the Holy Synod, having become the head of this undertaking, will bring a light of consolation to the people's grief and generate for eternal times a living source of inspiration for future ministers and primates of the Altar of Christ for the holy deeds of the arduous pastoral work. Committing ourselves to your prayers, we remain favorable to you. On the original His Imperial Majesty's Own is inscribed by hand: Definitions of the Holy Synod I. From January 15, 1909, according to the Highest Rescript addressed to the Most Reverend Metropolitan of St. Petersburg regarding the death of Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev By decree of His Imperial Majesty, the Most Holy Governing Synod heard: presented by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of St. Petersburg, given in his name, on the 12th day of this January, the Highest Rescript of His Imperial Majesty on the occasion of the death of Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev. Ordered: Having heard the Highest Rescript of His Imperial Majesty presented in his name by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of St. Petersburg on the death of Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev and, being concerned with a worthy commemoration of the memory of this great lamp of the Church of Christ and the prayer book of the Russian Land, the Holy Synod determines: 1) to print the said The Highest Rescript in No. 3 of the “Church Gazette” of the current year; 2) to instruct the Metropolitans of St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kyiv, present at the Holy Synod, to perform in the city of St. John the Theologian on the fortieth day after the death of Father John, January 28th. St. Petersburg convent, the burial place of the deceased, funeral liturgy, and after it, after reading the Highest Rescript, by the full composition of the Holy Synod, a memorial service for the deceased; the same liturgy and requiem service must be performed by the bishop's service in all cathedrals of the cities of St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kyiv; 3) to order the diocesan eminences, the protopresbyter of the military and naval clergy and the head of the court clergy to make an order to perform on the 28th day of this January a funeral liturgy and memorial service for the deceased Father John in all churches under their jurisdiction, as well as in churches of theological educational institutions and church schools, with the recitation of the corresponding the commemorated event of teaching and with the reading from the church pulpit, before the requiem service, of the said Highest Rescript, freeing the students of the named institutions and schools from classes for this day; in cathedrals, such services must be performed by the bishop's ministry; 4) to establish for the future, annually on the day of the death of Father John, December 20, the celebration of the funeral liturgy and memorial service for the deceased in all churches of the Empire, instructing the diocesan lords, the protopresbyter of the military and naval clergy and the head of the court clergy to make an order about the arrangement on the first anniversary of the death of Father John, December 20 of this year, non-liturgical interviews in the dioceses and departments entrusted to them with a proposal for these readings dedicated to the memory of the late Emperor Alexander III in God and the prayer book for the Tsar and the Russian Land, Father John of Kronstadt; 5) invite the diocesan eminences, the protopresbyter of the military and naval clergy and the head of the court clergy to invite the clergy under their supervision to donate to the establishment of scholarships in theological educational institutions named after the father of Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev, instructing them to take care of the acquisition of portraits of Father John for placement in the assembly halls of theological educational institutions; 6) to instruct the Educational Committee at the Holy Synod to include in the programs of theological seminaries on homiletics and practical guidance for pastors to familiarize students with the biography and pastoral-educational activities of the late Father John and for this purpose to provide appropriate instructions in the explanatory note to the programs; 7) to instruct His Eminence of Arkhangelsk to enter into judgment and present to the Holy Synod his conclusion on the establishment in the city. Arkhangelsk or on the site of Father John’s homeland, a school of pastoral care named after the deceased; the newly established similar school in the city of Zhitomir, Volyn diocese, should be named a school in memory of Father John of Kronstadt, and 8) the St. John the Theologian convent in St. Petersburg, in which the body of the deceased now rests, should be elevated, for honor’s sake, to a first-class convent. About the above, for proper implementation, announce the diocesan bishop, the protopresbyter of the military and naval clergy and the head of the court clergy, as well as the Moscow Holy Synod Office, according to the accepted procedure, printing along with this this definition in the “Church Gazette”. II. From December 15, 1909, No. 143, on the distribution to church schools of a portrait of the deceased honorary member of the School Council at the Holy Synod, rector of the Kronstadt St. Andrew's Cathedral, Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev By decree of His Imperial Majesty, the Holy Governing Synod heard: proposed by G. Acting Chief Prosecutor of the Synod, dated January 14, 1909, No. 321, magazine of the School Council at the Holy Synod, No. 8, about distributing to church schools a portrait of the deceased honorary member of the School Council at the Holy Synod, rector Кронштадтского Андреевского собора, протоиерея Иоанна Ильича Сергиева. They ordered: on the 20th of last December, the honorary member of the School Council, rector of the Kronstadt St. Andrew's Cathedral, Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev, who was present at the Holy Synod, reposed in the Lord. In his face the bright lamp of the Church went out, the great prayer book of the Russian land was gone. He gave all of himself to the service of the Holy Church of his dear homeland, to all those who mourn and suffer. His beneficial pastoral influence extended throughout Russia and even beyond its borders. The entire Russian Orthodox people honored Fr. John, as a righteous man, believed in his prayers and intercession before God. He was known even in the most distant, most remote corners of our homeland, people of all ranks and conditions knew him, and for everyone he was a torch of faith and life. Thousands of people did not undertake anything important without his blessing and without thinking whether Father John of Kronstadt would approve of this. From everywhere they brought their sorrows, troubles, doubts and bewilderments to him, asking for his advice, help and guidance, and the loving heart of Fr. John's was open to everyone. His death is therefore a great event in our Church and fatherland. Church schools also suffered a heavy loss with his death. Living with the people, the deceased passionately loved everything that was close to the people’s hearts - everything that was lofty and sacred to him - he also loved the church school, dear to the Orthodox Russian people. Thanks to his generous donations, many church schools have arisen and many of them are provided with good premises of their own. In the Arkhangelsk diocese, a special inviolable fund was established in his name, the funds of which support several parochial schools. Given the significance of the deceased Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev, the Holy Synod finds it very desirable to preserve the memory of him in every church school, by placing his portrait in a prominent place in the school, which portrait for the younger generation will be a constant reminder of the high feat and significance of the deceased Fr. John, his all-encompassing love, truth and devotion to the holy Church, dear homeland and Throne. In view of the above, the Holy Synod determines: it will instruct the Publishing Commission of the School Council to print 40,000 portraits of the deceased Fr. Archpriest Ioann Ilyich Sergiev and send them to all church schools for placement in each in a visible place, about which, for execution, submit an extract to the School Council at the Holy Synod, and for proper guidance on the spiritual department, print in the official part of the magazine “Church Gazette” published at the Holy Synod. The Holy Synod determined: it is the duty of teachers of homiletics and practical guidance for pastors in theological seminaries to acquaint students, when taking a course in homiletics, with the life and work, both generally pastoral and, in particular, the preaching work of the deceased Fr. John Ilyich Sergiev, and when going through a practical guide for pastors, along with an exposition of the view of the fathers and teachers of the church on shepherding and its high properties and responsibilities, also expound the view on the same subject of Fr. John Sergiev on the basis of all his creations and, above all, on the basis of his “Life in Christ”. In fulfillment of the Highest Will, expressed in the Highest Rescript addressed to the Most Reverend Metropolitan of St. Petersburg, dated January 12th, about the need to make the memory of Father John of Kronstadt a source of inspiration for future pastors, and in order to widely disseminate the edifying works of the late shepherd among the people, the Holy Synod determined: 1) to publish a pastoral anthology from the works of the late Father John in the form of a small book with his sayings about the principles of true shepherding - about pastoral preaching, pastoral activities and the personal life of a shepherd; 2) to print for public libraries a small book, understandable for the simplest readers, extracted from the writings of Father John for guidance in the godly life of the laity, and 3) to implement these decrees, to form a commission under the chairmanship of His Eminence Sergius of Finland, with the instruction that he invite members to the commission at his discretion. Eve of the 40th day of the death of Father John of Kronstadt in the St. John the Theologian Monastery On the normally quiet Karpovka there is a revival. The top two floors of the beautiful monastery church are filled with fire. There is a crew meeting near the monastery. In the main church there is a solemn parastasis for the late and ever-memorable Father John of Kronstadt. On January 27, a member of the State Duma, the Right Reverend Eulogius, Bishop of Kholm and Lublin, served together with the dean of the women's monastery churches, Archimandrite Macarius, Archimandrite of the Moscow Antiochian Greek Metochion, Ignatius, mitered rector of the Peter and Paul Fortress Cathedral, Archpriest. A. A. Dernov and 9 priests. The sisters of the monastery sang. During Matins, free candles were distributed to all pilgrims, by order of Mother Abbess Angelina. Access to the church was completely free. Below, in the crypt, memorial services were continuously celebrated near the tomb of the world prayer book, Father John of Kronstadt. The people walked in a continuous stream to his tomb. Many left money for candles to be placed on the eve of January 28 near the tomb of the great prayer book of our days. Many pilgrims asked that their funeral notes be read only today, during general funeral services. Many fresh flowers were brought to the grave. Due to the relatively small size of the church, access to the solemn liturgy was only by tickets. At the end of the funeral service, which was performed by Metropolitan Anthony of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, Vladimir of Moscow and Kolomna, and Flavian of Kiev and Galicia, co-served by members of the Holy Synod, there was regular public access to the tomb. January 28 marked 40 days since the great righteous man, wonderworker and universal prayer book, nationally revered mitred archpriest, Father John Ilyich Sergiev of Kronstadt, reposed in God. 40 days have passed, and the community’s memory of the great ascetic of faith and prayer not only has not faded, but is becoming stronger and stronger. Admirers of the ever-memorable archpriest decorated his tomb with fresh flowers in the morning. A whole forest of chrysanthemums formed near the tomb. The church-crypt was filled with the aroma of fragrant flowers... The early liturgy in the crypt church was performed by the mitred archpriest, rector of the Cathedral of the Peter and Paul Fortress, Father A. A. Dernov, dean of the monasteries, Father Archimandrite Macarius, and a friend. clergy. The funeral liturgy ended with a memorial service. Then the usual funeral services began for the unforgettable Great Righteous Father, dear Father John. The people walked in a continuous line. When the time came for the late liturgy, the monastery began to admit people into the church only by tickets. On January 28, on the fortieth day of the death of the great prayer book, mitred archpriest, dear priest Father John of Kronstadt, a memorial service was held in the church of the Alexander Tsarskoye Selo Palace in the presence of Their Imperial Majesties, at 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon. The fortieth day after the death of Father John was primarily a day of sorrow and weeping for the city of Kronstadt, with which the deceased became close, and where all 53 years of his pastoral ministry passed. The funeral service on this day was performed here conciliarly by His Eminence Vladimir, Bishop of Kronstadt. The day before, the Bishop served a funeral all-night vigil (parastas) in St. Andrew's Cathedral, and on January 28, in the co-service of the cathedral clergy, local and visiting clergy, a funeral liturgy and memorial service were performed, which was attended by the clergy of all Kronstadt churches. The touching chants of the memorial service were performed with animation by the united choir of singers from all the churches of the city. On the same day, the clergy of St. Andrew's Cathedral and the cemetery church celebrated a memorial service for the mother of Fr. John to Elder Theodora - in her tomb at the Trinity Cemetery in Kronstadt. All the poor people of Kronstadt on the 40th day after the death of Fr. John were generously given alms and fed with dinner at the expense of the city, the cathedral elder Y. K. Markov and some private benefactors. In the “House of Diligence” founded by Father John, a memorial meal was organized for the poor for the repose of the soul of the deceased. More than 5,000 lunches were served in Kronstadt that day. On January 28, the capital, and with it all of holy Orthodox Russia, prayerfully remembered the unforgettable Kronstadt shepherd, mitred Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev, on the occasion of the fortieth day since his death. In St. Isaac's Cathedral, the funeral liturgy was performed by His Eminence Kirill of Gdov, concelebrated by successive Archimandrite Mitrofan, the cathedral and other clergy, led by the mitred cathedral archpriest I. A. Sobolev. Before the memorial service, in the service of which representatives of many other churches of the capital also took part, the Right Reverend Kirill, who knew Father John closely from his service in Kronstadt and deeply respected him, with special enthusiasm dedicated a wonderful word to the praise of the deceased in God and for the edification of all of us, concluding it with the wish that the good memory of dear Father John and his glorious advice remain in the length of days. The most majestic church of the capital, more than half, was filled with pilgrims standing at the memorial service with lit candles and kneeling in prayer while singing: “Rest with the saints...” and “Eternal memory.” In the Kazan Cathedral, the funeral liturgy and after it the requiem service were performed by His Grace Nikander of Narva, with the participation of a whole host of monastics and white clergy. In the court Peter and Paul Cathedral of the St. Petersburg Fortress, the burial vault of the Russian Emperors, the funeral liturgy and requiem service were performed by the Right Reverend Mitrofan, Bishop of Gomel, member of the State Duma. Before the requiem, the rector of the cathedral, mitered Archpriest A. A. Dernov, addressed numerous pilgrims from the church pulpit with an animated edifying word, in which he mentioned that it was in the Peter and Paul Cathedral that the deceased Father John received 53 years ago (December 12, 1855) the grace of the priesthood from the hands of the Right Reverend Christopher, Bishop Revelsky, vicar of the St. Petersburg Metropolitan. And this grace was so effectively manifested in him throughout the continuation of his priestly service on earth - in numerous actions, in beneficial prayer, in the gift of healing and in all the great feats of his life for the glory of God... In the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, in front of a huge crowd of worshipers, the funeral liturgy and requiem service for Father John were performed by His Eminence Arseny, Archbishop of Pskov, member of the State Council, in the co-service of the numerous brethren of the monastery. At the end of the service, the Lavra brethren gathered for a memorial meal; At the same time, the Lavra, in memory of the deceased shepherd, organized memorial dinners for the poor of the capital in unlimited quantities. In addition, by order of Metropolitan Anthony, memorial meals were organized for the poor in local charity canteens at all parish churches in St. Petersburg. In the Alexander Nevsky Church of the School Council of the Holy Synod, in the presence of members of the Council, teaching staff and students of the exemplary school under the Council, a funeral service was held for the deceased Father John, an honorary member of the School Council. After reading the Highest Rescript, before the funeral service, Archpriest P. I. Sokolov, who presided over the Council, delivered the following edifying speech with warm feeling. “We have just listened,” said the venerable preacher, “to the merciful words of our common Father, the Sovereign Emperor, calling his faithful children to prayerful remembrance of everyone’s beloved and revered father, Fr. John of Kronstadt. Orthodox Rus' grieves for its good father, and this sorrow with all the depths of its soul is shared with it by its sovereign Leader. The significant unity of the Tsar with the people, touching, showing that the Tsar and the people understand each other and are like-minded. This is a great happiness for the country. This is the future of Russia, its power and glory. The late priest taught this so much, this was what the late priest worried about, and this is now, undoubtedly, the fruit of his pastoral labors. From Old Testament history we know that when the Jewish people forgot God, ceased to obey His commands, lived not according to the commandments of God, but according to the desires of their passions, the Lord deprived them of His protection and took away the holy prophets from them. In such cases, the Lord dealt with the disobedient people as pious parents do with stubborn and disobedient children - they left them to themselves, so that they would learn from their own experience how valuable parental help and care are. Isn't this the same thing happening to us now, brothers? Is it not our sins, is it not our unbelief and disobedience that are to blame for the fact that the Lord took from us one after another the lamps of faith and piety? We had a father, Fr. Ambrose of Optina, who, with his God-given gift of insight, turned many thousands of people away from fatal mistakes, troubles and misfortunes. There was the God-wise recluse of Vyshensky, Bishop Theophan. With his writings and his correspondence with thousands of people, he shone throughout all of Russia - he taught, instructed and strengthened them in faith and righteous life. How many people, thanks to these God-bearing men, were saved from death, returned to the path of righteousness, and strengthened in the truth! But there are none. The Lord God took them from us. After them there remained for a long time one extraordinary lamp of faith, Fr. John of Kronstadt. The Lord gave him, in addition to teaching, a special gift of prayer. Through his prayer many were healed of their ailments. People from all walks of life came to him for prayer help from all over Russia. He prayed for everyone, consoled everyone, and instructed everyone. To a certain extent, the words of the prophet spoken about the Messiah are applicable to him: “He accepted our ailments and bore our illnesses” (Matthew 8:17). But here are priests Fr. John is not among us. It’s already the 40th day since it was taken from us, taken so that we could feel stronger, more sharply, how sweet for us is the closeness of God, revealed to us through His special chosen ones. Now we are sires: there is no one on earth for us to cast our sorrows to, no one to ask for help. The Lord took His extraordinary messengers and did not replace them with others. We have not preserved our treasure, the vessels of God's grace. We did not heed their words and followed other teachers who pandered to our passions. Now the menacing denunciations of our untruths are no longer heard. Well, are we any better off for this? No, the general grief for the deceased priest serves as clear proof of this. Let us heed this sorrow and come to repentance. Let us pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased priest Fr. John and ask him, may he ask us for mercy from the Lord; May the Lord raise up for us new, extraordinary vessels of His grace. Amen". January 28, on the fortieth day of the death of the great righteous man, miracle worker and world prayer book, dear priest, mitred archpriest Fr. John Sergiev of Kronstadt, the St. Petersburg Telegraph Agency received telegrams about funeral liturgies and memorial services from Valki, Voznesensk, Kuban regions, Kyiv, Novocherkassk, Odessa, Orel, Pyatigorsk, Revel, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Stavropol, Tomsk, Tula and Ufa. In Valki, students of church schools were exempted from classes: in Stavropol, employees in provincial institutions and students were exempted from classes; in Simferopol and Ufa, students from primary and secondary educational institutions attended funeral services; in Tula, in the hall of the city council, a general meeting of the educational brotherhood named after John the Baptist took place, dedicated to the memory of the great righteous man, dear father Fr. John of Kronstadt. In Bose, the deceased All-Russian prayer book Fr. John of Kronstadt especially loved his native village of Sura, Pinezhsky district, Arkhangelsk diocese, and his fellow countrymen; Almost every year he visited his distant homeland and took every possible care of the welfare of his relatives. Having founded a convent here in the name of St. John the Evangelist, Fr. John erected in the village. Sure and a magnificent stone parish church, with good houses for members of the church clergy, built a stone building for the local parochial school and a consumer shop, built a steamship, a mechanical plant and much more to meet the urgent needs of the local population. In addition, the loving shepherd generously distributed cash benefits to the peasants of the Sursky volost for sowing fields, when giving their daughters in marriage, for the construction of houses after a fire and for other needs in a poor rural life. The expression of grief from fellow countrymen Fr. John on the 40th day after the death of the mourned righteous shepherd by all of Russia - January 28, 1909. Prayerful remembrance of Fr. John was celebrated in the cathedral of the Sursk monastery, where the solemn funeral liturgy was served jointly by the monastery and parish clergy. The vast church was crowded with pilgrims, some of them stood in the open air. After the liturgy, in the church, the Highest Rescript on the perpetuation of the blessed memory of Fr. John, and then the clergy, the sisters of the monastery, with Abbess Porfiria at their head, and all the numerous pilgrims, with a procession of the cross and the singing of the 17th kathisma, moved to the house in which Fr. John, and which is an ordinary chicken peasant hut. During the religious procession, the clergy carried pectoral crosses and Fr.'s miter. John, given by him as a keepsake to his monastery during his lifetime. Here, in my native Fr. John's house, the church prayers for the resettlement of the “newly deceased Archpriest John” who once lived here into the courts of the Lord sounded especially touching... On February 5, on the day of remembrance of St. Theodosius, the Wonderworker of Chernigov, the early liturgy in the crypt church of the Ioannovsky Monastery on Karpovka was performed by a member of the St. Petersburg Spiritual Censorship Committee, Archimandrite Alexander. After the liturgy, Archimandrite Alexander delivered a word in which the preacher, recalling the exploits of Saint Theodosius celebrated on this day, a zealous fighter for Orthodoxy against the onslaught of Catholicism in the troubled times of Russia, who pleased God with his exploits and was glorified by the gift of miracles, compared the life and activity of this saint of God with the life and activity in God of the deceased shepherd Fr. John, who also zealously protected Orthodoxy from the attacks of heretics and sectarians in the troubled times of Russia, shone with great feats of prayer and became famous for his miraculous gift of healing the mental and physical ailments of everyone who came to him by faith. At the end of the liturgy, Archimandrite Alexander, with the participation of the clergy who served him, performed a memorial service over the tomb of the dear priest. The tomb church was overflowing with worshipers. Ministry of fellow believers. On February 5, at the Ioannovsky Convent, the late liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Kirill of Gdov with fellow believers of all St. Petersburg churches according to a special Edinoverie rite, at special prosphoras and according to special books. As you know, His Eminence Kirill of Gdov is the dean of all St. Petersburg Edinoverie churches. Perpetuating the memory of dear priest Father John of Kronstadt in the Saratov diocese With the thought and blessing of His Eminence the Most Reverend Bishop Hermogenes, in the everlasting memory of the All-Russian Prayer Book, Father Fr. John of Kronstadt, the following institutions are opening in the Saratov diocese. 1) “Kazan Ioannovsky Men’s Hostel Skete” in the “Gorodok” area, near the station. Suzyum Syzr.-Knit. and. d. when sat down. Lower Lipovka, Kuznetsk district, on the border of the Penza province, on the site of the Miraculous Icon of the Kazan Mother of God and a healing spring, which has long been reverently revered by the district population. 2) the “John Church-Pastoral Care of the Poor of the Saratov Diocese” is opened to provide assistance to those in need both in the city of Saratov and in all places of the province. The tomb of the great prayer book of the Russian land has already begun to be illuminated by the rays of his afterlife glorification, numerous miracles... A whole literature already exists regarding these miracles, and here we will mention only a few of many. Peasant Matrona Vas. Ivanova, living on 4th Rozhdestvenskaya Street, house No. 9, apt. 8, - talks about her miraculous healing by the grace of God and her faith in the power of the prayers of Fr. John of Kronstadt. 10 years ago Ivanova fell ill with rheumatism. Both hands hurt, especially the left one, so that the patient not only could not work, but, lying in bed, sometimes could not cover herself with a blanket; This was accompanied by terrible pain. Over these 10 years, Ivanova turned to many doctors: in the Georgievsk community of nurses to the famous doctor K. A. Sokolov, in the Trinity community to doctor E. I. Bazhenov, in the Mariinsky hospital, where she used massage. Doctors prescribed medications for rubbing and internal use; Dr. Sokolov also recommended baths, but no help was seen from the treatment. Sometimes the pain subsided, but the patient could not only work, but also move her arms and fingers only with great effort. Doctors claimed that rheumatism affected the joints of the bones and that the disease had become incurable. This continued until this year. During Maslyanya Week, Ivanova says, I had the following dream: “Near our house there is a carriage and people are crowding around it. I asked what is it? They say that the priest is here (Fr. John of Kronstadt). I see that, indeed, the priest got into the carriage and drove off; I ran, grabbed the carriage and said: bless and pray for me, father! He blessed. And the carriage disappeared. I woke up. On the same day, I decided to visit the Ioannovsky Monastery and ask the priest for blessings and holy prayers, as if from a living person, believing that his prayers at the Throne of the Lord are now even stronger than during life. God led me to fulfill this decision. Together with one friend, I came to the church-tomb, stood at the funeral service, after which I took oil from the lamp at the priest’s tomb; In addition, one nun - thanks to her - gave a leaf from the flowers that surrounded the grave. Returning home, I began to rub my sore hands with this oil and leaf, and the next day I felt great relief. The fingers began to bend and straighten freely; the pain stopped. During Lent, I visited the monastery several times and received Holy Communion. Tain, and now, when it’s boring or hard, I go to the dear grave, where every grief is eased. My gratitude is limitless. As long as I was undergoing treatment, I spent my last pennies on medicine; nothing helped. And now I can do everything! So my dear father cured me without money,” the old woman said innocently. Ivanova ended her sincere story with the assurance that her relatives and many acquaintances can confirm the truth of her words about how hard she suffered during a long period of her illness, and is now healthy by the grace of God. The wife of the policeman of the first precinct of the Vasilyevskaya district, a 37-year-old woman, Khristina Chizhavka, suffered from kidney disease for a long time. On August 7, 1908, she was admitted to the French Hospital. Her illness could not be cured. In December, she left the hospital without feeling any relief. Soon the Kronstadt shepherd, Fr. John Ilyich Sergiev. Having learned about his death, the patient wanted to say goodbye to the deceased. With great difficulty, she managed to enter the Ioannovsky Monastery, say goodbye to the great prayer book of our days and fervently pray for relief from her suffering. Christina returned home relieved mentally and physically. From that day on, the illness began to pass, her health began to recover. On March 18, 1909, Christina was already completely healthy in the Ioannovsky Monastery. She prayed fervently during the memorial service, and after it she told the sisters of the monastery about God’s mercy shown to her. Khristina Chizhavka lives in house No. 13, Bolshoy Prospect, Vasilyevsky Island. On April 19, 1909, a four-year-old girl, Anna Kaptelkina, was brought to the Ioannovsky Monastery. Her parents said that the girl’s legs hurt and she could not walk. The treatment didn't help. Then the parents, hearing stories about the great power of Fr. John of Kronstadt, they anointed the girl’s feet with oil taken from the unquenchable lamp glowing near the priest’s tomb, and the girl stood firmly on her feet that same day and walked. During the funeral service, the girl stood and, as best she could, together with her parents thanked the Lord for such a wonderful manifestation of His mercy, through the prayers of Father Fr. John. The Kaptelkins live at 20 Khersonskaya Street, St. Petersburg. Let the Orthodox Russian people fervently pray more often at the tomb of the great prayer book of the Russian land.