Archbishop
On July 2, 1994, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia canonized Saint John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco, the miracle worker.
Archbishop John was born on June 4/17, 1896, in the south of Russia, in the village of Adamovka, Kharkov province. At Holy Baptism, he was named Michael in honor of the Archangel Michael, the leader of the Heavenly Hosts.
From childhood, he showed deep piety, prayed fervently, and collected icons and church books. Michael loved the saints with all his heart and began to live as they did. His life made a profound impression on his governess, who embraced Orthodoxy.
During the years of persecution, he found himself in Belgrade, where he enrolled in the university's theological faculty. In 1926, he was tonsured a monk with the name John. In 1934, he was elevated to the rank of bishop and went to Shanghai, where he became known for his ascetic life and care for the sick.
He visited the sick daily, heard confessions, and administered communion to them. There are known cases of hopelessly ill patients being healed through the prayers of Saint John. In 1949, on Tubabao Island, about 5,000 Russians were in a camp of the International Refugee Organization. The saint prayed for the protection of the camp, and a typhoon passed it by.
In 1951, he was appointed the ruling hierarch of the Western European Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. His missionary work in Europe and San Francisco bore abundant fruit.
The fame of the archbishop spread among Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. He was known and highly revered throughout the world. In 1966, at the age of 71, he departed to the Lord. After his death, miracles of healing and assistance in worldly matters began to occur at his tomb.
Time has shown that Saint John the Miracle Worker is a swift helper to all who are in trouble, sickness, and sorrowful circumstances.
