John Vasilyevich Popov was born on January 17, 1867, in the city of Vyazma, Smolensk province, into the family of a priest. On January 19, he was baptized by his grandfather, Protopresbyter Mikhail Popov. He graduated from Vyazma Theological School and Smolensk Theological Seminary, then from Moscow Theological Academy, where he became a professor in the department of patristics.
John Vasilyevich was an active participant in scientific life, edited the journal "Theological Herald," and taught at Moscow University. In 1917, he defended his dissertation "The Personality and Teaching of Blessed Augustine" and became an ordinary professor. He was also a member of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church.
After the closure of the Moscow Theological Academy in 1919, he continued to teach at unofficial courses. In 1924, he was arrested and sentenced to three years of imprisonment, and was in the Solovetsky camp, where he worked as a teacher. He became one of the authors of the "Solovetsky Letter."
In 1931, he was arrested again and sentenced to exile. In 1935, he was arrested a second time and sentenced to five years of exile. In 1937, John Vasilyevich was shot on charges of counter-revolutionary activity.
He was canonized on July 30, 2003. The memory of the martyr is celebrated on February 8 and in the Assemblies of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church.
We magnify thee, holy passion-bearer John, and honor thy honorable sufferings, which thou didst endure for Christ!
