“You are wholly filled with the Light of Christ, having sanctified yourself to God. Enlighten us also with the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit through your prayers, O radiant John.”
(Svetilen Hymn)
On 14 June 1990, Saint John of Kronshtadt was canonised. For the very first time, an all-Church prayer was raised in his honour. Yet, long before this moment, Father John’s sanctity was felt by his contemporaries, who flocked to him in droves.
Saint John of Kronshtadt in his native village of Sura, out for a stroll
“He was slender, of average height, with enchanting blue eyes and an expression of profound love on his face. He seemed to have emerged from a land of light, truth, mercy, love, and goodness. For those of us who had never before laid eyes on Father John, it was unnecessary to be told it was him. Out of a thousand priests, he was recognisable by his inspired countenance, those radiant eyes, and that clear expression of face which glowed with an inner fire, reflecting his childlike pure soul,” wrote Monk Iuvian (Krasnoperov) of Valaam Monastery.
Places associated with the life of Saint Righteous John of Kronstadt
Recalling his encounter with the saint on the 10th of August, 1899, Father Juvian described it as the greatest day of his life. His deeply held desire had come true: “The Lord finally granted me the great mercy to see for the first time the righteous man and intercessor for the Russian land, Father John of Kronstadt. In those moments, it was enough for me to simply listen and gaze upon this wondrous man to whom my soul had been drawn since childhood. His humble appearance, his serene face, those gentle blue eyes, his powerful words that struck chords within the heart and brought tears of contrition, and finally, the grace of God so evidently at work through him — all this irresistibly drew people to him. I was immeasurably happy to be near this holy man.”
Father John celebrating Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Kronstadt
The gift of love that Father John received daily through serving the Liturgy and partaking in the Holy Sacraments of Christ was visible in his readiness to devote every moment and every penny of his life to helping others. Such love is a rare gem, challenging the prevailing ethos at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in Russia. This era of rapid modernization, with its burgeoning banks, factories, and quick fortunes, fostered a secularised mindset, particularly among the educated class. They viewed the Church as merely another state institution, their pursuit of truth, justice, and happiness rooted in godless ideas of humanism and revolutionary change. Blinded by these ideologies, they failed to perceive the light emanating from Kronstadt’s beacon. They rejected church teachings — which Father John steadfastly defended; they denounced monarchy — while the saint was a staunch monarchist; they exalted secular culture — which the righteous man often criticised in no uncertain terms (especially theatre). Two worldviews clashed: secular humanism and a faith-based understanding that earthly life is but preparation for Eternity. The majority of the educated class did not accept Father John.
Father John of Kronstadt with his followers. To his left stands the future holy martyr Philosophus (Ornatsky)
Yet, some heard Father John’s call. They were a diverse bunch, spanning all walks of life — rich and poor, simple and educated alike. Peasants, workers, merchants, teachers, engineers, and civil servants all found their way to him. Many educated individuals welcomed Father John into their homes.
God supported the love of this good shepherd, who dedicated himself entirely to serving God and his neighbours. When he saw someone in need, Father John didn’t stop to ponder: “Do I have the strength? Am I taking on too much? Will my prayers even help?” He simply did what he could, even in seemingly hopeless situations — like taking off his own clothes or shoes to give to someone in need. Philanthropists and helpers would then appear. Service to others defined his entire life.
Father John of Kronstadt’s House of Crafts
According to Father Iuvian (Krasnoperov), the Kronstadt pastor was always a martyr to the crowd: “Once, having visited the so-called House of Crafts and heading towards the main exit in the lower corridor, Father John remembered he had left his hat upstairs. He asked those around him to fetch it. But fulfilling such a simple request wasn’t easy: every staircase was jam-packed with people, and heavy iron hooks were hung across the stairwells to restrain the crowd. While the person sent to retrieve the hat struggled upstairs, the crowd, despite all barriers, surrounded Father John from all sides. In their spiritual fervour, they forgot all caution, pressing and jostling him to receive his blessing. Despite the pushing and shoving, Father John looked at the crowd with a gentle smile.”
Monastery of Saint John of Rila, Saint Petersburg, 1910s
Saint John of Kronstadt was a dynamic and versatile personality. Through his prayers and efforts, monastic communities were established on our land. Saint John Convent in Karpovka, St. Petersburg owes its existence to this great luminary. Abbess Taisia of Leushino Convent was one of his spiritual children.
St. John of Kronstadt with Abbess Angelina of St. John Convent
Despite his demanding schedule, Father John found time to keep a diary, recording his daily reflections on prayer and service to God. This pastoral chronicle was published during his lifetime in three volumes as “My Life in Christ.” It garnered so much attention that it was translated into several foreign languages and even became a favourite bedside book among English priests. Unfortunately, part of the diary was lost after World War II.
Hearse with the coffin of St. John of Kronstadt, 1909
The all-Russian shepherd departed to God on January 2nd, 1909. His funeral left a lasting impression on his contemporaries — not because of the grandeur of the procession but because of the sheer number of people who accompanied his coffin from Kronstadt to St. John’s Convent in Karpovka, where he was buried. As the procession crossed the ice of the Gulf of Finland, the authorities ordered them to move in rows with several metres between each, fearing that the ice might not bear such a large crowd.
Farewell to the beloved pastor
In the tumultuous pre-revolutionary years of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Lord bestowed upon us a marvellous shepherd, a great intercessor and miracle worker. The light of his love continues to guide faithful souls towards salvation even today.
“Let us extol, O faithful, the wondrous shepherd of Kronstadt, named for grace, an ever-burning lamp before the throne of the Holy Trinity, who prays with the Mother of God and all the saints of Russia for the salvation of all who call upon the name of the Lord, that Orthodoxy may be strengthened in our land by the power of Christ, the Chief Shepherd, who promised: I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
(Ikos from the Canon to St. John of Kronstadt)
Material prepared by the editorial team of obitel-minsk.ru
Photographs taken from the internet
Sources used in preparation:
1. Father John of Kronstadt* / Metropolitan Benjamin Fedchenkov. — Moscow: Pilgrim, 2000.
2. The Life of Saint Righteous John of Kronstadt* / St. John's Stavropegial Convent (imonspb.ru).
