Saint John of Kronstadt Icon - S237

Saint John of Kronstadt was a married priest who lived in virginity with his wife. He worked tirelessly for the poor and the people of his parish, and was given by the Lord the ability read thoughts and work miracles. So great was his holiness, that in the last years of his life, he performed numerous miracles each day through his prayers for those who wrote to him. He was well-known throughout the world in his lifetime. His writings were collected into a book called My Life in Christ, which remains popular to this day. He was also enlightened with the gift of propecy, and he foresaw a great judgment coming to the Russian people, whom he rebuked and called on to repent.

Father John reposed in 1908—nine years before the Russian Revolution did great damage to the Russian Church, and even the name of Russia was changed, as he predicted. He continues to work countless miracles through his intercessions. His feast is celebrated on December 20, and his glorification in 1990 is commemorated on June 8.

Icon by the hand of Georgi Chimev.