LOVE’S BEACON: A SHEPHERD FOR A CHANGING RUSSIA

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.

“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.

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