ADAMOVKA, RUSSIA: July 10, 2017
An Icon of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco Has Begun Streaming Myrrh at a Skete of Svyatogorskaya Lavra

On June 2, 2017, the feast day of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker, feast-day celebrations were held in his hometown of Adamovka, Russia, in a skete dedicated to him of the Svyatogorskaya Lavra. Officiating with the lavra’s prior, Hieromonk Kliment (Perchik). Some 500 pilgrims attended services the evening before.

The Skete of St John tries to emulate its patron saint by offering charity through love for one’s neighbor and provided abundant refreshments.

After the blessing of the waters on June 2, His Eminence Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk was greeted, after which he celebrated Divine Liturgy in St John’s Church; he was joined by the monastic clergymen. Over 1,000 worshipers were in attendance.

After the reading of the Gospel, Fr Kliment read a sermon, after which Vladyka Arseny read a sermon about the words “Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together,” from Palm Sunday services. His Eminence touched upon the reason for the day’s gathering, St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, adding “Miracle-worker of Adamovka,” his hometown. The establishment of a skete in his honor bolsters the saint’s connection to the region, and was built on the property of the old Maximovich estate, the very house where he was born and reared and spiritually edified. Metropolitan Arseny also discussed the pious parents of St John, Boris and Glafira.

Praising the saint’s special veneration of icons, which were hanging in every room of his home, Vladyka Arseny reminded the worshipers how important it is to have icons hanging in one’s home, for as the Holy Fathers teach, gazing upon icons helps open one’s spiritual eyes.

Many examples were given of St John’s profound humility, piety, love for God and mankind, his constant striving to serve God’s will. The power of St John’s prayers was described, of the miracles that occurred as a result, which led even people of other faiths to call him a saint during his life on earth. His example should be followed by all of us, for no amount of earthly cares can prevent us from leading a life like St John’s.

Fr Kliment then told the worshipers about a miracles which occurred on the saint’s feast day: “On the feast day of St John, a small icon purchased by a women from one of the kiosks began to stream myrrh.” According to Metropolitan Arseny, this was a sign that the holy man was present among the people of his own hometown. This icon was placed on an analogion and the worshipers all lined up to venerate it.