Archimandrite John (Krestyankin) was one of the most revered modern clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church at the turn of the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century. In absentia he was called the "All-Russian Elder." The legacy left to their descendants touches to the core. Even in the mid-90s, already at a fairly advanced age, the Rev. John Krestyankin very willingly received visitors from all over Russia who came to him in the Pskov-Pechersk monastery. Such proximity made him very clear to us. In the last years of his life, he gladly shared his memories. Therefore, we are very lucky that we know more about Father John than about other holy fathers and confessors who suffered martyrdom in those places from where the future archimandrite was destined to return.
Confession of John Krestyankin
People who were fortunate enough to see Father John at least once had the most soulful and pleasant memories of him. They tell how he inspiredly performed church services and, as always, walked out of the church, surrounded by a crowd of elderly and young people who sometimes came just to see him. As archimandrite John (Krestyankin) walked swiftly, as if flying, while managing to answer questions and give out gifts that were destined for him. How he welcomed the spiritual children in his cell, seating them on an old sofa, and in a couple of minutes of conversation, the person immediately had doubts and anxieties. At the same time, the elder gifted with icons, spiritual books and brochures, generously sprinkled with holy water and anointed with “butter”. After such a spiritual nourishment, it is impossible to imagine what kind of spiritual elevation people felt when they returned to their homes.
Caring for your spiritual children
In the corner of Father John’s cell stood a bag of letters to which he personally answered. Only a few months before his death the cellwoman Tatyana Sergeevna Smirnova helped him respond to messages. Even on the last Christmas of Father John, his spiritual children also received such familiar and such cute greeting cards with personal greetings.
John Krestyankin. Sermons
It was not for nothing that he was called the “All-Russian Elder,” because he possessed the gift of insight, and there is plenty of evidence for this. The elder John Krestyankin under torture during the Soviet regime suffered torture in the camps and several times miraculously escaped death. He became the author of numerous and very inspired sermons, which today have sold in millions of copies. It seems that John Krestyankin knew in advance that many people from the generation of the 70s will begin their journey to the Orthodox faith precisely with them and how they will need them. In one of the first books, John Krestyankin begins his construction of a confession by explaining the main secret that all believers need to know. It was revealed to us by Jesus Christ Himself, and it is concluded in the words of the Holy Scripture: "Without Men you cannot do anything."
The discerning elder was an extraordinary prayer book, because in his prayers he always mentioned those people with whom he had at least once met.
short biography
Vanya was born in the city of Oryol in 1910 on April 11 (March 29 according to the old style), in the middle class family of the Krestyankins (Mikhail and Elizabeth). And he was already their eighth child. He received his name in honor of St. John the Hermit, as he was born on the day of his memory. However, it is also interesting that on this day the memory of the Pskov-Pechersk holy fathers Mark and Jonah is also honored. And probably this is no coincidence, since then for about forty years he will live in the Pskov-Pechersky monastery, where he will become famous as a perspicacious old man.
Vanya’s father died very early, and his mother was engaged in his upbringing. Relatives helped the family, including an uncle, a merchant, Moskvitin Ivan Alexandrovich.
From the age of 6, the boy served in the church, and already at 12 he expressed a desire to become a monk, but this will happen much later.
In 1929, after graduating from secondary school, Ivan Krestyankin went to study in accounting courses. Then he began to work by profession in Orel. But with his heart, he always wanted to serve God. He had a lot of work, and because of this he often did not have time for church services, therefore, at the prompting of the old woman Vera Loginova, he was forced to resign and in 1932 moved to Moscow. Then the war began. He was not taken to the front due to poor vision.
Moscow. Post-war years
In Moscow in July 1944, Ivan Krestyankin became the psalmist of the Izmailovsky Church of the Nativity of Christ. It was this temple that the future archimandrite saw in a dream. After 6 months, John Krestyankin was ordained deacon, and after 9 months he became a priest with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy I.
After the war, a powerful revival of the Orthodox Church began, more and more believers reached out to churches. At that time, people more than ever needed special sensitivity and compassion, as well as material assistance. Father John devoted himself entirely to the ministry of the church and to people, and at the same time studied in absentia at the Moscow Theological Academy. Then he began to write a candidate about the holy miracle worker Seraphim of Sarov, but did not have time, since in 1950 he was arrested.
Camp
He spent several months of pre-trial detention in Lefortovo prison and on Lubyanka. He was sentenced to 7 years under article for anti-Soviet agitation and sent to a strict regime camp in the Arkhangelsk region. At first, he fell down a forest in the camp, and in the spring of 1953 he was transferred to the invalid department of the camp near Kuibyshev in Garilova Polyana, where he began to work as an accountant. In the winter of 1955, Father John was released ahead of schedule.
The co-owner Vladimir Kabo recalled how his eyes and his whole face radiated kindness and love, especially when he spoke with someone. In all his words there was enormous attention and participation, sometimes a fatherly admonition sounded with soft humor. Rev. Father John Krestyankin really liked to joke, and there was something from the old Russian intellectual in these manners.
Pskov diocese
When he was released, he was strictly forbidden to return to Moscow. Therefore, he began to serve in the Pskov diocese of the Trinity Cathedral. The authorities vigilantly monitored the active church activities of Father John and again began to threaten arrest. Then he left Pskov and continued his ministry in the Ryazan diocese.
And on June 10, 1966, he was tonsured a monk with the name John. In 1967, Patriarch Alexy I transferred him to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery.
Rev. Elder
John Krestyankin lived in this monastery until his death. At first he was abbot of the monastery, and since 1973 - archimandrite. A year later, believers began to come to his monastery even from abroad. Everyone loved the old man for his high spirituality and wisdom.
In 2005, the 95-year-old archimandrite John (Krestyankin) was awarded the church order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, I degree. At the same age, the old man introduced himself, it was February 5, 2006. His body rests in the caves of the Pskov-Pechersk monastery.
"Unholy Saints"
Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov in his book "Unholy Saints" and Other Stories "very fascinatingly and interestingly describes fragments of life and cases of perspicacity of the famous All-Russian elder and preacher John Krestyankin.
In 2007, he even created a documentary called “The Pskov-Pecherskaya Monastery”. In his picture, he used the unique documentary shots of 1986, capturing the great ascetics still alive, who spent most of the time in persecution. Among them was John Krestyankin. In their great deed, they preserved the treasures of faith.
In conclusion, it will be appropriate to recall the words of Archimandrite John (Krest'yankin): “It sometimes happens that a person begins to languish for no reason and yearn. This means that his soul was bored of a pure life, felt its sinfulness, tired of noise and fuss, and began (often unconsciously) to seek God and fellowship with him. "