Believers are often interested in the question of how the prayer helps John of Shanghai San Francisco, than he became famous. We will briefly plunge into his biography. This saint was from a well-known noble family of Maksimovich. His paternal grandfather was a wealthy landowner. And the maternal grandfather served as a doctor in Kharkov. My father was the manager of the local nobility, my uncle was the rector of Kiev University.
short biography
At the very beginning of the theme “John of Shanghai: Prayer”, it should be noted that he was born on June 4, 1896 in the estate of Adamovka in the Kharkov province. At baptism, he was given the name Michael in honor of the Heavenly Archangel. His parents, Boris and Glafira, were deeply Orthodox people. For their son, they were largely an example and gave their son a good upbringing and education. Michael very respected and loved his parents. Since childhood, he was in poor health. He had a meek and peaceful character, he got along well with his peers, but close to his heart he did not allow anyone. He was not interested in playing noisy and mischievous games with them. He had his own deep inner world and therefore he was often immersed in his thoughts. From early childhood, Maksimovich was a religious boy who built toy forts, and dressed his soldiers in monastic clothes.
Revolution
In continuation of the theme “John of Shanghai: Prayer,” it should be noted that, having matured a little, he began to get involved in prayer work, and began to collect religious books and icons. The Svyatogorsky monastery made a strong impression on him . His family has repeatedly supported this monastery with donations.
At 11, Mikhail was sent to study in Poltava in the Cadet Corps. He studied well, but was physically weak.
In 1914, after graduating from college, he continued his studies at the Kharkov Academy in the legal department, although he himself dreamed of the Kiev Theological Academy. Along with this, he always loved to study the Orthodox faith and read a lot of Christian and philosophical literature.
Then the revolution began - first in February, then in October. For his near and dear ones the time of great sorrow and sorrow came. The persecution of the clergy and those who defended Orthodoxy with all their might began. Temples collapsed, innocent human blood flowed in rivers.
Emigration
At this terrible time, Mikhail had to emigrate to Belgrade. Here he enters the city university at the theological faculty and graduates in 1925. In 1924 he becomes a reader. In 1926, he was tonsured a monk named John in honor of St. John Tobolsky. He taught for some time at the gymnasium of the city of Great Kikinda, then he worked at the theological seminary of the city of Bitola. The students respected him very much. In 1929 he was elevated to the rank of hieromonk. The future bishop approached priestly duty seriously and responsibly, constantly caring for his flock.
In 1934 he was consecrated bishop and sent to Shanghai. There he organized parish life, engaged in charity and missionary work, visited sick people night and day, communed, confessed, and inspired them with pastoral words.
In 1949, as communist sentiment began to build in China, Bishop John, along with other refugees, had to leave for the Philippine island of Tubabao. Then he went to Washington to solve refugee issues there. Thanks to his efforts, some moved to America, others to Australia.
Archbishop of ROCOR
In 1951, John of Shanghai became Archbishop of the Western European Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. His prayer was heard, and by the will of the Lord in 1962 he moved to serve in the United States. There he leads the Diocese of San Francisco, in which schismatic sentiments were present. But with the arrival of the bishop, everything began to improve.
However, not everyone liked his boisterous activity, because there were enough envious people everywhere. They began to intrigue against the lord and write letters to the leadership. But with God's help, everything was resolved in his favor.
July 2, 1966 in the city of Seattle during a pastoral mission, he rested forever, his heart stopped during a cell prayer. They say that Vladyka knew in advance about his impending demise. St. John today is revered by the Orthodox Church both as an outstanding saint and as a miracle worker.
John of Shanghai: Prayer
After the 1917 revolution, this man became a humble prayer book and ascetic, a missionary and a pillar of faith for the Russian emigration to China, Europe and America.
Prayer to John of Shanghai helps seminarians and people leading an ascetic lifestyle, since he is their heavenly patron. He will not leave a single human soul who turns to him with a prayer and expects help from him or a resolution of the situation.
Prayer to John of Shanghai still helps those who are ill, who live in poverty and have a need, when there are conflicts in the collective and community. He can enlighten sectarians and men of little faith.
Prayer to John of Shanghai (San Francisco) begins with the words: “Oh, saint, our Father, John ...”. Another prayer is: “Oh, the saint is more wonderful than John.” There is an akathist, troparion and kondak.
The relics of the Shanghai miracle worker John were acquired in 1993 literally before his glorification. In 1994, they were transferred from the tomb under the cathedral to the temple itself. In the USA, in the St. Nicholas parish, his relics are completely imperishable and always open for worship. A prayer service is served on Saturdays, and holy oil from an unquenchable lamp is sent around the world to those who seek help from a saint.
The memory is honored on June 19 and October 12 according to the modern calendar.