In St. Petersburg, an amazing priest, archpriest John Mironov (elder), serves God and people in the church of the icon of the Virgin "Inexhaustible Chalice". Many people received from his prayers the healing of mental and physical ailments. But his special strength is manifested in the fight against human passions and addictions to drugs, gambling, and alcohol. The path of Father John was difficult, like many of the ascetics who went through camps, famines, war and persecution of the church and its ministers. Sorrowed from a young age and as a believer, he found solace in Orthodoxy and decided to go the way of the parish priest, serving God and people.
Childhood
Father John Mironov was born into a peasant family in the village of Shabany, Pskov Region, November 25, 1926. His childhood fell on the period of repression and famine. In the years of the establishment of Soviet power, the family of the future elder was sent to forced labor in connection with the refusal to join the collective farm and for the fervent Orthodox faith. The link was assigned to peat mining Sinyavinsky swamps. The exiles were taken in freight cars, and on the spot they were resettled in frozen barracks.
Life from 1932 to 1935, father John Mironov recalls as a hungry time, during this period his three brothers and sister died. Uncle died of hard work and hunger, and his mother fell ill with tuberculosis. In memory of Father John, 1936 was struck by the smell of bread, which gradually began to appear on the tables, and sometimes children received candy as a reward. One incident in the life of a family of that period was especially memorable.
As father John Mironov said, his dad managed to purchase several loaves of bread in Leningrad, and, folding them in a bag, he went home on an electric train. On the way, the bag was cut and almost all the bread was stolen; only two loaves were saved. At home, they considered this a great success, because everyone remained alive and even a little full.
War time
In 1937, in front of the boy’s eyes, the innocent, sole breadwinners of the family were often arrested, condemning many to death. Studying for John began only at the age of 9, but indulging in serenity was impossible - the children began to work early, almost on an equal basis with adults. In parallel with his studies, the boy weaved baskets and carried peat in them.
The occupation began in early September 1941, the Mironov family decided to make their way to the Pskov region. The path was very difficult and ran along the front line. They did not receive help from anyone, they reached the place with great difficulty.
The retreat of the Germans for many was even greater tragedy, the number of deaths multiplied in the camps. After the Germans left, 17-year-old Ivan was sent to the front, where he served in the artillery troops. For his services in battles with the invaders, Ivan Mironov was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War of the II degree, and at the end of the war he received the medal "For the victory over Germany."
Studying at the seminary
In the post-war period, life did not become easier: my father was in a ten-year exile camp, and my mother left the world in 1946. Ivan was a believer, and the decision to become a priest, which appeared in the war, only got stronger, he needed instruction for admission to the seminary. Father John Mironov received a blessing to study at the Leningrad Theological Seminary from the old man Seraphim Vyritsky in 1948.
There were many meetings with the elder Seraphim, but the first was remembered by the future archpriest especially strongly. Ivan came to the house of Father Seraphim during the holidays, saw a large number of people and met two seminarians. All those who came were expecting a reception or a sermon, the cell-mate who had come out invited the seminarians to the old man, John remained on the street. After a short time, the woman came out and invited the seminarians again, directly pointing to Ivan. Once in the cell, the young man confessed his secret desire and received a blessing from the elder. Later, Seraphim Vyritsky predicted that Father John would be trained at the Theological Academy.
Studying began in 1948, there were few students and priests, in parallel with Fr. The future Patriarch Alexy and Metropolitan John studied in John. Students, according to the instruction of the head, often held liturgies in operating open churches of the Leningrad Region, where there was no permanent priest. During his stay at the seminary, student John Mironov went on a pilgrimage to the Odessa old man Kuksha (Velichko). During the conversation, he suggested choosing a difficult monastic path of ministry, but the young man did not dare, and then the elder said that Ivan would have to change many parishes, which turned out to be prophetic.
Priesthood entry
In the winter of 1956, the future elder John Mironov married through his wedding with his bride Nina. In April of that year he was ordained deacon, and priestly ordination took place three months later. The prediction of the elder Kuksha about wanderings in the parishes began to come true from the first destination in the village of Borisovo.
This appointment was followed by a transfer to the village of Chudovo, where the eldest daughter Olga was born, then the priest was sent to serve in Staraya Russa, the daughter of Seraphim was born here. The next duty station was the city of Petrozavodsk, during this period the son Alexander was born.
Intractable character
In the early 60s, Elder John Mironov fell out of favor with the authorities, although the time had come for the Khrushchev “thaw”. At that time, the confessor of the young priest, father Alexander Ilyin, invited him and his family to serve in Veliky Novgorod. Gagarin flew into space, and the saying went: “Gagarin flew into space, did not see God.”
Addressing the flock with a sermon, the young priest was not able to remain silent and reminded the parishioners of the words of the church chant: "God cannot be seen by people, the ranks of angels do not dare to look at Him." After this incident, the competent authorities sent the father and family to serve in a small rural parish near the Mstinsky bridge station in an orderly manner.
The faith of Father John was always deep and sincere, and numerous miracles helped establish oneself in God's providence. Once Father John became seriously ill, and doctors prescribed treatment in a hospital. The common room was filled with people, it was difficult to sleep, the doors opened in the quiet of the night, and three nuns entered the room. They prayed for the health of the priest and went around all the patients of the ward.
Near some, they recited prayers and blessed, while others left in silence.
Later it became known that those who received the prayers of the mysterious nuns quickly recovered, and the others died after a short time. Father John recovered quickly and found out that the day of vision was a feast of three martyrs, the sisters of Irina, Agapia and Chionia. There were many such mystical stories in the life of an old man, but he does not tell about all of them.
Always in service
In 1964, Elder John Mironov received the title of Archpriest. For all the time of pastoral activity, the priest had to change 15 parishes. In the last decade of the twentieth century, he was a spiritual mentor in the church of the Great Martyr Catherine of the village of Murino (Leningrad Region).
At the very end of the century, the priest was transferred to serve as the rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice" at JSC "ATI Plant", which is located in St. Petersburg. Here, until now, Father John Mironov has served. The temple with its assumption of office began to be filled with people and began to live an active Christian life.
Activities
Continuing the canonical service in the church, some priests take advantage of all modern opportunities to bring the word of God into the world, so is Father John Mironov. He organized at the parish the Orthodox Radio of St. Petersburg, the All-Russian Society of Sobering, and began to publish an informational parish publication, “A Leaf of the Teetotaler.”
For communication of like-minded people, the Sretenie society and the Wakefulness club were created, the work of the Sunday school was organized for the children, and the anti-sectarian center was functioning. All undertakings had a continuation, so Elder John Mironov in St. Petersburg became a catalyst for the emergence of sobriety societies throughout the diocese.
Such communities appeared at the Cathedral of St. Catherine the Great Martyr (Luga), Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra and spread further. Since 2001, in the Lavra, on the day of memory of the holy martyr Boniface (January 1), religious processions have been held in which members of the St. Petersburg teetotalers society participate.
Awards
In 2016, Father Ivan Mironov (aged man) celebrated the 90th anniversary. The father’s biography is full of trials, but they were all accepted by him with Christian humility. For many works, the priest was awarded secular and church awards. He was awarded the patriarch’s diploma, bears the high rank of the white clergy - the mitrophoric archpriest.
In 2005, the name of Archpriest John Mironov was entered on the pages of the Golden Book of St. Petersburg, where every year the names of residents who made a significant contribution to the development and history of the city are recorded.
Elder John Mironov himself notes that he has many awards, but he does not wear them, believing that the main awards come from God, and the rest are only for human vanity and embellishment. He considers patience, humility and wisdom to be important decorations.
Factory Parish
Many who have heard stories about the amazing priest have a question; where does John Miron serve? Father John is the rector of the Church of the Icon of the Virgin "The Inexhaustible Chalice." The construction of the house church at the ATI plant (16 Tsvetochnaya St.) was initiated by the community of teetotalers of the enterprise in 1996. The architect of the project was Yu. P. Belov, now an active worker in the parish.
The consecration of the temple took place in the spring of 1997 with the blessing of Metropolitan Vladimir. Since January 1998, Archpriest John Mironov became the rector of the church. “The Inexhaustible Chalice” is the Mother of God icon, the prayer beside which relieves the believer of harmful addictions. And miracles in the temple are hard to miss. According to the testimonies of the parishioners, at least 1000 people got rid of alcoholism, tobacco smoking and gambling addiction during the temple’s activities.
In the parish community, they are actively promoting rejection of bad habits, involving psychologists and narcologists in the work. The position of the abbot and parishioners is active-offensive, and it is reflected in all endeavors and is implemented in all available ways, which include Internet broadcasting of the Orthodox Radio station, sermons of the abbot, printed materials and personal conversations with the suffering.
Parish Life
The regular parishioners of the church are active people and can tell a lot of stories about their father, they respond with great respect to him. Father John helps everyone who comes to prayer in the temple first with a word, and later with a deed. According to those who asked him for prayer, he exudes love for his neighbors, knows how to console him in the most difficult moments of his life.
The church has all the conditions for abandoning addictions - on the ground floor there is a sports hall for teenagers and youth, above the main part of the church, on the fourth floor, the Strannik Orthodox Theater gives performances and performances.
How to get to Father John
The patronal feast in the church of the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Inexpressible Chalice” is celebrated on May 18. You can come to confession in the morning at 9:15 or at 16:00. Liturgies begin at 10:00, and evening service departs from 17:00.
You can learn about the work of the teetotaler community directly in the church, where parishioners will be happy to answer all questions. The temple is often crowded, as many people seek a personal meeting with the spirit-bearing old man John Mironov. How to get to the temple and talk with the priest is of interest to many for whom it is vitally necessary, and the elder rarely refuses requests.
Father John receives parishioners in the church during church services. Some people who are familiar with the situation say that you can ask for a prayer or give a note on Saturdays, usually the priest arrives at the church at 2-15 p.m. and confesses for some time, and also receives the sufferers before the evening service.
Reviews
In 2016, Father John Mironov celebrated his 90th birthday and is considered the oldest acting archpriest, his pastoral ministry also came close to a round date and was marked by 60 years of experience. Famous guests and ordinary people gathered on the anniversary to congratulate the birthday man. Church leaders congratulated the hero of the day and spoke of him as an outstanding person and pastor. In his address, the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, Barsanuphius wrote that John Mironov began serving God in difficult times, when priests were persecuted and deprived not only of freedom, but of life. Having passed all the trials, Father John remained faithful to God, the church and continues to bring light and benefit to people.
Bishop Nazarii noted that all believers are joyful that there is such a shepherd in the world and expressed confidence that by the grace of God, the years of John Mironov lasted up to 90 years. He also said that the contribution and life path of the old man are invaluable and serve as an example for future generations. He noted that the elder is a person who shows "how it is necessary to live in any years - both fat and skinny, how to believe Christ and love Him and His creations."
Parishioners sincerely love and value Father John Mironov. Reviews about him are touching, in them spiritual children call the abbot "the solar father". According to the testimonies of many people who turned to the elder, the prayer of John heals from alcoholism, drug addiction and other forms of destructive addictions. Officially, the church does not comment on such statements, but popular rumor spreads the glory of a healer throughout Russia. To the priest for help and instruction they go from afar and will certainly get help.
Sometimes Father John refuses prayer, but this is done for the good of the asker. According to him, there is no sense in the prayers of outsiders, even priests, if your soul is lazy.