John of Kronstadt: "It is necessary that the words of prayer as the source of living water from the spring... were a sincere voice of the heart"

October 31, 2016 marks 187 years of St. John of Kronstadt, one of the most revered canonized servants of the church. The Presidential Library features a collection of rare e-books telling about the great service of the salvation of the souls of men in one of the poorest areas of "the brilliant St. Petersburg" - Kronstadt of the end of the XIX century, the city not only of sailors but also expelled "townspeople" from the center of the capital.

The collection provides many lifetime editions of the famous archpriest, some of them are written by himself, and all of them – about the most important thing, that there is in our lives. The Presidential Library website is available "Lesson of. John Sergiev (Kronstadt) in the sacrament of penance" (1894),"Repentance is a gift given to self-deprecation, self-accusation, self-reproach. Repentance is a firm and determined intention to correct, update, come to terms with your conscience". In the preface to the book of St. John of Kronstadt "Lessons of the grace of life" (1894) says: "Truly – there is not a book, but the life in front of us. Spiritual experiences, tips, instructions retrieved from the bottom of the heart, seeking to wholly to God. Because - all that resulted from this source – is a powerful effect on the soul of a Christian". 

In rare editions of the 90s of the XIX century "Life and Work of Father John Sergiev of Kronstadt, archpriest of St. Andrew's Cathedral", "Father John as a shepherd-benefactor", "Father John among the people" and several other books from the Presidential Library collection exhaustively described devoted without reserve to the service of God and people's lives.

In Petersburg, the young priest for the first time faced a higher range of people, including the royal family members. The Emperor Alexander III and the Emperor Nikolai acknowledged his high spiritual qualities, respected him and trusted him. In Kronstadt the priest happened to go down to the very bottom of the everyday in the desire not only morally but also financially to support the lost hope for a better life of the poor. In the book "Three times in Kronstadt at Father’s John" (1903) a former seminarian, later Archpriest Alexander Solovyov tells how Father John gave all the money to three friends, classmates, specially arrived in Kronstadt to hear him preach. With all of their fellow citizens, of whatever social class they belonged to, as evidenced by the note of A. Stupin "Father John of Kronstadt among the people" (1986), he was the same even-tempered, "He is alone everywhere, the same with everyone, courteous, gentle and affable".    

The life of an ascetic, full of continuous efforts and prayers, brought extraordinary results. Insight of Kronstadt priest and his ability to anticipate strengthened faith and inspired hope in people's souls in times of life's trials and disease, put on his feet, and healed often such patients with ailments which doctors could not cope. In the above-mentioned book of Stupin the author describes such a case: "In dealing with the flock each trying as close as possible to go the priest and tell him his sorrow. One, for example, asks: "Father, they offend me at home, I have nowhere to lay my head!". "Who hurts?" - He asks about. John. "At home, Father!". "Go home, reconcile, the God will give – you will not be hurt anymore". That goes entirely reassured, with faith, taking these words". The book tells how Father John quite fearlessly descended into the dugout of poor people, climbing the steep stairs to the attic to bring relief to patients with tuberculosis of slum dwellers. 

He taught the Law of God in the various schools of Kronstadt. And he continued to engage in the writing of the books, doctrines, teachings. The Presidential Library website is available unique editions of "The Complete Works of John of Kronshtadt of righteous of God" in two volumes.

The Presidential Library pays much attention to the saints of the Russian Orthodox Church. The library fund has a large number of materials dedicated to this theme. A special place among them belongs to documents and books of John of Kronstadt, many of the materials are placed at the Presidential Library website and are available to anyone. In addition, for the general public is presented a collection of "History of the Russian Orthodox Church" and "Orthodox Russia. Monasteries and icons" which widely cover the topic of Christianity and Orthodox shrines.