The Presidential Library spotlights the life history of John of Kronstadt

On October 31 (19 according to the old style), 1829, a boy was born in the family of a rural deacon Ilya Sergiev in Arkhangelsk province. “Because of poor health”, as recorded in the metric book, he was baptized in the house on the day of his birth and named in honor of St. John of Rylsky. In 1990, John Ilyich Sergiev was canonized by the Local Council under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, entering the history of the Russian Orthodox Church as the holy righteous John of Kronstadt.

The Presidential Library’s collections contain unique materials that tell about the life and deeds of this extraordinary person who, despite many circumstances, found the strength in himself to selflessly serve others. “The harsh life of childhood, the suffering of others and the resigned, pious life of parents imprinted compassion and love for the poor and suffering for the whole life of Father John”, - wrote Ivan Loginov in the book Father John Ilyich Sergiev Kronstadt Archpriest of St. Andrew's Cathedral (1891).

The child pleased his parents with everyone, except for one thing - it was difficult for the boy to read and write. When his father, having collected the last funds, took him to the Arkhangelsk parish school, he acutely felt his loneliness and helplessness there - at that moment he could hardly distinguish the letters. The boy began to pray often and fervently, asking God for help. And so, after one of these fervent prayers, at night, “it was as if a veil had fallen from the eyes, as if the mind had opened in the head”, “it became easy and joyful in the soul”: the teacher of that day, his lesson, he clearly remembered what he was talking about. A little brighter, he jumped out of bed, grabbed books - and began to read and remember what he read much better.

From that day on, lad John began to study excellently: he graduated from college as the first student, as the second from the Arkhangelsk Theological Seminary and was admitted to the St. Petersburg Theological Academy at public expense. During his studies, his father died, and the young man, in order to help his mother, found a part-time job in the academic office.

After completing his studies, John planned to go as a missionary to North America. But then a miracle happened to him. Once in a dream, he saw himself as a priest serving in the Kronstadt Andreevsky Cathedral, in which he had never actually been before. Soon the dream came true. In 1855, when the young man graduated from the Academy with a degree in theology, he was invited to take the priesthood, marry the daughter of the Archpriest of the Kronstadt Andreevsky Cathedral, Konstantin Nesvitsky, Elizabeth, and begin serving in the same cathedral.

Entering the Kronstadt Andreevsky Cathedral, he froze on the threshold - it was him that he saw then in a dream. Thus his selfless service to the last day in Kronstadt began. People sometimes even forgot his last name "Sergiev" and called him "Kronstadt".

He visited the poorest homes, distributing to the needy money donated to him personally or earned by teaching in the school of the Law of God. So sometimes the family of the priest himself had nothing to subsist on.

His day was scheduled to the minute. Father John got up at 3-4 o'clock in the morning to prepare for the service, served until noon, and then went to the services until the evening service. Kronstadt at that time was not only a naval fortress, but also a place of exile for vagabonds and criminals from the lower class. Father John was ready to help everyone with joy - with prayer, advice, money, he even helped mothers busy with household chores to nurse children. In Kronstadt, he created the House of Diligence for the poor, where they could stay for a while and learn a profession and receive medical care. “He is alone everywhere, the same with everyone, courteous, affectionate and friendly”, - says the book Father John Among the People (1896). He supported the temperance society, organizations of veterans who suffered during the war, orphanages. With the filing of the priest, the state actively engaged in the promotion of sobriety, chastity, patriotism and enlightenment.

The inhabitants of Kronstadt, and then the wealthy residents of the capital, reached out to him, donating a lot of money to charity. Thousands of people went to his bright sermons. There are many testimonies that he healed the sick with prayers.

Father John was valued and believed in the power of his prayers not only by ordinary people, but by all of Russia, starting with the royal family. Father John was in the royal palace in Livadia during the last days and minutes of the life of Emperor Alexander III. He was also close to the family of Nicholas II. There were also those who, out of envy or for some other reason, criticized Father John. There were also fanatical admirers who gave him a bad reputation by interpreting his words in their own way. Nevertheless, thousands of people were drawn to Kronstadt, wanting to see Father John and get help from him.

On December 20, 1908, Father John of Kronstadt died without leaving a will and money savings. His relics rest in the monastery of St. John of Rylsky in St. Petersburg.

The Presidential Library’s portal features the books My Life in Christ and Lessons of a Graceful Life, published during the life of John of Kronstadt. They contain instructions that many contemporaries could hear from the pastor and which, as before, can support and strengthen spiritual strength.