"Saint John
of Kronstadt was a married priest, who lived with his wife in
virginity. Through his untiring labours in his priestly duties and love
for the poor and sinners, he was granted by our Lord great gifts of
clairvoyance and miracle-working, to such a degree that in the last
years of his life miracles of healings — both of body and of soul — were
performed countless times each day through his prayers, often for
people who had only written to him asking his help. During his lifetime
he was known throughout Russia, as well as in the Western world. He has
left us his diary My Life in Christ as a spiritual treasure for
Christians of every age; simple in language, it expounds the deepest
mysteries of our Faith with that wisdom which is given only to a heart
purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Foreseeing as a true prophet
the Revolution of 1917, he unsparingly rebuked the growing apostasy
among the people; he foretold that the very name of Russia would be
changed. As the darkness of unbelief grew thicker, he shone forth as a
beacon of unquenchable piety, comforting the faithful through the many
miracles that he worked and the fatherly love and simplicity with which
he received all. Saint John reposed in peace in 1908." (Great
Horologion)
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