Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, WA

St John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco

Commemorated June 19

"Holiness is not simply righteousness, for which the righteous merit the enjoyment of blessedness in the Kingdom of God, but rather such a height of righteousness that men are filled with the grace of God to the extent that it flows from them upon those who associate with them. Great is their blessedness; it proceeds from personal experience of the Glory of God. Being filled also with love for men, which proceeds from love of God, they are responsive to men's needs, and upon their supplication they appear also as intercessors and defenders for them before God" (St. John Maximovitch).

St John Maximovitch was born in the Kharkov region in 1896 and at baptism he was given the name Michael. As a child he was serious for his years and he later wrote, "From the first days when I began to become aware of myself, I wished to serve righteousness and truth. My parents kindled in me a striving to stand unwaveringly for the truth, and my soul was captivated by the example of those who had given their lives for it". Following the desire of his parents, he entered law school in Kharkov. He was a naturally gifted student but spent more time reading the Lives of Saints than attending academic lectures. "While studying the worldly sciences", he wrote, "I went all the more deeply into the study of the science of sciences, into the study of the spiritual life".

In 1921, during the Russian Civil War, his family fled to Belgrade, joining the ranks of Russian exiles in Serbia, where he later became a monk (given the name John after St John of Tobolsk) and was ordained Priest. In 1934, he was ordained Bishop of Shanghai, where he served until the Communists came to power. Thereafter he ministered in Europe, serving as Bishop Paris and then in Brussels, until he became Archbishop of San Francisco in 1962. Throughout his life he was revered as a strict ascetic, a devoted man of prayer, and a truly wondrous unmercenary healer of all manner of afflictions and woes. He served the Divine Liturgy daily, slept little more than an hour a day, and kept a strict fast until the evening. It is doubtful that any one man gave so much protection and comfort as he to the Russian Orthodox people in exile after the Revolution of 1917; he was an unwearying and watchful shepherd of his sheep in China, the Philippines, Europe, and America. Through his missionary labors he also brought into the Church many who had not been "of this fold". Since his repose in 1966, he has been especially glorified by God through signs and miracles, and his body has remained incorrupt. St John reposed in San Francisco in 1966. On June 19 in 1994, St John was canonized in San Francisco and his relics rest today in the Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral for all the faithful to venerate.

Dismissal Hymn (Plagal of First Tone)

Like a spirtual daystar in heaven's firmament, you encompassed the whole world and enlightened men's souls. Hence, your name is glorified throughout the East and West, for you shined forth with the grace of the Sun of Righteousness, O John, our beloved shepherd. Wherefore, cease not to entreat Christ, that He show mercy and redeem our souls.

Kontakion (plagal of Fourth Tone)

To you, the pastor and protector of a countless host of homeless orphans, widows, paupers, and afflicted souls, do we offer anthems born of love and thanksgiving. As a Hierarch filled with grace and zeal for piety, save us from the foes of apostolic truth, for we cry to you, "Rejoice, O great wonderworker John".



	St John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco Commemorated June 19 "Holiness is not simply righteousness, for which the righteous merit the enjoyment of blessedness in the Kingdom of God, but rather such a height of righteousness that men are filled with the grace of God to the extent that it flows from them upon those who associate with them. Great is their blessedness; it proceeds from personal experience of the Glory of God. Being filled also with love for men, which proceeds from love of God, they are responsive to men's needs, and upon their supplication they appear also as intercessors and defenders for them before God" (St. John Maximovitch). St John Maximovitch was born in the Kharkov region in 1896 and at baptism he was given the name Michael. As a child he was serious for his years and he later wrote, "From the first days when I began to become aware of myself, I wished to serve righteousness and truth. My parents kindled in me a striving to stand unwaveringly for the truth, and my soul was captivated by the example of those who had given their lives for it". Following the desire of his parents, he entered law school in Kharkov. He was a naturally gifted student but spent more time reading the Lives of Saints than attending academic lectures. "While studying the worldly sciences", he wrote, "I went all the more deeply into the study of the science of sciences, into the study of the spiritual life". In 1921, during the Russian Civil War, his family fled to Belgrade, joining the ranks of Russian exiles in Serbia, where he later became a monk (given the name John after St John of Tobolsk) and was ordained Priest. In 1934, he was ordained Bishop of Shanghai, where he served until the Communists came to power. Thereafter he ministered in Europe, serving as Bishop Paris and then in Brussels, until he became Archbishop of San Francisco in 1962. Throughout his life he was revered as a strict ascetic, a devoted man of prayer, and a truly wondrous unmercenary healer of all manner of afflictions and woes. He served the Divine Liturgy daily, slept little more than an hour a day, and kept a strict fast until the evening. It is doubtful that any one man gave so much protection and comfort as he to the Russian Orthodox people in exile after the Revolution of 1917; he was an unwearying and watchful shepherd of his sheep in China, the Philippines, Europe, and America. Through his missionary labors he also brought into the Church many who had not been "of this fold". Since his repose in 1966, he has been especially glorified by God through signs and miracles, and his body has remained incorrupt. St John reposed in San Francisco in 1966. On June 19 in 1994, St John was canonized in San Francisco and his relics rest today in the Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral for all the faithful to venerate. Dismissal Hymn (Plagal of First Tone) Like a spirtual daystar in heaven's firmament, you encompassed the whole world and enlightened men's souls. Hence, your name is glorified throughout the East and West, for you shined forth with the grace of the Sun of Righteousness, O John, our beloved shepherd. Wherefore, cease not to entreat Christ, that He show mercy and redeem our souls. Kontakion (plagal of Fourth Tone) To you, the pastor and protector of a countless host of homeless orphans, widows, paupers, and afflicted souls, do we offer anthems born of love and thanksgiving. As a Hierarch filled with grace and zeal for piety, save us from the foes of apostolic truth, for we cry to you, "Rejoice, O great wonderworker John".