The life of Archbishop John of Novgorod and what they ask the saint for, prayers

Elijah
, in schema
John
(+ 1186), Archbishop of Novgorod and Pskov, Saint Commemorated on September 7 on the day of his death, December 1 in honor of the discovery of relics, and in the Cathedral of Novgorod Saints [1]

In the world, John was born in Novgorod from noble and pious parents Nicholas and Christina. He was raised in love for the Lord and the fear of God, his childhood passed in a serene, calm atmosphere.

Upon reaching adulthood, he was ordained a priest by the Novgorod bishop Saint Arcady to the church of the Hieromartyr Blasius.

But his love for silence led him to one of the Novgorod monasteries, where he accepted monasticism with the name Elijah [2]. He led a strictly ascetic life in the monastery, dwelling in fasting and prayer, and soon became known throughout the city for his pious life.

At the calling of the people [3], he took over the administration of the Novgorod department. Perhaps this happened already in 1162 [4]. On March 28, 1165 [5] he was ordained Bishop of Novgorod by Metropolitan John of Kyiv and the first of the Novgorod bishops was immediately elevated to the rank of archbishop, which from that time became established as the rulers of Novgorod.

The saint's activity in Novgorod began with the construction of churches and monasteries.
In the first year of his priesthood, churches were built in the name of the Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas, and the women's monastery of the Baptist and the men's monastery of the Annunciation were founded. The founding of the last monastery was a long-standing desire of the saint and his brother, also the future saint, Gabriel. In 1170, the Suzdal army went to war with Novgorod along with the united army of appanage Russian princes. After a three-day siege, during which services were held throughout the city, and the bishop himself relentlessly poured forth before the image of the Savior, on February 25 he received a voice from the icon, commanding him to bring to the city wall the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This was done, after which the enemies They became confused and fled, saving the city from destruction. In honor of this miracle, the saint established on November 27 the holiday of veneration of this holy icon, since then called the Sign (see more details).

As a kind father, he was the first to take care of the helpless poverty, the poor families of the Novgorod land, devastated by the past invasion and suffering from hunger, and generously gave help to the unfortunate. The saint was an opponent of the internecine war and, after the victory, convinced the Novgorod princes to ask for peace from Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky. In 1172, he himself went to Vladimir to make peace with the blessed Prince Andrei.

The saint's generosity did not prevent him from taking care of the construction and decoration of churches for his flock. In 1179, the saint, together with his brother Gabriel, built the magnificent Church of the Annunciation in the men’s monastery he created, the funds for the completion of which were miraculously sent by the Queen of Heaven Herself - through the persistent prayer of the holy brothers, She predicted in a dream that she would provide everything necessary, and the next morning they a beautiful horse loaded with two bags of gold, which disappeared immediately after they took off the bags. In 1182, a stone Church of the Epiphany was built above the gates of the monastery and then another Church of the Epiphany above the Kremlin gates. In 1184 a stone temple was built on Opoki. In addition, he built more temples: in the name of his patron the prophet Elijah, in the name of the three youths of Babylon, the Venerable Theodore of Studium, and righteous Lazarus.

The saint was most concerned about the spiritual enlightenment of the people. He paid great attention to spiritual conversations, which often took place among clergy and laity. Up to 30 of his teachings have survived.

His life continued to flow in unceasing feats of fasting and prayer and in the same vigilant care for the flock entrusted to him, which was constantly agitated by civil unrest.

For his spiritual simplicity and purity of heart, the Lord gave the saint power over demons. One day, when he was praying at night as usual, he heard someone splashing water in the washbasin. Seeing that there was no one nearby, the saint realized that it was a demon trying to scare him. The saint fenced the washbasin with a cross and forbade the demon. Soon the evil spirit could not stand the prayer of the saint, which scorched him with fire, and began to ask to be released from the laver. The saint agreed, but set the condition that the demon carry him in one night from Novgorod to Jerusalem to the Holy Sepulcher and back. The demon fulfilled the saint's command, but asked him not to tell anyone about his shame. However, in one of the conversations the saint told the congregation that he knew a man who visited the Holy Land overnight. The vengeance of the evil one was not slow to take effect: he began to throw women’s things into the saint’s cell. One day, when a large crowd of townspeople, excited by envious and unfriendly people, gathered at the saint’s cell, the demon showed them as if a woman had run out from him. The saint came out to the noise and meekly asked: “ What happened, my children, what are you making noise about?”

“The irritated crowd, shouting various accusations about the vicious life of the saint, dragged him to the Volkhov Bridge. There they lowered him onto a raft without oars, and allowed the flow of water to carry him anywhere, unworthy, in their opinion, of an archpastor. But to the surprise of everyone, the raft floated not with the flow, but against the flow of the river to the Yuryev Monastery, which stood three miles from the city. The monks of the monastery met with honor the archpastor who landed on their shore. And the Novgorodians, amazed by the miracle, realized that they were wrong and with tears asked the saint to forgive them and return to the pulpit. The kindly saint forgave everyone and returned to Novgorod.

This event occurred shortly before the death of the saint. Dejected by the years, exhausted by labor and feeling the approach of death, Saint Elijah was tonsured into the schema with the former (secular) name John. He later became famous under this name. He appointed his brother, Saint Gregory, as his successor. Saint John died on September 7, 1186, and was buried in the Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral.

In 1439, during the renovation of the temple, a large stone fell from the wall and broke the stone lid of the tomb above the saint’s coffin. In the presence of Archbishop Euthymius, they lifted the board in the resulting hole and immediately the whole church was filled with fragrance. Saint Euthymius, bending over the coffin, saw an unknown saint in the schema, who was not touched by corruption. The name of the saint was not known, since there was no inscription on the lid. Then the archbishop fervently prayed to the Lord that the name of the saint would be revealed to him. After fervent prayer, on the night of October 4, a husband appeared to him in a dream, dressed in holy robes, and said that he was Archbishop John, honored to serve the miracle of the Most Holy Theotokos, Her honorable sign. Then Saint John ordered that on this day a special requiem mass be celebrated for the Russian princes and archbishops of Novgorod buried in St. Sophia Cathedral - thus began the celebration of the cathedral memory of the Novgorod saints.

The relics of the saint rested openly in the Novgorod Cathedral. The church-wide glorification of St. Elijah-John by the Russian Church followed at the Moscow Council in 1547. In 1629, Metropolitan Cyprian of Novgorod established a celebration on December 1 in honor of the discovery of the relics of St. John.

Life of Saint John of Novgorod

In the family of pious Christians Nicholas and Christina, two sons grew up: Gabriel and the future Archbishop John. Devout parents raised their sons in love for the Lord, teaching them to live a pious, virtuous life.

John's family was wealthy. When the boy's parents died, he and his brother were left with a small inheritance. Both brothers unanimously decided to spend it on the construction of a monastery in the name of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God. But there was only enough money to erect part of the building; the brothers could not complete the construction of the temple. With nowhere to wait for help, the brothers decided to turn to the Mother of God for help.

John and Gabriel tirelessly prayed to the Mother of God, and one day she appeared to them in a dream, promising to help. The next day, an amazing horse appeared before the eyes of the brothers, loaded with bags of gold. Seeing that the horse’s owners were absent, the brothers realized that these funds had been sent to them by the Mother of God.

Having completed the construction, the brothers took monastic vows in the monastery they built. John was named Elijah, and Gabriel was named Gregory.

In 1165, Elijah was called from the monastery and elevated to the rank of archbishop. John did not agree for a long time, but the princes and ordinary citizens begged him to agree.

Those times were quite difficult for Novgorod. The winter of 1170 turned out to be especially difficult, when the Suzdal prince Roman, together with his allies, decided to capture the city. When the city was besieged by enemies, the Novgorodians could only rely on the Lord God.

St. John prayed day and night, asking the Almighty for deliverance from his enemies. During prayer, the saint heard the voice of God, commanding him to take the icon of the Mother of God and install it on the city wall. The Novgorodians sent for the icon were unable to lift the holy image.

After the archbishop’s prayer singing in front of the shrine, the icon itself moved from its place. Then Saint John, taking the icon, installed it on the city wall. All Novgorodians saw how the Mother of God turned her face away from the enemy troops, giving a sign to the besieged people. And then the enemy was seized with fear, they began to fight each other. The Novgorodians took advantage of the enemy's confusion and won.

During his archbishopric, Saint John built many churches dedicated to:

• The Lord's Epiphany;
• the holy prophet Elijah;
• St. Theodore, abbot of Studium;
• three holy youths: Ananias, Azariah, Misail and the holy prophet Daniel;
• the holy righteous Lazarus;
• Saint the Wonderworker Nicholas.

Saint John became famous for his pious, virtuous life, good deeds, meekness and love for people. For this, the Lord rewarded the archbishop with power over demons. Once the saint even managed to saddle a demon, forcing him to transfer himself to Jerusalem. So the archbishop was able to get from Novgorod to the holy land to the Holy Sepulcher in one night and return back. After this, the Devil began to plot against John, trying to shame the saint. But all his attempts, thanks to the intercession of the Lord, ended in failure.

Before his death, sensing his approaching death, the holy archbishop renounced his episcopal omophorion, accepting the schema and returning to himself the name given to him at birth - John.

On September 7, 1186, the Novgorod saint died peacefully. After the death of the saint, the archpastoral throne was given to his brother Gregory.

“And you subdued the insolence of the warriors by prayer to God and to the Most Pure Mother of God”

On the night before the storming of the city, a miracle happened. Calling upon the Lord, turning to the image of the Savior, the pleading and trusting Bishop Elijah (John) received an answer from above to his bold prayer. He heard a voice coming from the icon of the Savior:

Bishop! Your prayer was quickly heard, if you want to receive the salvation of the city, in the morning go to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, at the beginning of the path called Ilya Street, and there take up the image of the Most Pure Mother of God, lift it up on the walls of the city against the adversaries, and you will see the wonderful salvation of the city.

On February 25, 1170, the allied forces of Rus', led by Prince Mstislav Andreevich, were preparing to attack the city. Holding the dancing, zealous stallion in his hands, the reins decorated with silver, throwing up his bearded face, Prince Mstislav shouted parting words to his army: “It’s true! As a token of gratitude for the diligence of the Novgorodians, the Great Yaroslav granted them the right to elect princes from his most worthy descendants!!!” - over the army there is steam from many breaths, the harness is jingling, the horses are bucking, snoring displeasedly, shouting shrilly. “But my great ancestor could not foresee what the freedom given to him would lead to,” continued the prince. — The autocratic Novgorodians thanked their benefactor by insulting the sacred dignity of the Sovereigns!! “The prince’s voice rose and grew stronger. “Grand Duke Andrei and all of you were chosen by heaven to admonish and punish treacherous oathbreakers!!!”

An approving, thirsty, decisive roar from many throats was the army’s response to the prince’s speech...

What about Novgorod? The streets are deserted in the morning, the House of the Wisdom of God, headed by its ruler, is crowded with congregationally praying Christians. People are already talking about the miraculous voice; the message flows from person to person, from heart to heart. A weeping protodeacon running across the bridge, sent to the Transfiguration Church on Ilinaya Street for the image of the Virgin Mary. He ran to the feet of the Vladyka: “Forgive for Christ’s sake, Vladyka, and bless! You can’t touch the icon, it’s not there!” The bishop hurries to the other side, tears streaming down his face: “Oh, ignorant!! It is not fitting for the Queen, who gave birth to the King Christ, to be taken from those sent and lesser ones!” Behind the archbishop are white and black clergy, ordinary people. And there is alarming news from the walls. It's starting! Drawing and alarming ringings from the bell towers.

The bishop fell before the icon and prayed: “Merciful Lady, Virgin Mother of God! You are the hope and intercessor of our city!!” Already ready to launch an attack, waiting only for a signal, approaching the walls of the city almost closely, the enemy suddenly saw a procession wandering onto the ramparts: in front was the ascended icon of the Mother of God, followed by the clergy, the laity, chants and words of a single prayer could be heard. The adversaries began to laugh, pointing to each other at the religious procession: “fools, they think that this will help them!” they shouted contemptuous and mocking words to the Novgorodians, someone shot arrows in the direction of the worshipers.

And it was just a miracle! It was still going on. Some saw this as eccentricity, others fervently believed.

The Icon of the Intercessor was placed on the southwestern wall.

It has begun!.. The archers struck, and the white light faded from thousands of flying arrows. They struck flesh, knocked people off their feet, off their horses, with a dull thud, they slammed into the wood of the fortifications, and flew into and out of the city. With frenzy the enemy climbed the walls, but with no less frenzy they did not let him in. A roar hung over people killing and maiming each other. The Mother of God looked at all this and seemed to reproach the soldiers attacking the city. The silent reproach, raised like the banner of an icon, irritated the enemy. And they shot at the icon. Someone missed and hit the icon of the Mother of Jesus... The blow, the arrow digs into the tree, into the face of the Mother of God, trembling and freezes... Many eyes saw how the icon trembled, swayed and miraculously began to turn away from the attackers; and the bishop rushed to the icon... At that moment something had already begun to happen... Something barely explainable, beyond the reach of human understanding, and generally incomprehensible to atheists... The Bishop saw that the Mother of God began to shed tears - she began to cry... Rushing towards her, he began to wipe away those flowing on the tree the icons' tears, the phelonion pulled to the face of the Immaculate One, and dry lips whispered: “Oh, glorious miracle! How can there be tears from a dry tree? But he himself, understanding, answering his own question, turning to those nearby who had seen the miracle, shouted joyfully: “They are not tears, but a merciful sign! In this way the Most Holy Theotokos prays to her Son and our God for the city and the people who trust in Her mercy! The Most Holy Theotokos shows the intercession and intercession of hopeless people!” Great hope arose in hopeless souls: “Lord have mercy!!” The news of what happened quickly spread among the Novgorodians: “Lord have mercy!” The miracle continued: “Lord have mercy!!” Something very incomprehensible began to happen in the ranks of the sacrileges: “Lord have mercy!” They began to cut and slash each other, perform strange maneuvers, ran away from the walls, falling and tumbling. Everything was confused for them: “Lord have mercy!” It was as if they had all gone mad. Novgorod was no longer interested in them. Seeing this weakness of the enemy, the inspired Novgorod squads struck in several directions, mercilessly began to chop down and drive the newcomers away from the city, taking thousands in full...

Meaning and veneration in Orthodoxy

Immediately after burial, the relics of John became famous for the healing of many who fell at the saint’s shrine. But over time, the saint’s grave turned out to be abandoned and forgotten about for a long time. There is not even any information left about who is buried at this place.

In 1439, it was necessary to repair the Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral. During construction work, a large stone fell from the porch and fell on the lid of the tomb, breaking it. The coffin contained incorruptible, fragrant remains. But no one knew who they belonged to, since there was no inscription on the tombstone.

The archbishop of the church, Evfimy Vyazhishchsky, fervently prayed to the Almighty all day, asking him to reveal the name of the Holy Saint. At night, a man appeared to him in holy vestments, who called himself Archbishop John.

St. John ordered this day (October 4) to be made a day of veneration of the archbishops and princes lying in the Novgorod land. Since then, October 4 is the day of remembrance of the Novgorod saints.

After the discovery of the holy relics, the celebration of the saint began as a locally revered saint. In 1547, the Moscow Council established the church-wide glorification of the archbishop on September 20 according to the new style (September 7 according to the Julian calendar).

After the revolution, on April 3, 1919, the tomb was opened by representatives of the People's Commissariat. In 1929, St. Sophia Cathedral was turned into an anti-religious museum. But, apparently, the remains of the saint were kept somewhere inside the Cathedral. On August 15, 1991, after the return of the church building, the relics were returned to their original place, installing a shrine in the northwestern part of the Cathedral.

In addition, particles of the archimandrite’s relics are stored together with the remains of the Novgorod saints in the Moscow monastery of the Don Icon of the Mother of God.

Literature

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  , Novgorod, 1891, vol. 1, 77-102.
• Tikhomirov, P.I., prot., The Legend of the Novgorod miraculous icon of the Sign of the Mother of God
  , Novgorod, 1902, 14, 16-19.
• Tolstoy, M.V., Stories from the history of the Russian Church
  , M., 1873, 63, 64, 243.
• Macarius (Bulgakov), Metropolitan, History of the Russian Church: in 12 volumes
  , St. Petersburg, 1864-1886, vol. 3, 33-34; vol. IV, 260.
• Protopopov, D.I., Lives of saints revered by the Orthodox Russian Church...: in 12 volumes
  , M., 1884-1885, vol. 9, 110-117.
• Poselyanin, E., ed., Complete collection of Lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Greek-Russian Church
  (supplement to the magazine
  Russian Pilgrim
  , 1908) St. Petersburg, b. g., September, 55.
• Krasnyansky, G., priest, Months (saints) of the Novgorod saints of God, openly and secretly resting
  , Novgorod, 1876, 121, 122.
• Sergius (Spassky), archbishop, Complete monthly book of the East
  , 2nd ed., Vladimir, 1901-1902, vol. 2, 237.
• Soloviev, S. M., History of Russia since ancient times: in 6 volumes
  , 3rd ed., St. Petersburg, 1911, vol. 1, 1016-1018, 1019-1023, 1270, 1273.
• Bulgakov, S. V., Handbook for clergy
  , Kiev, 1913, 1406.
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  , St. Petersburg, 1877, 33.
• Erisov, D. A., Yakovlev, M. L., comp., Historical Dictionary about the saints glorified in the Russian Church, and about some ascetics of piety, locally revered
  , 2nd ed., St. Petersburg, 1862, 114-115 .
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  , St. Petersburg, 1882, 247-249.
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  Dioceses and bishops , M., 1888, 18.
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  , 3rd ed., St. Petersburg, 1884, No. 37, 37, 38.
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  , St. Petersburg, 1891, No. 185.
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  , M., 1821, 168, 200, 212, 223.
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  , St. Petersburg, 1841-1921, vol. 3, 13-19, 112-113.
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  , St. Petersburg, 1885, December, 35; 1893, May, p. 465; 1896, January, 205; 1900, October, 250, 253.
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  , M., 1968, No. 9, 72-76.
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  , ed. Soikina, P. P., St. Petersburg, b. g., t. 1, 1090.
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What is asked of St. John of Novgorod

During his lifetime, Archbishop John helped all those who suffered. The Novgorod saint, like many other saints, is asked for help in solving everyday problems.

The saint helps:

• to be healed from illnesses;
• strengthen in faith;
• avoid sinful temptation;
• gain strength to overcome all adversities.

But most often people turn to the saint with a request to expel demons from a home or from people. Sincere prayer coming from the bottom of the heart will definitely be heard by the saint and the Lord God.

Orthodox texts in Russian

Several prayer texts are dedicated to the memory of St. John. During the service in honor of the saint, two troparions are performed: one is small in volume, the second is quite long. After the troparions, a canon is performed - a sacred chant that fills the heart with joy in the Lord. An equally important prayer is the kontakion, glorifying the deeds of John of Novgorod.

Troparion

Lord our God, Who always works with us according to Thy Seeing, do not leave Thy Mercy from us, but through the prayers of Thy Saint John, order our life in peace.

Troparion

Today the most glorious Great New City shines brightly, having your relics within itself, Saint John, like emitting the rays of the sun. And you grant healing to those who flow with faith to the race of your relics. Pray to Christ God to deliver this city unharmed from barbaric captivity and internecine warfare, and fiery incineration, Saint John the God-Wise, Wonder-Bearer, Heavenly man, earthly angel. Thus, having come together in love in your memory, we brightly celebrate, in songs and singing, rejoicing and glorifying Christ, who bestowed such grace on you, with healing and the intercession and establishment of the Great New City.

Kontakion

The venerable Church of Christ rejoiced, in memory today of the ever-famous Saint John, who shone from the Great New City, and astonished all creation with glorious miracles, and adorned with all virtues. Even after his repose, his venerable body was found incorruptible, emanating great miracles. Saint John, pray to Christ God for all of us.

Canon

Song 1

Irmos: Having passed through the water like dry land, and having escaped the Egyptian evil, the Israelite cried out: Feast upon the Savior and our God.

God-born, for you were truly merciful and meek, Father, and truly quiet in spirit, and at the right hand of the Throne of God you were counted worthy to stand, blessed; and now, in Heaven, grant silence to my heart.

From your youth, Saint John, you fixed your mind on God and withered bodily passions with green abstinence, adorned yourself with all sorts of virtues, wisely.

Whenever you received the priestly rank, and listened to the Lord's justification with your mind, Saint John, and removed yourself from the midst of rumors, in wisdom, you did not touch uncleanness. So, holy saint, remove unclean thoughts from my heart.

Theotokos: You were a true teacher of Orthodoxy and a great prayer book for the Mother of God. But even now, saint, never cease visiting your children, for you have great boldness towards God.

Song 3

Irmos: You are the affirmation of those who flow to You, Lord, You are the Light of the darkened, and my spirit sings to You.

As the sun rose in the east, you, Saint John, in the north, sitting on the throne of Great Novagrad, you shone with bright deeds, and you enlightened all the people with your teaching knowledge, and you blocked the mouths of heretics with the true word.

It is a good custom to have Divine love for all, to the wise John, dull the sharpness of the barbarians, to the saint, and bring them down to the end.

Having purified your heart, I pray to you God for the benefit of people, I heard the Divine voice saying to you about those who are useful: for your prayer was heard quickly, like the great one hundred Where is your prayer book to God, Saint John.

Theotokos: Gather together, O Most Pure One, all the Orthodox, to glorify Thee, the Queen, who gave birth to the King Christ; keep barbaric indignation away from us; Give Your servant the word, so that I may sing Your glorious miracles.

Sedalen, voice 4

Whenever I pray to you in the great church of the Wisdom of God, blessed John, purified in soul and body, I cried out to the Divine voice that appeared to you, even about the miracles of the Mother of God, and about deliverance city, and about the decoration of the Church of Christ, and received from the words of the wonderful voice of true signs and giving miracles, and pouring out Divine teachings to everyone. Likewise, with love, Father, we celebrate your holy memory.

Glory, even now: the Virgin Mary and the Mother of God, truly, like a cloud of light, has risen to us today and from the righteous comes to our glory; No one condemned Adam, and Eve was freed from bondage. And for this reason we call, crying out with the boldness of the One Pure Ones: joy proclaims Your Christmas throughout the entire universe.

Song 4

Irmos: I have heard, O Lord, the sight of Your sacrament, I have understood Your works and glorified Your Divinity.

The Lawgiver is great, like Moses and David, who truly gained, Father, your children, like a child-loving father, we please the sons of Russia.

Many churches have been erected to the glory of God by you, the saint, who seemed to you to be the temple of God, perfect and undefiled, pure in soul and body, to the wise, and so also made us a temple We are the Holy Spirit, most blessed.

During the day you appeared as a son, but in the night I pray to you to God for the enlightenment of the words of God, Father John. The hated enemy wants to frighten you, not tolerating being tormented too much, but the all-evil one is bound by your prayer.

Theotokos: Lady Theotokos, establish confusion in the church, bring about prosperity forever and ever, and stop the mouths of the heretics, who have loved the unquenchable fire, from which deliver us, Thy servants Oh, and serve kindly like the Mother of God who was under the summer and who shone from the Father without flying: This is what you gave birth to us.

Song 5

Irmos: My spirit will awaken to You, O God, through the light of the commandment of Your coming: then illumine our minds, O Master, and guide us on the path of life.

You sincerely saw the Holy Resurrection and the Life-Giving Sepulcher in Jerusalem, through the church doors opened to you by the wave of the Holy Spirit, and you were considered worthy to receive the vision of God, Saint Joah No, you defeated the tempter in every possible way. And now I pray to Christ God to conquer all foreigners and infidels over our Orthodox people.

You were the abbot and archbishop of Great Novagrad and you flourished in the House of the Wisdom of God, like a phoenix, with fruitful words and an immaculate life, delighting your hearts, wise and inspired by God . And we, your children, pray to you, blessed one, that through your prayers we may receive mercy from the Savior Christ, and as we trust in a child-loving father.

The Church of God is alive and animated, the great saint John, in the Church of God, stretched out in the days and in the night, in wisdom, diligent to the Wisdom of God: the servant and interlocutor of God is manifest You were the greatest, and praise to Great Novagrad, and fertilizer to all Russian lands, to the Orthodox people With your prayers, grant health for vile victories and victories.

Theotokos: The Church of God, and the living chamber, and the pen in which there is manna, and the vegetated staff, and the uncut mountain, and all the prophecies that have come true about You, O Mother of God, Thy servant Hey, great saint John praises, and we pray to Thee, the only one of the human race taking away reproach.

Song 6

Irmos: I cried out to the Lord, who is able to save me, from the depths of sin, and raised my life from ashes, as the Lover of Mankind.

Sometimes you stretched out your hand to the mighty God, and you found salvation, but the waters served you through the nature of God by command, but the tempter was put to shame, and wept, and was completely destroyed by your prayers, John to the saint.

I will glorify you to God, as Moses of old, the wise John, present you as a shepherd and a leader, who carries the sea of ​​life without blasphemy to the people, whom Christ redeemed with His Blood.

Having created the autocrat of the mind of passions, you reigned like a formidable winner, and you subdued the insolence of the soldiers by prayer to God and to the Most Pure Mother of God. Now help your faithful against the enemy, John, O great saint.

Theotokos: A fortress to the faithful, and a wall, and a stronghold, You are, O Most Pure One, given from the righteous Joachim and Anna; and according to the Annunciation of Gabriel, God was born from You. Through You, Most Pure One, the best flows from all and those who live on earth ascend to Heaven.

Kontakion, voice 4

The manifestly honest Church of Christ rejoiced in memory of the ever-famous Saint John, who rose from the Great Novagrad and surprised the whole country with his glorious miracles and all his virtues. handsome. And after his repose, his honest body will be found incorruptible, emanating great miracles. Moreover, we call to him: O all-blessed one! Pray to Christ God continually for all of us.

Ikos

We celebrate brightly today, to the current church, the entire sacred cathedral, and the monastics, and the multitude of people, and the entire flock of Christ, in memory of our father, Saint John. We glorify the one glorified by God, whose life the angels were amazed, and unpunished as punishment, and the protection of the human mind, and the foundation of the Church, the pillar of the Wisdom of God that never falls, and Great Novagrad wall and establishment, and all Russian lands were fertilized, and surprised the universe with glorious miracles and adorned with all the virtues. Moreover, according to his heritage, we bless him, for Christ prays for all of us.

Song 7

Irmos: The Chaldean furnace extinguished the all-pernicious power in the image of the angel who descended, crying out to the Creator of the youth: Blessed are you and praiseworthy, God our father.

Sometimes people are exhausted, seeing the weapons of the enemy; Then you, Blessed John, armed yourself with rage against sin, turning to the merciful God in prayer, and your prayer was quickly heard, and you taught people to cry: Blessings n God of our fathers.

You have not served as a blessing, but as a newer of grace and truth, for the law of God is written on the inside of the tablet of your heart, received from God, richer Saint John. Moreover, the law taught us to cry: Blessed be the God of our fathers.

Theotokos: Walking in the light of the Lord, come, let us praise the Divine Door of the King to those who reign, Mary, the Pure Mother of God, for truly we are the hope of our souls, calling: Blessed be God the Father in ours.

Song 8

Irmos: Having been glorified on the mountain of saints and in the bush with fire of the Ever-Virgin Moses, sing and extol the mystery of the revealed Lord to all ages.

Established with the Heavenly ranks in the courts of the Lord, in the city of the Living God, St. John, equal to the angels, cried out at all-night vigils: praise and exalt Him forever.

Today Veliky Novgrad brightly celebrates your memory, flaunts your wonderful life, St. John. Do not remember the sins of your children, father, but, like a loving father, turn to mercy, praying to the merciful God, to Him we sing: praise and exalt Him forever.

The temple of your sacred soul appears to be God's, in which the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit dwell more than nature, but you, the saint, are filthy in finding alienation from your inheritance, by Orthodox people Grant peace and health to those who call: praise, sing and exalt Him forever.

Theotokos: Truly, Saint John was honored with a great gift from God, as you were deemed worthy to serve the miracles of the Holy Mother of God, Her wonderful sign. For your prayer is hastened to God and to His Most Pure Mother of God: truly, the prayer of the righteous is hastened.

Song 9

Irmos: Heaven was terrified at this, and the ends of the earth were amazed, for God had appeared as a man in the flesh, and Your womb was the most spacious of Heaven. Thus, Ty, the Mother of God, the Angels and the people of the ranks are magnified.

You surprised people in your life, wonderful John, and after you turned to God above the custom, all the miracles happened in you, I will glorify Christ in this way, as the truth is His servant go. We please you, like a strong, holy, helper in battles.

Give peace to the Churches, Saint, with your prayers and Orthodox banners help against all enemy enemies and raise up the horn of the Russian land, O blessed one, standing before the Throne of the Holy Trinity. And be unyielding from us, persistent in prayer to God, and we will please you.

Accept this little and humble praise, O saint, from my unworthy lips, and from my vile tongue, and from my unclean heart: for you, O great Saint John, have been purified in soul and body, especially with A ray of sunshine shone upon you, having fulfilled God’s commandments, and reposed in the Unevening Light you are. It is true that you pray for forgiveness of sins to those who honor you, blessed John.

Theotokos: Holy Blessed Mother of God, who sing of Your love, save You, who mercifully destroy rumors of temptation: for having given birth to God, you can create everything you want, the Virgin We magnify you.

Luminous

From the Light of the Trisian you heard the voice of the Divine, Saint John, and you glorified the Trinity in the Unity and the Unity in the Trinity, and you taught people the same way, and you enlightened the ends of the world by your teaching. Moreover, we honor you with dignity, creating an honorable memory of you.

Proceedings

The following are attributed to the archbishop:

• 28 rules given to resolve Kirik’s questions - ed.: “Questions of Kirik, Sava and Elijah with answers from Nifont, Bishop of Novgorod, and other hierarchical persons,” Monuments of Old Russian Canon Law
  , St. Petersburg, 1880, part 1 (RIB, vol. 6 ), stb. 21-62.
• “An addition to the Charter on Communion, written together with the unknown bishop of Belgorod,” Monuments of Russian literature of the 12th century, published with explanations, variants and samples of handwriting by K. Kalaidovich
  , M., 1821, 219-224.
• “Teaching [to the priests]”, Pavlov, A., “An unpublished monument of Russian church law of the 12th century,” Journal of the Ministry of Public Education
  , St. Petersburg, 1890, October, 275-300.

Up to 30 teachings of the saint are known, among them - On Baptism, Confession, and the Holy Eucharist.

In his first archpastoral letter to the clergy, the archbishop instructed the pastors with these words:

«
At the beginning of my words, I ask you, do not get too attached to this world, but constantly teach people. First of all, see that they do not indulge in heavy drinking. After all, you yourself know that most of all it is not only ordinary people who die through this, but even us. When your spiritual children come to you for repentance, ask them with meekness. Do not impose heavy penances on those who repent. Do not neglect book reading, for if we do not do this, then how will we differ from ordinary unlearned people?.. Do not impose penance on orphans... Let everyone repent, because the yoke of Christ should be easy
…» [6]

His instructions to the monks are filled with spiritual greatness. The saint writes:

«Once they have followed Christ, monks, workers of the spiritual life on the cross, must live in secluded places, far from worldly people. Let them not rob themselves of anything, nor of everything dedicated to God. A monk must always be a monk, at every time and in every place - both in sleep and in wakefulness - to preserve the memory of death, and to be incorporeal in the flesh. Not for everyone the monastery serves as a cure for voluptuousness, just as silence does not serve as a cure for anger, death does not serve as a cure for greed for money, the coffin does not serve as a cure for greed... Monastic and worldly life are incompatible, just as a camel and a horse are not harnessed together. The monk bowed his neck under the yoke of the Creator and must carry the plow in the valley of humility in order to multiply the beautiful wheat with the warmth of the Life-Giving Spirit and sow with drops of the mind of God. Chernets does not control himself; being gods, beware lest you decay like people and fall from heights like a luminous prince... arrogance is born from human glory

…» [6]

Iconography

In 1599, a wooden shrine was built to store sacred relics. An image of the saint was painted on the lid of the reliquary, which was then transferred to the icons. Later, the wooden shrine was replaced with a gilded one, decorating the walls with relief carvings representing the miracles and deeds of the saint. The first icons depicting the holy face date back to the 16th-17th centuries. On most icons the archbishop is depicted in full height.

Characteristic features inherent in the appearance of the saint:

• gray beard of round shape;
• the right hand is raised in a blessing gesture;
• with his left hand he holds a scroll or a book.

Saint John is wearing liturgical episcopal vestments. An omophorion decorated with crosses will be draped over the shoulders.