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Man of God: Saint John of Shanghai & San Francisco
A collection of reminiscences and testimonies to the miracles of St. John Maximovitch, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, compiled by the Russian Orthodox Church Aboard, including photographs, selected sermons, a biographical timeline, and a glossary.
255 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 4, 2025
I dare anyone to read this and stay dry eyed and not fall in love with the Saint. If this is what it means to be a Christian then woe to rest of us sinners, Lord have mercy on us.
On the outside Saint John Maximovitch may appear odd and unimpressive. But don't let that deceive you. He is not only a titan of the faith and a beautiful Saint but truly lives out what Christianity is about. In the annals of history it would be almost impossible to find a more impressive figure. And the fact that he lived so close and so recently is such a blessing we American's hardly deserve.
As I write this it really pains me how we American's thank Russia for sending us such a beautiful Saint with our intolerance and bigotry that has only gotten worse AFTER the cold war ended. What an absolute shame.
Saint John was born a noble in Kursk or Kharkov. One of his ancestors was a Saint who enlightened Siberia. How different Eastern enlightenment is from Western! One day he was summoned to a council of Bishops to be raised up to that office and he stopped by a friends house and bemoaned the councils mistake in thinking he was the John that was to be Bishop. Afterwards he stopped by to bemoan the councils mistake of making him Bishop. He truly thought they had made a mistake and he was unworthy of the office.
There are so many stories. Vladika John healed so many people in such amazing ways. Often without even being told he would know that someone was sick and he would go and pray for them and heal them. He was clairvoyant too. One time he was doing something and a fellow priest was behind him and he had a terrible thought and Saint John turned around and looked at him for a long time disapprovingly! There are so many stories like this it's just amazing that such a Saint lived in our time!
On the outside Saint John Maximovitch may appear odd and unimpressive. But don't let that deceive you. He is not only a titan of the faith and a beautiful Saint but truly lives out what Christianity is about. In the annals of history it would be almost impossible to find a more impressive figure. And the fact that he lived so close and so recently is such a blessing we American's hardly deserve.
As I write this it really pains me how we American's thank Russia for sending us such a beautiful Saint with our intolerance and bigotry that has only gotten worse AFTER the cold war ended. What an absolute shame.
Saint John was born a noble in Kursk or Kharkov. One of his ancestors was a Saint who enlightened Siberia. How different Eastern enlightenment is from Western! One day he was summoned to a council of Bishops to be raised up to that office and he stopped by a friends house and bemoaned the councils mistake in thinking he was the John that was to be Bishop. Afterwards he stopped by to bemoan the councils mistake of making him Bishop. He truly thought they had made a mistake and he was unworthy of the office.
There are so many stories. Vladika John healed so many people in such amazing ways. Often without even being told he would know that someone was sick and he would go and pray for them and heal them. He was clairvoyant too. One time he was doing something and a fellow priest was behind him and he had a terrible thought and Saint John turned around and looked at him for a long time disapprovingly! There are so many stories like this it's just amazing that such a Saint lived in our time!
January 29, 2023
It is impossible to not love Vladika John. This book has an interesting format. It begins with personal Reminiscences and testimonies, about him from people around the world. You really get to know the man from those who had anecdotes to share. The next section is composed of Vladika John's sermons and then closes with thoughts on Russia. He went from Russia to Shanghai to the Philippines and finally to San Francisco. He impacted countless lives including orphans and refugees. On par with Mother Teresa he spent a life of extreme humility serving others.
May 30, 2022
Read this about ten years ago when a monastic from Divine Ascent Press or Saint Herman of Alaska Press sent it to me gratis. I remember being blown away by the steadfast faith of Saint John of Shanghai & San Francisco! These Eastern Orthodox Christian saints are on another level! Amen!
November 3, 2023
Not exactly a biography, but personally I found the format much more impactful than a straightforward bio.
May 11, 2021
This book provides a biography of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco told through reminisces of those who knew him.
Rather than a straight forward, linear biography of St. John of Shanghai, born Mikhail Borisovich Maximovitch, this book contains a series of recollections about St. John from those who encountered him during his years as a priest and a bishop as well as testimonies from the faithful about his intercessions. This makes clear the details but often leaves the whole as a murky background.
Rather than a straight forward, linear biography of St. John of Shanghai, born Mikhail Borisovich Maximovitch, this book contains a series of recollections about St. John from those who encountered him during his years as a priest and a bishop as well as testimonies from the faithful about his intercessions. This makes clear the details but often leaves the whole as a murky background.
July 18, 2015
A beautiful collection of personal reminisces, testimonials, and St. John's sermons and decrees. This book would make a nice supplement to a biography of St. John, but it is still a great testament to the holiness of of the man on its own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews