Our righteous father John of Kronstadt (October 19, 1829, in Sura December 20, 1908, in Kronstadt) was an archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born as Ivan Ilyich Sergiyev in 1829. From 1855, he served as a priest in St. Andrew's cathedral in Kronstadt. Here, he greatly committed himself to charity, especially for…


Our righteous father John of Kronstadt (October 19, 1829, in Sura December 20, 1908, in Kronstadt) was an archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church.
He was born as Ivan Ilyich Sergiyev in 1829. From 1855, he served as a priest in St. Andrew’s cathedral in Kronstadt. Here, he greatly committed himself to charity, especially for those who were remote from the church, and traveled extensively throughout the Russian empire.His feast days are commemorated on December 20 (January 2 Old Calendar) and October 19.

Troparion (Tone 1) [1]

As a zealous advocate of the Orthodox faith,
As a caring Solicitor for the land of Russia,
Faithful to the rules and image of a pastor,
Preaching repentance and life in Christ,
An awesome servant and administer of God’s sacraments,
A daring intercessor for people’s sake,
O Good and righteous Father John,
Healer and wonderful miracle-worker,
The praise of the town of Kronstadt
And decoration of our Church,
Beseech the All-Merciful God
To reconcile the world and to save our souls!
Troparion (Tone 4)

With the apostles your message has gone out to the ends of the world,
And with the confessors you suffered for Christ!
You are like the hierarchs through your preaching of the word;
With the righteous you are radiant with the grace of God.
The Lord has exalted your humility above the heavens
And given us your name as a source of miracles.
O wonder-worker, living in Christ for ever,
Have mercy on those beset by troubles;
And hear us when we cry out in faith, O our beloved shepherd John!
Kontakion (Tone 3)

This day the pastor of Kronstadt
Appears before the throne of God
Praying fervently on behalf of the faithful
To the chief pastor Christ, who has promised:
“I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it!”