"The life of a Christian is a constant exercise in self-sacrifice". The Presidential Library’s materials illustrate Saint Righteous John of Kronstadt

October 31, 2020 marks the 191th anniversary of the birth of John of Kronstadt, one of the most revered canonized churchmen. The Presidential Library's portal contains numerous materials illustrating the life and work of the saintly righteous: his diary, conversations and teachings presented in the complete collected works, "The response of Father John of Kronstadt to Leo Tolstoy to his "Appeal to the clergy" and many others. But a special place is occupied by the memoirs of contemporaries about John as a minister of the church, who occupies a very special place among the clergy.  

Ioann Ilyich Sergiev was born into the family of a parish attendant in the village of Sursky, Pinezhsky district, Arkhangelsk province. The book “Father John Ilyich Sergiev of Kronstadt", published in 1909, notes that the boy grew up in an environment of extreme need, he "had to see only scenes of hopeless poverty, almost famine. Only gloomy impressions of human life, pictures of grief, misfortune, despair remained in the child's soul".

The biographical essay of the writer Nikolai Zhivotov, "Father John Ilyich Sergiev of Kronstadt, Archpriest of St. Andrew's Cathedral" (1894), reports that initially the young clergyman was preparing to become a monk, to become a missionary in distant countries. However, after Father John was ordained, he was sent to Kronstadt.

From the very beginning of his ministry, he was actively involved in charity work: he founded the House of industriousness (a workhouse with workshops), a school for the poor, a women's almshouse, and an orphanage. “The ministry of Father John, testifying of him as a man endowed with the grace of the priesthood, humble, despite his high education, apostolic non-acquisitive, in apostolic manner  distributing abundant offerings, forgetting about himself for his neighbor, this ministry is directed indivisibly towards fulfilling the will of God, the covenants of Christ, for the benefit of mankind, in the name of truly Christian love for Him", - this is how Andrei Krotkov, the author of the book "On the Kronstadt Archpriest Father John (Ioann Ilyich Sergiev): Traits from his life, prayer help, his thoughts and attitude to him in the scientific world” (1903) describes him. 

The Kronstadt priest could strengthen faith and give hope in moments of ailment; he put on their feet and healed such patients who could not be helped by doctors. The book "Father John as a Shepherd Benefactor" (1913) contains a large number of stories of miraculous healing thanks to the tireless fervent prayers of the Kronstadt priest: his “sensitive, full of love responsiveness soul immediately noticed who needed support and help; he, without embarrassment, went to the sick soul, bringing healing, although this soul was unfamiliar to him". 

Over time, the fame of the spiritual strength of the priest, his gift of healing by prayer, selflessness and willingness to help all those in need spread throughout Russia. This is reflected in the work “Three times in Kronstadt with Fr. John" (1903) by Alexander Solovyov.

Among representatives of all social strata, as evidenced by an eyewitness account with the initials “S. D.", published in 1896, Father John did not make any distinctions: "Everywhere he is alone, with everyone the same, courteous, affectionate and affable ...". Father fearlessly descended into the dugouts of the poor, climbed into attics to bring relief to the inhabitants of the slums. He talked to them about what he would later reflect in the work "Contemplations and Feelings of the Christian Soul" (1905).

Father John taught the law of God in various educational institutions of Kronstadt and continued to write books, teachings, instructions. A unique edition of 1911 "The Complete Works of the Righteous Man of God John of Kronstadt" in two volumes is available on the Presidential Library’s portal. Here you can also read the “Instruction of Fr. John Sergiev (Kronstadt) while performing the sacrament of repentance" (1894), where it is said: "Repentance is a gift given for self-condemnation, self-reproach, self-reproach. Repentance is a firm and unshakable intention... to reform, renew... to be reconciled with God, with your conscience".

The digitized writings presented by the Presidential Library provide a large number of publications about the search for a spiritual path that constitutes a support in the life of every seeker. The rare books of the 1890s "The Life and Works of Father John Sergiev of Kronstadt, Archpriest of St. Andrew's Cathedral", "Father John as a Shepherd Benefactor", "Father John Among the People" and a number of other books from the library fund show the life of the saint, given without a trace serving God and people...

Thanks to Father John, Kronstadt received its main architectural landmark - the Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, or, as the people call it, the Nikolsky Naval Cathedral. Over the years, the words of the priest have come down to us: “Our city, the first sea citadel of the fatherland, has not acquired a solid temple. But the church is the same ship that God himself controls". In 1897, Nicholas II ordered the Naval Department to develop an architectural plan for the cathedral in Kronstadt.

On September 14 (1), 1902, the construction of the cathedral began on Anchor Square, which was preceded by a prayer service performed by John of Kronstadt. He didn't have a chance to wait until the completion of the construction of the cathedral...

The Presidential Library’s portal features electronic collection "Kronstadt - the city of Russian Naval Glory" provided with rare editions dedicated to St. Andrew's Cathedral, where Father John served and which does not exist today, for example, with the historical essay "St. Andrew's Cathedral in Kronstadt" (1892), as well as archival materials on the history of the construction of the Naval Cathedral - the main temple of the Russian Navy, erected at the initiative of John of Kronstadt.

The pious deeds of the clergyman deeply revered by the people have not been forgotten - the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him in the face of the righteous in 1990.

The preface to the book of John of Kronstadt "Lessons of a Blessed Life" (1894), says: "Truly, before us is not a book, but life itself. Spiritual experiences, advice, instructions are drawn from the depths of the heart, wholly striving for God. Therefore, everything that has poured out of this source has a strong effect on the soul of a Christian". Or someone who with all his heart wants to become one.