Childhood. Tomorrow something special is anticipated… They are going to raise the crosses onto the cupolas of our new Cathedral of the Mother of God, "Surety of Sinners" (Shanghai). I recall a sea of heads around the church — like on Pascha. My father lifts me up, and through the crowd I try to see Vladika as he blesses the prepared crosses. I raise my head. Somewhere far above, the main cupola is etched against the sky, and suddenly… I am transfixed with wonder. Reflecting the rays of the sun, a gold cross floats upwards. Lord! How splendid!
Here, next to the cathedral, is the diocesan house. Although we were afraid, we boys liked to climb up to the top floor and look out at the passersby. Sometimes Vladika would find us there. We would guiltily press against the wall, but he would call us affectionately to himself, rumple our hair and, giving his blessing, send us on our way with a kind word.
Behind the church house was a courtyard where we would play. Vladika, who usually went everywhere on foot, in passing by this courtyard always went in to see the children. He blessed us and spoke with us good-naturedly. I can still see his smiling face.
As a high school student I fell seriously ill and was admitted to the Catholic hospital on the outskirts of the city's English quarter, where Vladika lived. My condition was critical. I remember what joy flooded my heart when I saw beside my bed the kind face of dear Vladika, his sparkling eyes full of sympathy. How Vladika prayed! I lay in the hospital for several weeks, and each week on a given day Vladika came; he consoled me and prayed. Truly, this was a good shepherd! Vladika could have assigned one of his priests to visit the sick, but, in spite of the daily services, of being weighed down with diocesan affairs and concerns with the orphanage, and the rather primitive state of the city transportation system, Vladika himself covered long distances, partly by tram, partly by foot, visiting the sick and suffering in hospitals and prisons, thereby fulfilling the injunction of the holy Apostle Paul: In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7).
And can anyone forget the service on Pascha night in the cathedral? How Vladika shone; it was absolutely unearthly. Each time he censed he seemed to be propelled around the cathedral. How he exultantly exclaimed, or rather shouted out the victorious paschal greeting! I've never seen anything like it anywhere. And in general, Vladika served with a rare prayerful concentration, so that those concelebrating and the people were penetrated by a spirit of prayer and reverence.
During the war, conditions were very difficult for the Russians in Shanghai: there was the Japanese occupation and pressure from the Soviets. Vladika shared all our misfortunes and deprivations. The war ended. The Soviets were ready to swallow the entire Russian China. But God was merciful. It was likewise difficult for Vladika to orient himself, having no contact with Metropolitan Anastassy, who at that time was restoring the life of the Church Abroad which had been thrown into disarray by the war. Besides which, Vladika had a trusting soul. Although he was accused of political wavering, in his heart he never betrayed his true convictions, which he demonstrated not only in bringing repentance before the Sobor of Bishops but in taking charge, as spiritual leader, of the exodus of Russian refugees from China, first to the Philippines and then to America.
On the island of Tubabao, the Lord granted me again to meet with Vladika and to experience his favorable disposition towards the unworthiness of me, a lonely and lost wanderer. Although Vladika had a visa for the United States, he considered it his first duty to share exile with his spiritual children, whom God's Providence had cast onto islands of palm trees and typhoons. Within no time church life was in full swing. A temporary diocesan office was organized, the convent was settled, three churches were opened, and, in the spacious military barracks adjacent to the convent, there arose a "cathedral," which by Pascha was adorned with a hand-made onion dome.
Vladika left for America. Everyone knows how, by the strength of his spirit, he succeeded in securing from the "powerful of this world" permission for his persecuted flock to enter the States. Experiencing freedom, people reacted to it in different ways, and in different ways expressed their gratitude to the Elder. One thing can be said for certain: Vladika never concealed in his heart malice towards anyone, and towards those ill-disposed towards him he acted as if there was nothing between them. This trait particularly impressed me. Oh, if only we all could conduct ourselves like that in our difficult time!
When later on I was in Washington, I couldn't help but notice the mark which Vladika left behind — both in church life and among those living there in general.
Time passed. In the fifties the Lord directed my steps to Paris; at that time Vladika was living in Versailles. I shall never forget my meeting with that good shepherd.
Vladika lived at the Cadet Corps. I arrived unexpectedly. His secretary met me and directed me to Vladika's study on the top floor. I ascended the wide staircase, trembling with anticipation. Portraits of Russian tsars gazed at me from the walls. I knocked on the door and was answered, "Amen." (At that time I didn't know that one should say the prayer, "By the prayers of our holy fathers…") I went in. At a desk piled with letters and papers, Vladika sat writing. The sight of him — without shoes, in a torn cassock, his hair disheveled — was a touching image of meekness and simplicity. I hesitated in the doorway. On seeing me, Vladika exclaimed, his face lit up with a smile; he jumped up from his chair and after blessing me locked me into his embrace. I was unable to restrain my tears of joy. Our conversation was a torrent of recollections, tumbling from one incident to another, one acquaintance to another. In this short time, it seemed as if we relived the past several years.
On learning that I was planning to travel around Europe, Vladika got a copy of the Holy Trinity Calendar and gave it to me, pointing out the parishes located in Europe. "Go with God. As soon as you arrive in a city, go to the local priest. Tell him that I sent you." With God's help, and with Vladika's wise advice, I toured almost the whole of Europe, acquiring both spiritual nourishment and friends and acquaintances who showed me the sights as no tourist agency could possibly have done.
It came time to leave. Vladika suggested that we go downstairs to the church, located next door. There Vladika served Vespers and then saw me on my way. I approached him for a blessing, but he said, "No, no. I'll see you to the tram." It was a fair distance from Vladika's residence. I felt awkward about his accompanying me, but Vladika insisted. When the tram pulled away, I continued for a long time gazing at the bent figure of the elder, blessing me on my journey.
The years passed. University. Marriage. Military service. Work for the Church.
All this time letters arrived from dear Vladika, inspiring and full of concern. And then, quite unexpectedly, Vladika suggested I enter the service of the Church. Just at this time the Synod of Bishops was discussing the canonization of Father John of Kronstadt, something Vladika was actively working towards. And I had a wonderful dream: Father John of Kronstadt blessed me and told me not to be anxious. The same day my wife underwent a difficult operation. But her health did not improve. We were terribly despondent. Unexpectedly there came a phone call from Vladika, who said to my wife, "Agree to the ordination, otherwise you will continue to have problems." Afterwards Vladika came to visit us; we had dinner and a nice conversation. As he was leaving, he suddenly turned to my wife: "Well, my dear, the diaconate or the priesthood?" although not a word had been said on the subject in the course of the evening. There's no need to say what impression Vladika's pointed announcement made on us. We submitted to this decision of our abba. On his next trip to the East Coast, Vladika himself ordained me to the diaconate. And, just as Vladika had said, after I became a deacon my wife's health noticeably improved.
Thus passed several years during which Vladika never forgot us with his letters, and whenever he came to New York he invariably contacted us by phone. Then came a new offer from our abba — to become a priest in his diocese. Again we deliberated, and again my wife fell ill. Here we decided that Vladika evidently was offering us a means of healing. And we made the decision. But Vladika was no longer among those living here on earth. The Lord granted me the calling of a priest, and today I cannot refrain from testifying that a second time my wife's health was restored without any medical intervention. We have no doubt in the intercession and prayers of dear Vladika.
No longer do letters arrive from Vladika, but we sense the unwaning strength of his care for us, and we live with his memory. The bent figure of the elder, distantly reminiscent of St. Seraphim, rises before our eyes. Here he is, a modern saint, a follower of the wonder-working St. John of Kronstadt A genuine unmercenary who sought no glory in the archpastoral calling, who had no interest in honor or elegant vestments. A good shepherd, the first to give an example of concern for his neighbor. A pastor who lived by the Church, in the Church and for the Church. A Christian who conquered anger within himself, making his face to shine with a joyous smile. A loving father. A hierarch who labored unremittingly. A man who knew no limits in his ascetic exploits. A slave of God, struggling day and night in concentrated prayer of the heart. An intercessor before God for people who received through him healing and the realization of their hopes… Truly, brethren, Such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens (Heb. 7:26). Throughout his difficult life, the ever-blessed Vladika John followed this injunction of the great Apostle, and in large measure succeeded in fulfilling it. And this is all the more remarkable considering that Vladika lived in our time, when humanity has grown impoverished in faith and piety. Here, no doubt, lies the root of that misunderstanding which so often met Vladika even among some apparently churchly people. However, that which the Lord allowed as a way of testing people during Vladika's lifetime is now dissipating like smoke, and with each day this chosen luminary of righteousness shines ever more brightly, strengthening the faithful in bearing the Christian podvig of humility, patience and love.
Archpriest Valery Lukianov