This happened in late 1977. My husband, Priest Michael Konstantinov, flew overseas to visit his uncle who was very ill, while I stayed home with our small children. In his absence I learned from the doctors that I had a large growth on my thyroid gland which required an operation. I was very upset; I was afraid to have surgery on my throat. My anxiety was made worse by my husband's being away. I used to go quite often to our convent, New Shamordino, and I shared my distress with the late Abbess Helena. She advised me to take holy oil from the vigil lamp from the sepulchre of Vladika John of Shanghai, anoint my neck with the sign of the Cross, and appeal in prayer to Vladika John. I did so. On my third visit to the doctor he determined that the growth was shrinking by itself and no operation was necessary. Lord, how happy I was that I would be home with the children, that I was healed by the prayers of Vladika John of Shanghai.
Ever since then, whenever I fly to San Francisco, I bow down before his holy relics with gratitude for his mercy to me, a sinner.
Matushka Irina Konstantinovna, Sydney, Australia
Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact details, but I will try to relate in general terms what happened.
Letters often come addressed to our cathedral, requesting prayers in the sepulchre of the ever-memorable Vladika John. Sometimes these letters get delayed at the candlestand, waiting for a priest. One such letter from Boston was misplaced and only two or three weeks later was discovered and passed on to me. The letter came from the late Sergei Yulevich Conus, requesting prayers for his wife. In the sepulchre I served a panikhida for Vladika John, and then a litia for the health of Sergei Yulevich's wife. I wrote about this to Sergei Yulevich, and enclosed in my letter some postcard photos from the sepulchre. A few days later I received a phone call from an excited Sergei Yulevich, who asked at what time I had served the panikhida. I answered that it was about ten o'clock in the morning. Sergei Yulevich then informed me that about one o'clock EST (between Boston and San Francisco there is a three-hour time difference) that day, after a prolonged and serious illness, his wife became better and for the first time in several months she got out of bed! This couldn't possibly be a mere "coincidence," especially when one considers the number of similar cases.
Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, San Francisco