From childhood I suffered from a habit, about which it is embarrassing even to speak. It stayed with me even after I grew up. I tried as hard as I could to rid myself of this habit, but couldn't. During Great Lent I would refrain from it, but I would await impatiently the coming of Pascha so that I could… (how awful! to desire Pascha in order to… !) once again indulge in this habit.
When I realized that this habit was becoming an addiction, I tried sincerely to break it, but without success. Several times after indulging in it I would tell myself, "Enough. This is the last time." But the next day, or even later that same day, it would usually be repeated. In desperation I turned one day in prayer to Vladika John: "Vladika, you see that on my own I'm powerless. Help me!" And the urge for this passion disappeared. This is the extent of the miracle, but what a miracle! I then felt immediately (or realized?) that Vladika had healed me, and in my prayers I always thank him. Many years have passed and Vladika continues to protect me.
A.S.
My wife has suffered for some time from arthritis, but when she became pregnant earlier this year the symptoms more or less disappeared, which is what usually happens. If the arthritis comes back during pregnancy, however, this causes great suffering, because a pregnant woman really cannot take any effective medicine without fear of harming her baby.
Two weeks ago we were on vacation in Dallas, staying with Matushka's father. After we drove from her sister's to her father's house that evening, her knee became extremely swollen and it was difficult for her to walk. Because she could not take any medication, and because of the thousand-mile drive still ahead of us, this was, of course, very discouraging. I prayed to Vladika John and firmly promised that if he took care of Matushka's knee, I would send an account of it to you. Within twenty-four hours, her knee was much better, and by the time we had to leave, two days later, it was quite healed, entirely without medication of an earthly kind.
Glory be to God, and blessed be the memory of His righteous servant, Archbishop John!
Priest Steven Allen, Denver, CO