I often go to Vladika John's sepulchre, although I saw him only a few times before his repose. From others I heard how kind he was, what compassion he had for people. For example, on seeing on the street a poor man without shoes, he took off his boots and gave them to the man.
In 1989, before leaving the house one day, I poured some water into the kettle and put it on a hot burner. Later, in passing the cathedral where Vladika's sepulchre is located, I made the sign of the Cross, and that instant the thought struck me: "The teapot!" I felt it came from Vladika John. I jumped out of the bus and ran the ten blocks uphill! to my apartment. There on the red-hot burner stood the teapot; it was empty but everything was all right. What a mercy of God! There are nine apartments in the building… If s terrifying to think what might have happened.
Alexandra A. Kolicheva, San Francisco
I write this in gratitude to Vladika John by whose intercessions I was made well.
During the winter of 1988-89, I began having violent chills, unaccompanied by any other symptoms. Occurring in the late afternoon or evening, the onset of the chills would be gradual; for several hours I felt as though I were freezing and I would shake uncontrollably, and then the chills would dissipate. The three or four episodes grew progressively worse. Although I felt well between these attacks, I began to fear that I had a brain tumor or some awful disease.
The third or fourth spell was the worst: unable to keep warm and shaking uncontrollably, I was huddled in bed, blankets piled high. My husband tried to warm me but the chills were so violent that I made him shake. I couldn't hold a mug of hot tea without spilling it. My jaws ached from my teeth chattering. I repeated the Jesus Prayer, trying to relax my body, and asked God for relief from the chills. Then I thought to call on Vladika John, and I prayed, asking his intercession to help me, to heal me. All of a sudden the chills stopped. I doubted that such a miracle had occurred and a few minutes later I felt them coming back. I immediately called on Vladika John again to help me and the chills disappeared and never returned.
I firmly believe Vladika John healed me by God's mercy.
Melissa Bushunow, DeWitt, NY