#St. John Maximovitch

[dramoor]

"Even as Archbishop, St John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco (June 19/ July 2) lived in poverty, wearing a cassock was made of Chinese "peasant cloth" stitched with crosses by orphans once in his care. His "miter" was sometimes a cloth cap to which he had glued paper icons. He went barefoot in all seasons, even in the United States-- until, after a foot infection, his Metropolitan ordered him to wear shoes. St John chose sandals.

At his funeral, the eulogist declared that because Archbishop John was able to live the spirituality of the Orthodox Church so fully, even in modern, western, urban society, so should we-- without excuse."

~Via Orthodox Christian on facebook

[religious-extremist]

Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, California

[seraphicarchive]

Never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must be Eastern. The West was fully Orthodox for a thousand years, and her venerable liturgy is far older than any of her heresies.

+ St. John Maximovitch

[orthodoxadventure]

The rod of Aaron that budded, the rock torn away from the mountain with out hands, seen by Nebuchadnezzar in a dream and interpreted by the Prophet Daniel, the closed gate seen by the Prophet Ezekiel, and much else in the Old Testament prefigured the birth-giving of the Virgin. Just as Adam had been created by the Word of God from the unworked and virgin earth, so also the Word of God created flesh for Himself from a virgin womb when the Son of God became the new Adam so as to correct the fall into sin of the first Adam (St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Book III)

-- Saint John Maximovitch, The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God

[orthodoxydaily]

ST. JOHN OF SHANGHAI AND SAN FRANCISCO THE WONDERWORKER (1966)

june 16_june 29 2024

Commemorated on the Saturday closest to June 19th (ROCOR), June 19th (MP)

On this date 30 years ago, ROCOR celebrated the glorification of St John of Shangaï and San Francisco at the Holy Virgin Cathedral, also known as Joy of All Sorrows, the Church St John built in San Francisco. This event occurred after his relics, located in the cathedral crypt under the main altar, were uncovered incorrupted on October 12, 1993.

The future St. John was born on June 4, 1896, in the southern Russian village (current day Ukraine) of Adamovka in Kharkiv province to pious aristocrats, Boris and Glafira Maximovitch. He was given the baptismal name of Michael, after the Holy Archangel Michael. In his youth, Michael was sickly and had a poor appetite, but he displayed an intense religious interest. He was educated at the Poltava Military School (1907-14), Kharkiv Imperial University, from which he received a law degree (in 1918), and the University of Belgrade (where he completed his theological education in 1925).

He and his family fled their country as the Bolshevik revolutionaries descended on the country, emigrating to Yugoslavia. There, he enrolled in the Department of Theology of the University of Belgrade. He was tonsured a monk in 1926 by Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) of Kharkov (later the first primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia). Metr. Anthony later in 1926 ordained him hierodeacon. Bishop Gabriel of Chelyabinsk ordained him hieromonk on November 21, 1926. Subsequent to his ordination he began an active life of teaching in a Serbian high school and serving, at the request of local Greeks and Macedonians, in the Greek language. With the growth of his popularity, the bishops of the Russian Church Aboard resolved to elevate him to the episcopate.

Hieromonk John was consecrated bishop on May 28, 1934, with Metr. Anthony serving as principal consecrator, after which he was assigned to the Diocese of Shanghai. Twelve years later he was named Archbishop of China. Upon his arrival in Shanghai, Bp. John began working to restore unity among the various Orthodox nationalities. In time, he worked to build a large cathedral church that was dedicated to Surety of Sinners Icon to the Mother of God, with a bell tower and large parish house. Additionally, he inspired many activities: building of churches, hospitals, and orphanages among the Orthodox and Russians of Shanghai. He was intensely active, constantly praying and serving the daily cycle of services, while also visiting the sick with the Holy Gifts. He often would walk barefooted even in the coldest days. Yet to avoid the appearance of secular glory, he would pretend to act the fool.

With the end of World War II and the coming to power of the Communists in China, Bp. John led the exodus of his community from Shanghai in 1949. Initially, he helped some 5,000 refugees to a camp on the island of Tubabao in the Philippines, while he travelled successfully to Washington, D.C., to lobby to amending the law to allow these refugees to enter the United States. It was while on this trip that Bp. John took time to establish a parish in Washington dedicated to St. John the Forerunner.

In 1951, Abp. John was assigned to the Archdiocese of Western Europe with his cathedra in Paris. During his time there, he also served as archpastor of the Orthodox Church of France, whose restored Gallican liturgy he studied and then celebrated. He was the principal consecrator of the Orthodox Church of France's first modern bishop, Jean-Nectaire (Kovalevsky) of Saint-Denis, and ordained to the priesthood the man who would become its second bishop, Germain (Bertrand-Hardy) of Saint-Denis.

In 1962, Abp. John was assigned to the Diocese of San Francisco, succeeding his long time friend Abp. Tikhon. Abp. John's days in San Francisco were to prove sorrowful as he attempted to heal the great disunity in his community. He was able to bring peace such that the new cathedral, dedicated to the Joy of all Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God, was completed.

Deeply revering St. John of Kronstadt, Abp. John played an active role in preparation of his canonization.

He reposed during a visit to Seattle on July 2, 1966, while accompanying a tour of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Source: Holy virgin Cathedral of San Francisco

His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicola, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia ( ROCOR), venerated St John's relics upon his arrival.

Metropolitan Nicolas, guardian since (13 years) of the Kurk-Roots wonderworking came with him for the celebration.

For all to venerate, the icon was then placed in the shrine where St John's relics usually reposed.

In front of St Joh's relics the Metropolitan and seven hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad were gathered.

[traumacatholic]

From Apostolic times and to our days all who truly love Christ give veneration to Her Who gave birth to Him, raised Him and protected Him in the days of His youth. If God the Father chose Her, God the Holy Spirit descended upon Her, and God the Son dwelt in Her, submitted to Her in the days of His youth, was concerned for Her when hanging on the Cross-- then should not everyone who confesses the Holy Trinity venerate Her?

The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God, St. John Maximovitch

[ferretfyre]

This teaching, which seemingly has the aim of exalting the Mother of God, in reality completely denies all Her virtues. After all, if Mary, even in the womb of Her mother, when She could not even desire anything either good or evilm was preserved by God's grace from every impurity, and then y that grace was preserved from sin even after Her birth, then in what does Her merit consist? If She could have been placed in the state of being unable to sin, and did not sin, then for what did God glorify Her? If She, without any effort, and without having any kind of impulses to sin, remained pure, then why is She crowned more than everyone else? There is no victory without an adversary.

—St. John Maximovitch

[eternal-echoes]

In these times, when the civil leaders of the world try in vain to establish order on earth, the only sure and dependable instrument of peace is the very same one about which the Holy Church sings: The Cross is the guardian of the whole world. The Cross is the beauty of the Church. The Cross is the might of kings.  The Cross is the confirmation of the faithful. The Cross is the glory of the angels and the wounding of daemons.

St. John Maximovitch

[discerningthoughts]

Letter To Abbess Magdalena by St Philaret of New York (Written in 1979)

A Letter from Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) to Abbess Magdalena (Countess Grabbe), Superior of the Lesna Convent in France*

November 26 / December 9, 1979

Your Reverence,1

I am writing this letter en route — onboard the ocean liner Orion, which is sailing to Australia. The ship is a rather large one, 42,000 tons (that’s roughly the size of the Titanic)2 and comfortable enough. This morning…

[heavyneon]

Found Footage of Two American Saints

[dramoor]

"In 2018, Hieromonk Antipy of the Monastery of St. Sava, Ukraine, began to disassemble a case containing an icon of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco (June 19/ July 2), in order to make a new case. He was surprised to see that the image of the saint was completely imprinted on the glass. During the All-Night Vigil on March 17, 2018, Rector Met. Luke confirmed it as a miracle."

~Via Orthodox Faith on facebook

[orthodoxicons]

Saint John Maximovitch and That Most Awkward Halloween

Saint John (Maximovitch) Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco is best remembered for his gentleness, but when a certain serious incident aroused his sternness, he was up for the challenge.

"At the end of October, the Papists celebrate the feast of All Saints. There is a tradition that during the preceding night the dark spirits celebrated their own festival of disorder. In America, this "celebration" called Halloween has become an occasion on which children make mischief dressed in costumes of witches, devils, ghosts as if calling on the dark powers — a diabolic mockery of Christianity.

A group of Russians organized on this night a Halloween Ball. Meanwhile in the San Francisco Cathedral at this time was the All-night Vigil celebrated, and a significant number of people were absent, to the great sorrow of Vladika (an endearing Slavic term for a bishop). After the service, Vladika went to the place where the ball was still in progress. He climbed the steps and entered the hall, to the absolute astonishment of the participants. The music stopped and Vladika, in complete silence, glared at the dumbfounded people, slowly and deliberately making the round of the entire hall, staff in hand. He spoke not a word, and none was necessary; the mere sight of Vladika stung the conscience of all, as was evident from the general consternation. Vladika left in silence.

The next day in church he thundered his holy indignation and his flaming zeal calling all to the devout Christian life."

[divinum-pacis]

Divinum Pacis’s Reference Guide- 2022 Edition

Let’s face it, schooling is expensive, and you can’t cram everything you want to know into 4+ years. It takes a lifetime (and then some). So if you’re like me and want to learn more, here’s an organized list of some books I find particularly insightful and enjoyable. 

The copyright year is now provided, and NEW ADDITIONS are listed first under their respective sections, with an asterisk (*). Some books appear in more than one section. If you have any recommendations, send them in!

African (various)  🌍

(*) A Womanist Theology of Worship: Liturgy, Justice, and Communal Righteousness by Lisa Allen (2021)

(*) True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary by Brian K. Blount, Cain Hope Felder, Clarice J. Martin, & Emerson B. Powery. (2007)

(*) Africa Study Bible, NLT (New Language Translation) by Oasis International. (2017)

(*) De New Testament: The New Testament in Gullah Sea Island Creole by the American Bible Society (2005)

African Myths & Tales: Epic Tales by Dr. Kwadwo Osei-Nyame Jnr (2019)

The Egyptian Book of the Dead by E.A. Wallis Budge (2021)

Prayer in the Religious Traditions of Africa by Aylward Shorter (1975)

The Holy Piby: The Black Man’s Bible by Shepherd Robert Athlyi Rogers (2011)

The Altar of My Soul: The Living Traditions of Santeria by Marta Moreno Vega (2001)

African Religions: A Very Short Introduction by Jacob K. Olupona (2014)

Buddhism ☸

The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation by Thich Nhat Hanh (1999)

The Dhammapada by Eknath Easwaran (2019)

Liquid Life: Abortion and Buddhism in Japan by William R. LaFleur (1994)

The Tibetan Book of the Dead by John Baldock (2017)

Teachings of the Buddha by Jack Kornfield (1996)

Understanding Buddhism by Perry Schmidt-Leukel (2006)

Essential Tibetan Buddhism by Robert Thurman (1996)

Christianity ✝️

(*) Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth by Leigh Finke (2020)

(*) The Fundamentalist Takeover in the Southern Baptist Convention by Rob James & Gary Leazer (1999)

(*) The Human Icon: A Comparative Study of Hindu and Orthodox Christian Beliefs by Christine Mangala Frost (2017)

(*) The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations: Understanding the History, Beliefs, and Differences by Ron Rhodes (2015)

(*) Introduction to the Hebrew Bible: Third Edition by John J. Collins (2018)

(*) The Jewish Annotated New Testament,  2nd ed. by Amy Jill Levine (2017)

(*) Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity by Frederica Mathewes-Green (2015)

(*) A Womanist Theology of Worship: Liturgy, Justice, and Communal Righteousness by Lisa Allen (2021)

(*) True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary by Brian K. Blount, Cain Hope Felder, Clarice J. Martin, & Emerson B. Powery. (2007)

(*) Africa Study Bible, NLT (New Language Translation) by Oasis International. (2017)

(*) De New Testament: The New Testament in Gullah Sea Island Creole by the American Bible Society (2005)

The Story of Christianity Volume 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation by Justo L. Gonzales (2010)

The Story of Christianity Volume 2: The Reformation to Present Day by Justo L. Gonzales (2010)

By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther's Small Catechism by R. Guy Erwin, etc. (2017)

Roman Catholics and Shi’i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics by James A. Bill (2002)

Introducing the New Testament by Mark Allen Powell (2018)

Who’s Who in the Bible by Jean-Pierre Isbouts (2013)

Behold Your Mother by Tim Staples (2014)

Mother of God: A History of the Virgin Mary by Miri Rubin (2009)

Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Fr. Michael Romazansky (2009)

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (2016)

The Names of God by George W. Knight (2009)

The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God by St. John Maximovitch (2012)

East Asian Religions  ☯️

Shinto: A History by Helen Hardacre (2016)

Tao Te Ching, the New Illustrated Edition by Chad Hansen (2017)

The Analects by Confucius, Chartwell Books publishing (2016)

Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell (2006)

Understanding Chinese Religions by Joachim Gentz (2013)

Taoism: An Essential Guide by Eva Wong (1997)

European (various)

(*) A Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales by Barnes & Noble (2015)

Iliad & Odyssey by Homer, Samuel Butler, et al. (2020)

Tales of King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table by Thomas Malory, Aubrey Beardsley, et al. (2017)

Early Irish Myths and Sagas by Jeffrey Gantz (1981)

The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology by Snorri Sturluson and Jesse L. Byock (2005)

Mythology by Edith Hamilton (1969)

The Nature of the Gods by Cicero (1972)

Dictionary of Mythology by Bergen Evans (1970)

Gnosticism, Mysticism, & Esotericism

The Gnostic Gospels: Including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene (Sacred Texts) by Alan Jacobs and Vrej Nersessian (2016)

The Kybalion by the Three Initiates (Hermeticism) (2008)

The Freemasons: The Ancient Brotherhood Revealed by Michael Johnstone (2018)

Alchemy & Mysticism by Alexander Roob (2018)

The Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity by David Brakke (2012)

What Is Gnosticism? Revised Edition by Karen L. King (2005)

The Essence of the Gnostics by Bernard Simon (2016)

The Essential Mystics: Selections from the World’s Great Wisdom Traditions by Andrew Harvey (1996)

The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall (2003)

Hinduism 🕉

(*) The Human Icon: A Comparative Study of Hindu and Orthodox Christian Beliefs by Christine Mangala Frost (2017)

The Ramayana by R.K. Narayan (2006)

7 Secrets of Vishnu by Devdutt Pattanaik (2011)

7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik (2014)

Hinduism by Klaus K. Klostermaier (1998)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada (1997)

The Mahabharata, parts 1 & 2 by Ramesh Menon (2006)

The Upanishads by Juan Mascaro (1965)

In Praise of the Goddess by Devadatta Kali (2003)

Beyond Birth and Death by Srila Prabhupada (1979)

The Science of Self-Realization by Srila Prabhupada (1994)

Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God (Srimad Bhagavatam) by Edwin F. Bryant (2003)

The Perfection of Yoga by Srila Prabhupada (2012)

Islam  ☪️

(*) Muhammad, the World-Changer: An Intimate Portrait by Mohamad Jebara (2021)

(*) Sharing Mary: Bible & Quran Side by Side by Marlies ter Borg (2010)

Roman Catholics and Shi’i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics by James A. Bill (2002)

The Handy Islam Answer Book by John Renard (2015)

The Illustrated Rumi by Philip Dunn, Manuela Dunn Mascetti, & R.A. Nicholson (2000)

Islam and the Muslim World by Mir Zohair Husain (2006)

The Quran: A Contemporary Understanding by Safi Kaskas (2015)

Essential Sufism by Fadiman & Frager (1997)

Psychological Foundation of the Quran, parts 1, 2, & 3 by Muhammad Shoaib Shahid (2016)

Hadith by Jonathan A.C. Brown (2009)

The Story of the Quran, 2nd ed. by Ingrid Mattson (2013)

The Book of Hadith by Charles Le Gai Eaton (2008)

The Holy Quran by Maulana Muhammad Ali (2002)

Blessed Names and Attributes of Allah by A.R. Kidwai (2016)

Jainism & Sikhi

(*) The First Sikh: The Life & Legacy of Guru Nanak by Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh (2019)

Understanding Jainism by Lawrence A. Babb (2015)

The Jains (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) by Paul Dundas (2017)

The Forest of Thieves and the Magic Garden: An Anthology of Medieval Jain Stories by Phyllis Granoff (1998)

A History of the Sikhs, Volume 1: 1469-1839 (Oxford India Collection) by Khushwant Singh (2005)

Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction by Eleanor Nesbitt (2016)

Judaism  ✡

(*) Did God Have a Wife?: Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel by William G. Dever (2008)

Hebrew-English Tanakh by the Jewish Publication Society (2001)

Essential Judaism by George Robinson (2016)

The Talmud: A Selection by Norman Solomon (2009)

Judaism: A Beginner’s Guide by Dan & Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok (introductory text) (2010)

The Jewish Study Bible, 2nd edition by the Jewish Publication Society (2014)

The Hebrew Goddess by Raphael Patai (1990)

Native American

God is Red: A Native View of Religion, 30th Anniversary Edition by Vine Deloria Jr. , Leslie Silko, et al. (2003)

The Wind is My Mother by Bear Heart (1998)

American Indian Myths and Legends by Erdoes & Ortiz (1990)

The Sacred Wisdom of the Native Americans by Larry J. Zimmerman (2016)

Paganism, Witchcraft & Wicca

Magic in the Roman World: Pagans, Jews and Christians (Religion in the First Christian Centuries) 1st Edition by Naomi Janowitz (2001)

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: 2nd Edition by Hans Dieter Betz (1997)

Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice by Thea Sabin (2006)

The Path of a Christian Witch by Adelina St. Clair (2010)

Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by C.G. Leland (2012)

The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, & Witchcraft, 4th ed. by Rebecca L. Stein (2017)

Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce & River Higginbotham (2002)

Christopaganism by Joyce & River Higginbotham (2009)

Whispers of Stone: Modern Canaanite Religion by Tess Dawson (2009)

Social ☮

Tears We Cannot Stop (A Sermon to White America) by Eric Michael Dyson (2017)

Comparative Religious Ethics by Christine E. Gudorf (2013)

Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Michael O. Emerson (2001)

Problems of Religious Diversity by Paul J. Griffiths (2001)

Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (2017)

The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade (1968)

Miscellaneous  🗺

(*) When Men Become Gods: Mormon Polygamist Warren Jeffs, His Cult of Fear, and the Women Who Fought Back by Stephen Singular (2009)

Living Religions, 10th ed. by Mary Pat Fisher (2016)

The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism & Daoism by Jack Miles, etc. (2014)

The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam by Jack Miles, etc. (2014)

Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices by Mary Boyce (2001)

The Baha’i Faith by Moojan Momen (2007)

The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong (2007)

God: A Human History by Reza Aslan (2017)

A History of God by Karen Armstrong (1994)

[hieromonkcharbel]

“God’s grace always assists those who struggle, but this does not mean that a struggler is always in the position of a victor. Sometimes in the arena the wild animals did not touch the righteous ones, but by no means were they all preserved untouched.

What is important is not victory or the position of a victor, but rather the labor of striving towards God and devotion to Him.

Though a man may be found in a weak state, that does not at all mean that he has been abandoned by God. On the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ was in trouble, as the world sees things. But when the sinful world considered Him to be completely destroyed, in fact He was victorious over death and hades. The Lord did not promise us positions as victors as a reward for righteousness, but told us, “In the world you will have tribulation — but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

The power of God is effective when a person asks for the help from God, acknowledging his own weakness and sinfulness. This is why humility and the striving towards God are the fundamental virtues of a Christian.”

+ St. John Maximovitch

[orthodoxadventure]

St. Proclus, the disciple of St. John Chrysostom, who was then Bishop of Cyzicus and later Archbishop of Constantinople, in the presence of Nestorius gave in church a sermon in which he confessed the Son of God born in the flesh of the Virgin, Who in truth is the Theotokos (Birthgiver of God), for already in the womb of the Most Pure One, at the time of Her conception, the Divinity was united with the Child conceived of the Holy Spirit; and this Child, even though He was born of the Virgin Mary only in His human nature, still was born already true God and true man.

-- Saint John Maximovitch, The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God