Archimandrite John (Peasant Woman). Elder John (Peasant Woman): Sermons

Archimandrite John (Krestyankin) was one of the most revered contemporary clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church at the turn of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In absentia he was called "the All-Russia old man". The legacy left to his descendants touches the depths of his soul. Back in the mid-90s, already at a fairly old age, the Monk John Krestyankin very willingly welcomed visitors from all over Russia to the Pskov-Pechersky convent who came to visit him. Such closeness made it very clear to us. In the last years of his life, he gladly shared his memories. Therefore, we are very fortunate that we know more about Father John than about other holy fathers and confessors who took martyrdom in those places from which it was destined to return to the future archimandrite.

Confession of John Krestyankin

People who were fortunate at least once to see Father John left him with the most heartfelt and pleasant memories. They tell how he inspiredly performed church services and as always walked out of the temple, surrounded by a crowd of elderly and young people who came sometimes just to see him. As Archimandrite John (Krest'yankin) walked swiftly, as if flying, at the same time had time to answer questions and distribute gifts that were intended for him. As he cheerfully received spiritual children in his cell, seating them on an old sofa, and for a couple of minutes of conversation, the person immediately disappeared doubts and worries. At the same time the elder gave icons, spiritual books and brochures, generously sprinkled with holy water and anointed with "oil". After such spiritual recharge, it is impossible to imagine what spiritual uplift people felt when they returned to their homes.

Caring for your spiritual children

In the corner of Father John's cell there was a bag of letters, to which he himself answered. Only a few months before his death, Tatyana S. Smirnova helped him to answer the messages. Even on the last Christmas of Father John, his spiritual children also received such familiar and such lovely postcards with personal greetings.

John Krest'yankin. Sermons

It was not for nothing that he was called "the All-Russia old man," because he had the gift of vision, and there is plenty of evidence for this. Elder John Krestiankin under Soviet rule underwent torture camps and several times miraculously escaped death. He became the author of numerous and very inspired sermons, which today sold millions of copies. John Krestyankin seemed to know in advance that many people from the generation of the 70's will start their way to the Orthodox faith precisely from them and how they will need them. In one of the first books, John Krestyankin begins his construction of the confession with an explanation of the main mystery that all believing people need to know. It was revealed to us by Jesus Christ Himself, and it is enclosed in the words of the Holy Scripture: "Without Men, you can not create nischesozhe."

The perspicacious elder was an extraordinary prayer book, for in his prayers he always mentioned those people with whom he had ever met.

short biography

Vanya was born in Orel in 1910 on April 11 (March 29 in the old style), in the petty-bourgeois family of the Peasants (Mikhail and Elizabeth). And he was their eighth child. His name he received in honor of St. John the Hermit, since he was born on the day of his memory. However, it is also interesting that on this day the memory of the Pskovo-Pechersk holy fathers Mark and Jonah is honored. And certainly this is not accidental, since then, for about forty years, he will live exactly in the Pskov-Pechersky monastery, where he is famous for his visionary old man.

Vanya's father died very early, and his mother was engaged in his upbringing. Relatives helped the family, among them was the uncle - merchant Moskvitin Ivan Alexandrovich.

From the age of 6, the boy served in the church, and already at 12 expressed a desire to become a monk, but it will happen much later.

In 1929, after graduating from general education school, Ivan Krestyankin went to study accounting courses. Then he began to work in the specialty in Orel. But with his heart he always wanted to serve God. He had a lot of work, and because of this he often did not have time for church services, therefore, with the help of the old man Vera Loginova, was forced to resign and in 1932 moved to Moscow. Then the war began. He was not taken to the front because of a poor view.

Moscow. Postwar years

In Moscow in July 1944, Ivan Krestiankin became a psalm-reader of the Izmailovo Church of the Nativity of Christ. It was this temple that the future archimandrite saw in a dream. After 6 months, John Krestyankin was ordained deacon, and in 9 months he became a priest with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy I.

After the war, a powerful revival of the Orthodox Church began, more and more believers were drawn to the temples. At that time, people needed special sensitivity and compassion, as well as material help, as never before. Father John fully devoted himself to the service of the church and people and at the same time studied in absentia at the Moscow Theological Academy. Then he began to write a candidate about the holy wonderworker Seraphim of Sarov, but did not have time, since in 1950 he was arrested.

Camp

He spent several months in pre-trial detention in the Lefortovo prison and the Lubyanka. He was sentenced to 7 years for anti-Soviet agitation and sent to a strict regime camp in the Arkhangelsk region. First, he felled a forest in the camp, and in the spring of 1953 he was transferred to the invalid branch of the camp near Kuibyshev in Garilov Polyana, where he began to work as an accountant. In the winter of 1955, Father John was released ahead of schedule.

Solagernik Vladimir Kabo recalled how his eyes and whole face radiated kindness and love, especially when he spoke to someone. In all his words there was a great deal of attention and participation, sometimes paternal instruction, painted with mild humor, also sounded. Reverend Father John Krestyankin really liked to joke, and there was something in these manners from the old Russian intellectual.

Pskov diocese

When he was released, he was categorically forbidden to return to Moscow. Therefore, he began to serve in the Pskov Diocese of the Trinity Cathedral. The authorities closely watched the active church activities of Father John and again began to threaten arrest. Then he left Pskov and continued his ministry in the Ryazan diocese.

And on June 10, 1966, he was tonsured into monks named John. In 1967, Patriarch Alexy I transferred him to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery.

The Reverend Elder

John Krestiankin lived in this monastery until his death. At first he was abbot of the monastery, and since 1973 - archimandrite. A year later, believers began to come to his place even from abroad. Everyone loved the old man very much for his high spirituality and wisdom.

In 2005, 95-year-old Archimandrite John (Krestyankin) was awarded the Order of the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, I degree. At the same age, the Elder introduced himself, it was on February 5, 2006. His body rests in the caves of the Pskov-Pechersky monastery.

"Unholy Saints"

Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov in his book "Unholy Saints" and other stories "very captivatingly and interestingly describes fragments of life and cases of insight of the famous all-Russian elders and preacher John Krestyankin.

In 2007, he even created a documentary film entitled "Pskovo-Pecherskaya monastery". In his film, he used the unique documentary footage of 1986, which captured the great ascetics still alive, who spent most of their time in persecution. Among them was John Krestiankin. Striving for a great feat, they preserved the treasures of faith.

In conclusion, it will be appropriate to recall the words of Archimandrite John (Krestiankina): "Sometimes it happens that a person begins to languish for no reason and yearning. This means that his soul was bored of pure life, sensed his sinfulness, tired of the noise and fuss, and began (often unconsciously) to seek God and fellowship with him. "