Posted by George Patsourakos
on 5/17/2009, 3:57 pm
The Holy Relics of St. John the Russian will be on display for veneration and prayer by the faithful at the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Woburn, Massachusetts on Sunday, May 24, 2009. Divine Liturgy begins at 10 a.m.
Many miracles have been attributed to the intercessions of this 18th century saint.
St. John the Russian was born in the Ukraine in 1690. He was captured by the Ottoman Turks and taken hostage. The Turks pressured him to become a Muslim, but he remained a faithful Christian and endured all adversities.
St. John lived a monastic life and performed miracles. He had no earthly possessions, and lived a strict ascetic life, while residing in a stable with animals in Turkey. On the last day of his life, May 27, 1730, St. John asked a priest to offer him the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The body of St. John the Russian remains perfectly preserved to the present day. The feast day of St. John is celebrated on May 27.
The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church is located at 70 Montvale Avenue in Woburn, Massachusetts. For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Peter Rizos, Protopresbyter of Annunciation Church, at (781)935-2424.
Responses:
