On July 2, 1994, in San Francisco, an event took place that sanctified the entire 20th century: Archbishop John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco was canonized.

It all started when…

From a young age, Michael (the future saint’s name at baptism) absorbed the spiritual richness of his teachers and great men of faith who came before him. Michael showed all the signs of becoming one of God’s chosen: obedience to his parents and elders, kindness, pious attention both to his inner world and the outside world. He grew up in Kharkov, close to the famous Svyatogorsk Monastery.

Michael was tonsured a monk and given the name of John; and the monk became hieromonk. Then, when God saw fit, Hieromonk John was elevated to the rank of bishop on May 28, 1934, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. 

But prior to this, Fr. John had not entertained the thought of attaining episcopal rank. A friend of his recalls that she ran into Fr. John in Belgrade and asked what he was doing there. He replied that he came because there had been a mistake and he had received an invitation intended for a different Fr. John, who was supposed to be consecrated a bishop.

When Fr. John had earlier called his hierarchs’ attention to the fact that he had a speech impediment and therefore would not be a good candidate for the episcopacy, the bishops replied that the prophet Moses suffered from the same affliction. And so, like Moses, St. John was dutifully called into the greater service of God’s flock.

During his incredibly difficult life in Shanghai, Bishop John demonstrated truly miraculous service, including establishment of orphanages, hospitals, a school for various trades, and soup kitchens. He also managed to take part in school examinations, while serving a daily liturgy, and visiting the sick.

Where did he find the strength to do all this? There can be only one answer: “the grace of God that is with me,” in the words of the Apostle Paul—the divine presence that God bestows on his faithful and loyal servants. With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).

The earth is filled with God’s wonders and grace. St. John was destined to carry out his service in the “Babylons of the 20th century”: Shanghai, Paris and San Francisco. Every bishop undertakes a pastoral feat of his own through his service, but that feat usually ends upon his death. Not so with St. John. He continues his hierarchical service even in death with the grace that bountifully flows from his holy relics and his sacred icon. “Tell the people that even though I died, I live,” the Hierarch instructed his spiritual daughter, having come to her in a dream after his repose. Truly that is so!

(  “Spiritual Spring” Journal Vol. 2 2014)