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By Monk Gerasimos Mikragiannanitis
On the twenty-seventh day of the same month [May], we commemorate the Venerable John the Russian, the New Confessor, whose divine relic, having been brought from Asia Minor, is preserved incorrupt in New Prokopi on the island of Euboea.
Verses
The captive appeared full of graces,
Having taken captive the ruler of darkness.
On the twenty-seventh John was taken from here unto God.
This man lived in the eighteenth century, having been born in a certain village of what is called Little Russia, from pious parents, by whom he was raised in a God-loving manner in piety and honorable morals. Having reached manhood, he entered military service during the reign in Russia of Peter the Great, who, having undertaken war against the Turks, was defeated, and very many of the soldiers became captives to the neighboring Tatars, among whom was also John. Having been sold to a certain Ottoman cavalry commander, he was led by him to a certain town whose name was Prokopion, situated a day’s journey from Caesarea in Cappadocia.
Captivity held John, who, while willingly serving his Hagarenian master, served Christ in holiness and piety, guarding within his heart as an inviolable treasure his faith toward Him. When he was pressured into apostasy, he stood firm, confessing the good confession of the truth. He was assigned to dwell in the stable, and there he remained tending and watching over the horses of his master, passing his life in all piety and in the practice of virtues, and in vigils and prayers, so that he came to appear venerable even to the impious themselves, and became full of the Holy Spirit through the manifestation of wondrous works, as the account concerning him relates at length.
After his relic was recovered from the grave whole and incorrupt, confirmed by the appearance from heaven of a pillar of light, abundant power for miracles was granted to him. And when the catastrophe in Asia Minor came about, by judgments known to the Lord, the sacred body of the Venerable One was transferred from there into Greece in the year 1924, and was placed in New Prokopi on the island of Euboea, working very many miracles and granting countless healings. There innumerable crowds of the pious gather together, seeking the swift help of the Saint and receiving from him saving aid and protection.
Apolytikion
Tone 4. “Tachy prokatalave…”
He who called you from earth to the heavenly dwellings preserves even after death your body unharmed, O Venerable One. For you were led into Asia as a captive, where you also became beloved of Christ, O John. Therefore entreat Him that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion
Tone 3. “Ee Parthenos simeron…”
Having been nourished in the dogmas of piety, O divinely-minded one, you steadfastly endured the afflictions of captivity. Therefore the Giver of Life, glorifying you splendidly, has given your honorable relic to the faithful, O John, pouring forth by the divine Spirit streams of healings.
Oikos
Bearing in your heart the fire of faith in Christ, with most courageous resolve you endured, O Father, the sufferings of captivity and the bitter afflictions of slavery. For having wholly dedicated yourself to the Lord, you did not fear the power of the Hagarenes, but with a free and unenslaved soul you confessed the mystery of the truth in Christ, and through holy deeds you clearly manifested the grace given to you. And dwelling in a stable, with incomparable endurance like another Job, through prayers to God you gave wings to your mind toward divine beauty, and through intense vigils you illumined the flesh, and truly became a sanctified vessel of the gifts of the Comforter. And having appeared venerable in virtues and divinely-inspired in your manner of life, you finished the contest well and departed with glory unto the Lord, leaving to us your divine tabernacle, O John, pouring forth by the divine Spirit streams of healings.
Megalynaria
You appeared as a radiant star from the East, blessed John, illumining the pious with the grace of miracles, and you sanctify the island of Euboea by your relic, O Saint.
Let us all honor with hymns the radiant star who spiritually shone forth from Prokopion, the glory of the Venerable Ones and the boast of the Cappadocians, the divine John.
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