Introduction
Barely six months ago* there reposed in the Lord a hierarch ofthe Church of Christ whose life so extraordinarily radiated theChristian virtues and the grace of the Holy Spirit as to makeof him a pillar of true Orthodoxy and an example of Christianlife that is of universal significance. In Archbishop John therewere united three kinds of the highest Christian activity thatare rarely found together: that of a bold and esteemed Princeof the Church; an ascetic in the tradition of the pillarsaints,taking upon himself the severest self mortification; and a foolfor Christ's sake, instructing men by a "foolishness"that was beyond the wisdom of this world .
The following account cannot begin to be called a complete lifeof Archbishop John; it is only a selection of the material thatis already available, presented in the form of a preliminary sketchof the life of this holy man. It was compiled by the St. HermanBrotherhood, which was organized with the blessing of ArchbishopJohn ( who wished to see Father Herman canonized after FatherJohn of Kronstadt) for the mission of the printed word. Now, infulfillment of this mission, it is our duty to speak the truthabout this man who was, in our dark times when genuine Christianityhas almost vanished, an embodiment of the life in Christ.
The account is based primarily upon personal acquaintance andupon the testimony of witnesses known to the compilers. ArchbishopJohn throughout is referred to by the term Russians use to speakof and address bishops: Vladika. In English this is rendered "Master,"but the Russian word, when used by itself, implies a familiarityand endearment that are wanting in the nearest English equivalent.For those who knew him, Archbishop John will always be simplyVladika.
*This Life was written in 1966.