John of Kronstadt

GIOVANNI of KRONSTADT. - Celebrated Russian “Orthodox” ascetic, b. in 1829 to a cleric in the vicinity of Arcangelo, d. in 1908. Having completed his studies at the Ecclesiastical Academy of Pietroburgo, he came to Kronstadt, an island in the Gulf of Finland near Pietroburgo, where he was a priest in the local church of S. Andrea. There he carried on his activity until his death. He was never a monk. Nevertheless, his whole life was filled with a most ardent zeal for his own sanctification and that of his neighbor. He prayed much and for long periods, which was a distinctive feature of his. Many miracles, even at a distance, are attributed to him. He wrote a fine book, La mia vita in Cristo, also translated into French. He died with a reputation for sanctity and was buried in Pietroburgo. He is sometimes venerated by the “Orthodox” in a manner very close to the sensual aberrations of the chlysti.