Lithograph of Saint John the Russian in grooved wood, gilded with ormolu and painted in red - bordeaux color with matte varnish.
Dimensions: 20 x 25 cm.
Short life of Saint John the Russian
Saint John the Russian is one of the most well-known saints of the Orthodox Church, especially beloved for his humility and unwavering faith. His memory is closely associated with Prokopi in Euboea, where his holy relics are preserved today. He was born in the late 17th century in a region of present-day Ukraine, into a Christian family. At a young age, he joined the military and took part in military campaigns, but his life changed when he was captured and sold into slavery to an Ottoman officer. He was taken to Prokopi in Asia Minor, where he spent the rest of his life. There, he was repeatedly asked to deny his faith, but he remained steadfast without yielding.
His daily life was extremely harsh. He worked tending his master’s animals and slept in a stable. Despite this, he lived in prayer and deep inner peace. According to tradition, his holiness was revealed through miraculous events, which strengthened the people’s reverence for him. Even his master, witnessing his character, eventually allowed him to live freely in his faith without pressure. The saint reposed peacefully in 1730, at around forty years of age. Shortly before his death, he asked to receive Holy Communion, remaining devoted to Christ until his final moment. Saint John the Russian is commemorated each year on May 27.
