Hierarch · 1896–1966
John of Shanghai and San Francisco
Saint John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Wonderworker
New Calendar July 2 Old Calendar July 15
Why they are a saint
John of Shanghai and San Francisco was bishop of Shanghai, then Western Europe, then San Francisco; famed for asceticism, care of orphans, and wonders. A modern wonderworker of the diaspora. The years given for this life are 1896–1966. The Church numbers him among its holy bishops.
Life
Saint John (Maximovitch) was born Michael on June 4, 1896, in Adamovka in Kharkiv province. He studied law at Kharkiv, fled the Bolshevik revolution with his family to Yugoslavia, completed theology at the University of Belgrade in 1925, and was tonsured a monk in 1926.
As bishop in Shanghai he inspired the building of churches, hospitals and orphanages, prayed constantly, served the daily cycle of services and visited the sick with the Holy Gifts. When the Communists took China in 1949 he led his community out, bringing some 5,000 refugees to a camp on Tubabao in the Philippines, and travelled to Washington to obtain permission for them to enter the United States.
He served as a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia from China to France to the United States, and was Archbishop of San Francisco. He departed this life on July 2, 1966. He was glorified by the Russian Church Abroad on July 2, 1994, and his glorification was recognized by the Patriarchate of Moscow in 2008.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take John of Shanghai and San Francisco as a patron when they bear the name John at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on July 2. Those who share his calling as a missionary also ask his prayers.
Prayer
O holy John of Shanghai and San Francisco, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with John Maximovitch of Tobolsk; John of Kronstadt; other Johns.