Archimandrite John (Krestyankin) was one of the most revered contemporary clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church at the turn of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In absentia, he was called the "All-Russian Elder." The legacy he left to his descendants is touching to the core. Back in the mid-90s, already at a fairly advanced age, the Monk John Krestyankin very willingly received visitors from all over Russia who came to him in the Pskov-Caves monastery. This proximity made it very understandable for us. In the last years of his life, he gladly shared his memories. Therefore, we are very fortunate that we know more about Father John than about other holy fathers and confessors who were martyred in those places from where the future archimandrite was destined to return.
Confession of John Krestyankin
People who were lucky enough to see Father John at least once have the most heartfelt and pleasant memories of him. They tell how he inspiredchurch services and, as always, walked out of the church, surrounded by a crowd of old and young people who sometimes came just to see him. As Archimandrite John (Krestyankin) walked swiftly, as if flying, at the same time he managed to answer questions and distribute gifts intended for himself. How he kindly received spiritual children in his cell, seating them on an old sofa, and after a couple of minutes of conversation, doubts and anxieties immediately disappeared from a person. At the same time, the elder presented with icons, spiritual books and brochures, generously sprinkled with holy water and anointed with “butter”. After such a spiritual nourishment, it is impossible to imagine what kind of spiritual uplift people felt when they returned to their homes.
Caring for your spiritual children
In the corner of Father John's cell stood a bag of letters, to which he personally answered. Only a few months before his death, his cell-attendant Smirnova Tatyana Sergeevna helped him answer the messages. Even on the last Christmas of Father John, his spiritual children also received such familiar and such sweet cards with personal congratulations.
John Krestyankin. Sermons
It was not for nothing that he was called the “All-Russian Elder”, because he had the gift of clairvoyance, and there is a lot of evidence for this. Elder John Krestyankin during the Soviet era endured torture in the camps and miraculously escaped death several times. He became the author of numerous and very inspired sermons, which today have sold millions of copies. John Krestyankin, as if in advanceI knew that many people from the generation of the 70s would begin their path to the Orthodox faith precisely with them and how much they would need them. In one of the first books, John Krestyankin begins his construction of confession by explaining the main secret that all believers need to know. It was revealed to us by Jesus Christ Himself, and it is contained in the words of the Holy Scripture: “Without Me you cannot do anything.”
The perspicacious old man was an extraordinary prayer book, as in his prayers he always mentioned those people with whom he had ever met.
Short biography
Vanya was born in the city of Orel in 1910 on April 11 (March 29, old style), in the middle-class family of the Krestyankins (Mikhail and Elizabeth). And he was their eighth child. He received his name in honor of St. John the Hermit, as he was born on the day of his memory. However, it is also interesting that on this day the memory of the Pskov-Caves holy fathers Mark and Jonah is also honored. And this is certainly no coincidence, since then for about forty years he will live in the Pskov-Caves Monastery, where he will become famous as a perspicacious old man.
Vanya's father died very early, and his mother was engaged in his upbringing. Relatives helped the family, among them was an uncle, merchant Ivan Aleksandrovich Moskvitin.
From the age of 6, the boy served in the church, and at the age of 12 he expressed a desire to become a monk, but this will happen much later.
In 1929, after graduating from secondary school, Ivan Krestyankin went to study accounting courses. Then he began to work in his speci alty in Orel. But with my hearthe always wanted to serve God. He had a lot of work, and because of this, he often did not have time for church services, therefore, at the prompting of the old woman Vera Loginova, he was forced to quit and in 1932 he moved to Moscow. Then the war began. He was not taken to the front because of poor eyesight.
Moscow. Postwar years
In Moscow in July 1944, Ivan Krestyankin becomes a psalmist at the Izmailovsky Church of the Nativity of Christ. It was this temple that the future archimandrite saw in a dream. After 6 months, John Krestyankin was ordained a deacon, and after 9 months he became a priest with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy I.
After the war, a powerful revival of the Orthodox Church began, more and more believers reached out to churches. At that time, more than ever, people needed special sensitivity and compassion, as well as material assistance. Father John devoted himself completely to the service of the church and people, and at the same time studied in absentia at the Moscow Theological Academy. Then he began to write a candidate thesis about the holy miracle worker Seraphim of Sarov, but did not have time, because in 1950 he was arrested.
Camp
Several months of pre-trial detention he spent in Lefortovo prison and in the Lubyanka. He was sentenced to 7 years under an article for anti-Soviet agitation and sent to a strict regime camp in the Arkhangelsk region. First, he felled wood in the camp, and in the spring of 1953 he was transferred to the disabled department of the camp near Kuibyshev in Garilova Polyana, where he began working as an accountant. In the winter of 1955, Father John was released early.
Solagernik Vladimir Kabo recalled how his eyes and whole face radiatedkindness and love, especially when he spoke to someone. In all his words there was great attention and participation, sometimes there was a paternal admonition, brightened up with gentle humor. The Reverend Father John Krestyankin really liked to joke, and there was something in these manners from the old Russian intellectual.
Pskov diocese
When he was released, he was strictly forbidden to return to Moscow. Therefore, he began to serve in the Pskov diocese of the Trinity Cathedral. The authorities vigilantly followed the active church activities of Father John and again began to threaten with arrest. Then he left Pskov and continued his ministry in the Ryazan diocese.
And on June 10, 1966, he was tonsured a monk with the name John. In 1967, Patriarch Alexy I transferred him to the Pskov-Caves Monastery.
Reverend Elder
John Krestyankin lived in this monastery until his death. At first he was abbot of the monastery, and since 1973 - archimandrite. A year later, believers began to come to his monastery even from abroad. Everyone loved the elder very much for his high spirituality and wisdom.
In 2005, 95-year-old Archimandrite John (Krestyankin) was awarded the Church Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, I degree. At the same age, the elder introduced himself, it was February 5, 2006. His body rests in the caves of the Pskov-Pechersk monastery.
Unholy saints
Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov in his book "Unholy Saints" and othersStories” very fascinatingly and interestingly describes fragments of the life and cases of foresight of the famous All-Russian elder and preacher John Krestyankin.
In 2007, he even created a documentary called "Pskov-Caves Monastery". In his film, he used unique documentary footage from 1986, depicting the great ascetics still alive, who spent most of their time in persecution. Among them was John Krestyankin. Struggling for a great feat, they preserved the treasures of faith.
In conclusion, it would be appropriate to recall the words of Archimandrite John (Krestyankin): “It happens sometimes that a person begins to languish and yearn for no reason. This means that his soul missed a pure life, felt its sinfulness, got tired of the noise and fuss and began (often unconsciously) to seek God and communion with him.”
