Today we celebrate the arrival in China of particles from the Honorable Relics of the great God-pleasing Saint John, the Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, where his Holy Relics shall be placed at the parishes of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Today we together experience the joy of the communion in prayer with this outstanding just man of the previous century - Saint John, the Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco. The memory of him, regardless of the abundant tribulations and changes that have happened in the world, not only did it not went dim or in vain - but on the contrary, more and more inhabitants from every part of the world are supplicating in prayer Saint John.[1]
Saint John began his archpastoral service in China as a bishop of the city of Shanghai. He dedicated many efforts here in the hope that the Light of Christ's Truth will illumine the people of China, and he also took upon himself the care for the thousands of Russian refugees who had found in China a safe heaven in their exodus from the Motherland. Through his love for the people of God - without discriminating in regards to nationality or language, through his self-sacrificing and self-denying service, through his zeal for the justice of God, through his fiery prayers he was made worthy to receive many gifts from the Lord: the gift of clairvoyance, miracle-working, the gift of discernment. Even during his lifetime Saint John drew love and respect from everyone that knew him - and after his repose, the respect for the memory of the Saint was kept not only among those who had the opportunity to know him personally, but it also grew strong among the people of God, who were gracefully gifted with countless miracles that took place by his intercession through prayer. His Holy Relics, put to rest currently in the San Francisco Cathedral are truly a springhead of spiritual replenishment for those who heed to them in good faith and love.
Today, the state of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church remains serious, since it was left without archpastors and pastors, thus substantially weakened during those years when the Divine Services for its flock could not have been performed fully. Saddened by this irregular situation, we are putting our hopes in the intercession and the archpastoral entreaty of Saint John for the flock of the Orthodox Church in China before the Throne of the Eternal Archpastor, our Lord Jesus Christ. The dwelling of his Holy Relics in the realm of China let it serve to the spiritual strengthening of all Orthodox faithful on Chinese soil and for the rebirth of the Chinese Autonomous Orthodox Church.
I am greeting the entire beloved in Christ flock with today's celebration. Let the entreaty through his prayers of Saint John, the Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco be with all of you. Amen.
September 27/October 10, 2008 BISHOP THEODOSY OF SEATTLE,
VICAR OF
WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE,
San Francisco
[1] This paragraph was part of the unabridged draft, but omitted in the signed Russian original letter for brevity.