Prayers to Saint John of Shanghai & San Francisco
Prayer to the Holy Hierarch John, Wonderworker of Shanghai & San Francisco
O holy hierarch John our father, good shepherd and beholder of the secrets of men’s souls! Thou prayest for us now at the throne of God, as thou thyself didst say after thy death: “Even though I have died, yet am I alive.” Beseech the most compassionate God, that He grant us forgiveness of sins, that we may come wakefully to our senses, and cry out to God, asking that we be given the spirit of humility, the fear of God and piety in all the ways of our life. As thou wast a merciful nurturer of orphans and a skilled instructor on earth, be thou now a guide to Christian understanding for us amid the turmoil of the Church; hearken to the groaning of the troubled youth of our corrupt times, who are tossed about by most wicked demonic possession as by a tempest, and mercifully regard the despondency of our weak pastors, caused by the inroads of the corrupting spirit of this world, and who languish in idle indifference. Haste thou to make supplication, we cry to thee with tears, O fervent advocate; visit us, who are orphaned, scattered over the face of all the world and in our homeland, astray in the darkness of the passions, yet who by our feeble love are drawn to the light of Christ and await thy fatherly instruction; that, having acquired piety, we may be shown to be heirs of the kingdom of heaven, where thou abidest with all the saints, glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be honor and dominion, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer
O wondrous and holy hierarch John, thou didst cast thy heart so wide that the multitude of those who venerate thee, from among divers nations and peoples, easily find a place therein. Look upon the poverty of our words, which are yet offered unto thee with love, and help us, O favored one of God, that henceforth we may purify ourselves of all defilement of flesh and spirit, laboring for the Lord with fear, and rejoicing in Him with trembling. What shall we render unto thee for that joy which we have felt, beholding thy sacred relics in the holy church, and glorifying thy memory? Truly, we have nought to offer thee: only what beginning we can make in correcting ourselves, becoming new men instead of old. Acquire this grace of renewal for us by thy mediation, O holy John; help us in our weaknesses; heal our sicknesses; cure our passions by thy supplications. O thou who didst depart this transitory life for that which is everlasting, to which the all-pure Mistress, the Directress of the Russian diaspora, guided thee by her wonder-working Kursk-Root Icon, whose companion thou wast on the day of thy repose, thou dost now rejoice in the choir of the saints who glorify the one God, Who is worshiped in Trinity—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion (Tone 5)
Lo, thy care for thy flock in its sojourn prefigured the supplications which thou dost ever offer up for the whole world. Thus do we believe, having come to know thy love, O holy hierarch and wonderworker John. Wholly sanctified by God through the ministry of the all-pure Mysteries, and thyself ever strengthened thereby, thou didst hasten to the suffering, O most gladsome healer. Hasten now also to the aid of us who honor thee with all our heart.
Kontakion (Tone 4)
Following Christ, the Chief Shepherd, thou wast shown to be most excellent among hierarchs; for thou didst save thy sheep from destruction by the godless, arranging a tranquil refuge for them; and exercising unceasing care for thy flock, thou didst heal the infirmities of their souls and bodies. Entreat Christ God now for us who fall down before thy precious relics, O father John, that our souls may be saved in peace.