Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-07
THE GREATEST RUSSIAN.
Next 30 tire csar Stands Fash~r yshs-A vsry
Remarkable Man.


From the London rmes
Two jubilee celebrations have recently 81
trscted attention in RussiA-one the centennial
anniversary Of the storming and capture Of the
turkish fortress Of lsmsil on the Danube under
souraroh and the other the thirty-hfth amir
Nersary OF the entry into the orthodox ministry
OF Father John serseyen. one of the most re-
msrkaoie and popular men in the Russian en-
pire. IL needs no comments 20 explain the pa
uiotic outpourings u the Russians over the
historic siege and savage reduction OF Ismsil,
but OF the celebration In honor OF faiher John
OF Cronstadt there IL much 20 relate that 10
strange and interesting.
Father Ivan or John Of Cronstaat Known
and reyered in every nook and corner @, Russia.
has hitherto been almost entirely unknown 90
English readers; but O circumstance inst re-
ported by the British chaplain At Cronstsdt
seems 10 indicate that the Christian influence
OF this remarkable priest Of the Russian church
has at last found its way even into the United
Kingdom. A short time ago letter reached the
British clergyman in Cronstsdt addressed In
English 10 the parish priest Of that port. 10
came from correspondent In County Kerry,
Ireland, and earnestly begged for the prayer.
Of Father John on behalf Of the writer, who APP
peared 20 be In great distress OF mind and
body. His letter IL being translated and will
be forwarded TO the reverend pastor.
This is a curious proof Of the influence and
reputation Of this wonderful man. who. in the
midst OF his Russian surroundings eeems 90
approach as nearly as any one perhaps could
approach in these days to the first apostles. He
If, indeed. a true physician Of the Gospel. His
extraordinary healing powers and the spiritual
and bodily cures effected by the faithful accept
ance OF his earnest consultations, are attested on
al sides by many sorts and conditions Of men.
10 those who believe in Father Jchn-and
their name is legion-the age Of miracles 10 not
vet Crowds rOund inn rkap
he leaves his humble abode. and are happy II
they can only touch the hem Of his modest
garb. Father Johns life In one OF uninterrupted
and self-sacrihcine charity and Christian min
istration among the poor, the sick and needy
not, however, refusing hi, presence and prayers
to the well-to-do and rich, who send Tor him
when all other help fails, and never in vain.
from all parts Of the country. He has no vast
business organization Of charity and no cory
religious politics like Archbishop Nicanor Of
Odessa Although enormous sums Of money
have passed through HE hands 90 the Russian
poor IN all directions he is still poor man. liv-
ing in the humblest possible way. Steamboats,
and trains in which he journeys 70 and fro on
his truly Christian work are besieged with such
crowds that the police have 10 protect him
from their pressure.
The report o; bis appearance in any house in
81. Petersburg-and the news spreads like wild
hre-brings throngs Of poor people running
madly from all the surrounding streets 60 get
within the range VI his healing presence, 10 re-
ceiye his blessing or 10 implore his attendance
At the sick beds Of relatives friends
He advocates no impracticable Christian the
ories like Tolstoi: his life 10 entirely Of good
works and his influence for good among the Rus
sian masses, who have not yet reached the state
Of cynical unbelief Of the lower orders in other
countries, Is greater, perhaps than any other
Russian under the car
The festival in his honor at Cronstsdt. an
island most difficult and announcement Of access
in winter, was attended by great crowds Of peo-
pie. rich and poor, who made their way across
the ice Of the gulf TO the isolated port from 81.
Petersburg and other places. Thirty priests
offciated at the church service on the occasion
and Populations from various benev client and
other societies, including even the beggars,
presented the reverend father with gifts Of sill
ver-bound Bibles and holy pictures. The most
touching sight Of all the gift Of a small
bunch OF flowers by poor sickly woman with
child in her arms. An eye witness states that
the crowd and Father John were moved TO
tears At q banquet in the evening. at which
the governor and admiral Of the port presided,
paupers, mendicants and moujicks sat cheek by
jowl with ladies, officials and naval officers 20
drink TO the health and long life Of Father
John