The sun., 1909-01-31
A SAINT In BAD COMPANY
FATHER JOHN or CRONSTiDr
A TOOL or SCHEMERS.
An Attempt 20 Exploit Even After Ills
Death His Fame for Piety-RussIans
Asked 60 Contribute Money for the
Candle OF the World" at Ills Tomb

Candle OF the World" NJ Ills Tomb
ST. PETERSBURG. Jan. 1.-TWO years ago
the writer saw Father John of Cronstadt
for the first and only time. The League
Of Tue Russian Men-otherwise the
central organization OF the Black Hun.
dreds- had invited him to the Mchaelshv
Riding School in st. Petersburg on
Sunday afternoon to bless its banners
The Metropolitan. Antonius. had refused
to allow his orthodox priests to grace the
occasion, even rebuking the leagues
policy Of fomenting pogroms; but Father
John was much more priced patron than
any Of the absent digntaries.
He arrived late. While an orator was
fervently exhorting his 5000 or more
hearers to stamp out the revolutionary
infidels a loud untranslatable sound Of
wonder and adulation came from the
doorway. The whole gathering Of
dvorniks (house porters). pensioners. men
servants and religious devotees pressed
forward to see the miracle worker.
His appearance recalled some picture
OF an early father of tho Church. Ris
shortish. slightly built figure. enveloped
In a voluminous dark blue cloak. stopped
much; his venerable. delicate face. rounded
| by uncut white locks and beard, expressed
gentleness and suffering to an almost
distressing degree. He raised his frall
hands upward q little, uttered some
blessings that were not heard a couple
of yards from him and touched each
banner amid devotional hush.
Since those days weakness grew on
him. He told visitors last year that his
only food was a little maize porridge, and
that the one happiness left to him in life
was to take his part in the daily service
in the Andreas Church next to his humble
lod ging at Cronstadt.
His well wishers among the educated
public. who once numbered hundreds
Of thousands. have dwindled steadily
for ten years or more, indeed ever since
his public dispute with the Imperial Court
Chaplain, Janysheff. as to which Of them
last confessed Gar Alexander III. on
his deathbed in Livsdia. Father Johns
eagerness to establish his claim seemed
out Of keeping with the sincere humility
OF his earlier ministrations.. 1t was then
that intelligent people began to perceive
that his reputation for devoutness and
self-denial was being exploited by
gang OF onhangers who saw boundless
possibilities Of getting money from the
afflicted faithful who made pilgrimages
to see him at Cronstadt.
From the ranks OF these hangerson
there sprang the community Of SELF
styled Johannites. who have recently
been the object Of criminal prosecution
Ia AHt A.kn
things. A few weeks before his death
Father John asked for the closed carriage
which he used when visiting the sick
It could not be found; q pair Of Johannites
had taken 1t for q pleasure drive. The
old man had to take an open hired fy.
and in it he caught the cold that led to
his death.
As he lay dying his weak minded wife
was removed to another house and his
satellites proceeded to distribute, his
During the inventory which was at
tempted to be taken after his end one
Of his assistants disappeared. She had
had an unsatisfactory interview with
the police and quantities Of valuables
presented by his admirers were unac-
coupted for.
is dispersed at Cronstadt by his death
His blessing was so priced by pilgrims
that they gave lavishly to the host Of
mendicants, ikon sellers and lay breth
ren who encamped uninvited around
the house in which he lived for fifty.
three years, Some OF them have taken
monastery near st. Petersburg and the
consequent end Of Cronstadt as a beg
gars' paradise with such bad grace that
they have transformed themselves into
footpads in the villages around Sestro'
retzk and Oranienbaum.
Others, the more astute have sought
means OF providing for their future.
Continuing to avail themselves OF the
belief in Father Johns miraculous
powers they announce that he entrusted
them before his death with the tending
Of the candle Of the world"
The candle OF the world will be III by
the side Of the tomb Of Father John and
will he tended by thirty-three vestal
virgins. The life Of it's flame will last
as long as that Of the human race. The
self-styled Johannites. by the word ot
their leaders, Sister Ba rbara and Brother
Conon. in announcing universal sub
scription for the installation OF the can:
die. explain how ii will be symbolic oil
the destinies Of mankind.
As it burns down the moment viii
approach of the end Of the world. But,
they add. -after it is lit a miracle will
happen. Wax will always grow arounn
the base Of the candle. So much wax
will form as will last through the lifetime
Of all true believers. Candles from this
wax should burn in the house OF eacn
of the faithful.
when the candle blows out the end
OF the world shall come. Then the Anti,
Christ will invade the world in the final
darkness. but he will be overthrow IN
the supreme struggle.
THE Lord will call all nations to the
day OF judgment. All who come with
candles from the wax of the candle OF
the world will be placed on His right
hand and those with none will he cast
down into fiery Gehenna.'
.. Pickering Of the fame will signify fam
inc. war OF earthquake. 1t will always
reflect the fate Of humanity.
Over thousand rubles (s5o0) was
collected for the candle Of the world in
small coins from the poor people who
passed Father Johns body within a few
hours after it was laid in the monastery
Nine Sokolova, wife Of a merchant, an
nounced the donation of 81. 500
Sobs and cries Of devotees lasted
throughout the six hours OF the final
burial service Many we're carried OUT
unconscious from the mystic, incense
laden atmosphere.
During the Scripture reading voices
interrupted fervently crying: "He wiz
arise on the third day Numbers oi
) Johannites moved about among the crowu
declaring that II they gave money TO the
cause in these first forty days their under
takings would he specially blessed.
Meanwhile Father Johns house a.
Cronstadt remains in confusion. had
been ransacked bv onhangers of the
priest before his death. Still quantities