Pechory, August 2, 2020
On August 1, 2020, an exhibition on the life of the ever-memorable Archimandrite John (Krestiankin) was opened in the Pskov Caves Monastery, where he labored in asceticism for many years, as Pravoslavie.ru reports. The exhibit is called “Batiushka”, which is the diminutive endearing form of the word “Father”, in Russian, as Elder John was affectionately called by his spiritual children.
In Russia, Elder John of Pskov has long been remembered as an incredibly holy man who suffered for the faith during the Soviet years, and was widely considered to be clairvoyant. Many in the English-speaking world became aware of his life through the best-selling book “Everyday Saints” and Other Stories, by his spiritual son, then-Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), who is now Metropolitan of Pskov. An excerpt from the book telling of his life can be found here.
Those who visit the exhibition will be able to see the elder’s personal letters, among the various exhibits dedicated to his life and teachings, which include even his personal belongings, books, and videos.
Patriarchs of Moscow Pimen and Alexy II came to Fr. John for advice in their personal spiritual life, as well as concerning important issues for the entire church; and many well-known confessors of the 20th century revered him, calling him “the confessor of confessors.”
The exhibition will be held from August 1 to October 31, 2020, in the monastery museum, in the town of Pechory, Pskov province. It will surely attract countless visitors, as it’s no secret that many feel it is only a matter of time, before Elder John is commemorated not only as a great spiritual father, but among the choirs of the venerable saints, and fathers of the ancient Pskov Caves Monastery.
