Rostov-on-Don, September 9, 2025
shakhty-media.ru
On Sunday, September 7, the Don Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church officially glorified Archpriest John Domovsky as a locally venerated saint during a Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Rostov-on-Don.
The glorification ceremony, which followed a decision by the Holy Synod on July 24, took place on the feast of the Don Icon of the Mother of God, a date of particular significance in the region. His Eminence Metropolitan Merkury of Rostov and Novocherkassk, head of the Don Metropolia, presided over the Liturgy alongside several brother bishops, the Rostov Diocese reports.
rostoveparhia.ru
During the service, the life of St. John Domovsky was read aloud, followed by the announcement of the Holy Synod’s decision to canonize him as a righteous saint for local veneration within the Don Metropolia. His relics were then brought from the altar and placed in a shrine for veneration by the faithful.
Descendants of St. John, including his great-great-granddaughter, were present at the service.
In his address following the Liturgy, Met. Merkury emphasized the significance of the event for the Don region and the city of Rostov-on-Don, noting that St. John had been a spiritual guide to many people over decades. He stated that the saint’s relics would remain in the cathedral as a source of spiritual consolation for believers.
rostoveparhia.ru
The Metropolitan highlighted the symbolic timing of the glorification on the feast of the Don Icon of the Mother of God, describing St. John as a devoted servant of the Mother of God who had spent his life interceding for the people. According to the hierarch, this timing demonstrated the Mother of God’s special care for the Don region and recognition of her faithful servant.
The service concluded with a procession and prayers before the Don Icon of the Mother of God.
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rostoveparhia.ru
St. John Domovsky was born on March 30, 1844, in the village of Pokrovskoye, Ekaterinoslav Governorate, in the family of Deacon Alexei Domovsky. From an early age, he helped his father in the altar, loved the services, and was passionate about Church singing. From 1859 to 1865, he studied at Ekaterinoslav Theological Seminary. After graduation, he married Maria Gosoporova. They had four daughters.
On August 30, 1866, St. John was ordained to the priesthood and assigned to St. Nicholas Church in the village of Vasilyevka, Slavyanoserbsky District.
He distinguished himself as a preacher, missionary, Church composer, and zealous pastor. A special calling that largely determined St. John’s destiny was his obedience as a religious instructor and mentor. His love for the destitute and needy remained in people’s memory as a bright and edifying example.
In 1896, he was sent to serve in the city of Nakhichevan-on-Don (now a district of Rostov-on-Don). He was widowed before the beginning of World War I, and lived out the rest of his days there. He was the spiritual father of many priests, monks, and laypeople, including Hieromartyr Zachary (Lobov), Archbishop of Voronezh.
During the difficult years of the Civil War, St. John proved himself as a steadfast pastor and adherent of Patriarch St. Tikhon. He firmly denounced the Renovationists, which saved many clergy and laypeople from the temptation to join their schism.
Being already retired, in the difficult 1920s, St. John continued his ministry, receiving thousands of people at his home and celebrating the Sacraments of the Church, prayerfully comforting those who came to him. Many testimonies of his clairvoyance, miracle-working, and prayerful intercession have been preserved.
St. John peacefully reposed in the Lord on March 9, 1930, and was buried at Sofia Cemetery in Rostov-on-Don. His veneration began immediately after his repose and over the years spread more and more among believers.
Already in the 1950s, the collection of testimonies about the holiness of his life and miracles performed through his prayers began and have continued to the present time. In our days, cases of healing from infertility, from cancer, and other miracles that occurred after prayer at his burial site have been documented.
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