Life of St John of San Francisco – Born in southern Russia on June 4, 1896 to well-off parents, John Maximovitch (baptized “Michael”) was a frail boy who loved to study. In spite of the fact that he was born with one leg shorter than the other and had a speech impediment, young Michael pursued his journey with determination and faith. Throughout his growing up years, Michael was exposed to true holiness as his family attended church regularly and took him to visit holy icons and the relics of holy people. These experiences had a profound and lasting impact on his life. Although exiled from his homeland due to the Bolshevik revolutionaries, he became a Russian Cadet, and then monk, seminary teacher and, eventually, Archbishop John of Shanghai and San Francisco. John was a very humble man all of his life. A great man of prayer and tireless traveler to wherever his help was needed, Saint John Maximovitch performed many miracles on the five continents he crossed. His angelic life was a true comfort to people who were in need and in all kinds of pain. He helped the building of churches, hospitals, and orphanages and was intensely active, constantly praying and serving the daily cycle of services, while also visiting the sick with the Holy Gifts. He often would walk barefooted even in the coldest days. Yet to avoid the appearance of secular glory, he would pretend to act the fool. He gave generously to the needy and served the poor without a thought for his own needs. He was known for his asceticism and was also so close to God that he was endowed with the gift of clairvoyance, and there were healings by his prayers. He reposed July 2nd 1966 at the age of 70 years old.