Archbishop John (Shahovskoy)

Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) 1902-1989

John may be spelt Ioann, Ivan, Johannes, Jean.

Shahovskoy may be spelt Shahovskoi, Shakhovskoy.

Early life of Prince Dimitry Alekseievich Shahovskoy

On 23 August, 1902, Prince Dimitry Alekseievich Shahovskoy was born in Moscow, Russia, in the Russian Empire.

He was born to Prince Alexei Nikolaevich Shahovskoy (great-grandson of Prince Ivan Leontievich Shahovskoy) and his wife Anna Leonidovna Knninen (great-granddaughter of the architect Carlo Rossi).

There were also 3 daughters : Princesses Barbara, Natalia and Zinaida.

Prince Dimitry Alekseievich received his primary and secondary education in Saint Petersburg. In 1912, he entered the Levitskaya School in Tsarskoe Selo.

In 1915, he was admitted to the Imperial Alexander Lyceum, where he studied until 1917. He also studied at the Karl May Gymnasium (both in Saint Petersburg).

World War I (1914) ; Revolution (1917)

While Dimitry Alekseievich was studying in school, World War I had begun in 1914. Then, when he was 15 years old, the revolutions of 1917 occurred in the Saint Petersburg, where he lived. The Bolshevik Revolution against the Russian Empire interrupted his education.

Dimitry Alekseievich belonged to a family of people with artistic and literary gifts, but his education did not lack in military formation.

Anatoly E Krasnov-Levitin later described what happened then with Dimitry Alekseievich :

 [...] 1917 turned everything upside down.  The prince went to his village, to the Tula province.  
 There, everything was upside down.  Riots.  The princess and her son were taken to prison, 
 the eleven-year-old sister, Princess Zina, remained a hostage.  And the princess and her son 
 from that time began a stormy period in their biography.  They were imprisoned and freed and 
 imprisoned again.  The boy Dimitry at this time had to experience as much as had none of his 
 ancestors after the time of the Tatar yoke.  And the adolescent prince was showing extraordinary 
 abilities at this time : suffice it to say that at the age of 15 he had to visit the lair of 
 the beast, with Dzerzhinsky and Menzhinsky, to be concerned for his own mother, who at that 
 time was in Butyrki and, of course, they expected every minute to be shot.  And a miracle 
 happened : the princess was released.  

The parents and their daughters fled to the south during the Civil War (1918-1923). In February, 1920, they escaped through Odessa to Constantinople, and from there they began their exile in France.

From the summer of 1918, Dimitri Alekseievich was a volunteer in the White Army of General A I Denikin during the Civil War which ensued. In the battles near Tsaritsyn he suffered shell-shock.

In 1919, Dimitry Alekseievich entered the Naval Telegraph School in Sevastopol, Crimea, after which he was enrolled in the Black Sea Fleet as a radio operator on the Cruiser Almaz.

In the summer of 1920, as he had not reached the age of 18, Dimitry Alekseievich was transferred as a radio operator to the Russian Society of Shipping and Trade.

In 1923, Dimitry Alekseievich was evacuated from the Crimea through Constantinople, and then to France at the end of the civil strife in 1923.

Exile, 1923 ; higher education

After he had arrived in France and rejoined his family in Paris, Dimitry Alekseievich studied at the Free School of Political Science.

In 1923, Dimitry Alekseievich moved to Belgium, where he studied in the Faculty of History and Philology of the University of Leuven. He particularly focussed on political economy.

In the years 1923-1926, Dimitry Alekseievich published 3 collections of his poetry under the pseudonym "Wanderer".

In 1925-1926, he was the editor of the journal called "Blagonamerennyi” ("Well-intentioned"). This publication was a journal of philosophy and literature, and amongst its contributors were some of the most prominent writers, poets, and philosophers of the Russian emigration.

Mount Athos : monastic tonsure, 1926

In 1926, the young Dimitry left all to follow Christ. He went to Mount Athos, Greece, to the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon.

There (with the blessing of Bishop Benjamin (Fedchenkov)), on 5 September, 1926, he was tonsured to be a monk (a rasophor) with the name of John (after the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian) by Archimandrite Kirik (Maksimov) in the Russian Monastery of Saint Panteleimon.

While he was at the Saint Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, Dimitry was photographed with the Spiritual Father of the monastery and with others.

Standing are : Rasophor Basil (Krivoshein), Dimitry Shahovskoy (yet a layman), and Monk Sophrony (Sacharov) (right).

Seated are : the monastery's Spiritual Father, Archimandrite Kirik (Maksimov), and Archimandrite Tikhon (Troitsky) (right).

France, 1926

From Mount Athos, the monk John returned to Paris, France, and to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky).

He studied for a short time at the Saint Sergius Theological Institute in Paris.

Second tonsure ; diaconal ordination, 1926

While he was studying at the Saint Sergius Institute ("Institut Saint-Serge"), the Rasophor John (Shahovskoy) was tonsured to the Small Schema and he was blessed to retain the same name (John).

On 8 December, 1926, the Monk John (Shahovskoy) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky) in the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Paris.

Diaconal service

At the beginning of 1927, Hierodeacon John (Shahovskoy) travelled (with the blessing) to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia), where he had been transferred to the omophor of Bishop Benjamin (Fedchenkov). Because he was in this situation before Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky) broke from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) later in 1927, Hierodeacon John remained within the ROCOR.

The First Hierarch of the ROCOR, Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky) assigned Hierodeacon John (Shahovskoy) to serve as the head of the theological-pastoral courses in the city of Bela-Crkva (Vojvodina). For some time, he lived in the Serbian Petkovitsa Monastery on Fruška Gora, near the town of Šábac.

Presbyteral ordination, 1927

On 5 March, 1927, Hierodeacon John (Shahovskoy) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Benjamin (Fedchenkov) in the Serbian city of Bela-Crkva (White Church).

Pastoral service

Hieromonk John was then assigned by Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky) to Bela-Crkva, where he began his life-time priestly, missionary, and educational activities.

He was assigned to serve as the assistant rector of the Temple at the Crimean Cadet Corps in Bela-Crkva.

On 1 September, 1927, after the departure of Bishop Benjamin to retire to the Petkovitsa Monastery, Hieromonk John was assigned to serve as the rector of the Saint George Temple in Novi Sad, and as the teacher of the Law of God to the cadet corps.

Father John did not approve of the 1927 decision of Bishop Benjamin (Fedchenkov) to transfer to the Moscow Patriarchate in the Soviet Union, and to the jurisdiction of the Deputy Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Sergiy (Stragorodsky). After that transfer, Father John wrote a letter to Metropolitan Sergiy, in which he defended the separation of the Russian clergy outside Russia from the Moscow Patriarchate at that time (because of the activities of the Soviet Union).

First rector of Saint John the Theologian Temple, Bela-Crkva, 1927

During 1927-1930, Father John was the builder and the first rector of the Russian Church of Saint John the Theologian in Bela-Crkva, and he served as a teacher at the Pastoral School.

During these years, he also served as the director of the Orthodox Missionary Publishing House in this city. This publishing house disseminated religious tracts throughout Yugoslavia. Because of this activity, many young Russian refugees were attracted to the Church ; but it also provoked a controversy with Metropolitan Antony (Khrapovitsky).

Move to Paris, 1930

For this reason, in 1930, the missionary Priest-monk John again moved to Paris, where he passed into the jurisdiction of the Western European Exarchate (under the leadership of Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky)).

In 1931, the Exarchate of Western Europe entered the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

During 1931-1932, the Hieromonk John (Shahovskoy) served as a missionary priest in France. He served various communities in accordance with the blessing of Metropolitan Evlogiy.

From 1931 until 1 April, 1932, he served as the first rector of the Temple of the All-Merciful Saviour Christ in Asnières-sur-Seine.

Assignment to Berlin, 1932

On 1 April, 1932, Hieromonk John (Shahovskoy) was assigned by Metropolitan Evlogiy to Berlin, Germany, to serve as pastor to the Parish of Saint Vladimir (the former Russian Embassy Temple) in Berlin. There, he continued his missionary and educational work, by means of which he reached far beyond the boundaries of his parish. About this period, Metropolitan Evlogiy recalled :

 The parish was headed by Father John Shakhovskoy, a gifted man, of a highly ascetical nature, 
 an ascetic spirit, a fiery missionary preacher.  He drew hearts.  The parish revived and flourished.  

About this period, Father John himself recalled :

 My Berlin parish of Saint Vladimir was not only the place of my parish work, but [...] it became 
 the centre of my work in printing, missionary work and evangelism.  Over the years, I had to publish 
 many books, and visit all the countries of Europe, except Albania.  I spread the word of God by 
 preaching the Gospel to the people of the Russian diaspora.  Particularly comforting and fruitful 
 were my lecture trips to Latvia,  Estonia and Finland, where the indigenous Russian population 
 remained.  

On 18 May, 1935, Hieromonk John (Shahovskoy) was elevated to the dignity of igumen.

On 26 May, 1936 Igumen John (Shahovskoy) was assigned by Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky) to serve as the Dean of the Western Europe Exarchate parishes in Germany.

On 2 May, 1937, Igumen John (Shahovskoy) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

During this time, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) published and edited the magazine "For the Church", and he founded the Orthodox publishing house of the same name. He served as the spiritual leader of a volunteer Russian company in the ranks of the army of General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

World War II, 1939-1945

In general, the activities of the "Evlogian" parishes in Germany caused a negative attitude from the Nazi authorities, who considered them insufficiently loyal to Germany. The Nazi Germans preferred contact with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR).

Regardless, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) refused to change jurisdiction again. This being so, in 1942, he was forced nevertheless to participate in the Diocesan Council of the German Diocese of the ROCOR as a representative of the parishes that remained under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Evlogiy.

In this capacity, from 31 January, 1942, to 1 October, 1945, he served as a member of the Diocesan Council of the German Diocese of the ROCOR as a representative from the "Evlogian" parishes.

In 1942-1943 he was a teacher of pastoral theology at the Orthodox theological courses which were being offered in Berlin.

Situated where he was, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) could not know concretely what was happening on either the eastern or western fronts. He probably received some verbally-transmitted reports. However, during these very difficult years, he acted (certainly prayerfully) on the basis of his personal experience in the past, his hopes for the future, and the needs of the present. He was diligent in his pastoral care, and he was careful to protect the down-trodden. For example, not only did he baptise the children of critics of the Nazi government (whom other clergy were fearful to baptise), but he also sponsored these children personally.

During World War II, Archimandrite John and his Berlin parish assisted many "workers from the East" (people brought by force from Russia and from Ukraine in the Soviet Union to be forced-labourers in Germany) and refugees. They also provided whatever assistance was possible to missionaries going to the German-occupied territories of the Soviet Union to re-open churches that had been closed under the Soviet persecution of religion.

On 24 July, 1944, in Berlin, Archimandrite John secretly served a Moleben for the health of those who were at risk in the wake of the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He also served a Panikhida (memorial service) for the repose of the souls of those who had been killed during this failed attempt : Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Protestants. Certain persons criticised him for having prayed for the heterodox (even though it was in secret).

In February, 1945, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) moved to Paris, and he served under the direction of Metropolitan Evlogiy (Georgievsky).

Transfer to North America, 1946

On 7 March, 1946, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) was released from the clergy of the Western European Exarchate.

At the same time, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) was received into the "Metropolia", that is, "the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America" (ROGCCNA), and he travelled to the USA.

Upon his arrival, he was assigned by Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky) to serve at the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Los Angeles, California.

Archimandrite John at Holy Virgin Mary Temple, Los Angeles

When he arrived, the Archpriest Grigory Prozoroff, the Rector and the Dean of the region, very soon suddenly reposed in the Lord. Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) was then assigned to serve as the Rector of the parish. There, he organised Orthodox people to provide help to refugees in Europe, both in the form of "CARE" packages with food and clothing and medicine, and in the form of sponsorships to refugees who were immigrating to the USA as displaced persons.

Parishioners at Holy Virgin Mary Temple in 1947

On 26-29 November, 1947, the Seventh All-American Sobor was convened in Cleveland, Ohio. At this sobor, the arrangement between the ROGCCNA and the ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) under which they had functioned as one came to an end. There was a strong difference of opinion about whether or not to pursue conversations with the Moscow Patriarchate with regard to eventual reconciliation. At that time, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) was not in favour, but he did not go with the ROCOR.

In 1947, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) was elected by the Great Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America to become the Bishop of Brooklyn, New York City.

Episcopal ordination, 1947

On 11 May, 1947, Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky) and other bishops at the Holy Protection Cathedral in New York City.

Episcopal service

Bishop of Brooklyn

Bishop John (Shahovskoy) was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Brooklyn, New York.

Bishop John (Shahovskoy) was also assigned to serve as the Vicar-Bishop for Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky) and the Diocese of New York.

At the time of his episcopal ordination, Bishop John (Shahovskoy) was also assigned to serve as the Dean of Saint Vladimir's Seminary in New York City (where it was at that time situated). At that time, the seminary subsisted in a group of rented apartments associated with Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary (at Reed House, 537, West 121st Street, New York 27, NY (at Broadway), in the Morningside Neighbourhood).

At this time, he began his 40-year service as a religious broadcaster to Russia with the weekly programme “Conversations with the Russian people” on the "Voice of America" station. He also continued his writing of numerous books, articles, and poems. Because of the volume of poetry that he wrote, people began to give him the affectionate nickname "poet prince".

In June, 1948, Bishop John was given the responsibility of travelling to Montréal, Québec, in order to attend to some practical needs of the bereaved Canadian diocese.

He also had the responsibility of meeting the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna Kulikovskaya when she and her family arrived by ship from England. After their arrival and official immigration in Montréal, the Grand Duchess and her family travelled to Toronto, Ontario, where they settled. Vladyka John returned to New York.

Bishop John

Bishop of San Francisco, 1950

In 1950, Bishop John (Shahovskoy) was elected to become the Bishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West. He was enthroned there in the same year in Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, California. Bishop John accepted his pastoral responsibilities in a far-flung diocese, while continuing his enormous labours as broadcaster and writer.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco

From 1951 until 1957, Holy Resurrection Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, was joined to the Diocese of the West, under the omophor of Bishop John (Shahovskoy). This was the result of the decision of Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) to divide the Diocese of Canada into 3 administrative parts.

Holy Resurrection Temple, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1954

In 1961, Bishop John (Shahovskoy) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

Archbishop John (Shahovskoy), Archpriest Alexander Schmemann, Priest Paul Lazor

From 1954 to 1968, Vladyka John represented the American Metropolia in the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. It was in the midst of this "ecumenical" work that Archbishop John established contacts with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, which had joined the World Council of Churches in 1961.

Archbishop John, Archbishop Valerian (Trifa) at Uppsala, Sweden, 1966

Thus, he became instrumental in beginning the conversations which led to the re-establishment of canonical relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and American Orthodoxy, culminating in the granting of autocephaly to The Orthodox Church in America in 1970.

Retirement, 1973 ; return to service, 1975 ; retirement, 1979

In 1973 Archbishop John retired, only to be called back to active episcopal service in his diocese in 1975.

At his final retirement in 1979, whilst becoming physically weaker and weaker, Vladyka John continued to grow in his spiritual clarity, his goodwill to every person, and his prayerful insight. He also remained active in Russian literary and "ecumenical" circles.

Archbishop John was the author of many books and articles.

Repose, 1989

Archbishop John (Shahovskoy), the former Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of the West, fell asleep in the Lord on 30 May, 1989, in Santa Barbara, California.

On 1 June, 1989, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch were served in Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco.

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) (Primate of The Orthodox Church in America) presided at the funeral service and interment of Archbishop John. Concelebrating with him were Bishops Tikhon (FitzGerald) of San Francisco ; Basil (Rodzianko) (retired Bishop of San Francisco) ; and clergy of the Diocese of the West. Amongst the concelebrating clergy was the Archpriest Paul Lazor, Dean of Students at Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (who had been ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop John). He represented Saint Vladimir's Seminary at the funeral of its former dean.

After funeral services in Holy Trinity Cathedral, the interment of the former archbishop of San Francisco took place at the city's Serbian Cemetery on 1 June, 1989, in Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA.

He had faithfully served Christ in the Church for over 60 years.

Grave-Cross and Tomb-cover

— Bishop of Brooklyn (ROGCCNA) 1947-1950. Preceded by : Bishop Makary (Ilyinsky). Succeeded by : Archbishop Nikon (de Grève).

— Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of New York 1947-1950.

— Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary 1947-1950.

— Bishop of San Francisco (ROGCCNA) 1950-1961. Preceded by : Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky).

— Archbishop of San Francisco (ROGCCNA, OCA) 1961-1973. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky).

— Archbishop of San Francisco (OCA) 1975-1979. Preceded by : Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky). Succeeded by : Bishop Basil (Rodzianko).

— Former Archbishop of San Francisco 1979-1989.

Reflections

There was a certain amount of controversy regarding the initial attitude of Archimandrite John (Shahovskoy) with regard to the Nazi German attack on the Soviet Union. He, like part of the emigration, was subject to an illusion, seeing in the outbreak of World War II the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union. They were to be disappointed on many levels. What they hoped for did not begin until about 1990. Even with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the revival of the Russian Orthodox Church, the way forward was extremely difficult, and there were immediate pressures from outside Russia not only to disable Russia herself, but particularly the Russian Orthodox Church.

In the newspaper "Novoye Slovo" published in Germany on 29 June, 1941, he wrote:

 Providence saves the Russian people from a new civil war, calling on the earth to the forces 
 to fulfil their destiny.  The right to the operation to overthrow the communists is 
 entrusted to a skilled, experienced German surgeon.  It is not shameful for someone who is 
 sick to lie under his surgical knife.  The operation has begun.  The suffering it causes is 
 inevitable.  But it was impossible for Providence to wait any longer for the overthrow of the 
 communists by the hand of the exiled and bound Russian people. [...] It took a professional, 
 military, iron-precise hand of the German army, tested in the most crucial battles.  She is now 
 tasked with knocking down red stars from the walls of the Russian Kremlin, she will knock them 
 down if the Russian people do not knock them down themselves.  This army, which passed through 
 its victories throughout Europe, is now strong not only in the power of its weapons and 
 principles, but also in obedience to the highest call, Providence imposed on it beyond all 
 political and economic considerations. The sword of the Lord works above all human.  

An assessment of the writings of Vladyka John :

 Vladyka John was engaged in literary work - prosaic and poetic - under the pseudonym of the Wanderer - 
 even from the time when he was not ordained.  Alexander Karpenko considers his poetry akin to the 
 lyrics of F Tyutchev.  Anatoly Krasnov-Levitin wrote about the works of the archbishop : 'His books 
 are also read by emigrants, and they also end up in Russia.  Vladyka always chooses very relevant 
 topics.  This is so in his book about Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy. [...] Such are his books that have 
 appeared recently, in which Vladyka responds to all the pressing issues of our time.  At the same 
 time, one characteristic feature of Vladyka John should be noted : he never sinks to vulgar polemics, 
 with personal attacks, with rudeness towards ideological opponents.  He always maintains a correct, 
 benevolent tone.  Vladyka, of course, always writes like an Orthodox bishop.  His Orthodoxy is organic : 
 it permeates all his thoughts and feelings.  And along with this, breadth : he can always understand 
 the enemy, and, it is felt, he respects and has Christian feelings for him.  Such are his memories. 
 No bias, no reckless judgement.

Writings

Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) was an extremely prolific writer.

Selected Works available on the Internet in Russian and in English :

• "A Hymn to the Lesser God"

• "Confirmation of the Local Church" (Reflections and Refinements)

• "Easter Message, 1962"

• "Faith and Responsibility"

• "Hasten to do Good"

• "How to know God"

• "On Church Authority : Why I left Metropolitan Anthony's Jurisdiction"

• "On Prayer"

• "On Rulers and Nations"

• "On Sinners in the Gospel and other Sinners"

• "On the Little Things in Life"

• "Orthodoxy in the United States (On Nationality and Fervor)"

• "Sectarianism in Orthodoxy and Orthodoxy in Sectarianism"

• "The Church and the Cremation Problem"

• "The Philosophy of Ownership"

• “Conversations with the Russian People”

• “Establishing Unity”

• “Tolstoy and the Church”

• “Apocalypse of petty Sin”

• “White Monasticism”

• “Hymn to little good Deeds”

• “Philosophy of Orthodox Pastorship”

• “The Glory of the Resurrection”

• “Satellites of the Damascus Road”

Selected Books :

• "The Orthodox Pastor - a Guide to Pastoral Theology" (Crestwood, NY : SVS Press, 2008)

• “Apocalypse of petty Sin” (St Petersburg, 1997)

• “The Glory of the Resurrection” (Bela-Crkva : Orthodox Missionary Book Publishing, 1930)

• “The Church and the World” (Bela-Crkva : Orthodox Missionary Book Publishing, 1928)

• “The Rule of the Spirit (Berlin : For the Church, 1932)

• “Parable about unrighteous Wealth (Berlin : For the Church, 1932)

• “White Monasticism (Berlin, 1932)

• “Church and the World (Essays) (Tallinn, Berlin : For the Church, 1934)

• “Way North (Berlin : For the Church, 1938)

• “Philosophy of Orthodox Pastorship” (Moscow : Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra, 2007).

• “Prophetic Spirit in Russian Poetry :Lyrics by Alexei Tolstoy (Berlin, 1938)

• “Tolstoy and the Church” (Berlin : For the Church, 1939)

• “About Prayer” (Berlin : For the Church, 1946)

• “About seven Ardours of the Spirit” (New York : For the Church, 1947)

• “Two Messages to the Russian People (Christmas radio broadcasts in the USSR on "Voice of America" (New York, 1949)

• “The Path of the American Metropolis : Towards the 3rd Anniversary of the 7th Council : Results, Conclusions, Prospects” (New York, 1949)

• “Ten Words about Faith” (Buenos Aires, 1950)

• “The Time of Faith” (New York, 1954)

• “The Russian Church in the USSR” (New York, 1956)

• “Some more touching the Wounds [...]” (New York : Rausen Brothers, 1956)

• “Records of Love for God and Man” (New York, 1959)

• “Letters about the Eternal and the Temporary” (New York, 1960)

• “Letters to the Believers” (San Francisco, 1962)

• “Leaves of the Tree” (New York, 1963)

• “Book of Testimonies” (New York, 1965)

• “Book of Lyrics” (Paris, 1966)

• “Dialogue with the Church of Russia” (Paris, 1967)

• “Abolition of the Month : Lyric Poem” (New York : New Journal, 1968)

• “Confirmation of the local Church : Reflection and Clarification” (New York : Waldon Press, 1971)

• “Moscow Talk : About Immortality” (New York, 1972)

• “Selected Lyrics” (Stockholm, 1974)

• “On the History of the Russian Intelligentsia : Tolstoy's Revolution” (Paris, 1975)

• “Biography of Youth : Establishing Unity” (Moscow : Sretensky Monastery Publishing House, 2007)

• “Correspondence with Klenovsky” (Paris, 1981)

• “Faith and reliability" (Paris, 1982)

• “Amazing Land” (Paris, 1983)

• “Favourites” (Petrozavodsk, 1992)

• “Conversations with the Russian People” (Based on materials from the book "Time of Faith") (Moscow, 1998)

• “Selected Works : 2 Volumes (Nizhny Novgorod, 1999)

• “About the Mystery of human Life” (Moscow, 1999)

• “Establishing Unity” (Moscow, 2006)

Selected articles :

• 'Satellites of the Damascus Road' in "Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate" (JMP), no. 10 (Moscow, 1989), pp. 38-39.

• “JMP”, no. 12 (1989), pp. 35-36.

• “JMP”, no. 1 (1990), pp. 50-51 ; no. 3, p. 51 ; no. 4, pp. 46-47 ; no. 5, pp. 42-43 ; no. 8, pp. 52-54 ; no. 9, pp. 59-60 ; no. 11, pp. 50-51 ; no. 12, pp. 50-51.

• “JMP”, no. 3 (1991), pp. 49-51 ; no. 2/3, pp. 182-191 ; no. 2 (20), pp. 300-303 ; no. 4. pp. 44-45 ; no. 5, pp. 49-50.

• 'We pray madly sometimes ...' in "JMP", no. 6 (Moscow, 1990), p. 79.

• 'Mountain Roses' in "JMP", no. 6 (Moscow, 1990), p. 79.

• 'David' in "JMP", no. 6 (Moscow, 1990), p. 79.

• 'Philosophy of the Game' in "Enlightener", no. 2/03 (Moscow, 1995), pp. 182-191.

• 'Hymn to little good Deeds' in "Alpha and Omega", no. 2 (Moscow, 1999), pp. 300-303.

• ‘In unknown Canada Thirty Years ago’ in “Russian Thought”, no. 3259 (Paris, 1979), p. 7.

References

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975), p. 225. ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Orthodoxwiki biography

Article in “The Orthodox Church”, July-August 1989, pp. 1, 7

Russian Wikipedia biography

Orthodox Encyclopedia biography

Drevo Encyclopedia biography

Additional information :

Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 299-300. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

'The man who served Man and God' by Archbishop Boris (Geeza) in "The San Francisco Examiner", 12 January, 1977

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary obituary

UPI Obituary and Biography of Archbishop John (Shahovskoy)

Findagrave reference for Archbishop John (Shahovskoy)

Serbian Cemetery in Colma, California

Shahovskoy Ancestors

White Army, Movement

Russian Exarchate/Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe

Orthodoxwiki article about the Saint Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute

YMCA silent films from 1920s-1930s about the Institut Saint-Serge de Paris, and the RSCM Summer Camp (posted by John Sanidopoulos)

Harvard University study : Russians and East Europeans in America

Orthodoxwiki article about Saint Vladimir's Seminary

Diocese of San Francisco and the West web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about Bishops of San Francisco

Holy Trinity Cathedral history article

“Remembering Archbishop John of San Francisco : 1902-1989” (OCA News article 7 July, 2019)

Orthodoxwiki article about the Orthodox Church in America

Orthodoxwiki article about the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Russia

Please send your suggestions, additions, corrections or contributions to this address :

info@orthodoxcanada.ca