Saint
John
Venerable John, Wonderworker of Yarenga, Solovki
New Calendar July 3 Old Calendar July 16
Why they are a saint
Blessed John, Fool-for-Christ, Wonderworker of Moscow, was born on the outskirts of Vologda. In his youth he toiled at a saltworks, where he was a water-carrier. The saint combined strict fasting and prayer with his heavy work. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take John as a patron when they bear the name John at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on July 3. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy John, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.