Church of the Righteous John of Russia in Kuntsevo
John Russian (1690-1730) was an Orthodox saint, a righteous confessor, glorified for his unshakeable faith and fortitude in the face of torment. Being captured during the Russian-Turkish war of 1710-1713, he was sold into slavery to a Turkish military commander, but, despite severe trials, refused to convert to Islam. For his righteous life, humility, and miracles attributed to his prayers, John was revered even by Muslims, who called him “veli” – a saint. Born around 1690 Russian Russian Empire, John was drafted into the army of Peter the Great at an advanced age and participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1710-1713. During the Prussian campaign, he was captured by the Tatars, allies of the Ottoman Empire, probably in the battle for Azov, after which he was sent to Constantinople and sold into slavery to a Turkish military commander, who took him to Cappadocia, to the village of Urgup. There, despite severe torments and humiliations, John refused to renounce Christianity, which earned him the respect of the owner and others, although he lived and worked in the stable. Leading a righteous life, he prayed, fasted strictly, and secretly visited St. George’s cave church, where he received communion every Saturday. Over time, the Aga became rich and attributed his well-being to John’s presence in the house. During the host’s hajj, a miracle happened: John, taking a dish of pilaf, said he would send it to Mecca, and upon his return, the Aga confirmed that he had indeed found it in his locked room. Upon learning about this, the inhabitants of Urgup, including Muslims, began to call John “veli” – the saint. The name of the righteous John Russian is borne by a temple in Moscow, in the Kuntsevo district.
Address: Moscow, Yartsevskaya str., 1A, building 1
