CANADIAN DIOCESE: 14 May, 2026
A reliquary of St John (Maximovich) visits Holy Trinity Cathedral in Ontario

On 9–10 May, 2026, the parish of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toronto solemnly and prayerfully welcomed the reliquary containing a particle of the holy relics of the great saint of God — St John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Wonderworker. The holy relic was brought to Toronto especially for the veneration of the faithful by Mitred Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, dean of the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco.

Over the course of two days, hundreds of Orthodox Christians streamed to the cathedral in order reverently to venerate the honorable relics of St John — the wondrous archpastor of the Russian Diaspora, man of prayer, wonderworker, and swift helper to all who flee unto him with faith.

On Saturday evening, the holy relic remained in the cathedral during all-night vigil, at which numerous worshipers offered fervent prayers to St John. The following day, Sunday, the veneration of the holy relics continued prior to the Divine Liturgy.

Following the Liturgy, the rector of the Holy Trinity cathedral, the Mitred Archpriest Fr Vladimir Malchenko, served a moleben to St John of Shanghai, offering prayers for the health and salvation of all gathered. Concelebrating with the rector were Fr Peter, Priest Pavel Ruiz-Gomar, Priest Valentin Lossev, together with Protodeacon Alexander Morin and Deacon Georgy Bolshan.

Especially solemn and spiritually uplifting was the Sunday evening service. Before the reliquary containing the relics, an akathist to St John of Shanghai was served, glorifying the saint as a great wonderworker and swift helper in sicknesses, sorrows, and the needs of daily life. Joining the cathedral clergy were Archpriest Georgy Tiu, Priest Dimitry Chemeris, as well as representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches: Igumen Polycarp of the Monastery of the Exaltation of Christ in Mono, Ontario (Romanian Orthodox Church), Archpriest Geoffrey Korz (Orthodox Church in America), and Archpriest Thomas Pekurishvili (Georgian Orthodox Church).

Following the akatist, the Canadian premiere of the documentary film “The Fragrance of Holiness,” dedicated to the ascetic life and service of St. John of Shanghai, took place. The film recounts his missionary endeavors, love for neighbor, self-sacrificing archpastoral ministry, and his strengthening of the Orthodox Faith among the scattered Russian people throughout the diaspora. Created for the 30th anniversary of the glorification of St John, the documentary includes unique archival footage, rare photographs, and previously unpublished materials from U.S. state archives, the personal archive of Fr Peter, and other closed archival collections in America.

After the film screening, at the request of many clergy and parishioners, Fr Peter shared impressions from his recent trip to Moscow as part of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia attending the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. Fr Peter spoke of his meetings with His Holiness, clergy, and countless faithful, bearing witness to the profound spiritual unity and living bond uniting the Russian Orthodox people throughout the world.

Fr Peter also noted that on March 15, in Moscow, before a full audience in the Cathedral Chamber Hall, the Russian premiere of his documentary film “The Fragrance of Holiness” took place, attracting considerable interest among clergy, historians, and the Orthodox public.

Thus concluded the пребывание of the reliquary containing the relics of St John of Shanghai in Toronto. Yet for the many faithful, these days became a true spiritual consolation and a living testimony to the unceasing prayerful intercession of the great hierarch of the Russian Diaspora, who even now strengthens all who come unto him with faith and love.

Author: Rev. Fr. Valentin Lossev
Photo courtesy Igor Ilyutkin