Archimandrite John Krestiankin of the Pskov-Caves Monastery

Born in 1910 in the ancient Russian town of Orel, to a traditional Orthodox family, Archimandrite John Krestiankin of the Pskov-Caves Monastery in Russia, chose the path of service to the Church from early childhood. He lived through all the horrors of the communist revolution, Stalinist repressions, and continual persecutions against the Church. Having spent nearly five years in prisons and concentration camps, he was subjected to harsh tortures and mocking but was never broken. Instead, he thanked God for everything, praying to the end of his days for the interrogator who had broken every finger on his hands.